"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." Ralph Waldo Emerson. Many people that pursue psychotherapy do so because they feel stuck. The goal of therapy is the clarification of what we actually think and feel toward the goal of getting unstuck, so that our lives can move on. Life presents challenges. If this is where you are, you're probably right on track. I also have extensive experience in addictive behaviors that prevent us from moving forward. (LIVE VIDEO OPTION AVAILABLE. OFFICES IN EDINA, ST PAUL, AND WOODBURY)

I am a passionate therapist who believes in the power of change. As a mother of two, a wife, a child development specialist and a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, I, personally and professionally understand the highs and lows in parenting and relationships. Together, we will put the joy back into parenting, your partnership and in life! With over a decade of experience working with families, individuals and couples, I am able to help empower you, engage your children and build your relationships.

I can help you. We all face moments where life breaks down. Where what we’ve always done no longer works, and we wake up tired, anxious, hurt, angry, numb. [Sometimes we suffer or despair. Sometimes we are just confused.] Or maybe you know that who you’ve been being isn’t who you are, & it’s frustrating because you can’t quite figure out how to just be yourself. As a result our relationships are impacted - we hurt or disappoint those we care about, even though we’re not trying to. We get burned out or stuck at work -no longer moving forward towards the life we dreamed. Relationships with family or partners change in unexpected ways

I have been a licensed psychologist for over 18 years, in private practice in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I work with depression, anxiety and trauma. During the initial meeting a thoughtful and thorough process of assessment will be done together.. With questions about how you are currently feeling, thinking and functioning being the focus of my attention.Together a process of psychotherapy will begin with the goal of expanding your capacity to manage the more difficult aspects of your social/emotional experience and creating new ways to think, do and be in the world.

Rita brings to psychotherapy over 30 years of diverse experiences with children, adolescents, couples, and families. She has cultivated expertise in depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, sexual abuse, separation/ divorce issues as well as step and blended families. She has the unique ability to integrate psychodynamic, behavioral, and solution-focused techniques to help clients understand their behaviors that may be self-defeating and obstacles the impede their growth, providing a new perspective.

I believe that people need a therapist who has the ability to understand their experience. Once a person has the experience of being understood, a foundation is established to work through more vulnerable and difficult material. It is this proces of establishing a safe and understanding experience and working through of material that allows the possibility of change and the realization of one's true self and potentials.

When clients come to me they are often overwhelmed, stressed out, discouraged, and experiencing significant self-doubt. I help people find calm, focus, motivation, and self-confidence as quickly and effectively as possible. I will challenge you to build on your strengths and expand your skills to get you moving forward in your life again. My specialty is in interpersonal relationships (be they personal, familial, professional, or romantic), because how we relate to others is vital to our overall well-being. I am endlessly optimistic about your ability to create a life rich with honesty, meaning, self-reflection, and connection!

Do you ever feel anxious or overwhelmed? Are you struggling with sadness, emptiness, low self-esteem or depression? Is your significant relationship, marriage or family hurting and in need of help? Are you struggling on the job or in your social life? Have you experienced past trauma that still affects you today? Do you engage in behaviors that are confusing and troubling? Are you facing a difficult life transition? You do not need to walk this path alone. We can help.

At some point in our lives, many of us look around and realize we no longer like the life we've built - or maybe even who we've become while living it. We may even know we should like it, but somehow it no longer fits. I build relationships with clients, creating a safe place to express and explore these feelings. Therapy creates change by examining the experiences, patterns, thoughts, and energy that contribute to feeling stuck. I love working with clients to address the issues holding them back so they can create a life and self that excites them again.

I believe people need a therapist they can trust and who has the ability to understand their experience. My focus is to help bring awareness to a client through the understanding of influences of the past and their affect on present behavior. My strengths lie in the ability to connect and create a safe and trusting environment in order to work on and through difficult issues to provide a more meaningful and balanced life.

