Our Team
Therapists and Staff
Sara Shaver, LMFT Director/Psychotherapist
Sara Shaver is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After earning her degree in psychology and social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she obtained her Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. Before becoming involved in outpatient mental health, Sara worked as an in-home family therapist and became involved with wraparound services. In 2010 she became the co-founder/co-director of Compass Counseling. Sara works with individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in grief, co-parenting, couples and family therapy.
Sara is a certified Grief Support Specialist, Prepare/Enrich (premarital assessments) counselor and is often called upon to conduct Critical Incident Debriefings. She’s had trainings in DBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, Divorce Mediation, and Level I & II of Gottman Couples Therapy. Sara is a consultant with White Pine Consulting, an agency that works with the state promoting and training the process of Wraparound. Giving presentations is a strength of hers. Sara serves on various committees in the community, is active in her church, and is a core team member for the volunteer organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace. In her free time she enjoys playing cards, traveling, reading and her “happy place” is being with her husband and three adult children at the lake.
Sarah Kravick, LMFT, IMH-E ® Director/Psychotherapist
Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a major in psychology and an emphasis on child-youth care. She completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana State University. Upon completion of graduate school, Sarah began working with children and their families, providing in-home family therapy. She has been working with children, families, and individuals in outpatient mental health since 2003. In June 2010, Sarah became the co-founder of Compass Counseling. Sarah is graduating in the second cohort of the University of Wisconsin's certificate program for Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health.
In addition to being licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Sarah is nationally rostered as a clinician in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist by the Wisconsin Alliance of Infant Mental Health. Along with her clinical work, Sarah provides Reflective Consultation and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation to a home visiting program in Sauk County and to Birth-3 programs in multiple counties.
Danielle Pollex-Rabl, LCSW Psychotherapist
Hello. You've made a very wise choice by checking out Compass Counseling. A great group of professionals. I'm Danielle, and I've had the privilege of working at Compass since 2011. I work with all types of clients. I've had training and experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings to work effectively with most individuals, couples, and families. Prenatal, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle and High School, Adult, Late Life…. I can't wait for the next person or family to honor me with their experience. My counseling style is to meet you where you are, hear your story, and then help you identify what your goals are. From there, I can share effective strategies to help you manage your stressors and challenges and build on your strengths. Self-care, communication, managing stress and intense feelings (DBT), understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (CBT), and other approaches are effective at managing childhood, adult, family, and couple mental health challenges. Also, as a person or family member, I have a lot of experience teaming with natural and professional support (wraparound). Most recently, I've had childhood trauma, couples therapy, and anxiety intensive training. My licensure is LCSW, with a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from UW Madison. I have worked with children, adults, and families for years prior to Compass. I wish you well on your journey and would be eager to help.
Kristen Hansen Psychotherapist
Kristen Hansen graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2008 with a B.S. in Child Psychology. For the last several years, Kristen has worked with children ages birth to five and their families by providing in-home services and infant, early childhood, and family mental health support. In 2017, she completed the University of Wisconsin's certificate program for Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health. Kristen is also a registered Circle of Security Parenting program facilitator and appreciates the opportunity to share and witness the innate power of the parent-child relationship. Wanting to expand upon both her passion and abilities to support children, families, and individuals with their mental health, Kristen completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2020 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She joined Compass in September 2019 and has enjoyed continuing to work with young children and their families, as well as broadening her experience to include working with individuals of all ages and couples. When she is not working, Kristen spends time enjoying activities like camping, hiking, kayaking, gardening, boating, cooking, watching the latest Netflix series, or being with her family and friends.
Crystal Lumby Psychotherapist
Crystal is a licensed professional counselor. She graduated in 2014 from Kaplan University with her bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on child development and then received her Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Capella University-Minnesota in 2018. Before becoming involved in outpatient mental health, Crystal was involved with in-home behavioral health treatment with children on the autism spectrum and their families. In 2018, Crystal joined Compass Counseling to work with individuals, couples, and families and found herself particularly drawn to working with children and adolescents.
She has a passion for working with LGBTQ clients and their loved ones. Her special interests include self-esteem, ADHD, stress management, anxiety, DID, and schizophrenia. Her favorite approaches include play therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and incorporating family therapy to help improve one's well-being and mental health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching movies, playing tennis, and attending plays.
Bryan Rastello Psychotherapist
Bryan is a licensed professional counselor. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. After working in various capacities in the business world for several years, he went back to school and received his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He joined Compass Counseling shortly after graduating in 2021.
Bryan enjoys working with adults and adolescents on issues related to depression, anxiety, self-esteem, life stressors, and adjustment issues. He takes a client-centered approach and values emotional expression in addition to building the skills necessary for clients to achieve their goals. He believes that the therapeutic relationship is a healing one and seeks to support his clients in any way he can.
