Therapists in Southwest, Minneapolis, MN

I've been a psychotherapist for over 40 years. What I have found is the most powerfull tool is the relationships I develop with my clients which are often deeply meaningful, based on understanding the depth of the person, often extending to the inclusion of spiritual experience. I am a fully trained marriage and family therapist, and I have graduated from the Minnesota Psychoanalytic Institute as a certified Psychoanalyst. The American Psychoanalytic Institute has awarded me the status of a Training and Supervising Analyst, the highest level of certification awarded. I want to help people find their own sense of truth.

Chris specializes in couples therapy and family counseling. He is skilled at identifying a couple's patterns of communicating and helping them explore alternative paths of communicating that can work better for their partner. Eventually, as each partner learns new ways of communicating, both members can feel heard and a feeling of love, warmth, and playfulness can return to the relationship.

You can grow through crisis and challenge! As a psychologist and family therapist I am interested in the family dynamics that have contributed to the issues my clients are facing. I'm especially interested in couples' issues because it's such a challenge to live with someone who inevitably brings up your issues. I'm a seasoned therapist, originally trained as a music therapist, who works with a wide range of issues from personal coaching to parenting, from depression/anxiety to spiritual growth. My view is that every crisis and difficult issue is an opportunity for personal growth.

For more than 30 years I have counseled men, women, and teens addressing a crisis, a tragedy, something troubling they are struggling with now or from the past. My work with you will focus on developing your own skills to address current and past issues. Your work with me will be empowering and deliberate and will enable you to have a more fulfilling future. Our work together will include, but not necessarily be limited to consideration and assessments of how particular issues are affecting you and/or those you care about. You may bring a partner, friend, or family member to our sessions.

I use warmth and humor to work collaboratively with you toward living your best life. My style is interactive, engaging, and direct. I use a psychodynamically informed approach, which means the treatment focuses both on current symptoms & problems, as well as underlying root causes. I listen carefully and compassionately, giving thoughtful, helpful feedback and professional insight, helping individuals make necessary positive changes in relationships, self-concept & choices. I have provided psychotherapy since 1995, and bring seasoned experience & understanding to my work.

I help people remember how awesome they truly are. Prior to entering private practice, I spent three years at a leading treatment center where I worked with a variety of people in a variety of unique circumstances. I am passionate about working with clients to improve their sense of self-compassion, and well-being, and transcend maladapted beliefs. My practice and work is inspired by the work of Gabor Mate, Richard Schwartz, and Buddhist Psychology. I am a Master's level pre-mental health licensure professional with experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders.

My clinical interests are currently within the realms of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance/Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I have experience in utilizing Dialectic Behavior Training (DBT) approaches and continue to study and implement DBT. I am interested in providing group therapy, couples’ therapy, and individual therapy. I specialize in working with couples (polyamorous couples as well).

People begin seeing a therapist for many reasons--you may be experiencing overwhelming stress, feeling a sense of hopelessness or loss of meaning in your life, living with painful grief, coping with traumatic past or present events, suffering in relationships, or simply feeling "stuck." In our sessions together, you and I will explore your goals, wishes, feelings, and concerns, with the aim of moving toward natural wholeness within yourself and in your relationships with others, in an atmosphere of warmth, authenticity, and acceptance.

I seek to understand my clients’ past, present, and future to collaborate with them on finding answers to questions and solutions to problems. My practice is rooted in mindfulness, unconditional acceptance, and intellectual curiosity. I believe that in order for positive change to occur in therapy (and most relationships), an individual must feel wholly seen, understood, and accepted by the other.

I provide therapy personalized to address your distinct goals and needs. My therapeutic approach is integrative and relationship-focused, influenced by liberation psychology, feminist/multicultural, and humanistic/existential lenses. I trained as a generalist and also have extensive experience working with overlapping healthcare needs, trauma survivors, people coping with experiences of domestic violence and abuse, and students addressing topics such as academic success, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, identity development, and healthy relationships. I continue to refine a culturally humble approach to psychotherapy work.

Are you concerned about your child or adolescent? Are they struggling with peer relationships, divorce, school difficulties, worry, sadness, or behavioral issues? Are you struggling with how to respond to and manage your child's behaviors and emotions? My gentle yet direct approach helps children identify feelings and challenges, to problem solve and find new, productive ways to cope. I collaborate with parents and families in a way that has a child feeling supported, understood and cared about. I truly enjoy being invited into a child's world, and helping them feel empowered and equipped to get through life's challenges.

I help people free themselves from anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma. I can help.

Everyone has the capacity to grow and create a more meaningful and fulfilling life. All that is required is a willingness to try and some perseverance. My goal to is create a personalized experience for you. I am passionate about my work, well trained and very experienced. Working together we can make sense of things, lessen the pain you feel, overcome stuck places and find your way forward. Whether you're suffering from anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship issues or low self-confidence, we will address these issues and begin to find answers.

Navigating interpersonal relationships to enhance wellbeing and a sense of tranquility need not be a solitary endeavor. The world can feel chaotic; our lives need not mirror this tumult. Feelings of irritation, sadness, fear, and emptiness are normal in times of change and uncertainty. When these feelings become overpowering or they are negatively impacting your life: change is critical. I believe exploring your ideal personal philosophy is critical to (re) establish life balance.

Can you describe a therapist as “kick-a$s”? I’m not even sure. If you can, that’s how we’d describe him. He’s smart, funny, and really digs in. If you got something you need figured out, he’s definitely someone you want on your team. David genuinely wants you to be happy, and will do what he can to make sure you are. He thrives on understanding. Thus, clients that work with him will certainly be understood for who they are, what they need, and what is holding them back.

I specialize in working with clients seeking to better understand themselves and foster deeper connections in their relationships. Many of my clients find themselves excelling at many areas of their life while still feeling alone, discontent, and disconnected. This can lead to destructive behaviors as well as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Through a holistic approach, we will get to the heart of the matter and begin to identify and build a life that has more happiness, connection, and contentment. Sessions are a curated experience and conducted with the utmost discretion and regard for confidentiality.

Whether clients are looking for support and encouragement to maximize strengths or need assistance in dealing with a wide variety of psychological issues, effective therapy begins with the formation of a relationship. I place an emphasis on meeting patients where they are, which includes taking into account environmental factors, culture, ethnicity, and family/interpersonal history. Then, collaborating together to understand goals, assets, and challenges in order to create a plan to solve problems and increase understanding. By integrating various theoretical approaches and utilizing current research from psychology and neuroscience, my goal is to provide effective individualized treatment.