Grief Therapists in Spring Lake Park, MN

Pain and hurt seem to find each of us, myself included. I am passionate about helping people find healing, which is what has led me to specialize in trauma, grief and loss. This covers a very broad range of topics, such as sexual abuse, death of a loved one, divorce, healing from break-up, and much more. Whether you struggle with depression, anxiety, or just a broken heart, I would love to help you move forward toward finding joy in your life again.

I help individuals dealing with grief and loss, those going through infertility, college students with adjustment issues, adults with anxiety, and depression. I am passionate about “helping the helpers” as I know they are often some of the ones who are in need of the most support but are almost always the last people to seek it out. I have personal experience and a passion for navigating different life stages, the journey into motherhood, including the different hardships and pathways that can lead someone to and through being a parent.

Sandy Clark is a Minnesota Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, National Certified Addiction Counselor II, Substance Abuse Professional, Certified Grief Educator, EMDR Therapist and Certified Animal-Assisted Interventions Specialist. She holds a master’s degree in Co-Occurring Disorders Counseling with specialization in depression, grief, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, personality disorders, substance abuse, disordered eating, stepfamilies and justice involved individuals.

I specialize in working with women in their 20s-40s who are navigating major life transitions, processing grief and loss, or experiencing anxiety. I am experienced in working with clients navigating religious trauma, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+. I enjoy working with folks in the helping professions (teachers, nurses, physician's assistants, doctors, etc) and with people who identify as highly sensitive. I also have extensive training in peripartum and postpartum mental health and love supporting expecting and new parents of all genders!

For many years I served adolescents, teens and families as a youth minister and school counselor. Since 1999 I've been helping individuals, couples and families who struggle with depression, substance abuse/addictions, relationship issues, adjusting to change, grief/loss and other concerns. I direct marriage preparation courses for engaged couples; provide marriage counseling and enrichment courses. Help adolescents, teens families, individuals, work toward wellness, growth and change. I offer a Thursday men's group focused on marriage and family relationships,

Are you tired of dealing with life's issues alone? In today's fast-paced environment, the weight of depression, anxiety, stress, grief and trauma, can take a toll on a person mentally, physically, and emotionally. This leaves you feeling overwhelmed, angry, frustrated and exhausted! With the right therapist, you can take control of your life by reflection, self-awareness, creating balance and working towards living in your highest potential. You put so much time, energy and resource into every other area of your life except where you need it most...on yourself! Remember- mental health is wealth!

Through a warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative approach, I'll partner with you to achieve your goals for change. With care and compassion, I will work to provide a supportive and safe environment for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to look at ways to facilitate change to improve your life.

I lead couples and families in finding new ways to communicate because every voice within the system has a right to be heard and valued. The therapy process is an exploration of alternative strategies to find what works for you. I don't believe any individual is broken or needs fixing. We all struggle with feeling lost after negative events. It can seem like a situation is hopeless, but I have witnessed clients courageously choosing to forgive, rebuild, and reconnect. Lighted Pathways Therapy LLC guides clients to embrace their inner resilience. Every human struggle makes you braver to face the next challenge with renewed strength.

The foundation of my work is to build a trusting and responsive relationship. I work with people to identify their goals and priorities and offer support to enact change that is meaningful and fulfilling. My areas of interest include addressing depression and anxiety, as well as trauma and core beliefs that impact the present moment. I enjoy working with people who are going through significant life changes (education, career, relationship, life stage transitions). I also have a special interest in perinatal mental health.

I conduct Pre-Bariatric Surgery Psychological Evaluations and psychotherapy pre and post surgery as needed. I also help people with Pre-Adoption Psychological Evaluations prior to international adoption. Additionally, within a team assessment methodology approach, I provide psychological testing and evaluation along with my pre-licensed doctoral candidate colleagues under my supervision. We assess ADHD, Personality, Cognitive and Memory, Behavior, Trauma, Functional Assessments, and other evaluations (ages 8+ for testing).

We all encounter hardships and struggles at various times in our lives. I deliver assessment and therapy services to children, adults, and families to identify possible mental health concerns and promote understanding and healing across the lifespan. I value taking the time to develop a meaningful therapeutic relationships with my clients. I will join you and your family to discover insight, acceptance, and balance. It is my sincere hope that during our work together you experience flexibility, warmth, and compassion in order to overcome obstacles that may interfere with the overall health and well-being of you and your family.

I have over 25 years of experience. Most of us are faced with situations and issues at some point in our life we never dreamed would happen to us. When navigating what life throws at us it's not only helpful, but important for our long term recovery, to have the right support along the way. As a therapist with over twenty-five years of experience I have helped and supported many individuals, couples and families work through issues ranging from anxiety and depression to infidelity, financial stress, illness and death, separation, interpersonal and family conflict, addictions, identity and sexuality issues, as well as abuse issues.