Psychologist Gilbert Clark providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Gilbert Clark

Clinician
License Type(s): MA,LPC, LPCC
Mental Wellness Specialties: AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
7 years offering treatment

I am a MA, LPCC, and LADC. My diverse training through the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, as well as training through the Mayo Clinic has enriched my understanding of holistic wellness. Additionally, I have experience in a wide variety of treatment environments with diverse clientele and understand that treatment is most effective when care is tailored with respect for the individual. To create this tailored therapeutic approach, I use an eclectic process which draws on cognitive, mindfulness based, narrative, and solution focused therapy. Additionally, I identify as a creative and write, record, and perform original music with a specialization in recovery music. These modalities allow for me to provide a creative, experiential, compassionate, trauma informed, and person-centered approach and therapeutic style. I specialize in addiction treatment and recovery and am able to guide you through the initial substance use assessment, all the phases of recovery, and towards ongoing wellness and maintenance. I also have a passion for mental health healing, and am skilled with relationship challenges, familial challenges, families seeking support for their loved ones, self-exploration, and trauma.

Psychologist Dr. Brenden Troster providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Dr. Brenden Troster

Clinician
License Type(s): MA,LMFT
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
7 years offering treatment

I am a marriage and family therapist with a PhD in Developmental Psychology. I have 7 years of experience working as a therapist, and 25 years of experience working as a coach. I have accumulated a wide range of experience working with a diverse clientele. I have worked in school based mental health, addiction treatment, and residential treatment for children and teens. I have also worked in an outpatient setting treating severe and persistent mental illness. I have worked with children and teens that have had severe trauma through Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have also worked extensively with struggling families. Some of the many issues I have worked with people on are depression, anxiety, self-harm, addiction, trauma, parenting problems, relationship issues, ADHD, sexual abuse, pornography addiction, and anger management. My therapeutic style is to first listen to your story. You are the expert on your life, and I am here to listen to that experience. I try to treat everyone with respect, dignity, compassion, and understanding. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, Bowenian, motivational interviewing, and rational-emotive behavioral therapy methods. I believe in a client-centered collaborative approach in which I work to understand needs and goals that are specific to you. Your specific goals will guide our discussion and formulate your treatment plan. We all have times in our life when we could use some perspective and help with reaching our goals. We will work together to create a treatment plan and interventions that are unique to your situation. I welcome the opportunity to assist you in reaching your goals. I look forward to getting to know you and working together!

Psychologist Mary Gales-Wenz providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Mary Gales-Wenz

Clinician
License Type(s): LICSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
40 years offering treatment

Mary Gales-Wenz has been a Licensed Independent Social Worker for 40+ years and has practiced in a variety of Behavioral Health environments during that time. After obtaining a Master’s Degree in Social Work she was employed for 20 years with The Department of Veterans Affairs @ both the St. Cloud and Minneapolis hospitals in Outpatient and Inpatient settings. Her career path after The Department of Veterans Affairs included providing Mental Health services with Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, Allina Behavioral Health Clinics, Central MN Mental Health Clinics, Clinical Supervision of Residential Treatment for Department of Corrections, Behavioral Healthcare Management for a local MN insurance company and maintaining a small private practice since 2009. Mary has worked with adults, seniors, and adolescents in Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Treatment facilities, addressing PTS, Anxiety, Sexual and Physical Trauma, Depression diagnoses, to name a few. Mary continues to keep her skills updated in regards to new research and treatment modalities. She has a particular interest in the mind-body connection and therapies that clients better understand this. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy that helps to process the entire emotional and cognitive experience for individuals.

Psychologist Floret Miller providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Floret Miller

Clinician
License Type(s): LMHC, LCPC,MCAP
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepression
11 years offering treatment

Hello, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Floret and I am here to help you! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional, and a National Certified Counselor. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. I am currently in Medical school pursuing my dream of becoming a Psychiatrist. This will allow me to gain the necessary technique and skills to better assist my clients. My past experiences involved working with individuals, couples, and families who suffered from trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, co-occurring diagnosis, and relationship distress in couples and families. I had the opportunity to work in a long-term residential facility, group home, short-term acute care, outpatient, and detox. While working with you, I will act as a facilitator and help to guide you towards your future goals. I want you to have control of your life by creating your own achievable goals and working towards them. My counseling style is very eclectic. I pull different techniques from different counseling styles that best fit your individual needs. For example, Solution-focused brief therapy, humanistic approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing are some of the techniques I utilize. I pay attention to you and help facilitate a counseling relationship that is of trust, respect, and understanding. During this time, communication is going to be key, so where should we start?

Psychologist Linda Pagenkopf providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Linda Pagenkopf

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
26 years offering treatment

I am licensed in North Dakota, with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Psychologist James Gaylord providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

James Gaylord

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: AddictionsGriefSelf esteemDepressionCompassion fatigue
15 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Minnesota with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with substance abuse, addictions, divorce, grief and loss, and multiple other mental health struggles. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Psychologist Dr. Robert Bowman providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Dr. Robert Bowman

Clinician
License Type(s): PhD,LPC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes
4 years offering treatment

Welcome! I’m Robert (Bob) Bowman and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri. I have worked as a counselor in both community and educational settings and have taught counseling skills to hundreds of counselors in training as a university professor (my students refer to me as Dr. Bob). I have a Master’s degree in counseling and completed my doctoral work at Purdue University. My approach is a mixture of person-centered and cognitive theories. I believe that an honest and genuine relationship between counselor and client is important in pursuing your goals. My hope is to provide an empathic environment where we will explore problems, goals, hopes and dreams and make decisions that will move you forward. Since a person-centered approach focuses on understanding the situation from your point of view, I find that I can work with people from a wide range of racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. While I favor person-centered and cognitive approaches, I firmly believe our approach must be tailored to you as a unique individual. I have experience working with teens, college students, adults, and couples. Common topics include: divorce, relationships/intimacy, stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with change among others. If you choose me as your helper and teammate we’ll begin by building a relationship in which we explore the dynamics of your current situation, clarify what you want, and develop plans to solve problems or pursue opportunities. You will be treated with respect, warmth, and good humor as we find our way forward.

