About
Riley Hart, LPC
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in Madison, WI, and I work with teens, young adults, and the parents doing their best to keep up with them.
I came to this work sideways. I trained as a school counsellor, spent six years in a public high school watching bright kids come apart quietly in third period, and realised the part I was best at was the unhurried conversation nobody had time to schedule. So I went and got licensed to do that full time.
Sessions with me are practical and a little informal. We work out what is actually going on underneath, build a couple of skills you can use the same week, and check often enough that you would notice if it stopped helping.
How I work
What you can expect from me
No lectures, ever
You already have people telling you what to do. Counseling is where we figure out what you think — and what you want to do about it.
Evidence-based, human-paced
I draw on CBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing — but the plan always bends to fit the person, not the other way around.
Parents in the loop, teens in the lead
Teens need privacy to do real work. I keep parents informed about direction and safety, while the details stay in the room.
Honest progress checks
Every few weeks we look up and ask: is this helping? If the answer's no, we change course — including referring you to someone who fits better.
Training & background
Credentials and training
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Placeholder University
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), State of Wisconsin
- Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Eight years working with adolescents in school and clinical settings
- Regular speaker at schools and parent groups across Dane County
Outside the office you'll find me on a bike trail, at the climbing gym, or losing gracefully at whatever card game my nephews are currently obsessed with.
Book a free call