Chelsea Brieman, PhDLicensed Clinical Psychologist
Book a free 15-minute consultation

Online therapy for high-achievers

When holding it together all the time starts holding you back.

Practical, evidence-based therapy for people who are ready for more than just getting through the day.

Green potted plant on a desk in soft natural light
Dr. Chelsea Brieman
Chelsea Brieman, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Sound familiar?
It's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine.

You're the dependable one —
the one who handles everything.
Totally put together on the outside —
but on the inside, it's a lot.

Your thoughts might sound like...

What it looks like now

Overthinking
Over-explaining
Over-committing
Putting everyone else first
Imposter syndrome
Self-doubt
Success never feels like enough
Questioning your decisions
Feeling guilty for saying no

If this sounds like you, you're in the right place.

Start with a free consultation

What we work toward

Therapy can help youbuild confidence thatactually feels believable.

Quiet the overthinking

Spend less time replaying conversations, questioning your decisions, and preparing for every possible outcome.

Learn to trust yourself more

Build confidence in your decisions without needing constant reassurance that you're doing everything “right.”

Make room for yourself again

Set healthier boundaries, recognize your own needs, and stop treating rest like something you have to earn.

Welcome — I'm glad you're here

If you've been waiting for a sign that it's finally time to prioritize you again — this is your sign.

I'm a clinical psychologist who works with high-achievers who are used to being the reliable one, the accomplished one, the one who always appears to have it together. But ‘you’ time doesn't always have to be on the back burner.

In therapy together, we'll laugh sometimes, we'll challenge old patterns, and we'll celebrate progress. It's all about understanding what's keeping you stuck and finding tools that actually work in your real life.

Credential
PhD, Clinical Psychology
Experience
14+ years in practice
Where
Telehealth, 40+ states
Focus
Anxiety, burnout, trauma
Dr. Chelsea Brieman in a bright home office

Therapy can make a difference

You don't have to wait until your battery is at 5% to reach out.

Where I practice

Sessions are virtual to offer you scheduling flexibility and the comfort of your own home.

I'm licensed in Florida, New York, and Wisconsin, but I provide psychotherapy via telehealth in over 40 states.

Check to see if your state is eligible

Meet Dr. Chelsea

Approachable, authentic, and genuinely in your corner.

The pressure to please everyone while performing 'perfectly' can be exhausting. I totally understand that, I'm here to help.

On a personal note

MadisonChicagoTampa

I was born and raised in the very chilly state of Wisconsin, and I'm proud to be a UW‑Madison alum. (Go Badgers!) After college, I moved to Chicago, where I earned my master's degree and PhD in Clinical Psychology.

I moved around a bit after grad school before landing in Florida a handful of years ago. Having friends and family sprinkled all over the country gives me a great excuse to travel.

A few fun facts

  • I have two pups, and they love when I sing to them in the mornings.
  • I'm scuba certified and saw a shark on my very first dive.
  • Hot yoga is my favorite way to practice mindfulness — my brain can't think about anything else while sweat is pouring into my eyeballs.
  • My Spotify playlists range from dubstep to Broadway musicals.
  • I can't be trusted alone with a bag of kettle chips and French onion dip.
Dr. Chelsea Brieman

On a more professional note

Evidence-based training. Real-world experience.

I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2015 and have over 14 years of experience providing psychotherapy. I've completed extensive training in evidence-based psychotherapies, including CPT and PE, two of the “gold standard” treatments for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.

I currently serve as a national trainer and consultant for two CBT-based training programs, leading trainings and providing consultation for other licensed clinicians learning to deliver those specialized treatments.

I've supervised predoctoral psychology interns and practicum students during their clinical rotations, and I've led trainings for large agencies on topics including suicide prevention, substance use disorders, and treatments for individuals with serious mental illness.

Research background

I also have multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, including Clinical Psychology Review, Assessment, Hormones and Behavior, and Developmental Psychobiology.

View peer-reviewed work
Dr. Chelsea Brieman presenting

Let's talk

A quick call. No pressure. Just a chat to see if it feels right.

Let's talk about therapy

Having the right fitwith a therapist is whenthe best work can be done.