Evening and weekend appts; free consultations. Having faced pain and challenges in my own life, I am deeply invested in what's possible in therapy. I understand how intimidating and stressful it can be to find a therapist and begin. For now, I want you to know I am warm, calm, compassionate, non-judgmental, and direct, and take a collaborative and holistic approach. I work with individuals, couples, families, highly sensitive people, and also with one person on issues in a relationship, including midlife crisis and infidelity. If you need a new approach, a way forward, relief, support, or healing, I would love to help.

Patrick Parker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy. Patrick has worked in various mental health settings including outpatient, inpatient, residential, and volunteer programs. With over 15 years of experience in relational therapy Patrick works with a broad spectrum of individuals. I feel passionate working with those who struggle with depression, anxiety, substance use, grief/loss, relational problems/attachment issues, existential crises, non-traditional relationships, and those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

My clients are working to become self-love warriors, truth-seekers, and aliveness-pursuers! If that sounds like your journey also, I can help. Maybe you can recall a past when you felt more alive, connected, grounded, lovable, and your needs were getting met. Maybe now your challenge is figuring out how to get back to that place. Or maybe you've never felt this way and you desperately want to learn how. Either way, I can help you!

What do we have to gain from therapy? Therapy can help with a variety of challenges. For some it can help with improving communication within our relationships. Therapy can offer us time to reflect on what it is we want, are needing, or what we feel is missing. Therapy can also assist with understanding what we can do as parents to effectively guide our children and teens in challenging times. Above all, therapy offers another set of trained eyes to help gain the clarity needed to move forward.

Are you tired of feeling anxious or depressed? Do life circumstances all too easily stress you out? If you want to find peace and gain control of your emotions; I can help you move what may seem like an emotional mountain. Together we will uncover the underlying events and thoughts that fuel the stress. Together we will build strategies for health. Find that tiny mustard seed of faith - a little bit of hope and come for counseling. Jesus already did His part for your healing. Now it's your turn and it is worth it -because the healthier YOU is FREE and full of JOY and PEACE.

Are you feeling stuck in patterns that hurt? Do you have a vague memory of when things were easier and life was more satisfying? Life, with it's expected and unexpected transitions can be challenging for all of us, even agonizing at times. We all need help from others on occasion...I am a strength based therapist who believes that by design you have everything you need to navigate through these times and I want to help you in recapturing something more promising. I'm ready when you are.

I feel very good that I can meet people where they are no matter what, because I too have been many places. When issues arise in our lives, I find they can be opportunities to learn and to heal. My therapy is affirming, yet challenging, radically accepting, yet moving for change. Our conflicts, collisions and issues that bring us in for therapy are indications of deep wounds and/or beliefs about ourselves that need some kind of attention. Come on in and let's talk it through. I have extensive experience with trauma, addictions and abuse, anxiety and depression, sexual and gender identity, and spirituality.

*VIDEO SESSIONS AVAILABLE* Life continues to be more stressful than we could have imagined; I am here to support you. These are times when connection, though made much more difficult, is even more important. Together, we will work on changing the narrative, coping with the intense pressure and stress you are facing, focusing on your strengths, and allowing space to connect to compassion for yourself. I work with people who struggle with mental health and addiction, relationship issues, self-esteem, isolation and loneliness, and a myriad of other issues that create a block from connecting to authentic contentment.

Therapy is a sacred, safe and healing space for one to engage in self-exploration and acceptance without judgment, criticism or guilt. I am passionate about working with individuals, couples and families and believe that having authentic and meaningful relationships are core to becoming & staying healthy individuals. I have 10 years of experience working with people struggling with disordered eating, anxiety, depression, trauma & all the different issues people face from age 12 and up. My goal is to help people find and use their voice, face their fears, and be honest with themselves.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Feeling like your life and relationships are stuck? I want you to know change is possible. Through our work together, we will discover the reasons you continue to struggle, and map out a path to personal recovery. My desire is to help you, your partner, and your family, grow closer, and experience the love, and intimacy that is available to you. The secret to happiness is inside of you, just waiting to be acknowledged. Let me help you embrace emotional freedom by giving you the tools for success in love and life!