Psychologist Carla Swenhaugen providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Carla Swenhaugen

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
5 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Minnesota with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, & anger management. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Psychologist Tracy Kressin providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Tracy Kressin

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Minnesota and North Dakota with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Psychologist Bridget Ideker providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Bridget Ideker

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemCompassion fatigue
10 years offering treatment

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Child Parent Psychotherapist in Minnesota and Washington with 10 years of clinical practice in a variety of settings. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, PTSD, PPD/A, traumatic births and disability, trouble adjusting after a big life change, and helping to process and shape impactful experiences. I've been able to facilitate healing from trauma, support navigating parenthood, inspire self expression, light motivation to make change, and witness clients embody renewed confidence. I will stay curious about your thoughts, feelings and experiences, to understand and help you. I use attunement, humor, intuition and education to guide you through a reflective and therapeutic experience.

Psychologist Kiersten Brooks providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Kiersten Brooks

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepression
5 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Minnesota with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Psychologist Paul Polanski providing different types of therapy in Alexandria

Paul Polanski

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
8 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Minnesota and North Dakota and have eight years of professional work experience. I served 11 years in the United States Marine Corps and have both personal and professional experience working with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I also have experience helping clients with stress, relationship issues, intimate partner violence/sexual abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage, and I am proud of you for getting started!

How to find a therapist in Alexandria

Finding the best therapist close by in Alexandria can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area. You can get connected with a clinician in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services with therapists in Alexandria that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing. 

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of support of this kind with BetterHelp therapists can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.

It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses for therapists. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained able to treat individuals and couples, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy in the Alexandria region and in the state of Minnesota. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

A mental health professional working through their own in-person therapy practice in Alexandria or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A  may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. Verified providers can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.

There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater Alexandria area offering therapy for:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use
  • Couples

When you're ready to start your search keep in mind what support you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of Alexandria, elsewhere in Douglas, or in the greater state of Minnesota. Get matched with one of the therapists working on the BetterHelp platform today.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about therapists and mental health services

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Alexandria area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person sessions with a therapist compare to the cost of BetterHelp?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US with most therapists is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Alexandria due to a higher cost of living, and a limited number of therapists taking new clients. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:

  • With a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • With therapists: $100-300
  • With a clinician: $100

While many psychologists in Alexandria may not take health insurance, some in the state of Minnesota may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With a BetterHelp therapist throughout the state of Minnesota you can expect significantly more affordable options, with sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).

Read more about this cost related question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

How is a licensed therapist on this Alexandria online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in Alexandria, Minnesota working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. Therapists have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, therapists here all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from Alexandria psychiatrists to prescribe a drug or medication as treatment, or perform psychological assessments and other psychiatric services.

Read more about this license question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

How does working with a professional counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?

BetterHelp clinicians treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Alexandria above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client for in person sessions.

Through BetterHelp, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, marriage, and more. Get matched today.

Read more about this question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address with the help of psychologists?

BetterHelp's verified therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.

Our therapy specialties on BetterHelp include:

You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a Alexandria provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain.us, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide with licensed therapists.

Read more about this psychotherapist question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

How do I know if BetterHelp is right for my household in Alexandria?

One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.

Therapists in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of therapy in Alexandria is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.

Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words with a psychotherapist.

With a lot of people in MN, therapists may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 56308 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site where you can schedule a session based on your and the therapist's schedule. No matter if you are seeking help from therapists around or in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

Read more about this family question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Alexandria counselor?

Before seeing your therapist near you, prep for your session by reading to understand the process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, you can let our therapists know if you have any concerns or feel unsure about what to talk about. therapists near you may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions while offering mental health services. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn how to best help and support you.

Read more about this first session question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist for therapy if I feel fine?

Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what it might entail. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or specific condition. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback. A Alexandria licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find with a Alexandria counselor can be dependent on your process.

People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles that a counselor can help with.

Read more about this question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it?

Therapy with a licensed counselor is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. An experienced clinician can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health therapist has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based licensed clinician in Alexandria, Minnesota can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.

Alexandria has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online sessions to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into trying ti online, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based treatment.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions during telehealth appointments?

The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.

Stay up to date with the leading BetterHelp platform some people love for Alexandria, Minnesota

To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on PinterestLinkedInInstagramTwitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.

Take some time today to learn more about the team of Alexandria therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to BetterHelp or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out to customer service through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.

  • Thehotline.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  • Suicidepreventionlifeline.org - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Crisistextline.org - Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Veteranscrisisline.net - Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
  • Thetrevorproject.org - Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386 
  • Samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline - SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
  • Nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline - National Eating Disorder Association Helpline :1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST)
  • Childhelphotline.org/resources-for-teens/ - Child Help Hotline:  Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature
  • Fraternallaw.com/help-us-stop-hazing - National Anti-Hazing Hotline for young adults, adolescents, and adults: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293) 
  • Physiciansupportline.com - Physician Crisis Support Line: Contact 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-19
  • Rainn.org - Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673

 

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