therapy for humans

Are you feeling exhausted from just trying to survive in whatever circumstances you’re navigating right now? Feeling worn down by the various systems that work to maintain isolation and oppression? Or are you interested in challenging your perspectives and learning more about the ways in which these systems cultivate isolation and presentations of mental health “illness”?

I’m a systems-focused therapist who works with other humans navigating their experiences of the world within the many contexts in which make up their reality. My perspective of mental health, well-being and safety considers not only the immediate circumstances of your reality such as how your mental and physical self is functioning in this moment; but also, how colonialism, generational trauma, and the ongoing effects of worldwide, national, and local systems impede upon our natural state of being.  

I believe we all possess an innate capacity for health within environments that support our natural rhythms and provide encompassing safety. Here, your mind, body and spirit are recognized as novel, deserving and capable, focusing on the whole picture, not the “issue with you".

who i work with

My space is open to humans. Your “status” is irrelevant to my willingness and excitement to work with you. Our identities are building blocks of who we are and how we experience the world which is why I find it crucial to create a space of connection and safety.

I respect your right to privacy and safety.

I respect your right to expression and individuality.

I specialize in working with complex trauma, PTSD, identity and life transitions, grief and loss, and chronic illness across a variety of systems and settings.

my experience

Formal

I have clinical training in working with a variety of mental health difficulties or what the DSM-5 calls “Mood Disorders” such as depression, anxiety, bipolar I & II, PTSD, etc. However, I tend to see symptoms arise in relation to or as a result of greater contexts as opposed to a diagnostic label.

I hold a Master’s Degree of Clinical Social Work (MSW) from St. Thomas University in St Paul and am currently licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of Minnesota.

Settings and Systems

I have practiced in a variety of settings including:

  • Child Protection System (CPS)

  • Fostercare and Adoption

  • Criminal Justice System (Hennepin County)

  • Legal Defense (Ramsey County)

  • Immigration

  • Medical Trauma Recovery

  • Private Practice

  • Government Offices

Lived and Worked

I have lived and worked in settings that experienced poverty, displacement, homelessness, forced separation, and various types of abuse. While my own experiences and witnessing those of others do not give me expertise in anyone else’s life, they do inform how I engage personally and professionally within my practice. I do believe that authentic connection, curiosity, acknowledgement, respect, and overlap of primitive responses offer pathways for healing and safety.

my space

  • Accountable

    I come to this space holding myself and my ancestry accountable for the ways in which we have created and maintained harm to people, animals and the earth.

  • Connected

    Healing happens through connection. My approach is relational and humanistic.

  • Curious

    I’m interested in learning more about you- even the parts you might hide away. I’ll be managing how parts of myself show up in the room as well.

  • Honest

    While I tend to lead with warmth and humor, I am committed to showing up authentically and transparently with you. I also ask you to be honest with me as we work to co-create a relationship with trust and safety.

  • Malleable

    This space is unique to you. We get to design our space and time together in a way that makes sense and is supportive of your goals and safety.

  • Creative

    Expression is welcome here!

services

  • Individual therapy focuses on you! We work together to co-create a space in which you feel safe to show up and engage.

    We explore your experience of being alive through a micro (personal contexts) and macro (larger systems, communities, history, etc) lens.

  • Relational therapy focuses on deepening your connection with yourself and others. We utilize a micro and macro framework to better understand your relationships with others in addition to yourself.

    Note: relationships take many forms!

get started!

the process

Step one:

Reach out!

You can click any of the pink “get started” buttons or head over to the “Connect” page at the top of the website.

Fill out the submission form via the website or email me directly at innatecounselingmn@gmail.com

Step two:

Once I receive an inquiry from you, I’ll reach out letting you know when I have availability. If my schedule is full at the time, I do have a rotating waitlist that I follow up on.

I’ll offer a free 15 minute consultation for us to connect virtually or via phone to learn more about each other.

If we decide to move forward, we’ll get scheduled!

Step three:

Once scheduled, we will meet at a time and frequency that works for our schedules and aligns with your needs.

Currently, I am meeting virtually, though I am in the process of finding office space.

We’ll take it from there!