Career Counseling Therapists in South Dakota

If you are trying to manage getting through a traumatic experience, riding the wave of up and down emotions, having relationship conflicts, or just need some assistance with life planning I can help provide direction and healing. I have been trained and enjoy using expertise in areas such as dialectical behavior therapy to assist with emotional regulation, increasing connection to the present moment, managing interpersonal relationships, and getting through crisis situations. I also enjoy using the modality of EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing) to work on reducing emotions and behaviors related to past trauma.

With over 22 years of experience, I am skilled at assisting in working on many of the following areas: depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum depression, grief and loss, career counseling, premarital and family counseling, marital and couples counseling. I enjoy seeing clients of all ages and accept many insurances!

I once worked with a client who said "Life is like the Hokey Pokey; sometimes you feel in, and other times you feel out...and we all need to turn ourselves around once in a while". Through my 20 years in behavioral health I've found my passion helping those that need a little "turning around". My skill set has been developed working with individuals, couples, and families of all ages within the school, inpatient, and outpatient settings. My door has always been open to any individual seeking comfort, reassurance, validation, and progress. I work with clients to identify troublesome issues, set goals, and create action plans.

As a licensed mental health practitioner in private practice, I meet each client and situation with openness and authenticity. My office provides a safe and welcoming space for vulnerability, healing, and personal growth. I utilize a client-centered approach combined with effective psychotherapy interventions to help clients reach their desired level of fulfillment and functioning. Combining a variety of therapeutic interventions with my holistic integrative training offers clients a personalized treatment approach to promote healing and optimal holistic health.

Sometimes life can be overwhelming and frustrating with the uncertainty of what to do next. Having the courage to come to counseling is the first step to get some of those questions answered. In the beginning, building a good rapport with clients is my focus to help them feel comfortable in the process. I can help clients work through the difficult things that are uncomfortable to think about or even to talk about. Clients do feel rewarded once they do, and they can make the changes they want in their lives. A diagnosis does not have to define as a person, but it can help them live their best life.

My philosophy is to take care of the WHOLE PERSON on my couch or in the comfy chair across from me. I don't just see your "issue" or "problem" — I see you as a full and complete human who is struggling and needs some help. We all need help at times. I act as a sounding board and guide. Not a critic or a savior, but a person and your equal, to help you discover better ways of trying life a bit differently. My clients are highly motivated to invite positive change into their lives, and I thrive off using that energy to help them and YOU achieve ultimate success.

Taking the step towards positive change can be both simple and transformative. Prioritizing your individual story and understanding the root of your struggle and pain is essential in my approach - there's no one-size-fits-all in therapy. The journey of healing not only reshapes our perspective but rekindles the joy we've been seeking. It is my goal to reignite that joy within you. I recognize that reaching out to a therapist might feel daunting. Yet, taking this step could pave the way for you to start living your best life. The highlight of my career is acting as a catalyst, helping clients realize their potential and desired life

Are you having a conflict with your mental health or faith? Do you struggle to stay satisfied in your marriage or content with your career? Is it difficult to stay motivated, feel happy, or be comfortable with your body image? Did someone important in your life leave or pass away? Maybe you already have a strong community to speak with, but you fear what they may think if you really opened up. These are common thoughts and feelings addressed in our time together. You are not alone. I am licensed in BOTH South Dakota & Iowa!

I am a trauma therapist and clinical supervisor. You do not have to live with difficult emotions. I can provide a safe and nurturing environment for you to get past your past, manage current triggers, and live your best life. I will help you navigate through all the implications of trauma including PTSD, anxiety, dissociation, depression, low self-esteem, attachment issues, guilt, hopelessness, loneliness, anger, shame, grief, career dissatisfaction, relationship issues, difficulties with boundaries, health concerns, and existential crises. I draw from a variety of modalities to meet your specific needs and goals.

I offer therapy to individuals, families and couples who are hoping to make positive changes in their lives. I believe that the client is the expert in their own life and that I am there as a helpful resource to offer support, reflect on patterns of behavior that may no longer serve you, and to offer encouragement and guidance to release the painful hurt of the past while moving forward to embrace a better tomorrow.

The kindest thing we can do for ourselves is to face life's challenges with honesty and bravery. But doing so can be painful, and often requires support from others. Therapy offers a unique opportunity to help differentiate what we can and cannot change, and to guide us toward self-affirming, healthy choices without judgment or pressure.

My approach to being a therapist is to be there for a client, much like I would be there for a friend. I enjoy offering support, empathy and a neutral, unbiased perspective. I prefer sessions to be led by my client but am comfortable with providing direction when needed. When appropriate, I like to be a mirror to help a client to gain a different perspective or see a situation in a different way. If a client would like, I will guide them in exploring life experiences that may be contributing to current challenges.

I am a Qualified Mental Health Professional, Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Approved Supervisor Status, and National Certified Counselor. I have over 30 years of experience in working with individuals, couples, and families (children, adolescents and adults). I have also provided counseling and education to healthcare professionals, legal professionals, athletes, educational organizations, workplace environments, and community groups.

I approach therapy and treatment of individuals, couples, groups and families in a manner consistent with principles of integrity, cooperation and connectedness. I am dedicated to assisting individuals in improving the quality of their lives and in addressing mental health and substance use disorders with compassion.

I empower and support young adults and teens who are navigating life changes, anxiety, depression, or healing from past traumas. Many of the clients I work with experience symptoms such as catastrophic thinking, insomnia, nausea/physical symptoms, worry, perfectionism, low self-worth, difficulty in relationships, and/or feelings of persistent sadness/numbness.

My goal as a therapist is to help you find the very best aspects of yourself. I work to help you create healthy and dynamic relationships and to generate meaningful change. I offer specialized mental health services for adults, couples, children, and families. My practice combines a client-centered approach with effective psychotherapy interventions to treat a wide range of issues. Building a strong therapeutic relationship is key to each client's therapeutic journey, and I make this a priority to ensure a trusting and warm experience for my clients. My private practice office is located in Brookings, South Dakota.

Offering Telehealth Services in IA and In Person and Telehealth services in SD. Discover Healing and Hope. Are you or a loved one struggling with the weight of past trauma, anxiety, or emotional distress? It's time to take that courageous step towards healing and liberation. Meet Melissa Smith, your trusted partner on the path to recovery and resilience. Melissa partners with clients to create a safe space to process past trauma, discuss life struggles in an open and non-judgmental environment, and to offer hope in the journey of healing.

I get it, being overwhelmed, worried about everything and just plain tired of life is an issue we will experience at some point in our lives. I can help. Anxiety pushing you to do more - then you realize no matter what you do it's not enough. I can help. Every phase of our life means we are relearning the same lesson, different situation. I can help. Feeling stuck and not seeing any way out of a situation can be paralyzing. I can help. Grief true deep grief, not understanding how to move through it. I can help. ANGER all the time, easily irritated? I can help. Give me a chance I can help.

Life to me is an adventure of ups and downs where everyone has the potential to expand their emotional well-being. Through collaboration with the client, and often times a significant other or family, the therapeutic work done in session can promote a better quality of life. My experience in the social work field over the past 14 years includes working with client populations in medical social work, homeless and near homeless housing placement, and treatment for at risk client populations on the Rosbeud Reservation to develop skills and flexibility for working with most ages and client needs.