Family Therapy in Edina, MN

Life is hard. We live in a complex world that can be stressful and overwhelming. Most of us were never taught the tools to manage emotional and mental challenges, which can lead to anxiety and depression. The good news is that you are not alone! Let me help you uncover what’s keeping you from living your best life. I have the privilege of working with kids, teens and families in a variety of settings. I enjoy working with kids and young adults who have difficulty managing relationships, school performance decline, increased fighting with parents/siblings, anxiety & depression.

I have 35 years of experience helping people find a way to live a richer and more satisfying life. Therapy is about empowering individuals and coming face-to-face with adversities. Clients are helped to explore past experiences that impact current emotions and behaviors. In order to change you need to resolve internal conflicts that lead to emotional distress, unwanted behaviors and physical symptoms. I help to create a safe place for you to be able to talk about the meaning of your feelings and thoughts thus gaining greater knowledge of self.

I offer therapy to individuals, couples and families who want a welcoming, safe place to process what is happening within or among them. From clients, I learn how they see the world, how they understand themselves, what patterns create their interactions, and where they want to go from here. Clients are empowered to determine their goals and create new perspectives on themselves and the world around them. The hope is that, during sessions, clients will gain new skills and thought patterns for the benefit of the relationships that give their lives meaning.

Good therapy is challenging, at times fun, yet always affirming. I work diligently with my clients to help them develop insights, designed to enhance their overall life fulfillment.

I work with couples, families, individual adults and teens struggling with ADD/ADHD, the effects of anxiety, self-esteem, adjustment difficulties, depression, bipolar, and trauma. And I work with parents whose children struggle with these presentations. I also work with individuals and families struggling against the effects of general parenting and adolescent issues, strained family and couple relationships, general mental health therapy as well as job-related stressors and life transitions, such as college, job and career change, retirement, divorce, cohabitation, remarriage, and step-parenting.

When life becomes messy and you need a compassionate, collaborative, non-judgmental, and experienced therapist, I am here for you. My primary focus is on medical family therapy , family therapy , and working with young adults and adolescents. I have an extensive background working with eating disorders, acute and chronic illness, anxiety, depression, learning disorders, perfectionism, parenting, and adjusting to life’s challenges.

My style is generally focused on the relational aspects of life, whether that is relationships with our family , your partner, the therapeutic relationship we build, or your relationship with yourself. My style of therapy centers around systemic theories, relational principles and relational ethics. I have experience as an in-home therapist, outpatient therapist, and a therapist for individuals needing services at a residential level. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families. I have developed a passion for working with people and have immense respect for the transformative power of our relationships.

I have a few immediate openings for new clients. I am passionate about assisting and empowering people to achieve a healthy and peaceful life. I believe in a collaborative work between the therapist and patient to realize the needs of every person and support them in the process of self-discovery and restoration. I aim to provide a safe, comfortable, and non-judgmental environment for patients to explore their concerns and be able to gain insight on how to heal and depart from their underlying issues.

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.

I work with clients of all ages and offer an array of services: diagnostic assessment, individual/couples/ family therapy , skills training, guided relaxation/meditation, Quantum Neuro Reset Therapy (QNRT.com), parent coaching, consultation, postpartum services, etc. I work with athletes preparing them emotionally for sporting competitions. I enjoy providing clinical supervision to practitioners and supervising research. I provide consultation services to professionals, mentors professionals, and give educational in-services and presentations. I can also coach individuals toward achieving weight loss, fitness, finacial freedom, healthy aging and spiritual guidance.

I enjoy working with children, adults, individuals, couples and families. I assist in helping others to explore deeper motivations and recognize their own special gifts and talents.

Finding someplace safe to process trauma is surprisingly difficult. I have had therapists myself, who are kind and book-smart, but when they have no personal experience with it, I never quite felt safe with them. I am a trauma specialist (CPTSD, moral injury, victims of torture, victims of racism or sexism, survivors of other people's sociopathic behavior, DV, etc.). Currently I am 100% private practice/private pay. This means that there is no outside party who gets to limit session numbers or require immediate diagnostics. Clients do not have to tell me details about their traumatic event for us to work together and address it.

If you are in a marriage or relationship where you think it would be easier to "go it alone" or you feel like you are "not enough" for your partner or that you just "don't communicate," than I can help. I will work with that part of you that does not want to change. If you are willing I believe that I can help you and your partner/spouse figure out how you get stuck and how you can get back to the relationship you once had and better! I also focus on healing developmental trauma and other traumatic events in their lives.

Feeling unable to connect to the present moment is an unsettling reality. I understand how anxiety and depression can get in the way of being able to fully enjoy life. Do you have difficulty connecting with friends, family , a partner, or others? I want to help you process these feelings by offering a warm and authentic approach to therapy with a touch of humor.

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.