Therapists in Yankton, SD

As a client-centered, compassionate and collaborative therapist, my treatment approach focuses on the individual needs of my clients to help them reach their goals. I help adolescents, adults and families discover their strengths, gain perspective, and address their current challenges and long-standing issues. I use a selection of styles and techniques to incorporate what is most helpful for each client. Play therapy is the approach I use when working with early adolescents.

Has your child started behaving out of character leading you to wonder what they are going through? Perhaps they are struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger. As a supervisee actively pursuing licensure for my PIP and RPT, I am passionate about utilizing play-based techniques and art therapies to promote growth for children ages 3-11. Play and creativity is the way a child communicates and processes the world around them. My goal is to offer a safe space for children to be themselves so they can navigate experiences through their own lenses.

I am passionate and committed to serving children ages 4-12 experiencing a variety of mental health needs. My goal is to help children and their parents make connections between difficult behaviors and their underlying causes, and help them implement interventions that fit and work well for the family. I work from a person centered approach, providing strength-based care to help children and families address challenges in a way that meets each person’s unique needs. I also believe that play is the language of children, and use both directive and non-directive play therapy techniques to address struggles and difficult topics.

My hope is that all of my clients can find a safe place to find empowerment to work on issues and decrease symptoms. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Family Systems. My goal is to encourage, support and guide you as we work on your goals for a better life. I have over 24 years of experience in providing therapy to adults, couples, teens and children.

Life to me is an adventure of ups and downs where everyone has the potential to expand their emotional well-being. Through collaboration with the client, and often times a significant other or family, the therapeutic work done in session can promote a better quality of life. My experience in the social work field over the past 14 years includes working with client populations in medical social work, homeless and near homeless housing placement, and treatment for at risk client populations on the Rosbeud Reservation to develop skills and flexibility for working with most ages and client needs.

During a first session, clients often comment how easy it is to talk to me. My priority is for you to get something out of our time together that impacts your daily life. This includes, but is not limited to: increased sense of security and self esteem; a more clear vision about your life (past, present, future); decreased symptoms related to anxiety/depression and past trauma; and an awareness of and influence over destructive patterns in your life. And for those seeking relationship counseling: better communication and renewed intimacy with your partner or spouse leading to enhanced satisfaction in family life.

While I've worked with a wide spectrum of clients over the years the best fit client in my practice is a person between 0-25 who has difficulty with anxiety and/or relationships whether that is family or intimate in nature. Goals related to these difficulties are often managing anxiety, increasing coping skills, improving family relationships, and processing trauma if present. I have training in Theraplay which is an attachment focused modality which engages both child and caregiver to increase secure attachment which in turn decreases undesirable behaviors. Additionally, I am trained in EMDR.

Are you looking for a Registered Play Therapist? One of my greatest passions in life is to help children reach their full potential. As a Registered Play Therapist, I offer individual, sibling and family therapy services. I have worked with women, teens and children impacted by physical abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse and secondary victimization. In addition, I have experience with a variety of child related difficulties including anxiety, depression, behavioral difficulties, family disruptions, foster care involvement, adjustment difficulties, self esteem difficulties and cognitive delays. Please let me know how I can best support your child, yourself or your family.

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.

Are you wondering how to help your sad or anxious child? Or wondering how to respond to the up and down moods of your teen? If you feel your child is struggling inside their home, at school or in their social environments and you feel everything you’ve tried isn’t working then that is where I come in. I am here to help you navigate through these difficult times. As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child, but sometimes situations occur that you simply can’t “fix” on your own. That is when it’s best to call upon someone with expertise in the area. I would be happy to help you through these difficult times.

With over 22 years of experience, I am skilled at assisting in working on many of the following areas: depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum depression, grief and loss, career counseling, premarital and family counseling, marital and couples counseling. I enjoy seeing clients of all ages and accept many insurances!

I feel fortunate to have the experiences that I have had in working with a diverse group of individuals with various stories. I am able to build rapport quickly, making the client feel comfortable, and can assist in guiding the client in meeting their goals. I bring a unique experience as I look at the whole person to explore what all is, or has impacted them. We don't focus on disease management but strive to focus on overall wellness-mind, body, and soul. I enjoy helping clients find passion again in their life and to truly start living life-not just surviving each day. This is only a chapter of your life. Let's write a new one.

Our lives can often feel like someone else is reading a choose-your-own-adventure book, with each turn of the page dictated by external forces. Have you felt this way? Stuck, isolated, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Perhaps anxiety, major life transitions, family stress, or boundary issues have left you seeking support. You’re not alone, and I’m here to help guide you to reclaim your agency and responsibility, empowering you to choose your story with intention and purpose.

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.

One step can make all the difference." I have provided individual and family therapy for over 19 years. I am very passionate when it comes to working with individuals and families. I am able to build rapport quickly and my clients have commented they feel safe and comfortable to share their story, their life, and their struggles with me. I am compassionate, empathetic, and strive to improve my client’s life and to help them reach their goals.