Family therapy and counseling in Minnesota

Taking that initial step into therapy can be daunting. Sharing your story is a vulnerable position no doubt, and I am proud of you for even making the decision to seek help. Because I know how much courage this takes, I absolutely promise to honor you and walk alongside of you as you work towards your goals in counseling. In addition to helping individuals with anxiety and depression, I am certified in dialectical behavior therapy and practice accelerated resolution therapy. I also incorporate christian counseling, sand-tray therapy, mindfulness based-therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and incorporate narrative therapy techniques.

Hello! I am a licensed clinical social worker with experience working in schools with children and adolescents, hospital settings with adults, and private practice with clients from diverse backgrounds. I have supported students in building emotional regulation, resilience, and social skills, adults coping with acute mental health challenges, and private clients navigating a wide range of life experiences. My work is informed by a trauma-informed perspective, and I am committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space for every client.

Clients often describe me as empathetic, grounded, and collaborative. I value building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, respect, and understanding, and I tailor my approach to meet each person’s unique needs and goals.

I have been a counselor by calling most of my life but finished my official training and master’s program in 2015 from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. People often ask me why I do this work. The honest answer is, I truly believe counseling works! I have seen the darkness, and watched it turn to light. Providing a spark of hope for others is indeed a gift. There is hope for anyone and everyone, if you are willing to do the work. As believers, we also know that we are not alone in our healing. We have the great counselor in all our sessions to help lead the way. One that will never leave you or forsake you, in or out of session.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have more than ten years experience providing services to individuals age 4 to 60+, with my primary practice focus working with children and adolescents, young adults, and parents/caregivers. I am a Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist in addition to my clinical licensure. I have experience working with a variety of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, Autism, ADHD, etc. I have also worked with individuals with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities in addition to their mental health diagnoses.

I've long been drawn to the dance between the psychological and the spiritual. As I journeyed my own early path of discovery, it lead me to studies in psychology, classic literature, and theology in undergraduate, and then later Buddhist psychotherapy and meditation, and depth psychology in graduate school. I received my graduate degree from Naropa University's Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program in 2003, and am licensed in WI (LPC) and MN (LPCC). I am a practitioner of shamatha-vipassyana meditation, and have a well-established background of working for various therapy group practices in MN and WI.

Education

2003, Naropa University, MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology.

1998, College of St. Benedict, BA in Psychology; 1997 study abroad in Beibei, China.

As a lifelong student of East and West methodologies, I blend Person-Centered, CBT, Gestalt, depth psychology, somatic, and Buddhist psychology views. I also take a trauma-informed, IFS-informed, EFT-informed approach. I spent many years exploring Christian mysticism and theology before finding my own path and practice in Tibetan Buddhism for the past 20+ years, and I welcome heartfelt conversations about any psycho-spiritual path.

I am an experienced EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant specializing in trauma (physical safety, attachment, medical/dental), compulsions (drug/alcohol, sugar/food, nail biting), pain management, fear of driving/flying, procrastination, anger issues, and avoidant behavior.