EMDR Therapists in Eagan, MN

Counseling is about a collaborative process to propel clients towards healthier, more grounded, and at peace versions of themselves. I work with adults on a variety of issues including stage of life transitions, perfectionism/people pleasing, anxiety, boundary setting, and communication skills. The counseling process is often times about helping clients uncover and discover the tools they already posses to tackle life's challenges.

My clinical interests include working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, adjustment disorders, relational issues/concerns, self-injurious behaviors, suicidal ideation, self-esteem issues, trauma related issues & PTSD, complex trauma, dissociation, and personality disorders. I would like to help you be able to identify the goals you would like to achieve to live a more desirable life. Once we have this goal established, we will work together to identify new coping skills to address situations that feel distressing to you.

I believe in the inherent goodness and inner wisdom of people. I see my job as providing an environment that is safe, nurturing and supportive enough for people to discover their own wisdom and learn to tap into it for strength, direction and purpose.

I have found a passion working with people 17+ on an individual basis and developing a therapeutic relationship to support change and growth. I enjoy helping to identify and create goals you would like to achieve, as well as provide you with the skills, knowledge, and hope needed to cope with emotions and challenging situations. I feel allowing an open space to process past experiences, beliefs, and barriers, that may interfere with long-term success, is an important aspect of therapy. I use skills from a variety of therapeutic techniques to fit your sessions to your needs, plus a bit of humor.

Are you feeling stressed or anxious? Do you feel like you've tried everything but nothing has helped? Are these issues impacting your relationships or your job? There is hope!

Austin believes that we are all searching for our own meaning in life, and that we make our own meaning. Stemming from a person-centered standpoint, he meets people where they are, holding space and walking with clients down their own paths as a guest in their personal journey. He combines an Adlerian and existential framework with cognitive behavioral, EMDR, and solution focused techniques to assist clients in making meaningful changes in their lives, tapping into the client’s inner strengths along the way. Austin also uses revolutionary methods incorporating technology and virtual reality into session.

I am semi-retired, currently taking a few clients short-term on teletherapy, that is up to 8 sessions. Sessions are self-pay. For clients dealing with an acute situation or a past recent trauma, this can work very well. In our initial conversation, we will discuss whether short-term therapy would be appropriate for you. I use primarily EMDR and trauma informed therapy. In addition, I apply a strength-based model rooted in attachment theory and lessons learned from mindfulness, CBT and ACT. These are all therapies to empower the individual to cope with symptoms without being defined by them.

My experience working with a diverse population of families, couples and individuals of all ages has led me to adopt and practice with a relational, client-centered and strengths-based approach. This follows my observations that individuals have internalized resources, wisdom and capacity for resilience that are often unrecognized or repressed. Strengthening those parts of the self provide the most enduring and transformative healing experiences. I also believe a critical component of my work with clients is helping them understand the brain/body connection, and how to utilize this understanding to manage symptoms and responses.

Life can present us with challenges and obstacles that we sometimes need help to overcome. I work with adults struggling with PTSD/trauma, addiction/substance abuse, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and mood disorders.

Therapy is a very personal process and it's important to find the right therapist to guide you in your journey. My clinical approach is to create an accepting and supportive space for people to build on their own strength, resiliency and enhance their ability to live healthy and happy lives. I enjoy working with adolescents, adults and families who are struggling with traumatic experiences, stress, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and challenging family dynamics.

“..Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars” -Martin Luther King, Jr. It may be a dark time in your life or you may be unable to see your own goodness buried deep inside. Possibly you just want to explore what makes you happy and alive. There are so many reasons to seek out counseling and it is because of those reasons I became a therapist. I'm naturally curious about human nature. That, along with my knowledge of mind and body, neuroscience of the brain, and over 20 years of therapy experience, I can help you find the answers you are searching for.

During my forty years in the field I am continually amazed at the power of human connection. My goal as a psychotherapist is to enable each individual that I work with to experience their most empowered, real and authentic self in the here and now. This experience in therapy includes concentrating on strengths that we all have yet in our darkest times fade from our awareness. My commitment to my clients is to have available as many options as possible so no matter what the presenting issue, I will have the skills needed.

Through connections we learn about ourselves, others and our world. Sometimes, safe connections and acceptance have been missing in our lives due to neurodivergence, social rejection, abuse or neglect. We may walk through life feeling like outsiders struggling to understand the world and ourselves. In therapy, I work to provide a safe, nurturing place where you can take off your mask and find self compassion, acceptance and healing. I offer trauma informed relational therapy with collaborative, nonjudgmental support to explore your strengths and manage life's challenges. I use humor, empathy and evidence-based therapy models.

I work with adults 18 years and older. My specialty is in trauma, specifically PTSD and dissociative disorders including dissociative identity disorder. I also work with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and chemical dependencies. I primarily work with clients who have experienced traumatic events or clients who have experienced something that they are having a difficult time moving past.

Life can bring some unexpected twists and turns, and it can be helpful to talk with someone to process, and heal from these events. I consider it an honor to hold space for clients, and provide a safe place for you to be heard, find healing, and to gain skills and tools to bring you more freedom, and peace . I work from a mind, body, spirit perspective and upon your request, I enjoy integrating Christian faith, and spiritual interventions into your care. I value bringing laughter, authenticity, and safety into our sessions. Please feel free to call me to schedule a free 30 minute consultation to answer any questions you may have.

Does depression or trauma hold you back? Do you want to live a more fulfilling life? Are you a person who struggles with hopelessness, anxiety, stress and sadness? Your life can be more fulfilling and hopeful.Are you a veteran and feel like there is no help for you? You can get rid of your emotional pain and lead a happy and pain-free life from past trauma and abuse.I can offer you hope by treating your depression and anxiety and counseling you on your trauma issues. It will change the way you feel about life, your relationships, and yourself.

Are you feeling stuck? Overwhelmed? Perhaps in the grips of anxiety, depression, a troubled relationship, grief, or other issues that threaten your ability to feel your best? As a skilled integrative therapist, I first focus on getting to know you and listening carefully for the desired changes. You and I will then create a way of working together that is designed to help you get back to feeling well. As we are all individuals, I will propose a plan that honors your unique style and issues and at the same time, offer treatments that are effective, ethical, and gentle.

The mission for healing at Inner Light Counseling is to help individuals feel reconnected to their core selves and their inner wisdom. Therapy at Inner Light Counseling can help if: it seems like your emotions or emotional responses are ruling your life and relationships rather than you leading the direction of your life; symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety are making it challenging to live the life that you want; it feels like your inner voice is your worst critic, or, it feels like that voice is drowned out by critical messages you received from others on life’s journey. We can work together to help your inner wisdom lead.

If you are experiencing difficulty in dealing with a traumatic past or event, I would like to help. I see individuals who are experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms, problems in relationships, using substances as a way to cope, and are finding day to day life challenging. I help my clients to better understand what they are experiencing, identify what they want to change, and implement steps to making the changes they seek. I believe in the inner strength, resilience, and agency of each person.