In his free time, Bryan enjoys running, outdoor activities like backpacking and hiking, traveling, reading, watching movies, and playing games.
Nichole Decorah
Psychotherapist
Nichole is a graduate of Capella University with her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She completed her practicum and internship with Compass Counseling and was given the amazing opportunity to join the team as a licensed professional counselor. She also completed a master’s degree in forensic psychology in 2013 and her bachelor’s degree in public safety and homeland security in 2011. Her previous job as a community mental health counselor provided the opportunity to travel throughout several communities in Wisconsin, including Portage and the surrounding area, working with families, individuals, and couples in their homes. She believes that treatment should be based on the needs of each client but tends to gravitate towards solution focused. In her free time she loves to hang out with her family and her English Bulldog. She also enjoys cooking and trying new craft projects.
Heidi Accola
Psychotherapist
I enjoy working with people of all ages and walks of life. I believe we each have dignity and value, and I believe that we all have an important role in our families, workplaces, friend groups, and society. I enjoy working with clients to identify unmet needs, gaps between values and behavior, unprocessed trauma, “stuck” places, and areas of strength and resilience. As a therapist, I create a place of connection, safety, and enjoyment with my clients in which to do the work of healing. Identifying feelings, beliefs, and nervous system states are core to my work with clients.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 1996 with my bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education. For 26 years after graduation, I worked in a variety of capacities in healthcare, organic farming, and domestic violence advocacy. These were also the years in which my spouse and I raised our son and daughter to adulthood. At that point, I went back to school and received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. I joined Compass Counseling for my internship in 2021 and am staying on post-graduation!
I have training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and earned my certificate from UW Stout in Sex Therapy. I use a mixture of experiential, IFS, and emotionally focused therapy to help my clients identify, heal, integrate, and grow the parts of them that bring pain and joy.
To relax, enjoy life, and embrace my full humanity, I love many outdoor physical activities, including biking, running, hiking, swimming, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. I also enjoy quieter pursuits such as playing games, weaving baskets, reading, and woodworking. If I can do these things with friends or family, that is even better.
In working with me, I can give you my word that I will work hard to know, understand, see, and value you, and I will work hard to help you realize your goals for therapy and life.
Madison Bear (She/Her/Hers)
Psychotherapist
Madison graduated from Concordia St. Paul University with a bachelor's degree in Sport Psychology in 2019. She recently completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University- Moorhead.
Madison enjoys working with adolescents and adults transitioning from one stage of life to another. She recognizes that when faced with adversity, we can uncover the immense potential that exists within each and every one of us. She also works with individuals experiencing a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem, stress management, and self-exploration.
Madison works from a strengths-based perspective while integrating solution-focused, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She believes therapy can provide an opportunity to become the best possible version of oneself in correspondence with one’s own unique strengths, qualities, and characteristics.
In her spare time, Madison enjoys curling, playing sports, reading, traveling, and catching up on the latest movies and shows.
Brianna Capesius
Psychotherapist
Brianna graduated from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling in 2018. She started her career as a school counselor who worked in the Dodgeville and Baraboo School Districts. She decided to switch modalities to focus on Clinical Counseling in 2022 and joined the Compass Counseling team.
Bri enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, couples, or family therapy for all types of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and overall life stressors. In addition to talk therapy, Bri likes to incorporate theories such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Constructivist theory, and Solutions-Focused therapy. She enjoys bringing in art and music into her sessions and believes that nature is a powerful tool for healing.
In her free time, Bri enjoys painting, singing, fishing, hiking, and spending time with her children, family, and friends.
Michelle Nummerdor Administrative Assistant
I am our Administrative Assistant. I joined the Compass Team in 2019, and I love coming to work and being able to greet each client with a hello and a smile. I grew up in Montello, WI, attended UW Stevens Point, and then moved to Portage in 2006 when I got married. My husband and I have two beautiful girls, a cat, and a dog. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, and spending time with family and friends. I am also active in my church as the handbell director.
Mel Trago Intern
Mel is a Counseling Intern through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She started with Compass in 2023 and will graduate in May 2024 with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. IN 2021, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in Human Development and Psychology. Mel also works as a research assistant on ongoing neuroscience-based counseling research with her advisor at UW-Whitewater.
Mel enjoys working with adolescents and adults on concerns with transitions, anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, trauma and other things life throws our way. She likes to incorporate neuroscience, relationships and cultural contexts to inform her work with clients.
Mel believes clients grow through and toward relationships throughout the lifespan. It is our human nature. Because of this, she believes strongly in the power of the therapeutic relationship and other growth-fostering relationships. Mel values authenticity and clients can expect that from her.
In her free time, Mel enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, reading and playing with her 3 dogs.