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Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD

(Dr. Jennifer Michels, PHD)

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Health Psychology
Professional interests include: anxiety, diagnostic evaluation, chronic illness, and more.
411 Westwood Drive
Wausau, WI 54401

Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD is a health psychologist in Wausau, WI specializing in health psychology. Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD is affiliated with Aspirus Health.

View Provider's Full Profile (715) 847-2558

Office Locations

Aspirus Health

411 Westwood Drive
Wausau, WI 54401
(715) 847-2558
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500 N 1st Street
Wausau, WI 54403
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Some issues Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD can help you with:

Anxiety

Anxiety is a generic name given to a variety of conditions characterized by unusual amounts of fear and worry, especially unrealistic fears and tension. People who suffer from anxiety often are aware that their fears are irrational, but that knowledge does not make the feeling of being scared and anxious go away. To qualify as anxiety, symptoms must last for 6 months or more and interfere with the way a person lives their daily life. Some cases may be mild, where, for example, a person simply avoids certain situations. Other cases can be severe enough to be disabling.

Some of the specific conditions covered under the general label of anxiety include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Phobias
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Social phobia
  • Panic disorder

Collectively, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues diagnosed in the United States -- even more common than depression. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety, and it is extremely common for a person with anxiety to have another illness at the same time, such as depression, a physical illness, or substance abuse.

Treatment for anxiety usually involves medication and psychotherapy together. Medications used may include antidepressants (which also work for anxiety), anti-anxiety medications, or beta blockers (which can be used to control the physical symptoms of anxiety). Psychotherapy can be useful to teach patients new ways of thinking and reacting so that they can manage their feelings of worry and fear. Support groups can also be very effective for anxiety, and they can be a form of treatment themselves for social phobias. Stress management, relaxation techniques, and meditation all help reduce feelings of anxiety or of being out of control. Finally, having a strong support network of family and friends is an excellent way to help manage the difficulties of life with anxiety.

Depression

Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."

Some common symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling sad, guilty, empty or hopeless
  • Fatigue and a lack of energy and motivation
  • A loss of pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
  • Unusual sleep or eating habits
  • Mental fog -- trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Physical aches and pains
  • Suicidal thoughts or a preoccupation with death

We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.

Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.

Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that was originally developed to help the most severely mentally ill and depressed patients accept therapy. It relies on the same concept in CBT that examines the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and actions, but in DBT the emphasis is first on acceptance rather than change. There is also an emphasis on mindfulness, 'being in the moment,' and relaxation techniques such as yoga. These are combined with a great deal of validation and encouragement from the therapist.

The word 'dialectical' means acting through opposing forces, and this word refers to a few different opposing concepts in DBT:

  • The therapy combines traditional Western psychotherapy techniques with Eastern religious philosophy.
  • Patients must learn that life, thoughts, and feelings are not all black and white -- there are many shades of grey.
  • The therapy works on accepting and validating the patient for being where they are at the moment while also encouraging them to change for the better.

Dialectical behavior therapy was developed when therapists attempting to use CBT techniques on the most seriously ill patients ran into a problem. When they suggested that a patient change their thoughts, these very vulnerable patients would become overwhelmed and turn aggressive or suicidal. DBT was developed to support these patients with acceptance and validation while still guiding them towards changing problematic thoughts. Although also used for suicidal and self-harming patients today, these days, DBT is mainly used to treat borderline personality disorder. It is one of the few effective interventions for this serious illness.

DBT has been shown to be very effective at reducing self-destructive behavior. It can also be used to teach new coping skills and increase a patient's self-esteem and motivation to become healthier.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2012 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 88

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2013 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 122

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 27

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2013

Hypertension 52
High Cholesterol 33
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 29
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 31
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2014 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 95

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2014

Hypertension 39
High Cholesterol 39
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 24

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2015 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 117

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Gender
Male 24
Female 54
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 36

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2015

Hypertension 54
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 74
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 33
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2016 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 79

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Gender
Male 11
Female 20
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 31
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2016

Hypertension 48
High Cholesterol 42
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 71
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2017 were mental health therapy and health and behavior assessment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

health and behavior assessment 61
mental health therapy 88

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Gender
Male 14
Female 19
Age
From 65 to 74 17
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2017

Hypertension 70
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 45
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 39
Dementia 0
Cancer 36

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2018 were health and behavior assessment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

health and behavior assessment 54

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 37
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 16
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2018

Hypertension 46
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 35
Dementia 0
Cancer 35

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI during 2019 were health and behavior assessment and mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

health and behavior assessment 80
mental health therapy 42

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Gender
Male 12
Female 31
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 43
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 23
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2019

Hypertension 51
High Cholesterol 53
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 70
Chronic Kidney Disease 44
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 30
Dementia 0
Cancer 30

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2020

Hypertension 45
High Cholesterol 42
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 61
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 33

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2021

Hypertension 54
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2022

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 0
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD in 2023

Hypertension 0
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 0
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Wausau, WI were mental health therapy and health and behavior assessment.

health and behavior assessment 65
mental health therapy 90

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD.

Gender
Female 10
Male 5
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 9
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 9
65 to 74 4

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD From 2012 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD treated were depression, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.

Hypertension 43
High Cholesterol 46
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 4
Depression 54
Chronic Kidney Disease 9
Asthma 0
Osteoporosis 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 14
Atrial Fibrillation 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 13

Education & Training

She is certified by the Board Certified: Board Certifications: ABPP-American Board of Professional Psychology and has a state license in Wisconsin.

Board Certification: Board Certified: Board Certifications: ABPP-American Board of Professional Psychology

Licensed In: Wisconsin

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Jennifer Michels, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Aspirus Health

Ratings & Reviews

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Biography

Dr. Jennifer Michels' area of specialization is health psychology. Clinical interests for Dr. Michels include behavioral medicine, behavioral therapy, and depression. She is affiliated with Aspirus Health.

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