- Psychodynamic approach
- Attachment work
- CBT and DBT skills
About Petrovnia
Petrovnia McIntosh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin with nine years of experience. She works with adults carrying the effects of long-term childhood trauma and related concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship strain, and guilt and shame.
McIntosh approaches therapy from a psychodynamic perspective. She looks for repeating patterns of thought and behavior that began in childhood. She treats behaviors as attempts to cope or survive, then helps people name the need the behavior filled.
Sessions focus on talking through how past experiences shape current reactions. She and the client review what has worked and what has caused harm. That lets them try different responses and make a plan for testing new behaviors.
She also explores how systems of oppression, internalized bias, and generational trauma affect daily life. McIntosh pays particular attention to the experiences of People of Color, people in the LGBTQ community, and people living with HIV, including those planning gender-affirming transition or surgery.
Her background includes a Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Social Work. McIntosh describes therapy as a process of examining patterns, understanding the needs behind actions, and practicing alternative choices.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape expectations of others and emotional responses. In an online session this work looks at current relationship patterns and helps identify how past attachments influence trust, closeness, and responses to conflict.Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and aims to make room for honest reflection. In practice she listens for what matters most to the client and follows those concerns, helping people name their feelings and priorities so they can make clearer choices.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. When used alongside attachment work or client-centered listening, CBT offers concrete skills for managing anxiety, guilt, or compulsive patterns.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. McIntosh will collaborate with the person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She often combines approaches so the plan matches what the client wants to try and learn.
Confirm the current session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific online options. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Those practical benefits can help people keep regular appointments and practice new behaviors between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin
Languages
English, American Sign Language
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and parenting concerns, self-esteem issues, compassion fatigue, and guilt and shame.
How does she approach guilt and shame in sessions?
She uses a psychodynamic lens to identify patterns from childhood and then explores the needs those behaviors or feelings were meeting.
What is her clinical experience?
She has nine years of clinical experience working with adults who experienced long-term childhood trauma.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Wisconsin.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English and American Sign Language.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, with cost that varies by location.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.