Therapy shouldn't feel cold or stiff. It's a place where you should feel understood, get honest feedback, and learn practical tools you can actually use in your life.

My approach to therapy

Support to help you feel safe. Honesty to help you grow.

You don't need to show up polished or have the perfect words. I want therapy to feel warm, approachable, and real — a place where you can talk honestly, laugh sometimes, and know you won't be judged.

I'll listen and validate, but I'll also do a little more than just nod along. I'll offer my genuine observations, help you notice patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and encourage small experiments that stretch you a tiny bit outside of your comfort zone.

Why I use CBT

I love CBT because it gives you practical tools you can use in real life. The goal isn't for you to need therapy forever — it's to help you trust your own decisions, handle hard moments with more confidence, and build a set of tools you can carry with you. Basically, becoming your own little “pocket therapist” when life gets messy.

No obligation. No judgment. Just a simple first step.

Dr. Chelsea Brieman

Common reasons people reach out

You can want things to feel different before they fall apart.

Sometimes there are clear symptoms. Sometimes it's just realizing you're exhausted from second-guessing yourself, people-pleasing, or trying to hold everything together all the time.

Overthinking & self-confidence

  • Perfectionism
  • Imposter syndrome
  • Self-doubt
  • Procrastination
  • Fear of failure
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Body image concerns

Anxiety, mood, & burnout

  • Constant worry about worst-case scenarios
  • Ruminating over past mistakes
  • Social anxiety
  • Panic symptoms
  • Depression
  • Burnout
  • Fear of rejection

Trauma, relationships, & coping

  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Difficulty setting boundaries
  • Codependency
  • Major life transitions
  • Poor work/life balance
  • Disordered eating
  • Concerns with substance use

What we're really working toward

Not just fewer symptoms. More room to actually live your life.

Therapy isn't only about feeling less anxious or less stuck. It's also about building enough confidence and flexibility that everyday life starts to feel more like yours again.

Say no without spending the next three hours feeling guilty about it.
Close the laptop and actually let yourself be done for the day.
Make a decision without polling five other people first.
Share the idea before self-doubt talks you out of it.
Celebrate a win without immediately moving the goalpost.
Make more room for the things you actually want to say yes to.
Make a mistake without turning it into a verdict on yourself.
Stop shrinking yourself to fit expectations that were never really yours.

Types of therapy

Evidence-based therapy, personalized for you.

These are the approaches I provide and have specialized training in. “Evidence-based” simply means they've been studied and shown to help with the concerns they're designed to treat. After we get a fuller picture of what's going on, we'll decide together which strategies make the most sense for your goals, your needs, and you.

CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT examines the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It can help you recognize patterns that contribute to anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, depression, and burnout.

Treatment focuses on practical strategies that help you recognize and challenge unhelpful beliefs, and respond more effectively in stressful situations with greater confidence and clarity.

DBTDialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT provides practical tools for managing intense emotions, navigating difficult situations more effectively, and improving communication within your relationships.

Strategies may include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness — skills that help you respond thoughtfully instead of feeling controlled by the emotion of the moment.

CPT — gold standard for PTSDCognitive Processing Therapy

CPT is a trauma-focused type of cognitive behavioral therapy, and one of the gold standard treatments for PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms.

It helps you identify and examine ‘stuck points’ — rigid, unhelpful, and often inaccurate beliefs that can interfere with healing after a traumatic event.

PE — gold standard for PTSDProlonged Exposure Therapy

PE is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Trauma can lead people to avoid memories, emotions, situations, or activities that feel connected to what happened.

Through a carefully paced, collaborative process, PE reduces avoidance and allows you to safely process traumatic experiences so they have less control over your present life.

MBTMindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness-based interventions help you develop greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and physical responses without immediately judging or reacting to them.

These strategies can reduce rumination, improve emotional regulation, and help you stay grounded when anxiety or your inner critic begins taking over.

MIMotivational Interviewing

MI is a collaborative, nonjudgmental approach for when part of you wants to make a change while another part feels uncertain, hesitant, or overwhelmed.

