Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapists in Stillwater, MN

I work collaboratively with individuals, couples, & families to help them cultivate a deeper self-awareness, discover new ways of expression, transform dysfunctional patterns, have more satisfying relationships and ensue a more meaningful life. Research has shown having purpose and meaning in life increases overall wellbeing and life satisfaction, improves mental and physical health, enhances resiliency and self-esteem, and decreases the chances of depression.

Are you feeling a sense of dis-ease, dis-stress, or are out of balance and are ready to move toward a more healthful and vibrant life? I believe in fostering holistic healing by integrating mind, body, and spirit practices. By addressing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, we can unlock profound avenues for personal growth, healing, and lasting emotional balance.

Hi there! You're here because you found the strength and courage to look for a therapist! Perhaps you are looking to better understand yourself, or you are ready for change, or both. Whatever your unique challenges may be, and wherever your unique journey may have taken you so far, you get to determine the path forward. You can heal yourself, no matter how dark it seems. You can gain confidence, you can accept and love yourself, and you can change your life. I am here to guide you, encourage you, and teach you skills/tools that you need to overcome challenges, hardships, stressors, and trauma.

Disruptions in relationships regularly occur in life and the experience of feeling disconnected is not uncommon. Many of us have experienced children growing older and leaving home, job loss, retirement, frequent arguments with those closest to us, divorce, separation, and death of loved ones. Some of us have experienced life threatening events, serious illnesses and physical losses that result in a dramatic shift on how we fit into the world and in the lives of others. These events can result in a loss of satisfaction in life or at times a loss of hope in having a life worth living.

I offer an individualized approach to psychotherapy, drawing from over a decade of experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, emotion dysregulation, and problems in relationships. I've completed advanced training in a variety of evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral, dialectical-behavioral, interpersonal, and compassion-focused therapies, as well as training in mind-body and somatic practices, to help meet the diverse needs of my clientele. I have a passion for helping clients develop healthy relationships while pursuing recovery from experiences of trauma, moral injury, and shame.

I’m so glad you’re here! I believe we all have this inspired capacity to transform old feelings, behaviors, and patterns, and to rewire our brains to heal our hearts and relationships. I value integrative and holistic health, and enjoy incorporating the "whole-you" in session: your mind, body, heart & soul. We'll focus on healing the relationship in and amongst these parts of you, resulting in a more integrated feeling of a-well-and-good YOU. Therapy works best when we can allow the full human experience; humor, tears, anger, anxiety, joy... I won't shy away from the messiness and instead will encourage us to jump into the depth.

To you who are seeking, searching, stuck, full of sorrow, confusion, doubt, or furious despair, welcome. There is a place for you here. A belonging within the sea of humanity that cradles and arrests, over and over and over. Let the painful, glorious, fractured light that led you here, be the same light inside that ultimately blesses and frees you, even if you wouldn't have chosen this path on your own. I'll hold the door as you make this first (or fortieth) step. Be gentle. You have already come so far...

Shana works with a variety of clients. Seeking to have an approach that helps empower the client with greater insight as well as practical life changes. Shana tends to have a more open and flexible style and works well with clients who are wanting to make changes in their lives and willing to do the work-- with the overall goal of having a collaborative relationship between client and counselor. Shana is willing to challenge clients by reflecting back to them the things they say in a way that helps clients overcome the internal obstacles toward creating a functional and meaningful life.

Do any of the following sound familiar? You feel anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed most days. You notice that no matter how successful you are, or how much you have achieved, you still struggle with feeling “not good enough.” You often don't know what you want or need, and sacrifice your own well-being to meet the needs of others. You want to find meaning and joy in life, but find that most days you are just trying to get by and survive. If you're looking for a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental space to do this work then let's talk.

You deserve respect for your experiences and equitable access to a joyful life. Therapy has shifted orientation of fixing something that is wrong to discovering other tools in your box and utilizing each to their full capacity. You are not broken, or too much, though the situation may be and together we determine the shape and the form, envisioning what’s next. It is part of a process that every person deserves, discovering or uncovering what isn’t working in your life and expanding your unique abilities as it aligns with your joy.

We believe that we all have the capability to survive through difficult times and unwanted emotions. We also believe that we are all worthwhile and valuable individuals that have something valuable to offer others. However, sometimes the world and people around us can seem discouraging and shame-based. One of our goals is to model self-worth and provide our clients with constant encouragement until they are able to see themselves as a worthwhile person that is capable of also encouraging others. Visit us at www.CounselingKidsandAdults.com

Are you looking for support around anxiety, depression, grief, fertility challenges, pregnancy or postpartum, or life transitions? Do you have past attachment wounds that are getting in the way of building the life that you want to live? Have you tried therapy before, but it just didn't seem to be the right fit? We all need support at different times in our life, and we deserve support from a therapist who truly values the work they are doing with us.

Welcome! I provide individual counseling to adults of all ages. With an encouraging and flexible style, my goal is to help clients develop healthy coping mechanisms, enhance self-image and confidence, overcome triggers, make healthy decisions, and improve overall well-being. I often use humor, because humor can be healing. I support clients through life challenges like education and career decisions, stress, burnout, relationships, life transitions, and loss/grief. With experience in supporting clients with life adjustments, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and neurodiversity/ADHD, I am also a supportive LGBTQIA+ ally.

Walking through life in an increasingly challenging world can leave us feeling out of touch with ourselves, bending to who we think we “should” be, and unsure of who we want to be. I work with clients to help them embrace their natural curiosity, explore the patterns/behaviors that feel incongruous with their values, challenge the negative self-talk that holds them back, and help them to engage more fully in the joy that life can hold. I aim to help my clients develop a deeper and more compassionate relationship with themselves, to have a more fulfilling relationships and live in authentic alignment with their core personal values.

I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist and enjoy working with families, couples, individuals, children, teens, and adults across the lifespan. I'm dedicated to helping my clients and families find, develop, and care for the hidden, underdeveloped, and wounded parts of themselves so they can live authentic lives rather than existing in the shadows. We discover ways to bring their lives into alignment with who they really are and strengthen their most meaningful relationships. I develop trusting relationships with my clients and seek to understand and respect all people within their family, community, and culture contexts.

Maybe you’ve had some recent challenges and are eager to make some changes. You’ve felt stressed, overwhelmed, or unhappy. You used to be able to handle it all, but lately it hasn’t been as easy. Perhaps relationships and work have been harder to manage. You may even feel insecure, alone and like no one else could truly understand. You are ready to make changes now.

I specialize in working with young children, adults, and parents struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, healthy eating, life transitions, emotional regulation, and parenting concerns. My focus is to first build trust and relationship, establishing a safe space where clients can feel comfortable being vulnerable and voicing experiences. Sessions with me feel like a conversation where you are seen and heard, tailoring the approach to best fit your needs. Client’s can expect lots of humor, transparency, honesty, and compassion.

I believe that growth and change are always possible, and I am here to help guide clients in their unique journey. Whether you are struggling with issues related to trauma, addiction, feelings of sadness, self-doubt, shame, guilt, or any other life/situational stress, recovery is ALWAYS possible and there is ALWAYS hope. I use science based treatments and assessments tailored to your individual needs so you can heal and learn to reclaim your life in a safe, non-judgmental, supportive therapy environment.

I believe that all people have within them the capacity for healing and that courage and strength are discovered when people are allowed the space to express and release their emotional baggage. I believe that it is vital that I provide that space for each and every client. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and years of experience assisting children, adolescents and families improve their individual and family functioning.