Frequently Asked Questions


I noticed you offer yin yoga and barre fitness classes. When will these be available?

Yes, I will be offering barre fitness and yin yoga classes through a virtual format. Stay tuned for details on scheduling and pricing. These classes will be available Fall 2025.

Do you only work with female identified clients?

I specialize in ’women’s issues’ which surrounds female clients and issues that tend to arise for this population, however, I work with clients of all identities and do not limit sessions to only female clients.

What is betrayal trauma and how is it different than other kinds of trauma?

Betrayal trauma is a form of trauma that occurs in relationships including romantic, family, and friendships. Oftentimes, these are experiences where trust is deeply broken leaving individuals dysregulated and hypervigilant in relationships moving forward. Examples of this can include affairs, discovering secrets, deception, humiliation, unfairness and favoritism, disrespect, absenteeism and coldness, broken promises, and lying. If not processed over time, this form of trauma can build to become complex posttraumatic stress disorder or CPTSD.

Other forms of trauma include acute trauma disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. All forms of trauma can be perceived as being on a spectrum, however, they all differ slightly. Acute trauma disorder is when an individual experiences trauma symptoms for a period of 6 months or less. Other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is a step below PTSD. Posttraumatic stress disorder typically forms when an individual is faced with a life-threatening experience. An individual must experience symptoms of PTSD for 1 year or greater for a diagnosis. Several smaller traumas can build to form PTSD if not processed appropriately.

Do you offer EMDR as a form of trauma processing?

I do not offer EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, at this time, however, I am trained in Brainspotting as a form of trauma processing. Read more about Brainspotting in my blog post.


Do you work with other diagnoses and mental health concerns other than listed in your specialty areas?

Yes, I work with a range of clients and presenting symptoms. I commonly work with anxiety, depressive, mood, trauma, behavioral, and personality disorders. For specific questions and inquiries, please reach out to me at (218) 426-8951.

What is DBT?

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the 1980s. It is designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop skills for coping with distress. DBT focuses on balancing acceptance and change through a combination of strategies:

  1. Skills training: Patients learn skills in four main areas:

    • Mindfulness: Being present in the moment.

    • Distress tolerance: Managing crises without making things worse.

    • Emotional regulation: Understanding and reducing emotional vulnerability.

    • Interpersonal effectiveness: Navigating relationships in a healthy way.

  2. Individual therapy: Clients work one-on-one with a therapist to address personal struggles and apply DBT skills.

  3. Group therapy: Patients join a group to learn and practice DBT skills with others.

  4. Phone coaching: Clients can contact their therapist for guidance between sessions when they face challenges applying the skills.

Populations that benefit from DBT:

DBT is particularly helpful for people dealing with:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): It was originally developed for individuals with BPD, especially those who experience extreme emotional swings, impulsivity, and difficulties in relationships.

  • Self-harm and suicidal behavior: It is effective in reducing self-destructive behaviors and suicide risk.

  • Emotion dysregulation: Those with difficulty managing intense emotions, regardless of the specific diagnosis.

  • Eating disorders: DBT can support individuals with conditions like binge eating or bulimia.

  • Substance use disorders: It's used to help people struggling with addiction, particularly when combined with other therapies.

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Those with trauma histories benefit from DBT's focus on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

DBT is effective for individuals who struggle with intense emotional pain, impulsivity, and instability in relationships, helping them lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.

What experience do you have as a therapist?

Clients are always open to ask specific questions surrounding a therapists’ professional background and experience. My personal experience has ranged from community agency work (outpatient services), corrections, intensive outpatient DBT services, and foster home settings. In the community, I provided outpatient services to individuals, couples, families, and adolescent groups. I have held internships and employment at the Minnesota Department of Corrections as well as CORE Professional Services working with sexual offender populations. My time providing DBT services included DBT psychoeducation and skills groups coupled with individual counseling.

I can’t afford out-of-pocket services and do not have out-of-network insurance benefits. What are my options?

It is no secret that times are hard with the current financial climate and economy. This makes obtaining mental health services very difficult for many clients. If you are interested in working together but find private pay challenging, please reach out and inquire about my sliding fee scale. I am currently available for in-network services with Cigna and Optum through Grow Therapy. If you are needing assistance finding a therapist who works with your insurance, I encourage reaching out directly to your insurance carrier to see which providers are in-network with your plan.