Therapists serving clients in Benson, MN

Hello and Welcome! I'm Tim - a 53 year-old, married, father of two, adventurer, explorer, and overall lover of the outdoors and most critters (excluding skunks, woodticks, mosquitos... those kind of things) :-) I have always worked with helping and serving people in one way, shape or form, but I also want you to know that many others have helped me. Back in the 1990's, when I was going through a particularly difficult time, a therapist helped me immensely, and I distinctly remember telling myself: "If I ever go back to college, it will be for some kind of psychology degree - so I can help others the way my therapist helped me... that must be so, so satisfying." Fast forward to my mid-forties, when it became necessary to "re-invent myself" - so I did, with an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) degree from St. Cloud State in Minnesota. I have practiced for the past 8 years in a multiple office agency serving all ages, and tackling just about any problem anyone could throw at me. The issues that seem to come up "all the time" are typically related to relationship conflict, all the various forms of anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, grief/loss, and PTSD/trauma - so these are the areas where I have the most experience. In the same breath, I want to tell you that I have also worked for several years in an inpatient substance abuse treatment center for men, where I feel I have seen and worked with just about everything (nothing surprises me). The point is that no matter what your issue is, you will be met with someone who has a broad level of experience in knowing how to tackle and overcome these issues. Past clients have often told me that I am easy to talk to, and they feel comfortable with me. That's because I really enjoy people, and I'm down to earth. I'm not the type of therapist who is aloof or superior. I honestly feel that you and I are on an "even playing field." You have your strengths and weaknesses, and I have mine. There will never be any judgment, criticism, or condemnation coming from me. I'm just eager to hear the details and the truth about your life, and understand your unique individual story - so that I can help you help yourself get to feeling better as soon as possible. I love humor, and I know when it's appropriate to use, and when it's not, in the therapeutic environment. 54 years is a fair bit of life experience, and I have packed a lot into those years. Clients also tell me that they "can relate to me" easily. That's because, when it's appropriate for an intervention, I tend to be a therapist who self-discloses at times, and that's because I want to normalize what you are going through, let you know that I have experienced this too, and most importantly, that I have found the way to victory and success over this particular obstacle or issue. Many therapists are fearful of self-disclosing; I find that if I am willing to risk it, it causes my clients and I to connect in a deeper way, and therefore, they feel they can trust me. I could tell you all the theories I use and draw from - but the average person seeking therapy aren't necessarily familiar with them anyway (I know I wasn't before my formal training) - so just know that I have lots and lots of training to draw from in my "bag of tricks". If you are so incredibly unique that I have no idea how to help you, I promise that I will admit it, and promptly go to the work of finding someone who can - for I also have several years of experience in assessing men in short term treatment, and plugging them into the appropriate channels and resources - so that they could get the help they needed. You? You're hurting in some way, and you're smart enough to recognize your feelings, admit that you need help, and have reached out. Congratulations - those are important steps, and you are well on way! I L.O.V.E. working with people who are highly motivated to get better. I look forward to coming alongside of you - to offer the guidance it takes to find victory over the pain, and get you as close as we can to operating at your full God-given potential. My best, Tim

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, licensed in the state of Minnesota. I have been in private practice for 8 years now. Clients I have worked with have diagnoses from depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders and personality disorders to name a few. I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. My counseling style varies depending on each individual client. I make every attempt to treat clients as a whole person, not to divide a person's life challenges as separate from the person. This is helpful to see that a problem can be resolved by relying on other strengths of the individual. I will use humor and normalizing as tools to help clients as well as skill building and self compassion as tools the clients can use to help themselves when they are ready. I do not shy away from challenges and I know that reaching out for help is scary and going into a place of unknown. I look forward to walking alongside clients as they journey through the process of starting to live their best life. I will be your biggest cheerleader, loudest advocate and strongest defender as you go through the challenges and triumphs of counseling.

Dee is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Licensed School Counselor (LSC) in the state of Minnesota.  He is also licensed in Texas an an LPC/ LCDC. Dee graduated with a dual master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addiction Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands and holds a Graduate Certificate in School Counseling from the University of Minnesota – Moorhead. In addition, Dee completed certifications in Life and Mental Health Coaching. Dee is currently pursuing his PhD in Guidance and Counseling Psychology. Dee provides a non-judgmental, person-centered, trauma informed and interdisciplinary approach to counseling and therapy in working with individuals and groups from different cultural backgrounds. Dee incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, psychoeducation, and spirituality to assist individuals deal with issues that affect their quality of life and well-being. My goal is to assist individual develop skills to manage distress of daily life and live a more fulfilling life.

