Couples Counseling Therapists in Uptown, Minneapolis, MN

Please email to schedule consultation call! As a therapist, I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where we are able to identify problems that are interfering with your ability to live your best life and work towards change that is important to you and in line with what you value.

I provide a safe and secure environment where you can feel safe to share deeply personal thoughts and feelings. My psychodynamic process requires both courage and motivation to change. You will move from where you are to where you want to be. Initial concerns may be about self esteem, work or relationships but effective psychodynamic process identifies hidden patterns and themes that cloud the present and hinder the future. Patients describe the process as "empowering" and "life changing", leaving them with increased energy, confidence and creativity for their lives.

Unsure of what's next for your relationship because of your partner 's substance use? Feeling like you need support due to lack of intimacy and connection? Struggling to communicate? Couples therapy is here to help during difficult relationship turning points.Whether you're unsure if you can truly heal from betrayal, have dealt with months or years of sexual disconnection or are struggling to be on the same page with your partner , consider booking a marital therapy session today. You will both acquire the tools and skills needed to not just survive this hard time but to learn how to thrive in a healthier and happier relationship .

Through the process of psychotherapy, I work together with my clients to help them: develop a better understanding of their histories, triggers and patterns in order to get unstuck and create new endings to old stories; build coping skills and capacity for resiliency in order to face stressors and fears that are blocking growth; learn to live authentically in order to create a life congruent with what matters to them. I feel passionate about my work. I always hope to help people realize their worth and competency so they can feel empowered to take charge of their lives and live with more purpose and fulfillment.

Relationships require continued trust, communication, and deep awareness of each other’s worlds. I work with couples , including polyamorous and non-monogamous, to build connection, trust, and intimacy in their relationships. I also help partners learn to manage conflict more effectively. I particularly love helping partners find ways to communicate about difficult and sensitive issues. This is especially important when partners struggle to connect around sexual wants and needs. These conversations need an atmosphere of trust, acceptance, and non-judgment, as partners learn to validate and respond to each other's sexual feelings.

I offer therapy that focuses on what matters to you and making changes that matter to you. Whether you're the parent of a struggling young person, a queer or trans person fighting to be seen & heard on your terms, or in a relationship hijacked by conflict & pain, I can help. My approach is culturally responsive & relationally engaged. This means that I understand you, the important people in your life, and your relationships in context. It also means that you are not the problem, the problem is the problem, and I work with you to meet your goals and aspirations to get your life back and be the person you want to be. Read more at my website, www.2stories.com.

Are you considering making a change to your substance use or problem behavior? I specialize in working with clients who either don't want to pursue the typical rehab approach or who have tried it and want something different. Many clients come to me because they're looking for an alternative to typical treatment. I provide guidance to clients as they change their lives while still being able to manage responsibilities at home and work. Most of my clients are working professionals who are looking to make lasting change. I frequently work with couples & families as they navigate problems related to disconnection or problem behavior.

I am passionate about supporting individuals and couples to live their lives fully and in balance. I work with a variety of clients on abundance of issues. Whether you are a couple who has relationship or parenting issues, or an individual dealing with retirement, loss or job transitions, I am there with you on that journey too. I also have experience and passion working with clients who are suffering cognitive changes. I strongly believe that they deserve to get the support as well as their caregiver to live a vibrant and full life.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Minnesota and Illinois) and hold a certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. I offer clinical services to individuals, couples and families whether by origin or creation. My training and who I am is heavily influenced by the LGBTQ++ community and my practice is open and affirming to any identity or relationship however defined.

***Not taking new clients at this time*** Taking a step towards healing can be difficult. I hope to make this process a bit easier for you. Whether you are coming to therapy for the first time, currently in crisis, need help for something specific that has recently happened, or just value having space to talk through what is on your mind, my intention is to create a safe space for you to do so. Together, we will develop a curiosity about how to effectively make positive changes to assist you in decreasing your current distress and living a more fulfilling life.

I BELIEVE: 1) It is in the context of relationship that we make the deepest change. 2) We grow and excel in an environment with just the right amount of support & challenge. 3) We must feel understood--by ourselves, yes, and often by another--before we can make change. 4) Engaging in our passions make us come alive. These four core beliefs guide my work as a psychologist, life coach, author, radio host, and performer. Working collaboratively and fostering safe spaces, together we can increase awareness and create experiences that allow our best selves to emerge.

Unseen and Unknown. The pain of not being seen or known can be debilitating and confusing. The experience of being seen within the therapeutic relationship is a central part of change in therapy. I assist people in learning to see themselves in a more grounded way, to learn and practice skills for manifesting core values, and to work out of the traps created by the ruptures and traumas inhibiting the experience of being integrated. I work with developmental/family of origin issues including trauma (physical, sexual, and emotional), neglect, and chemical use issues. My case load consists of individuals, couples , and families.

People come to therapy for many reasons. In the first few sessions, I want to get to know you--what you are struggling with, your hopes and fears for the future, what seems to be getting in the way, what strengths and assets you bring. Together, we arrive at a plan, identifying your goals, sources of distress, and how best to work toward symptom relief and greater satisfaction with life and relationships. My approach integrates several treatment modalities, including psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based therapies, life-span developmental approaches, attachment theory, family and couples therapy.

Life changes are inevitable. Perhaps the path you are following no longer feels right. Sometimes unexpected changes happen that push us to reconsider the way we live our lives. This may include redefining your identity, changing your employment or relationship status, coming out, or adapting to retirement and aging. Maybe you are looking for a new direction and are not sure which way to go or how to take those next steps. I support individuals throughout the change process – those feeling stuck, embarking on a new endeavor, and those who have made changes in their lives and are dealing with unexpected challenges.

I believe my job as a therapist is to help you connect with the best version of yourself. My style is active, collaborative, understanding, and empowering. I see you as the expert of your story; and myself as an expert in guiding you through sharing your experiences in hopes of understanding what makes you who you are. When you can make sense of who you are, and what filters you may see and interact with in the world, I believe you can allow for something new to emerge. My goal is to provide a safe and inviting space for you to be able to speak your emotional truths.

Understanding the self is the first step toward change. Through compassion, reflection and skill development one has the opportunity to remove obstacles in the form of beliefs, mobilize one's inner resources, reduce suffering and create a more meaningful life. I have worked with adults who have survived trauma/abuse, struggled with problems in mood and thought and experienced self-worth injuries.

Many people struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety or insomnia. Others have difficulty in relationships, are dissatisfied with work or face serious health challenges. And many others struggle to adapt to life changes, or simply feel discouraged or unhappy. I work collaboratively with my clients to target the issues most challenging to them and use evidence-based approaches to improve those problems. I believe that developing a strong relationship with my clients provides the essential base from which sustainable change can be achieved. I am PsyPact certified and can practice telepsychology in those states.

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly". The therapeutic relationship is a partnership between two people who endeavor to co-create change. I have helped clients examine a wide range of issues (relational conflict, workplace difficulties, eating disorders, body image distress, addictions, trauma, spirituality, gender identity, aging, grief and loss, and sexual orientation). We will work together to alleviate your most pressing problems as well as develop a fuller understanding of the underlying issues that keep you stuck in emotional patterns that limit your capacity to enjoy the quality of life you desire.

I have been helping adults, couples , and families since 1975. I teach at two universities in their Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy programs. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Minnesota. I am past President of the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. I prefer a collaborative approach in my work with my clients - combing their knowledges with my own toward more preferred outcomes.