Stress affects people in different ways but for certain people, stress of any kind can bring their life to a grinding halt. Just the slightest sense of distress may send them back into their home where they can hide from the world. This can be a sign of anxiety disorder and can be treated easily by a licensed professional in Oakdale.
Oakdale is named after a grove of oak trees that were near the town when it was built in 1858. Since then, a lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same. If you are suffering from anxiety disorder, any kind of changes can stress you out. A mental health counselor in Oakdale can help you figure out how to destress and get back to feeling at ease again.
Lisa Rivers
As a licensed therapist in Minnesota with nearly three decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice focuses on addressing depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and life transitions with compassion and expertise. I offer a supportive, non-judgmental approach to help clients navigate difficult experiences such as trauma, social anxiety, workplace stress, and interpersonal dynamics. My therapeutic work centers on empowering individuals to develop healthier communication patterns, rebuild self-esteem, and discover meaningful personal growth strategies. My expertise spans a wide range of concerns including mood disorders, caregiver stress, young adult challenges, and women's issues. I am committed to creating a safe, affirming space where clients can explore their experiences, heal from past wounds, and develop resilient coping mechanisms. I understand that each person's journey is unique, and I tailor my approach to meet individual needs with genuine empathy and professional insight. Together, we can work towards understanding your strengths, addressing challenges, and creating positive, sustainable change in your life.
Rachel Samuelson
Hey there, I'm Rachel. I have been a social worker for over eight years and have experience working with individuals from different backgrounds and various challenges. Much of my experience has been working with individuals with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and adjustment to everyday life challenges. My counseling style is warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental. I have received feedback that clients feel they can be their authentic selves with me. I will help you navigate the difficulties you are facing with compassion, honesty, and respect. My therapeutic approach is integrative and person-centered with evidence-based strategies. I pull from cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness therapeutic techniques. I firmly believe that the most significant indication of successful therapy comes from the relationship between therapist and patient. I will take the time to listen and get to know you better to create a trusting and comfortable environment for the client to utilize their strengths, unique capacities, and accountability. I am willing to work in whichever format you feel most comfortable with! My availability is mainly in the late afternoon/evening, but I can check and answer a few messages throughout the day. I know how hard it can be to ask for help, but I am here to help you navigate these challenges, and if you are ready to take the initial steps towards changing your life, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!
Augustina Garba
Hello and welcome! My name is Augustina Garba. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater with a master’s degree in Counseling in May 2002. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I started out working with adult mental health individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. During my internship, I was exposed to working with severely abused and neglected children. This experience was what inspired me to work with children and families. I now provide individual and family therapy sessions targeting anger management for children and at-risk teenagers. My passion has always been to help bring about changes in the lives of individuals and families while partnering with them to create hope in their future. In 2009, I went into Private Practice. I now work with children, adults, and families, providing individual and family therapy sessions. I also work with adult survivors of childhood abuse. My focus is to help them heal from their trauma and overcome related issues and problems that could develop due to their abuse. These could range from depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks and stress. I work with many individuals and couples in relationship building. I counsel couples with relationship and divorce issues, anger management and domestic violence. My focus in counseling is to work with you to resolve issues that challenge you and restore self-efficacy to couples, individuals and families. I am supportive in therapy and a good listener. I will collaborate with you, using teaching skills and give you tangible assignments to help you succeed in achieving your goals of finding a long-term meaningful solution. I am consistent and believe in building a trusting and reliable client-therapist relationship. I look forward to working with you!
Michele Fitzgerald
Hello, I am Michele Fitzgerald and I started working with adolescents in substance abuse treatment in the 1980s. I have a rich work history including working in Kodiak, Alaska as well as Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to substance abuse and mental health counseling, I have worked in adoption, birth parent counseling, and social work in a hospital and long-term care center. I appreciate the evolution of the Behavioral Health and Alcohol and Drug counseling fields which were treated at one time separately when I started my career. I view recovery as synonymous with wellness. I value the development of strength through adversity. I am a good match if you are looking for a counselor who is a good listener and views mistakes as opportunities to learn. I am available on Thursdays from 4:00 - 8:00 pm if this works for you.
Teresa Riley
Teresa Riley, M.Div.,LMFT, works from an integrative framework with individuals, couples, and families who are struggling with a variety of mental, emotional, and relational issues. Her areas of experience and special interest include relationship difficulties, men's issues, substance abuse, anger, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Teresa has a history of working in crisis mental health, men's residential treatment for addiction, teen residential treatment for trauma, and clinical outpatient settings. She has specialized training in psychodynamic, CBT, EFT, IFS and solution focused approaches, as well as Discernment Counseling for couples who are experiencing conflict or considering divorce.
