n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

1. In a state of sonder, each of us is at once a hero, a supporting cast member, and an extra in overlapping stories.

Hello! I’m glad you’re here.

My name is Allison Barton, and I am a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and the founder of Sonder Psychiatric Services in Madison, WI. I have been working in psychiatry since 2015, beginning my career as a registered nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit in Madison.

In my practice, I provide psychiatric medication management and therapy. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and panic disorders. I also use exposure and response prevention (ERP) techniques to address obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, and social anxiety. I have extensive experience working with individuals facing a variety of psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance use disorders.

My approach prioritizes using the fewest effective medications and fosters a safe, supportive space where clients and families can share openly.

I offer both telehealth (if covered by the client’s insurance) and in-person sessions, but all initial intake appointments must be conducted in person.

*Allison is accepting new clients.

Please note that there is a waitlist for extended appointment sessions (beyond 30-minute follow-up).

In addition to managing Sonder Psychiatric Services, I am also a mom and a wife. Outside of work, I enjoy time with my family, friends, and dog, as well as cycling, running, and volunteering at my local church. My goal is to be a compassionate ally, supporting clients in building fulfilling, balanced lives.