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 located in Madison, WI. I have been working in psychiatry since 2015, starting my career as a registered nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit in Madison.

In my practice, I provide both therapy and psychiatric medication management. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment effective for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and panic disorders. I also use exposure and response prevention (ERP) techniques to address conditions like 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 fostering a safe, supportive space where clients and families can share openly.

I offer both telehealth and in-person sessions, but please note that all initial intake appointments must be conducted in person.

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.