Karsten Ness

Peer Mentor (He/Him/His)

Special interests: Adult mental health | Social Anxiety & Depression | Resource Navigation

Credentialing level: Paraprofessional

Areas of service: All RWC Counties & Eau Claire

My name is Karsten, and I have personal experience navigating social anxiety, depression, isolation, family substance use, and the frustration of trying to move forward when school, work, and everyday life felt harder than they seemed to be for everyone else.

For many years, I moved in and out of counseling and medication, often stepping away once I began to feel better. Over time, I learned that recovery is not about becoming "fixed" or never struggling again. It is about building support, finding tools that work, and continuing to move toward the life I want, even when progress is uneven.

Group therapy became an important part of that process. Connecting with others who had faced similar challenges helped me realize that I was not alone and that being understood can make it easier to talk honestly, try something new, and keep going.

For more than three years, I have remained actively engaged with therapy, medication, and my support system. Along the way, I have built a life that includes meaningful work, stronger relationships, college classes, and greater confidence in handling challenges as they arise. I also have firsthand experience navigating counseling, medical care, emergency services, school disability supports, job coaching, and other community resources.

Today, I use what I have learned to support others as they identify their own goals and figure out what recovery can look like for them. I can help with breaking larger goals into manageable steps, exploring resources, building supportive connections, and working through the moments when progress feels slow or discouraging. I understand that no two people have the same story, and I believe support works best when people feel respected, heard, and in control of their own choices.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing board games with friends and family, cheering on Wisconsin sports teams, and hiking with my yellow lab, Bucky.