Emotionally Focused Therapists in Saint Paul, MN

OPENINGS for Couple's Therapy! Are you struggling with your relationship? Do you fight and have difficulty communicating with your partner? I understand the pain of feeling judged, shut out and rejected and the fear of losing the most important relationship in you life. I can provide a safe space for you and your partner to ask each other and answer one of the most important questions in relationships: "Are you there for me?" I can help you strengthen your bond and rekindle your passion. Call me for a free 15 minutes consultation.

Have you had repeated difficulties in relationships that leave you feeling as if you are forever stuck? Do you find yourself wanting to make changes but being unable to make these changes happen? Are you feeling confused or uncertain about yourself or the future and need someone to talk to? These are all excellent reasons to seek therapy. I work specifically with people who struggle in relationships, have histories of trauma or have issues with self-worth, anxiety or depression.

Are you tired of having the same argument over and over again? Even with the people we love the most, disconnection happens. I love supporting couples who want to shift old patterns of relating to each other, deepen connection, or find a better way to navigate conflict. I'm also passionate about supporting individuals who want to find freedom from entrenched patterns of relating to themselves, their past, or their loved ones. I offer nonjudgemental support to people who are feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy ( EFT ) for couples and Nonviolent/Compassionate Communication.

My name is Michael Branchaud and I am a Masters level Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC. I have been a practicing mental health professional for the past 26 years of which the last 10 years have been as a licensed psychotherapist. My therapy model is based on the Biblical concept of guarding our minds or better said, controlling our thoughts to better regulate our emotions and behaviors. This is done by understanding the relationship between our thoughts and emotions and their impact on our behaviors. I believe a person cannot change what he or she does not understand.

Welcome to a place of support for those relationships most important to you. I offer therapy in a relational context which explores the interconnectedness between self and others. I believe this is vital to well living. When relationships are out of balance, disconnectedness can occur. By creating awareness, empowerment can be found and utilized for change. I invite you to better navigate yourself and your relations!

Relational wellness includes a healthy relationship with others as well as ourselves. I work with clients that find themselves struggling in their current relationships. I have experience with a variety of issues including grief and loss, anxiety, depression, communication and conflict, intimacy issues, parenting support, premarital counseling and blended families. I also have additional certification for working with couple specific issues using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy techniques.

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker here to help you feel more connected, confident, and excited about who you are and the relationships around you. I enjoy working with adults and couples and am passionate about helping clients reach their goals. Special areas of interest include trauma, life transitions, relationship conflict, premarital counseling, and couples contemplating separation or divorce. I have found that a genuine and compassionate therapeutic style can assist clients in finding courage within themselves to navigate their life journey with confidence.

You may be feeling overwhelmed by emotions, struggling at work or in your relationships, having difficulty reaching a meaningful goal, or are struggling to find direction or purpose in your life. After a series of challenges, you may notice that your old coping strategies are not working in the ways you expect, and you are interested in a new perspective and tools. My clients seek and discover new understanding of themselves, their emotional reactions, and their values through the process of therapy. Many of my clients also seek out support to alleviate trauma symptoms using Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).

You may be at a point where you are feeling depressed because you feel alone and misunderstood. Changes in your life are overwhelming. Life and relationships are difficult to manage. You may be thinking that you “should” be stronger and not let things bother you so why do they? Your marriage has a lot of challenges and you and your spouse do not see eye to eye. You are an LGBTQ identified person and are feeling stuck. You are encountering roadblocks in your personal life and relationships. You want so much in life, but nothing seems to come together for you.

Send me an email to schedule a free virtual consultation. I work with people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, family issues, parenting and behavioral problems, work stress, trauma and abuse issues, autism spectrum disorders, family therapy, adoption issues, infertility, and self esteem issues.

My niche is chronic illness, as well as terminal illness, physical disabilities, and mothers with high-risk pregnancies or who have children with medical conditions. I also enjoy helping individuals with anxiety, boundaries with family of origin, and significant life stressors, and working with couples on communication, conflict and life transitions.

My philosophy of care focuses on achieving genuine, real, and tangible goals for my clients. I strive to do this through a collaborative working relationship with my clients--using their values and ideas as our guide. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Mental Health Counseling with concentrations in Eating Disorders and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA). I have also completed all education to obtain my Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Certificate.

I see life as a mosaic of experiences, and we all do the best we can with what we know at the time. But sometimes, anxiety, depression or the simple challenges of daily life can hold people back from living the fullest, best story of their life. My goal as a therapist is to explore and bring to light a person’s inner strengths, so they can overcome their personal obstacles and enjoy better, more productive lives and relationships. Everyone, regardless of life’s stumbles, deserves the best life they can imagine, and my goal is to walk with them and help them along this journey.

If you’re in search of an encouraging, welcoming and comforting space to help guide you through the challenges life brings, I look forward to partnering with you on your journey. I have experience working with individuals of all ages, couples and family systems. I am passionate about working with individuals and couples in all stages of their infertility journey, families involved in foster care and the adoption process. I also specialize in anger management and those involved in domestic violence/abuse relationships.

I enjoy working with people of all ages who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting issues, and relational challenges. I consider much of what I do to be allowing client's to gently and curiously grow in their ability to reflect on the stories they have formed about their journey. I have a great deal of gratitude for the deep, sometimes painful, places my clients allow me to explore alongside them.

**Email inquiry preferred. Currently offering video sessions.** You may be hoping to improve relationships in your life, be better able to deal with depression or anxiety, or free yourself from effects of trauma. Whatever your issues are, I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental, and safe space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences so you feel empowered to heal and move forward with your life.