I suppose you are wondering what to expect if you have never gone to therapy! After we have chatted by phone to set up a time to meet, I will send or email you out some paperwork that you will fill out. This paperwork will include general information about yourself, history and information about myself and my practice. You will need to bring that paperwork in with you at the first session.
When you arrive at my office, we will sit down and have what feels like a conversation about you. Over the years, clients have said how they are pleasantly surprised at how the session was comfortable and that it, indeed, felt just like a conversation. We will discuss how therapy works, my practice information and what you are looking for from this experience. I will be gathering information about you and your situation so that I can help determine with you how to best support you. At the end of the session, we will talk about whether we feel like this will be a good fit or if there are other professionals in the field that I believe could be better suited to support your needs. Once we have determined that this will work for you, we will set up another session to discuss goals and what to expect from on-going therapy.
It may be helpful for you to know that colleagues and clients have told me how they have found me to be easy to talk to, empathetic, supportive, determined to find the positives even when situations are difficult, easy going, having a good sense of humor, knowledgeable, and someone who truly enjoys what she does for a living! If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me with them!
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been working as a Crisis Stabilization Therapist at Dakota County for the past 5 years. I work with individual's and families who have been experiencing a crisis or difficult time in their lives by providing short term therapy and connection to resources.
Over the years, I have been working more with individuals trying to manage different life transitions.
I have 20 years of experience working with first time parents in their homes as a home visitor supporting parent/child attachment. I have worked closely with women suffering in silence from perinatal and postpartum depression, anxiety, and parent/child attachment struggles. My experience includes working with parents and their children 0-4 years. It has been my pleasure to have worked with so many first-time parents and families over the years who have shared their joys and challenges of parenting. Through the years, I have found a strong passion for working closely with women and families struggling with postpartum depression, anxiety, parent/child attachment, domestic violence and loss of what they thought life was going to be like. I feel very fortunate to be able to support, guide and educate families on the importance of taking care of themselves and other challenges in life, so that they are able to be present for their children for today and tomorrow.
Previously, I worked as an Independent Contractor at a Private Practice north of the cities for 3 1/2 years. While in practice there, I worked with children, teens, couples and families. It was towards the end of my time there that I had decided to continue on with my passion of supporting women, couples and families dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety and parent/child attachment closer to home. In 2015 I opened my own private practice.
A little bit about me...I have been married for over 25 years and have two wonderful adult children. I love being outdoors walking, boating, traveling and doing really anything with my family. I would describe myself as someone who loves to learn and I am always looking for ways and opportunities to better myself as a therapist and person. While preparing to get my office ready for private practice, I found a new self care hobby of painting my office furniture. I now enjoy finding furniture pieces that look tired and worn out and turning them into something beautiful and bright again. I recently bought a wood plaque for my office that says, "This is my Happy Place." Being a therapist is something that I am very proud of. I truly feel grateful to be able to do the work I get to do everyday with so many amazing clients!!
Education:
St. Mary's University, Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy
St. Cloud State University, M.S., Community Counseling
St. Cloud State University, B.S., Applied Psychology
- Emphasis in Psychological Services
License:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Training- 2020 Mom Postpartum Support International- Maternal
Mental Health
-Certified on the Growing Great Kids Curriculum
-Growth and Development of kids ages 0-5
Circle of Security- Parent Facilitator
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