Therapists in Downtown, Minneapolis, MN

I'm a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (21952) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (303042). I work from a trauma aware, person centered, sex positive and harm reduction based perspective. I am queer identified and use she, her and hers pronouns. If you've found my profile, welcome and I look forward to learning more about you. Most of my experience is in working with people with a history of traumatic experiences, people who want to discuss/potentially make changes to their substance use, LGBTQIA + people and people living with or impacted by HIV.

I specialize in LGBTQ+, Trauma, Divorce/Family Estrangement, Mood Disorders, and Couples Counseling.

I am passionate about helping people find and build on their inner strengths and learn new skills in order to feel more at ease emotionally and create a more satisfying life. I listen deeply to help people explore their strengths and also obstacles to creating the life they want. I enjoy helping people with a variety of problems including anxiety, depressed mood, relationship struggles, insomnia, and health problems including Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Life offers us various challenges. Sometimes these challenges come in the form of a life transition, an interpersonal conflict, or a persistent mental health concern. Therapy offers us an opportunity to explore these challenges and move through them in an intentional manner.

I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, and adults who are facing social, emotional and behavioral challenges. My specialty is in helping my clients to overcome issues with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and ADHD.

I am passionate about helping adults & couples navigate mental health concerns and life stressors including family dynamics, co-parenting, sexual health, intimacy, self-worth, and attachment. I work with couples to build communication skills and bring true intentions to light and with individuals seeking to learn more about their pasts and futures.

Crisis is a normal part of human life. We all have them. We can allow them to demoralize us and make us more scared and hopeless, but that’s not the only option. We can also use these moments of pain to learn and grow, and become stronger and more resilient. If we are patient, they can also transform our hearts and make us more compassionate.

I have special interest and expertise working with university students, comorbid chronic pain & mental health concerns, grief & loss, multicultural issues & identities (e.g., individuals who are racially/culturally diverse or identify as LGBTQ), life adjustments such as parenthood, relationship concerns (friendship, family, and dating including sexuality/intimacy), career transitions, family of origins issues, identity concerns, personal growth, & trauma.

I completed my MA in Counseling Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. I'm currently pursuing dual licensure as an LADC and LPCC. I earned my BA in Psychology from the University of MN - Twin Cities. I specialize in harm reduction/risk reduction, strength-based, solution-focused, trauma-informed, and person-centered care. I provide safe, healing, and restorative supportive care to people living with HIV and/or AIDs. My being a part of the continuum of care allows for the elimination of stigma and disease, and the optimization of the lives of people affected by HIV.

Change. Anxiety. Feeling stuck. Confusion. Loss. Chronic illness. Depression. Sleep. Relationships. Stress. Life feels like a struggle. Together we will develop a plan that uses evidence-based methods to help you identify and achieve your goals. I value your unique story and am dedicated to helping you stay motivated as you take steps toward improved mental wellness.

As a therapist I work hard to create a safe and trusting environment for you to gain insight into yourself and make the changes you seek. I use a psychodynamic approach, along with techniques from existential and feminist therapies and a deep knowledge of child development. I prioritize working at your pace, and value the unique relationship that develops between us. By working together to identify patterns and road blocks in your past, you can develop an increased ability to make different choices and live a more fulfilling life.

Things that have happened to us don't always feel like they're "over" ; past events may feel like they still impact or even control our lives. You feel anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, scared to do the things you want to do, stuck, or frustrated with your relationships. You're not living the kind of life you want to live, and you don't feel like your best self. Maybe you had some significant trauma in your life, or experienced abuse, or weren't nurtured by your family in the way you needed, or feel rejected by your family or your faith community. Or maybe you're grieving the loss of a dream, a person, or a relationship.

My commitment is to help you make positive life changes. There are times when we are faced with obstacles and difficulties that interfere with growth and development, preventing us from achieving goals and aspirations, and diminishing our happiness and wellbeing. Psychotherapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental setting to discover solutions to challenges. With the powerful tools of communication and insight, I will help you identify counterproductive patterns and habits preventing you from living an optimal life. Together we will recognize and build upon your strengths and skills, develop new resources and strategies, and discover beneficial, healing ways of approaching your life.

We all have times when we run out of ideas about how to deal with problems in our lives. It can help to involve a new set of eyes and ears to see things from a different angle. We work to gain new skills and insights, and tap into our forgotten strengths, to create independence and lasting positive change. We look at the rigid and unhelpful patterns we have, and work together to form new ways of thinking and doing. While this process unfolds you are free to be your authentic self, without feeling judgment, powerlessness, or shame, in a safe and trusting atmosphere.

There are times when the mountain we call life seems overwhelming and the climb nearly impossible; of course it does, and now, we’re in this together. We will start by getting grounded at the base, making sure we have all the necessary gear, and create a space of non-judgmental curiosity about the mountain. If you have never climbed a mountain before, that’s okay, I’ve climbed many and have a large backpack full of gear; all you need to do is show up.

I am not currently taking new clients. In my practice I focus on the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for understanding how the brain and body interconnect, and respecting the client's own innate capacity to heal. I have experience working with ethnically and socioeconomically diverse individuals with a range of issues, including anxiety, anger, addiction, depression, grief, life transitions, and trauma.

I believe that therapy can greatly help with coping skills, with dealing with long- standing problems; and with stress and pain management. During COVID, many people have been focused on day to day issues relating to depression, anxiety, and PTSD; and are trying to cope with these in the best possible way. All types of mood disorders, anxiety, chronic pain and illness, and transitions feel more pressing. Some months I have not been able to accept new patients due to high demand for services and a full waiting list; other months I am able to accept 1-2 new patients.

I am devoted to working with clients who are looking for professional support in achieving their goals with their mental health needs. It is rewarding to give them the necessary and applicable tools to navigate life's obstacles and unexpected turns. I take an empathetic, caring, and strengths-based approach, which allows foundational support to individuals of all backgrounds, distinct needs, and strengths.

My approach is simple. I see my role as a partner in a process that is the pursuit of healing and restoration. While I have certain professional expertise, every client is an expert about his/her/their own life. I am intentionally client-centered, strengths based and trauma-informed. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as my primary means of intervention which includes an eclectic blend of Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Humanistic and other modalities. Assigned homework is common and clients participate in the development of activities that support clearly identified treatment plan goals.