Lura Smedstad
In her counseling practice, Lura combines aspects of what she loves the most: a deep regard for the spiritual Source within every person; effective therapeutic art processes, and a sound cognitive behavioral therapy approach. For many years, she has had the opportunity to support both adult and teen clients in the process of healing their lives. Lura specializes in helping her clients alleviate the effects of trauma, anxiety, and depression, as well as grief and loss issues. She helps them to establish workable, sustainable life goals and healthy relationships. Her clients describe her approach as “direct but compassionate!” and uniquely suited to each individual or couple who meet with her. According to Lura, “We all have a Voice of Wisdom within us. Part of what I do is to help clients get in touch with that Voice.” EXPERIENCE: I have been working as a Counselor and Therapist for many years. My primary work was partially accomplished as a Ministerial Partner with my husband who is a Unity Minister while serving Unity Churches in Clear Lake, Texas; Taos, New Mexico; Charlotte North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut and Key West, Florida. In 1993, we relocated to Minneapolis, MN where we established a school with a three year course of study to support individuals in personal growth and spiritual maturity. We led the school for 10 years and attracted students from a variety of occupations and religious/spiritual affiliations. Many of our students came from "helping" occupations, (e.g., doctors, nurses. social workers, teachers, etc. ) and this taught us that our approach was valuable and timely. I continued to work as I completed BA and Masters programs and had the advanced opportunity to do practicums in both Counseling and Art Therapy degrees while working for a Psychiatric hospital in Key West, Florida. In 2015 we left Florida, did another round of Interim ministry work in Hartford, CT before moving back permanently to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I joined an established counseling clinic as an associate and worked there from 2016 to 2021. Because of COVID-19, I moved my practice to my home office and have been serving clientele on telehealth services ever since. EDUCATION: Ordained: Theophilus Divinity School 1995 BA in Fine Arts: Minneapolis College of Art and Design - St. Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota 2006 Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling w/concentration in Art Therapy: Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona 2014 LICENSING: Minnesota LPC #1916
Mitchell Daas
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota with over 5 years of experience working as a Dialectical Behavior Therapist and Outpatient Therapist. I have worked with individuals with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting problems, personal disorders, career, OCD, and ADHD. My therapy style is balancing acceptance and change in any moment and working towards building a life you want. I believe in treating anyone with a compassionate, nonjudgmental stance and encourage change when needed. My approach combines Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness and Trauma-Focused therapy. I will work with you to move you towards your own life worth living goals. It takes courage to reach out for help and am here to support and empower you towards your own life worth living goals. I look forward to working with you!
Mary Gales-Wenz
Mary Gales-Wenz has been a Licensed Independent Social Worker for 40+ years and has practiced in a variety of Behavioral Health environments during that time. After obtaining a Master’s Degree in Social Work she was employed for 20 years with The Department of Veterans Affairs @ both the St. Cloud and Minneapolis hospitals in Outpatient and Inpatient settings. Her career path after The Department of Veterans Affairs included providing Mental Health services with Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, Central MN Mental Health Clinics, Clinical Supervision of Residential Treatment for Department of Corrections, Behavioral Healthcare Management for a local MN insurance company and maintaining a small private practice since 2009. Mary has worked with adults, seniors, and adolescents in Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Treatment facilities, addressing PTS, Anxiety, Sexual and Physical Trauma, Depression diagnoses, to name a few. Mary continues to keep her skills updated in regards to new research and treatment modalities. She has a particular interest in the mind-body connection and therapies that clients better understand this. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy that helps to process the entire emotional and cognitive experience for individuals.
Eugene (Gene) Taylor
As a licensed therapist in Minnesota, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My professional approach centers on addressing depression, anxiety, stress, and interpersonal dynamics with compassionate, evidence-based strategies. I have extensive experience working with diverse populations, including young adults, caregivers, men navigating personal challenges, and individuals experiencing social anxiety or isolation. My therapeutic practice focuses on helping clients develop stronger communication skills, improve self-esteem, and navigate difficult transitions—whether in workplace settings, family relationships, or personal growth journeys. I understand the nuanced emotional landscapes of blended families, aging individuals, and those managing seasonal emotional shifts. With a deep commitment to creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment, I work collaboratively to help clients develop resilience, emotional insight, and practical coping strategies. My goal is to empower individuals to understand themselves more deeply and create meaningful, positive changes in their lives.
