Education and Learning Disabilities Therapists in South Dakota

As a therapist I enjoy meeting clients where they are and together designing a plan of action that will put their life in line with their goals. I use a strengths based, solution focused perspective. I help my clients learn tactics of cognitive behavioral therapy that they can use comfortably to obtain desired results in their life. I use a variety of family therapy techniques to help my clients understand relationships within a family. From this analysis, the client can safely explore these subjects and work towards resolution of the issue. I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University.

If you've ever wondered why you do certain things and want to change them or do them better...I can help with that! Together, we can develop the tools you need to get to know yourself and figure out how all the different parts of your personality can work together to create permanent positive change. You want to quit beating yourself up and move forward, and I want to help you do it! You can learn to be more compassionate, be more kind, and relate better with others AND yourself! Therapy is all about learning to be the best version of yourself, which frees you see the best version of others, too.

“Therapy is about understanding the self that you are. But part of getting to know yourself is to unknow yourself – to let go of the limiting stories you’ve told yourself about who you are so that you aren’t trapped by them, so you can live your life and not the story you’ve been telling yourself about your life.” Lori Gottlieb. The foundation of this quote is the support and guidance I want to provide to each person that walks through my doors.

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.

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.

Many of my clients have been told they are “too much” and struggle with exhaustion as they attempt to meet the expectations of those around them while minimizing their own needs. I walk alongside individuals who are looking to tame feelings of anxiety or depression. Sometimes this work includes discussing difficulties with focus or staying grounded in relationships. It may center around parenting responsibilities or relating to career/academic goals. I help clients identify their strengths, their values, and their needs, so they can build a life filled with peace and fulfillment that is uniquely their own.

My ideal client is someone who seeks support across the developmental spectrum, from children to adolescents and adults. They may grapple with issues ranging from anxiety, self-esteem, and interpersonal challenges. Their needs encompass a safe and non-judgmental space to explore their emotions and develop coping strategies. Their ultimate goal is to attain improved mental well-being, harness their inner strengths, and cultivate the skills needed to navigate life's complexities with confidence and resilience. Their desire for growth and transformation stems from a genuine aspiration to lead a fulfilling and empowered life.

I feel fortunate to have the experiences that I have had in working with a diverse group of individuals with various stories. I am able to build rapport quickly, making the client feel comfortable, and can assist in guiding the client in meeting their goals. I bring a unique experience as I look at the whole person to explore what all is, or has impacted them. We don't focus on disease management but strive to focus on overall wellness-mind, body, and soul. I enjoy helping clients find passion again in their life and to truly start living life-not just surviving each day. This is only a chapter of your life. Let's write a new one.

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.

Anxiety and depression can create difficulties and interfere with life activities and relationships. With a passion for helping people through difficult times in their lives, I use a refreshing approach to address crisis, hurt, and pain. I enjoy working with all ages, individuals, couples and groups with a special interest in adolescents and young adults. I use a variety of tools to address anxiety, depression, behavior and relationship issues including Traumatic Incident Reduction, CBT and DBT. Let's begin your journey to healing for a happy and healthy life. My website: https://holly-merrick-liston.clientsecure.me.

I value a diverse set of skills & believe being authentic & vulnerable can lead to the foundation within the therapeutic relationship. My approach to therapy is within the person-centered & humanistic approach, viewing the whole person, within their uniqueness, growth, & capabilities. I have worked extensively with families, children & adolescents within my career & seek out the importance of the child-parent relationship. Play therapy is a passion & set of skills I value while working with children & families. Focusing within Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health is also a passion of mine.

Mission: Specializing in ASD and Neurodiversity, I assist and guide to relieve mental discomfort & improve well-being. I provide support in a safe environment for individuals to gain the skills that allow them to interact in the world surrounding them. I specialize in autism, trauma, sexual behaviors, anxiety, adoption and families affected by these. I want you to succeed. My experience is professional and personal. I understand how frustrating and difficult life gets. I mostly work with adults, assisting them in navigating the daily life. I've helped adults work through anxiety, depression, & trauma.

Ever feel like you can’t shake your case of feeling like you are not good enough? This persistent feeling comes from trying to be someone you’re not. Constantly striving to be perfect or to fit into everyone else’s expectations depletes you. When you come to therapy, you get to drop the pretensions. You get to be vulnerable and explore the fears and tough feelings that you worry you can’t reveal to the people you love. As you get more comfortable talking, playing, and creating with me about your real wants and needs, you will build the skills that will enable you to show your true self to your family, friends, and colleagues.

I am passionate about helping women and children to experience a better life! In my practice, I focus on providing play therapy to children up to age 10, with a special emphasis on the early childhood population. I also provide mental health treatment to parents and other caregivers who are having difficulties in these caregiving roles. I provide counseling for women who are struggling with relationships, stress and other life difficulties who are looking to find more balance in life.

Life can bring upon stressors and trauma that seem impossible to overcome. It may make you feel overwhelmed, defeated, anxious and scared. Counseling can help make these difficult emotions and situations less daunting. I have experience working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health and am trained and certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

My journey has been deeply informed by working daily with children. First as a 3rd grade teacher, and then more recently as a school counselor. Being a part of the public education system for eight years, I learned countless lessons about children and family systems. Most importantly, I have learned that children are able to learn well if their needs are met both physiological needs as well as their feelings of safety, love/belonging, and connection.

Kathryn has worked with youth since 2014 in a variety of programs including residential settings, education, early childhood, and counseling centers. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Concordia College Moorhead and a Master of Science in Counseling and Student Affairs from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She obtained her Associate of Social Work license in 2018 and is currently working towards her Licensed Professional Counselor hours in South Dakota.

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 believe one of the most challenging things that you can do is to begin to understand your own story. We gather a lifetime of experiences which affect us in different ways. Holding on to past negative experiences prevents further exploration and healing. In a sense we get stuck in patterns of thinking and relating that hold us back from true potential and empowerment of our best assets.