Emotionally Focused Therapists in Minnehaha County, SD

Currently Accepting New Clients! Are you feeling stuck? Are you looking for support to help you sort out your thoughts and feelings? Perhaps you are grieving losses in life or looking to increase courage to handle challenges. In therapy, we’ll work together to help you heal, gain clarity, and achieve goals.

Joleena is Certified in the Treament of Sexual Addiction, is a Certified Betrayal Trauma Coach, a Certified Clinical Trauma and Addiction Specialist, with a Masters of Psychology in Grief Counseling, and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. Joleena specializes in helping couples working through betrayal and addiction of all kinds. She also works with clients that are struggling with anxiety, addictive behaviors, depression, PTSD, emotional abuse, mental abuse and trauma of various kinds. Her passion is to provide a safe space for her clients and to walk hand-in-hand with them, guiding them through the healing process.

Life can be difficult. I invite you into a safe and caring environment to address the specific needs and challenges you are facing. I view therapy as a sacred process where one is empowered, heard and supported. This process comes from a authentic professional relationship that is established between therapist and client. Through this process of exploration one can gain insight into problems, develop strategies with life challenges and overcome struggles that have been overwhelming. If you don't know what to do and are looking for hope I encourage you to contact me.

I have worked with individuals and couples who are seeking support and guidance to overcome challenges in their day to day life. They may be experiencing a range of symptoms such as constant worry, low mood, lack of motivation, difficulty communicating, or challenges concentrating. Recognizing the importance of their mental health, client is motivated and committed to actively engaging in therapy to improve their overall well-being. Their needs include a safe and non-judgmental environment where they can openly discuss their thoughts and feelings. They seek validation and understanding, as well as practical techniques.

It is often difficult to explain exactly what therapy is and to best describe a therapist's approach. I like to think of therapy as looking at what has scraped you up emotionally, cleaning out that wound, and then healing so you can live a healthier and happier life. As to my approach clients, parents, and coworkers have described me as honest, kind, compassionate, nonjudgmental, interpersonal, solution focused, collaborative, and someone who will call you on your crap.

As a therapist, my journey is deeply rooted in personal transformation. Having navigated my own path of healing from childhood abuse, I understand the profound complexities of overcoming deep wounds and embracing self-love. My mission is to provide a sanctuary where individuals can embark on their healing journey, unveiling buried pains to foster self-compassion and prosperity. My professional background extends beyond therapy, having spent a decade as a lawyer specializing in criminal law. This experience, among others, fueled my passion for guiding children away from negative cycles toward empowerment and positive change.

My philosophy is to take care of the WHOLE PERSON on my couch or in the comfy chair across from me. I don't just see your "issue" or "problem" — I see you as a full and complete human who is struggling and needs some help. We all need help at times. I act as a sounding board and guide. Not a critic or a savior, but a person and your equal, to help you discover better ways of trying life a bit differently. My clients are highly motivated to invite positive change into their lives, and I thrive off using that energy to help them and YOU achieve ultimate success.

“You can't start the next chapter of your life, if you keep rereading the last one." Sometimes we feel "stuck", like we can't get past something. This can be the break up of a relationship, or a death, or just moving on from some significant event that changed us. We feel like we 'should' be moving on, and criticize ourselves for not, but it doesn't help. In fact, often, it can feel as if we have 'lost ourselves', and that we don't even know who we are anymore. Therapy can help you find yourself again.

Therapy is a personal, intimate journey towards self-understanding and self-acceptance. I provide a holistic approach to therapy in a safe and supportive environment in which you will be heard and respected. Together we will identify and develop your specific goals and choose which therapeutic approaches will be the most comfortable and effective. My hope is to gain a better understanding of you and how I can help you grow and heal from whatever difficulty or trauma you are facing. Together we will look at patterns of what has worked and what hasn't and create new ways to navigate life in a healthy, authentic way.

It is a gift to listen and lean in to each of my client’s unique stories as we navigate the difficulties and joys of life. Working with individuals, couples, and families, I seek to offer an accepting, warm, and encouraging space where people learn about, and understand themselves, in light of the world around them. Though I primarily work with teens and families, I do enjoy working with adults and couples as well. I especially enjoy counseling those who have difficulties with depression, anxiety, neurodivergence, Christian/spiritual difficulties, and behavioral issues.

I consider it a privilege to be able to come along side an individual or couple in their journey towards healing. As a therapist, I value creating and holding a nonjudgemental, confidential and safe space to allow for healing and growth. There are many reasons someone might seek therapy. Therapy can help navigate life transitions, treat mental health concerns, address trauma and be a place of support. I believe that expanding self awareness through personal reflection can increase self agency, confidence and relational satisfaction.

The Journey of life is one that is often filled with both moments of joy and moments of sorrow. Unfortunately for some, these moments of sorrow are either endured alone or leave couples and family members feeling as if there are no options. As a therapist I feel honored to have the opportunity to offer assistance to individual, couples, and families who are feeling stuck in the sorrows of life. And to not only present options to the struggles of life, but to also walk alongside your journey of life.

Life can be challenging at times. Counseling can help when you're aspiring to make a change or working towards new goals. Clients often come to me after they have struggled to make those changes on their own. I work alongside my clients to help them overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Counseling can assist with individuals of all ages in life's challenges and transitions. Counseling can help empower and provide the skills to make positive and meaningful life changes.

Finding the ideal therapist will allow you to trust the process of growth and healing. I have supported clients with a broad range of concerns including; anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, family dynamic distresses, poor communication styles, and trauma. My focus is to help you develop a treatment plan that is specific to your experiences and goals.

Mission: Specializing in ASD and Neurodiversity, I assist and guide to relieve mental discomfort & improve well-being. I provide support in a safe environment for individuals to gain the skills that allow them to interact in the world surrounding them. I specialize in autism, trauma, sexual behaviors, anxiety, adoption and families affected by these. I want you to succeed. My experience is professional and personal. I understand how frustrating and difficult life gets. I mostly work with adults, assisting them in navigating the daily life. I've helped adults work through anxiety, depression, & trauma.

Finding the right counselor can often be a daunting task, one that many clients attempt once and never again. Although I'm sure I'm not the right counselor for everyone, I hope to (at the very least) provide you with a positive experience on the benefits of counseling. I promise to create a safe space for you to voice your presenting concerns via active listening, empathy, and encouragement so that the thoughts can stop playing mental tennis in your mind. Together, we will find solutions to your presenting concerns and supply you with the adequate skills for your long-term success.

A life shared is what we all strive for, however relationships can be very challenging at times. When you take two people and bring them together you are also combining different learning styles, communication styles, experiences and how you perceive a situation. The goal is to communicate effectively by being able to share what you think and how you feel.

Life and relationships can be hard at times. We’ve all had moments where it seems too much to handle. There is hope though and you don’t have to navigate it alone. From anxiety, depression, trauma and all the places in between – using a person-centered approach, I partner with you to create a personal plan for healing.

We all go through challenges in life and shouldn’t have to face hard times alone. My passion is to come alongside and help you navigate these challenges. As a therapist pursing my certification as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, I specialize in working with teens and their families, and adults who struggle with symptoms from eating disorders, such as anorexia-nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, over exercising, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating. I also work with adults and teens who have symptoms of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and day to day life stressors.