Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Therapists in Bloomington, MN

I have strived to develop a foundation of working with a wide variety of clients in a variety of different settings and modalities. Clients have benefitted from increased mood regulation, ability to cope mental health symptoms, and the ability to manage interpersonal relationships. Clients develop skills to view their current circumstances from various perspectives. Supporting the client with building a life worth living and supporting their journey is a shared goal for clients and myself within the therapeutic relationship. I am also a board approved supervisor with the MN Board of Behavioral Health

Incidents from your past may interfere with your present life. A moment may trigger vivid memories, painful feelings, and intrusive negative thoughts. Your coping strategies may seem insufficient, and at times you may feel stuck with intense emotions and rumination. My specialty is helping people to heal from the impact of past adversity and trauma. I believe that everyone has within them innate capacities to heal and grow, and to discover and develop their inner strengths and wisdom. I have advanced training and expertise in evidence-based methods (EMDR, DBT, and Somatic Therapy) that can help you to recover from the past.

My counseling lens is supportive, strengths based solution focused, and I use cognitive behavioral and mindfulness approaches in my work. I provide a non-judgmental active approach to counseling. In a caring yet straightforward way I get to know you, help you to set meaningful counseling goals, take action, and be accountable toward reaching your goals to live your best life. If you are looking for someone to help you be accountable, then I am a good fit! As a mother of 2 (one in college), I understand the complexities of balancing family and work. Tired of feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? I can help!

I hold a PhD in clinical psychology from Washington State University, and I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the University of Minnesota Student Counseling Center. My main focus is to build a collaborative and safe relationship with my clients, where we can openly explore their feelings and challenges. I specialize in helping people dealing with anxiety, depression, life changes, trauma, and questions about their identity, and I customize my approach to suit each client's unique needs.

Each stage of our lives brings its own challenges. And if our lives so far haven’t been particularly rosy… experiences from our pasts can make our emotions overwhelming and unpredictable, and we can feel out of control. They can keep us from forming close and healthy relationships, leaving us isolated and alone. I provide individual therapy for adolescents and adults who have experienced adversity in their lives. I provide treatment for traumas and stressors that we sometimes experience growing up including household dysfunction, emotional and physical neglect, abuse, and generational trauma.

My specialties are relationship counseling and EMDR for trauma. I have advanced training in EMDR and am Certified through EMDRIA. The world is a challenging place as we learn about - or experience - harmful events. I understand that coping with your own personal challenges can be daunting at times. I effectively use feedback, self-evaluating questions, and reflection -- leading to happiness and fulfillment. I also tell my clients that I might have certain insights by looking at patterns, behaviors, and habits they don't realize are present. Sessions via computer and phone offered.

If you are reading this, its an important step you just took towards your own healing journey. At Life and Light Healing and Wellness we lovingly attend to you, to all that makes you...you, to co-create a healing space. Whether it's the dark clouds of depression, the tentacles of anxiety, or the storm of PTSD, our clinicians are equipped with the tools and skills to support you through your journey to healing.

Many of us struggle with anxiety, stress, and trouble sleeping. We can find ourselves facing difficult life changes and transitions, experiencing difficult relationships, work problems, or issues related to aging and loss. It seems easy these days to feel anxious, discouraged and uncertain about the future. If you are experiencing any of the above concerns, therapy could help. Effective therapy can equip clients with the skills, self-confidence and resilience they can apply effectively to their present situation and also in the future when issues arise.

My motivation for becoming a clinical social work came about from my past experiences growing up. During my adolescent years I both witnessed and experienced families in crisis. This had a profound effect on me and after a process I have come to realize that my passion lies in helping people who are less advantaged. By listening, understanding, helping, and inspiring hope we can make differences in people's life.

When our emotions control too much of our lives we can feel powerless, unable to achieve our goals and values. I provide a safe and welcoming space to grow awareness and skills to better manage emotions, take back control life, and reach a state of well-being. I work with clients who have various concerns such as stress, depression, anxiety, or more challenging issues. I have extensive experience working with clients having acute or chronic thoughts of suicide and self-harm behavior, creating workable safety plans. As a former police officer, I have an understanding of what first responders experience in their day-to-day lives.

You can have a life of abundance, peace, and joy! I am here to help you on this journey. I believe 90% of what happens in life is not what happens to us but how we react to situations. You deserve a life that leaves you excited to wake up every morning. I am here to help you find fulfillment and personal growth.

Life can bring some unexpected twists and turns, and it can be helpful to talk with someone to process, and heal from these events. I consider it an honor to hold space for clients, and provide a safe place for you to be heard, find healing, and to gain skills and tools to bring you more freedom, and peace . I work from a mind, body, spirit perspective and upon your request, I enjoy integrating Christian faith, and spiritual interventions into your care. I value bringing laughter, authenticity, and safety into our sessions. Please feel free to call me to schedule a free 30 minute consultation to answer any questions you may have.

I am a compassionate and empathetic psychologist with a directive and coaching approach to helping people reduce suffering and find solutions to your life concerns and relationships. I use an eclectic approach in my treatment, tailored to your specific needs.

My four decades of practice has shown that no matter what brings you to counseling, every person wants to live in consistent positive feelings – comfortable in their own skin and enjoying life – able to navigate the ups and downs with resilience and effectiveness – able to solve the problems they face and move forward. This is the focus of my sessions – tailored to your specific situation and needs. Sessions are comfortable and informal. I can help nearly every client I see because I know all people have innate mental wellbeing and the ability to connect to it in a simple way that deepens and endures. Let’s chat.

Safiya is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She has been working in the mental health field for the past nine years. While she strives to be a well- rounded generalist, Safiya has specific interests in working with marginalized, under-represented and underserved communities with a focus on trauma-based issues, depression, anxiety, PTSD, self- development, developmental delay and Autism.

I am passionate about my work as a therapist and take seriously my role and responsibility in guiding clients towards their goals. My direct communication style, friendly disposition and structured approach to therapy, allows my clients to feel at ease quickly and make progress in areas they desire to make change. I have experience and enjoy working with a variety of clientele including teens, adults, couples and families. Areas of passion include working with first responders, grief and loss, couples in crisis, teens and women seeking support throughout periods of transition.

Sometimes you may find yourself experiencing conflicting emotions or in complex relationships. Therapy helps you find clarity and return to emotional wellness. I include family members in session when helpful and I explore with you ways to achieve enriching emotional and interpersonal experiences. I'm originally from Mexico and moved to MN in 1997, which allows me to provide therapy fluently in Spanish and/or English along with a personal understanding of Latino culture, American culture and multicultural relationships.

During this unprecedented time in our lives I provide compassionate guidance to clients seeking support and hopefulness as we collectively deconstruct old paradigms, while creating new ways of understanding ourselves and each other. I believe we are emerging into a new era of letting go of what no longer serves us, negative beliefs about ourselves, fear based thinking and scarcity mindset of the "self" as not enough. This moment in time, we have the opportunity to to heal and learn to love ourselves and cultivate empowered life affirming beliefs.

Curious, Kind and Direct - that is how people describe me. I have a genuine love for this work and I do what I do with sincerity and honesty. I am approachable and change and growth are nurtured here. I use a collaborative and eclectic approach to therapy. If desired, I am comfortable integrating a person's spirituality into therapy as well.