The process helps you clarify what matters most, explore barriers to change, and strengthen your confidence in taking meaningful next steps.

CBCT — for couplesCognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy

CBCT addresses the ways trauma and PTSD can affect a couple's relationship, communication, trust, and emotional connection.

Treatment helps couples improve communication, reduce avoidance, strengthen mutual support, and work together toward recovery. Suitability is determined through consultation and assessment.

Not sure which is the best fit? No problem.That's what the consultation is for.

Contact me to learn more

What to expect

Starting therapy can feel a little unfamiliar. The process itself doesn't have to be complicated.

You don't need to have the perfect explanation, a neatly organized story, or every goal figured out before you start. Here's what getting started usually looks like.

There isn't a “right” way to show up for therapy. You can come in unsure, nervous, skeptical, hopeful — or some combination of all four.
01Start with a quick conversationA free 15-minute call to see if working together feels like a good fit.

You don't need to know exactly what to say. We'll talk briefly about what brings you in, what you're hoping might change, and any practical questions about scheduling, fees, or fit. If it sounds like a good match, we'll schedule your first full appointment.

02An intake to get to know youWe slow things down, get the fuller picture, and start defining what would actually be helpful.

Your first session is a 60-minute intake assessment. We'll talk about what's been going on, what's working, what's not, relevant history, and what you'd like therapy to help with. It's a conversation — not a test — and you can share at your own pace.

03We make a plan togetherClear goals, a treatment approach that fits, and enough structure to know what we're working toward.

I'll recommend an evidence-based approach based on your concerns and goals. I typically prefer weekly sessions when we're first getting started so we can build momentum and a strong working relationship. You should understand what we're working on and why, and we'll adjust the plan together as needed.

04Build skills, then adjust as you goTherapy becomes a place to practice, troubleshoot real life, and build confidence using the tools on your own.

As things improve and you feel more comfortable applying new skills outside of sessions, we can space appointments out. Some clients move to every other week or occasional check-ins. There isn't a preset finish line — we'll keep adjusting the frequency to fit your needs, progress, and schedule.

Services & fees

The investmentin yourself is worth it.

Clear pricing. No surprises. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement.

Initial phone consultation
A no-pressure conversation to see whether we're a good fit.
Free15 minutes
Intake assessment
For new clients. We map out what's going on and where you want to get to.
$28060 minutes
Individual psychotherapy
Ongoing sessions, typically weekly to start.
$25055 minutes
Couples therapy
Suitability is determined through consultation and assessment.
$30055 minutes
Consultation & trainings
For agencies and clinical teams. Let's talk about what you need and go from there.
By request
Clinical supervision
For pre-licensed clinicians and psychology trainees.
By request

Cancellation Policy

Please give at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule — by email, text, or via the client portal. Cancellations within 24 hours will be charged the full session fee.

Insurance

I'm in-network with Aetna in Florida, New York, and Wisconsin. I'm considered out-of-network for all other plans but can provide a superbill that you can submit for possible reimbursement.

Insurance & payment

Find ways to make theinvestment in yourselfa little easier.

Payments are collected through Ivy Pay, a HIPAA-compliant payment app that accepts major credit and debit cards as well as HSA and FSA cards. Find out if your insurance plan can help.


If you have Aetna

In-network coverage

I'm an in-network provider for Aetna clients who reside in Florida, New York, or Wisconsin. If that applies to you, I can help you get more specific information about your coverage.

If it doesn't apply, there are still options worth exploring — see out-of-network reimbursement below.

Desk with paperwork

For all other insurance companies

Out-of-network reimbursement

I'm considered an out-of-network provider for all other insurance companies, so you would be responsible to pay the full session fee at the time of each session.

However, if your plan has out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for at least partial reimbursement. I would provide you with a monthly invoice — a superbill — that you can submit to your insurer as part of a claim.

APA: Mental health coverage & out-of-network reimbursement

CMS: Health insurance terms in plain language

Reviewing insurance benefits

Understanding your coverage

For the most accurate information, here are some questions you could ask your insurer.

Does my plan offer out-of-network benefits for mental or behavioral health?

Start here. If the answer is no, ask about a plan exception or prior authorization instead (question 3).

