Everyone faces difficulties and obstacles at some point throughout their lifespan. Challenging times may arise for a multitude of reasons, including major life transitions, trauma, divorce, death or loss, or conflict within the family system. Some of these life events make it more difficult to cope than others and it can be important to seek help and support from trusted professionals who understand you and the challenges you are facing. Our therapists know how important the therapeutic relationship is in facilitating change in our clients’ lives. We are relational therapists who specialize in a variety of modalities. To learn more about each therapist please visit the staff page for access to each therapist’s bio to find the best fit for you and your therapy needs. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Many couples experience periods of relational distress, and at times it can seem difficult to repair the relationship. Broken trust, impaired communication, and unmet needs can create despair and emotional distance within the relationship. Our therapists will support each couple in the journey to rebuild trust and connection within the relationship by viewing the couple as a system in which each partner impacts and influences the current state of the relationship. Each therapist will work with the couple to explore the relational patterns and negative cycles within their relationship in order to build awareness and empower change. We work at rebuilding trust and improving communication and expression of needs so that connection can be restored. If you are interested in working with any of our therapists who specialize in working with couples, please visit the staff section to read each therapist’s bio to determine the best fit for you and your partner. In addition, we have therapists with training in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), which is a more specialized training for working with couples. If you are interested in learning more about EFCT please visit link http://www.iceeft.com. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Sometimes families need assistance navigating through life’s challenges or growing pains within the family. Each family is their own unique system where spoken and unspoken rules become established and influence relationships among its members. We support families to examine these family rules as well as the impact of internal family boundaries and external influences on the family system. In addition, every family has a hierarchy and we explore how these power differences impact the family both positively and negatively. Our therapists assess these areas and utilize the information to help build awareness and promote healthy functioning within the family system. It is our goal to join with the family and assist them in working through their growing pains and life challenges in order to become a more cohesive and solid team. We have therapists that have been trained in Family Therapy and thoroughly enjoy this dynamic process. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Play is a natural part of a child’s daily development. Play Therapy is a form of therapy which utilizes play, a familiar and comfortable method of expression for children. When painful circumstances arise for children, it can be very difficult for them to express their feelings and process overwhelming events. Due to their developmental stage, children cannot change their behavior or emotions simply through cognitive reasoning. Children naturally use play to express everyday emotions and needs. Sometimes the presence of a therapist specializing in the therapeutic use of play is needed to help support a child’s process of recovery through painful emotions. The use of metaphor and pretend in a child’s play with a trained professional can provide a sense of mastery over painful emotions and experiences, thereby diminishing negative behaviors and emotions and increasing a child’s emotional capacity and self-confidence. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for your child. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Somatic Experiencing is a gentle and highly effective psycho-biological approach to the prevention and resolution of trauma and stress-related conditions. It was developed by Peter A. Levine, PhD, author of the books, “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma,” and “In An Unspoken Voice.” This approach works with the often neglected part of our body’s fight/flight/freeze responses and survival energy. When a traumatic event occurs and we are not able to fight back or flee, we often freeze and the survival energy becomes thwarted and trapped. Somatic Experiencing is a gentle approach that facilitates a reconnection with our body’s natural protective mechanisms and allows these impulses to complete. Completion of these defensive responses in the here and now can re-establish equilibrium and a sense of safety to a person’s system and overall sense of wellbeing, thereby decreasing or extinguishing the debilitating effects of trauma in daily life. For more information about this type of therapy, please go to www.traumahealing.org. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you here at Watershed Psychological Services. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Eating Disorders are complex, encompassing both mind and body. They can be chronic, isolating, and at times life threatening. An eating disorder can cause difficulties not only for the person with the eating disorder, but for their family and loved ones as well. Our approach to the treatment of eating disorders is to look at the whole picture, helping you create peace within yourself, peace with food, and peace with your body. We have clinicians trained to work with both men and women who struggle with all types of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, diabulimia, and compulsive exercising. We also work with families or loved ones who need a place to learn how to support someone who is struggling with an eating disorder. When deemed necessary, a team of doctors and dieticians work together with the therapist to make sure all needs are being addressed. Early diagnosis and intervention aids in recovery. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Keeping a secret about sexuality can be incredibly lonely and scary. Not knowing how those around you would respond if they knew who you were on the inside can create a very heavy burden. We have clinicians who will meet you as an individual person with worth and value, and who will work to provide a place of acceptance and safety for you in this journey. These clinicians can help support you through some of the challenges LGBTQ individuals experience, including the process of coming out for the first time, feeling unsure about attraction, and talking with family members. We also have clinicians who work with same sex couples and LGBTQ families who are struggling with a variety of concerns. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Parents can often feel overwhelmed and lost in dealing with challenging emotions and behaviors in their children. In our culture, there is an expectation that if parenting is done correctly, then our children will “behave and turn out right.” At Watershed Psychological Services, we believe that every child is unique, and requires parenting strategies that fit his or her individual needs. Parents often feel like they are trying to navigate a ship without a sail, and we want to provide support and guidance for each parent that is tailored to the specific needs of the child and the specific situation. We work with difficulties in parenting related to:
- Separation and divorce
- Non-compliance and oppositional issues
- Tantrums
- Difficulties concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood regulation difficulties
- Fears and anxiety
- Aggressive behaviors
Click here to see our therapist staff page.
Adoption is a way that many people choose to grow their family. At times extra guidance, education, and support is needed to understand the concerns that may develop for adopted children and their families. Our therapists understand these unique challenges many adoptees and families face. Whether you are an individual, child, adolescent, or adult, we can assist you in working through the issues that arise with adoption. Our therapists work with individuals who have adopted through the foster care system, domestically, and internationally. Also, we have an adoption competent therapist on site to help apply strategies that will improve the quality of life for the adoptee. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
When a person’s worldview is centrally wrapped around their faith experience and relationship with God, it can feel important to talk with someone who can support the same faith journey. Traumatic and overwhelming events can challenge an individual’s faith and relationship with God, and having a safe place to process all of these concerns can feel essential in the healing process. Several of our therapists at Watershed Psychological Services can provide that sense of safety to discuss your faith journey and the interconnection of your faith experience and mental health concerns from a Christian perspective. Please refer to our clinician’s bios to find the right therapist for you. Click here to see our therapist staff page.
During this challenging time in our world, many people are feeling increased anxiety, confusion, or even hopelessness. Adjusting to all the rapid rapid changes in our world and being confined to home can feel very overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to reach out for help with so many businesses closed. Here at Watershed, our therapists are able to provide therapy in your home through virtual visits. Minnesota recently passed a law for telehealth to be covered by insurance companies the same as if you were in our office. Despite this newly enacted law, it is still always a good idea to connect with your insurance company about telehealth benefits. Many of our therapists also offer a sliding scale if needed. We offer telehealth support for individuals, couples, families, parents, and even children.
Please contact us for more information, and we will be happy to help you find a therapist at Watershed that would meet your needs. You may also check out our staff page to read the bios of our therapists for more detailed information. Our therapists are ready and more than happy to assist you and your family during this difficult and challenging time in our world.
Are you getting ready to say “I do?” Congratulations! In the midst of planning a wedding, don’t forgot to plan for your future! Research shows that couples who do premarital counseling have a lower divorce rate than other couples. By looking at communication, conflict resolution, stress management, family dynamics, financial management, marriage expectations, step parenting structure and a large list of other topics tailored to your needs, you can set up healthy patterns before your even walk down the aisle.