I am licensed in Minnesota with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, & concentration, memory and focus (adhd). I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Bilingual in Spanish. Licensed in Minnesota and Florida with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with sexual dysfunctions, phobias, stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Also, nationwide, I am a Holistic Therapist and practice Alternative Medicine. With knowledge in Metaphysics, Quantum Mechanics and Epigenetics. Certified as an Emotional Freedom Therapist (tapping,) trained in clinical and spiritual hypnosis, and energy psychology among other science-based therapies and techniques.

I am licensed in Minnesota with 10+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Minnesota with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, depression, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Minnesota with 13 years of professional work experience. My work is guided by my belief in social justice, equality, and client-centered care. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Minnesota with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Minnesota with 12 years of professional work experience. I have a depth of experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. My career has been focused on providing services in a variety of private practice and clinical treatment settings, including residential, in-home, vocational, and educational programming and training agencies. Clients have remarked that I develop supportive relationships with them and their families without becoming overly emotionally involved. I have a broad and systems-based depth of knowledge of individual and family treatment and habilitation service provision in mental health, trauma, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, drugs and alcohol abuse, foster and adoptive care, and therapeutic interventions. This knowledge extends to related services, including people with disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and developmental delays. Years of Experience: I have 35 years of extensive human services experience. Since graduating in 2013 with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, I have focused on clinical private practice. Areas of Expertise: I have a broad-based knowledge of individual, couple, and family treatment with those who have experienced marginalization due to being diverse or a minority in an unwelcoming majority setting. Their experiences can result in a range of stand-alone or co-occurring issues with anxiety, major depressive concerns, trauma backgrounds, personality concerns and issues related to neurodiversity conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), selective mutism, panic attacks, Tourette’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, I have experience working with people going through grief and loss associated with chronic pain, major illness, death, suicide, divorce, abandonment, foster care, adoption, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, addictions and dependence, poverty and systemic societal barriers to quality of life goals, sexual identity and LGBTQ+ concerns and those interested in reframing their choices to more sex-positive and alternative lifestyles. I also have extensive experience in habilitation in the areas of treatment and disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, advocacy, autism spectrum disorders, independent living services, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, brain injuries and other developmental delays, severe emotional disorders, supported living services and mental Illness. Areas of Interest: Children, Teens and Adults, Individual, Couples and Family, Individual and Systems, Foundational Dialectical Behavioral Therapist, Trauma Informed Therapist and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies of many different types and techniques. Clinical Approach: I have an eclectic theoretical approach that allows me to practice an eclectic type of therapy featuring dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with adults, teens and families, emotionally focussed therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Adlerian, attachment, family and maladaptive systems. I also find benefit at times from Gottman Relationships and Conflict Resolution materials and Narrative, Person-Centered and Schema Therapy. And overall, I tend to find many of the people I see appreciate my understanding and attention to Solution Focused best practices. I see each client and their struggles as being unique and requiring an individual plan that is important to them, regardless of what others might think would best benefit them to work on first. I try to approach each client with empathy and genuine regard and strive to help my clients find wholeness. For these reasons, I appreciate many aspects of person-centered therapy. I also incorporate a behavioral approach toward facilitating change. I believe everyone can benefit from the skills taught in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I aim to teach people how to increase their emotional regulation and distress tolerance while increasing their use of mindfulness and coping skills and making needed lifestyle changes that maximize their mental health and quality of life balance and improve their interpersonal relationships. Education: Walden University, Master's Science, Mental Health Counseling, 2010 - 2013. For Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC St. Cloud State University, Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Human Relations/Diversity Studies, 1987 - 1991 License & Credentials: State of MN, 3525, NPI 1437498896 Hobbies/Interests: I am a parent to five children, two adopted and three biological. Long-time single co-parent of a diverse family. A Silver Labrador and Cattle Dog owner. Originally from a variety of in and outstate small towns and eventually Minneapolis, Minnesota. But have also lived in St Louis, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; and New York City, New York/New Jersey area. As my kids have finished up their elementary and secondary school years and entered college, I have prepared for my empty nest years by returning to my prior appreciation and love of reading, live music, movies, boating, camping, hiking, genealogy, gardening and spending quality time with friends and family with good food and/or while traveling when possible. I believe that our world can be an amazing place that we can explore from anywhere, from our own home to visiting a foreign country and seeing sights and meeting people we have never encountered before. "I enjoy working with clients to create an open and safe exchange of information in a supportive environment, without fear of judgment. I believe it takes mindfulness and courage to create a better life for oneself and those they are involved with. Therefore, I am here to support people in that journey towards feeling relief and comfort when they choose to work towards it."