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In her counseling practice, Lura combines aspects of what she loves the most: a deep regard for the spiritual Source within every person; effective therapeutic art processes, and a sound cognitive behavioral therapy approach. For many years, she has had the opportunity to support both adult and teen clients in the process of healing their lives. Lura specializes in helping her clients alleviate the effects of trauma, anxiety, and depression, as well as grief and loss issues. She helps them to establish workable, sustainable life goals and healthy relationships. Her clients describe her approach as “direct but compassionate!” and uniquely suited to each individual or couple who meet with her. According to Lura, “We all have a Voice of Wisdom within us. Part of what I do is to help clients get in touch with that Voice.”
EXPERIENCE:
I have been working as a Counselor and Therapist for many years. My primary work was partially accomplished as a Ministerial Partner with my husband who is a Unity Minister while serving Unity Churches in Clear Lake, Texas; Taos, New Mexico; Charlotte North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut and Key West, Florida. In 1993, we relocated to Minneapolis, MN where we established a school with a three year course of study to support individuals in personal growth and spiritual maturity. We led the school for 10 years and attracted students from a variety of occupations and religious/spiritual affiliations. Many of our students came from "helping" occupations, (e.g., doctors, nurses. social workers, teachers, etc. ) and this taught us that our approach was valuable and timely.
I continued to work as I completed BA and Masters programs and had the advanced opportunity to do practicums in both Counseling and Art Therapy degrees while working for a Psychiatric hospital in Key West, Florida. In 2015 we left Florida, did another round of Interim ministry work in Hartford, CT before moving back permanently to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I joined an established counseling clinic as an associate and worked there from 2016 to 2021.
Because of COVID-19, I moved my practice to my home office and have been serving clientele on telehealth services ever since.
EDUCATION:
Ordained: Theophilus Divinity School 1995
BA in Fine Arts: Minneapolis College of Art and Design - St. Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota 2006
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling w/concentration in Art Therapy: Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona 2014
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Depression, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Aging and geriatric issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Family of origin issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Life purpose, Postpartum depression
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Lura Smedstad. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Lura is caring and understanding of my situation and suggests new ways to help me focus on what I need to work through. More than any other therapist has ever done and I so appreciate her wisdom and experience for that.
Written on Jun 11, 2024 after therapy with Lura for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Lura has helped me out a lot in just a short time. I’m very thankful
Written on Apr 04, 2024 after therapy with Lura for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
It has been a blessing to have Lura as my therapist. She listens and is direct but respectful and sympathetic. Her approach is very nurturing and provides a safe environment to be honest and understanding. The growth I have had since meeting Lura was been a blessing. I am truly grateful for Lura and her service.
Written on Jan 17, 2024 after therapy with Lura for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Lura is amazing!
Written on Nov 27, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, and adhd
Laura is helping me grow and heal in ways that I have not been able to experience with other therapists. She knows what she's talking about and she'll challenge even your best excuses. 10/10
Written on Nov 15, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
I've had the greatest experience with Lura! She's awesome!
Written on Mar 29, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Lura is engaging, authentic and has good suggestions. She listens well and has compassion. I love her straight-forward approach.
Written on Mar 08, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Lura is an amazing woman. So full of joy and patience.
Written on Jan 30, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 5 months
Lura Smedstad has been Very accountable and listens emapthetically with Strong support toward healthy life choices. Lura is able to get to the Truth and provide the needed help to step off the CrAzY Rollercoaster of life to find peace with self. Thank You Lura!!! Looking forward to my journey with you until healthy. Thank You for your support; Helpful information; Care.
Written on Jan 19, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Lura is wonderfully supportive and provides the compassionate care I was looking for and needed. I'm very grateful for her wisdom and guidance.
Written on Jan 04, 2023 after therapy with Lura for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Lura is very kind and comfortable to talk to. I really enjoyed our sessions. Take care
Written on Dec 30, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues
Very helpful and non judgemental. Helped me a ton and referred me to another place that specializes in my issues
Written on Oct 17, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 3 weeks on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Lura is very understanding of my life difficulties she guides me and gives me the best advices she also has me read very interesting books that help me out as well
Written on Oct 04, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes
Loved working with Lura! A caring and loving therapist. Just a great listener and someone I needed. Anyone would benefit from her expertise as a therapist.
Written on Jun 15, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and family conflicts
Lura has been nothing but kind, loving and extremely helpful. I'm very fortunate to be working with a therapist like Lura.
Written on May 25, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and anger management
Amazing. Pick Lura
Written on Feb 21, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
In a short period of time, Lura helped me realize the importance of setting boundaries in my life and prioritizing myself. She helped me navigate the stages of grief I was experiencing following the loss of my mother. I truly enjoyed our sessions. She is an excellent listener and she brought a spirit of joy and optimism to time together. Lura is a ray of light and I feel blessed that Betterhelp connected me with her.
Written on Feb 11, 2022 after therapy with Lura for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, grief, and coping with life changes
Lura is amazing, she’s very sweet and insightful. Also very funny she’s kinda like a grandma to me
Written on Dec 30, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Lura is very understanding and easy to talk to, she helps me to see different perspectives and brings humor into our sessions
Written on Nov 28, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
I am grateful for my sessions with Lura. She made understand different views on life. She showed me that I could love myself and not be so harsh. She made me feel loved and cared for. Lura is an amazing person & I plan to continue talking to her in the future.
Written on Nov 25, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Lura has been a wonderful therapist to work with! She has a warm and caring perspective on a broad range of topics. She helped me through a challenging time and I found her advice very helpful! It would be great to continue therapy with her again in the near future:
Written on Nov 12, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and career difficulties
Lura is extremely approachable, and comes to the table with empathy and a sense of humor.
Written on Sep 28, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I have really enjoyed my sessions with Lura during my short time on betterhelp. She has provided a safe and comforting environment to express my feelings in my current life situation as well providing a non judgement space. I am never afraid to talk about any certain subject and she allows me to talk things through without interjecting or making me feel my feelings are invalid.
Written on Sep 13, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, self esteem, and career difficulties
Lura is a very kind and caring soul. She is a wonderful listener and shares helpful advice. Her smile is contagious. Her bubbly personality definitely puts a smile on my face when it is needed.
Written on Aug 23, 2021 after therapy with Lura for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
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