Rhiannon Kunesh

(She/Her)

Psychotherapist

Rhiannon Kunesh, MSW, APSW, serves as a dedicated Psychotherapist at Anesis, where she brings a profound understanding and empathy to her practice, honed over five years in the mental health field. Rhiannon holds a Master of Social Work and specializes in addressing interpersonal conflict and relational distress. She is particularly adept at working with families and youth, helping them navigate identity struggles, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

Rhiannon is trained in Functional Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and she also incorporates somatic and nature-based interventions into her therapeutic approach. One of her notable contributions to the field includes the creation of a mental health wellness room at UW-Madison's Indigenous Student Center. This initiative, which she presented at the 2023 Big 10 Counseling Conference, aimed to reduce barriers to mental health care for Native students and enhance culturally responsive services on campus.

Her personal philosophy on mental health treatment is centered on the belief that everyone deserves a chance at happiness, regardless of the circumstances they were born into. Rhiannon is committed to leveling the playing field by integrating community connections and the natural environment into her practice. This approach combines Indigenous and nature-based perspectives with evidence-based and somatic practices, emphasizing that healing often requires a collective effort.

Outside of her professional life, Rhiannon is active in her local community. She works with a rock climbing guide service to make the sport more accessible and enjoys introducing people to outdoor climbing. Her personal interests also include canoeing on the Yahara River, playing board games with friends, and delving into fantasy novels.

An interesting aspect of her identity is her Hunk Papa, Lakota ancestry, descending from Standing Rock in the Dakotas. Rhiannon finds that connecting with her culture through traditional practices, ceremonies, local powwows, and community engagement profoundly enhances her personal and professional life.

At Anesis, Rhiannon values the diverse environment, where ongoing discussions about culture, social justice, and identity enrich her experience. She feels privileged to be part of a primarily BIPOC organization, continuously learning and growing within this vibrant community.