Christina (Crissy) Irrgang-Wade
I am licensed in Minnesota with 11 years of professional work experience. I am certified as a Tele-mental Health provider, and I specialize in trauma informed care, including intergenerational trauma. I am trained in Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am patient, understanding, and nonjudgmental. Another form of care that I can provide to clients is Brainspotting. Brainspotting is an advanced brain body technique for healing emotional trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and multiple other mental health diagnoses. It is one of the few techniques that effectively addresses the root cause of psychological stress and trauma. I have experience working with teens who want help with anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also enjoy working with adults and elders. I have many years of experience working with Native Americans and the Ojibwe culture. 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. 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.
Samantha Plumski
Hello, I am so glad that you decided to take this first step in this journey of improving and taking care of yourself. I am licensed clinical social worker in the state of Minnesota and North Dakota with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, coping with life changes, and much more. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I work from a strengths based person centered approach. 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. 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.
W Kpangbala Sengbe
I am licensed in Minnesota with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma, & abuse. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Amanda Schmidt
I am licensed in Minnesota with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.
Bethany Bertsch
I am licensed in Minnesota with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, & despression. 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.
Find a Therapist Near You in Oakdale , Minnesota
Finding a licensed therapist near you in Minnesota can be an important step toward improving your mental health and overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, stress, or major life changes, working with a qualified mental health professional can offer meaningful support.
With a population of Minnesota_POPULATION, Minnesota is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Online therapy makes it easier to connect with a therapist near you without being limited to nearby offices. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists authorized to practice in Minnesota, allowing you to attend sessions online from the comfort of your home.
Why work with a licensed therapist near you?
Working with a licensed therapist near you ensures that your provider meets state licensing requirements and professional standards in Minnesota (MN). Licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches to help individuals manage emotional challenges, develop coping skills, and work toward personal goals.
People seek therapy for many reasons. Some are navigating ongoing mental health concerns, while others want guidance during stressful periods or major life transitions. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to work with a therapist. Many individuals seek therapy to improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage stress, or gain greater self-awareness.
Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across Minnesota_COUNTIES, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.
What concerns can therapists help with?
Therapists on BetterHelp support adults across Minnesota with a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and mood-related concerns
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and family challenges
- Life transitions and adjustment concerns
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Job stress and burnout
- ADHD-related challenges
- Sleep concerns
- Parenting stress
- Eating disorder support
Therapists use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based methods tailored to individual needs.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in Minnesota
When searching for a therapist near me in Minnesota, many people compare online therapy with traditional in-person care. Online therapy offers several potential advantages:
- Greater accessibility: Attend sessions from anywhere with an internet connection
- Reduced wait times: Many people are matched in as little as 24-48 hours, faster than typical in-person availability
- Flexible scheduling: Sessions that fit around work, family, or school commitments
- Expanded provider options: Access licensed therapists across Minnesota, not just nearby offices
Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns. Online therapy may also reduce barriers such as transportation challenges, long commutes, or limited local availability, especially in larger or more rural counties across Minnesota.
Finding a therapist near me that accepts insurance
Many people looking for a therapist near me in Minnesota want to know whether insurance is an option.
Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and therapist availability.
When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by state and provider availability, so it’s important to check your in-network status directly on the BetterHelp site.
If insurance coverage is not available, BetterHelp’s flexible subscription model remains an option, with online therapy typically costing $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price.
How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in Minnesota
BetterHelp simplifies the process of finding a therapist near you in Minnesota without requiring you to search through tons of profiles on your own.
Here’s how it works:
- Complete a brief questionnaire about your needs, preferences, and goals
- Get matched with a licensed therapist authorized to practice in Minnesota (MN)
- Begin online therapy sessions through video, phone, or live chat
BetterHelp works with one of the world’s largest networks of licensed therapists, with over 30,000 qualified providers globally. Many members are matched in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and 93% of user preferences are met during the matching process.
You can request a new therapist at no additional cost if your needs or preferences change.
Therapists near you in Minnesota
Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across Minnesota, including residents in Minnesota_COUNTIES.
Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in Minnesota do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me
How much does therapy cost near me?
Therapy costs vary depending on provider and location. In-person therapy sessions may cost $100 to $200 or more per session. BetterHelp offers online therapy subscriptions that typically range from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, depending on factors such as location, source, preferences, and therapist availability. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price. BetterHelp now accepts major insurance plans in select states and members pay an average copay of $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
Yes. Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Is online therapy effective?
Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship challenges. Online therapy allows you to connect with a licensed therapist without commuting to an office.
Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?
No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek therapy. Many people work with a therapist for stress management, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or personal growth.
How quickly can I start therapy?
Many people are matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 to 48 hours after completing the initial questionnaire. Match times may vary based on preferences and therapist availability.
Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?
Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.
Is online therapy private and secure?
Online therapy through BetterHelp allows you to communicate with your therapist in a discreet setting through video, phone, or messaging tools.