Polyamory and ENM Therapists in Whittier, Minneapolis, MN
Therapy is a creative, collaborative relationship. As a therapist passionate about process, I am here to collaborate with you to cultivate the life you want to live. I am not here to fix you; you are not broken. We will work together to find new ways for you to be in relationship with the problems and the joys in your life. If you are ready to step into a curious, process-oriented journey, then I am here to offer a safe, supportive space to do just that. Let’s get curious about how to create more room for pleasure, joy, and connection as well as for the uncomfortable, tender parts of your life.
Therapy is a creative, collaborative relationship. As a therapist passionate about process, I am here to collaborate with you to cultivate the life you want to live. I am not here to fix you; you are not broken. We will work together to find new ways for you to be in relationship with the problems and the joys in your life. If you are ready to step into a curious, process-oriented journey, then I am here to offer a safe, supportive space to do just that. Let’s get curious about how to create more room for pleasure, joy, and connection as well as for the uncomfortable, tender parts of your life.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
Helena LaFave
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Whittier, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Waitlist for new clients
Our relationship is the most important part of our work together. The more we can get into right relationships with ourselves, each other, change, and the world around us, the better equipped we are to live a life full of meaning, joy, and awe. I am EMDR trained and utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed, and relationship-oriented approaches.My values in therapy include queer and trans-affirming care, fat-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, and sex positive approaches. I am happy to provide letters for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
Our relationship is the most important part of our work together. The more we can get into right relationships with ourselves, each other, change, and the world around us, the better equipped we are to live a life full of meaning, joy, and awe. I am EMDR trained and utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed, and relationship-oriented approaches.My values in therapy include queer and trans-affirming care, fat-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, and sex positive approaches. I am happy to provide letters for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
You may feel exhausted by the constant thoughts about food, body image, control, or self-worth. Maybe your eating disorder began as a way to cope, stay safe, feel in control, or manage overwhelming emotions...but now it feels like it’s taken over your life. What people see on the outside may not match the disconnection, anxiety, and shame you feel on the inside. Many of the clients I work with have spent years criticizing themselves, minimizing their pain, or feeling disconnected from their bodies and emotions.
You may feel exhausted by the constant thoughts about food, body image, control, or self-worth. Maybe your eating disorder began as a way to cope, stay safe, feel in control, or manage overwhelming emotions...but now it feels like it’s taken over your life. What people see on the outside may not match the disconnection, anxiety, and shame you feel on the inside. Many of the clients I work with have spent years criticizing themselves, minimizing their pain, or feeling disconnected from their bodies and emotions.
Welcome. It's Your Time to Take Care of You. Address being the real you, codependency, procrastination, impacts of oppression and trauma, self-criticism, anxiety, imposter syndrome, political stress, or perfectionism. Increase your assertiveness, coping strategies, communication, and boundary-setting skills and goals. Improve mindfulness and life-work balance. I will combine my compassion, openness, and attentiveness with my 29+ years of experience, training, and knowledge. I offer a soft-landing space to help you foster your personal insight and well-being. A relaxed, confidential space where you are welcome to be your whole self.
Welcome. It's Your Time to Take Care of You. Address being the real you, codependency, procrastination, impacts of oppression and trauma, self-criticism, anxiety, imposter syndrome, political stress, or perfectionism. Increase your assertiveness, coping strategies, communication, and boundary-setting skills and goals. Improve mindfulness and life-work balance. I will combine my compassion, openness, and attentiveness with my 29+ years of experience, training, and knowledge. I offer a soft-landing space to help you foster your personal insight and well-being. A relaxed, confidential space where you are welcome to be your whole self.
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexual health concerns, trauma, perimenopause/PMDD, emotion regulation, and interpersonal challenges. Many of these experiences can feel isolating or difficult to discuss. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences openly. Together, we work to understand patterns, build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and create greater balance in life and relationships. My goal is to help clients move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being.
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexual health concerns, trauma, perimenopause/PMDD, emotion regulation, and interpersonal challenges. Many of these experiences can feel isolating or difficult to discuss. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences openly. Together, we work to understand patterns, build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and create greater balance in life and relationships. My goal is to help clients move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being.
Nearby Polyamory & ENM Therapists Searches for Whittier, Minneapolis
- Calhoun
- Central
- East Isles
- Loring Park
- Lowry Hill
- Lowry Hill East
- Phillips
- Powderhorn Park
- Stevens Square
- Uptown
- Ventura Village
Nearby Searches for Whittier, Minneapolis
- Calhoun
- Central
- East Isles
- Loring Park
- Lowry Hill
- Lowry Hill East
- Lyndale
- Phillips
- Stevens Square
- Uptown
- Ventura Village
Open Relationships Non-Monogamy Therapists
Why might an individual want to see a therapist specializing in open relationships and consensual non-monogamy?
A client seeking help with an open or consensually non-monogamous relationship will prefer to talk with a professional whom they can count on to be nonjudgmental. Talking with a supportive therapist may on its own help relieve some of the stigma and challenges partners face. That said, the most important factor in the success of any type of therapy is the ability of the client and practitioner to form a strong, trusting bond. For this reason, an individual or couple could find success with a therapist who does not specialize in non-monogamous relationships but with whom they can build trust.
When should open or consensually non-monogamous partners seek counseling?
Like other couples, polyamorous partners typically seek counseling when they face relationship challenges they can’t solve themselves. In non-monogamous relationships, this could include breaches of trust, including infidelity; unclear rules or violations of boundaries; jealousy of outside partners; the stress of juggling the needs of multiple partners; or the effect of high partner turnover on children. Like those of other couples, polyamorous bonds can be threatened by increasingly frequent arguments, poor or dysfunctional communication, diminished emotional or physical intimacy, or the feeling that something is wrong, even if they don’t know what it is.
Do therapists have special training to gain expertise in open relationships and consensual non-monogamy?
No, but individuals seeking help with non-monogamous relationships would most likely consult a licensed professional with specific training in couples counseling or couples therapy. Couples counseling and couples therapy both involve teaching concrete strategies to navigate conflict in relationships. A good therapist can engage both partners as they explain these approaches but can also work with a single partner.
How long does therapy for consensually non-monogamous couples typically last?
Couples therapy for any type of couple, tends to be relatively time-limited, lasting around 12 weeks on average. A good therapist will tailor sessions to the individual partners’ emotions and sometimes their past, along with patterns found to be repeating in the relationship. In many cases, clients should expect their therapist to assign “homework” between weekly sessions.