Does my plan cover telehealth therapy services?

All of my sessions are delivered via telehealth, so this one matters.

How do I request a prior authorization, plan exception, or utilization review?

This is how you ask for a specialty-trained therapist to be partially covered under your plan.

How much would be reimbursed for an out-of-network licensed clinical psychologist?

Ask for the customary reimbursement rate for these CPT codes:

90837 — 55-minute psychotherapy session
90834 — 45-minute psychotherapy session
90791 — 60-minute psychodiagnostic assessment / initial intake

Is there a limit to the number of therapy sessions covered?

Worth knowing early so you can plan the course of treatment.

What is the process for submitting claims?

Ask what's specifically required — NPI number, diagnosis, proof of payment. I provide a superbill directly to you each month.

How long does reimbursement typically take?

Timelines vary by insurer, so it helps to set expectations up front.

Payment & benefits

How payment works

Payments are collected through Ivy Pay, a secure HIPAA-compliant payment app that accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as HSA and FSA cards. Before our first appointment, you'll get a text from Ivy Pay to securely enter your payment details.

Ivy Pay terms of use

Check your benefits

Want to know what your out-of-network reimbursement might look like? A benefits check can help you see whether your plan includes out-of-network mental health coverage and what deductible or coinsurance may apply.

Get in touch and I'll help you check

Frequently Asked Questions

Some answers that may help as you consider next steps

If you don't see your question answered here, please get in touch, and I'll be happy to answer it directly.

How will I know if we're the right fit to work together?

I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation before scheduling a first appointment, so we can both get a sense of whether we're a good fit.

What if I live in a different state than you?

I'm licensed in Florida, New York, and Wisconsin, and I can see clients in over 40 states under the PSYPACT agreement. As long as you reside in a PSYPACT participating state, I can provide therapy via telehealth. See the current list of PSYPACT states.

One note: even though appointments are virtual, you must be physically located in an approved PSYPACT state during session. If you'll be traveling to a non-PSYPACT state, let me know as soon as possible so we can reschedule.

Do you offer in-person sessions?

At this time, my practice is fully virtual. Video appointments offer the privacy and flexibility many busy professionals prefer, and sessions are held through a secure, confidential platform.

Virtual therapy also eliminates travel time, which makes it easier to fit therapy into a full schedule — whether you're at home, at the office, or traveling.

Are virtual sessions as effective as in-person appointments?

Therapy delivered via telehealth has been shown to be just as effective as therapy provided in person, with some added benefits.

That said, telehealth isn't right for every situation. If you are actively or chronically suicidal, you may need more intensive intervention. I also can't see clients experiencing active psychosis, homicidal thoughts, or other issues that may require emergency intervention.

If you are in crisis, call 911 or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

What is the cancellation policy?

Please give at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. You can do this by email, text, or through the online client portal.

Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment are charged the full session fee.

What type of therapy do you provide?

I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Each has been scientifically shown to be effective for a wide range of symptoms and problems.

I also specialize in treating trauma-related symptoms including PTSD, which can involve exposure-based interventions that help you safely work through anxiety connected to past traumatic experiences.

How often and for how long will we meet?

It varies. Frequency and overall length depend on what brings you to therapy, the severity of what you're dealing with, how much you're able to practice new skills between sessions, and whether new concerns come up along the way.

I typically prefer weekly sessions when we're getting started. That helps us build a clear picture of your goals, and a collaborative, trusting relationship early on can help you get there faster.

As you get more comfortable using the tools on your own, we can move to every other week. Some clients eventually shift to monthly check-ins to stay accountable, reinforce skills, and troubleshoot challenges. We adjust to fit your needs and schedule.

How do I get started?

Book a complimentary phone consultation using the online calendar. After we talk, we can decide on next steps together.

Contact

I look forward to hearing from you.

The fastest way to start is the free 15-minute consultation — pick a time that works and we'll talk. Or send a note below and I'll get back to you.

If you're in crisis

Please call 911, or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This form isn't monitored for emergencies.

Please don't include sensitive health details in this form. We'll cover that securely once we connect.

In crisis? Call 911, or call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.