Jean McElhaney, M.S., LPC, LCSW, is currently employed as a psychotherapist in two settings: (a) Pathway, an outpatient clinic in Prairie du Sac and Spring Green, and (b) Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston (where she meets with sex offender treatment providers).

In addition to being a psychotherapist, she is also an activist and a workshop facilitator.

Her training includes a B.A. in English and Psychology, M.A. in English Literature, and M.S. in Counseling Psychology, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jean participated in a three year course of psychosynthesis with Hedwig Weiler, followed by various additional supervision groups and workshops. Her continuing education has included treatment of sexual abuse and other trauma, sex offender treatment, mediation, energy psychology (e.g., Thought Field Therapy), stress management, play therapy, counseling and spirituality, mindfulness meditation, and nonviolent communication skills. More generally, she sees her studies of psychology, nonviolence theory and practice, literature, and comparative religion all informing her perspective.

Jean's intention is to contribute to making the world a more peaceful place. Psychosynthesis has been foundational for her, helping her especially to hold a both/and perspective that sees both the parts that need attention and the Self that is healthy and whole. She also appreciates the wisdom of the PS perspective in honoring multiple ways of knowing and accessing wisdom -- the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of who we are. As a foundation for social change, PS again offers a perspective that honors the parts of a system -- in this case, various sub-groups of humanity -- while simultaneously affirming that there is a larger unity at work, unfolding on a path of deepening consciousness and growth. It has been extremely helpful to Jean to see the parallels between the process of growth and development of an individual and of humanity. She also sees psychosynthesis as being at its heart a theory and practice of nonviolence. PS looks for the wisdom and truth contained in the sub-personalities, even when upon first glance they may appear to be very wrong-headed, and at the same time looks for ways those truths can be expressed in beneficial, not harmful, ways. She also sees PS as creative, flexible, and spiritually wise. The practice of identification/disidentification can be extremely helpful in maintaining equanimity and inner peace, which is absolutely essential. Most important, though, is that PS holds a positive vision and is bold enough to affirm love at the center of it all.

Jean is available to do workshops related to spiritual activism, nonviolence, emotional intelligence, compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, conflict and communication skills, stress management, and related subjects. She also offers two specific workshops, "Nonviolence and Psychosynthesis: Honoring the Separate Pieces of the One Truth" and "Psychosynthesis, Democracy, and Spiritual Activism."