Petrovnia McIntosh, LCSW

Petrovnia McIntosh is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin and a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist for Individuals (CCTS-I). She earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work and draws on clinical training to support adults coping with long-term trauma that began in childhood.

She approaches therapy from a psychodynamic perspective, gently tracing patterns of thought and behavior back to early learning and adaptation. Petrovnia frames behaviors as actions that served a purpose during difficult times, and she helps clients explore the needs those behaviors met. That exploration happens in a non-judgmental way and leads into practical work to identify alternative responses, create a plan for trying new behaviors, and evaluate how those changes affect daily life.

Her practice emphasizes the impact of intersecting identities and systemic forces, including the experiences of People of Color, members of the LGBT community, and people living with HIV. Petrovnia incorporates attention to internalized oppression, historical and generational trauma, and the ways these influences shape present-day relationships and self-concept. She works collaboratively with clients to understand how past experiences inform current challenges and to develop strategies aligned with each person’s goals.