If you like county fairs or carnivals, you will love Owatonna, Minnesota in the summertime. Every year they host the Steele County Free Fair, which runs for one week and has 24 bands, over 2 thousand animals, 500 booths, and even a talent show. The fair usually brings about 300 thousand people to this small town of only 25 thousand people, so it can get crowded.
If crowds make you cringe, or public events are a major ordeal for you, it could be that you have some type of anxiety disorder. Luckily, there are quite a few professional therapists in Owatonna who are experienced in treating anxiety so talk to one of them today.

Nicole Thomte
Welcome! My name is Nicole Thomte, my pronouns are she/her or they/them, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #3853 in Minnesota. My focus in my practice is to serve those individuals, couples, and families who live outside the confines of dominant society's expectations. I offer affirmative therapy for LGBTQIA+/kink/CNM/polyam/etc persons, using a largely solution-focused approach from an intersectional feminist lens. I know that these populations are underserved in current society, and my goal is for you to have the inclusive support you deserve to improve your life the way you want. I am also interested in sex-positive therapy and sex therapy, while still recognizing the validity of asexuality in its own spectrum. My therapeutic style is non-directive, exploratory, accepting, and acknowledging the humor that often leavens the stress of life. You're the expert in your life, and I'm here to provide support and an outside perspective to help find patterns and connections that may not be visible to you in the midst of your troubles. What you bring to the session is what interests me, rather than relying on labeling and constraints of diagnoses. Choosing to sit with people in a therapeutic connection as my third career path has been one of the longest and most complex decisions I have made in my life thus far. It has also been one of the most rewarding and transformative experiences I have ever encountered. I worked at a behavioral health agency once I was approved for my state intern license in 2013. The population we served were most often persons who have the most difficulties: often already on disability or in the interminable waiting period after having applied, with multiple health troubles, and with the least access to needed resources. Since before even starting my work as a state intern, I had begun attending supervision groups and co-facilitating survivor groups under the auspices of Gender Justice Nevada in November, 2012. Over the nearly six years until my hiatus in July, 2018, I learned from the bravery of survivors of sex/gender based violence, oppression, and discrimination, including sex/gender diverse young persons, the families and loved ones of sex/gender diverse persons, and sex workers, as I provided therapeutic group facilitation in addition to individual, couple, and family therapy, due to my drive to advocate for marginalized communities. I am a compassionate, driven, tireless advocate for those who are forced into the margins of society, and I look forward to the gift of what you wish to share with me.

Lynn Craig
I am a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience working with children, teens, adults and their families in a wide range of settings. I have worked in healthcare, schools, residential settings, and mental health clinics. You could say I have "been there and done that". It has been my honor to partner with many people over the years to help them make positive changes in their lives. I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals and that we all have times in our lives when we need to join with others to make course corrections, learn new skills, and work toward a better quality of life. I tailor my integrative therapy based on the unique strengths and needs of each client. I do have a strong foundation in humanistic and client centered theory, meaning I believe that the client guides the direction of therapy and that you are the expert in you. I come from a strengths based perspective and I believe in building upon the positives to learn new skills, strategies and increase insight. I use techniques from a wide variety of therapies including cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, psychodynamic, and person centered with the ultimate goal of finding what works for each individual. I believe that it is important to work together toward the self identified goals and to see progress as soon as possible, because that is what keeps people engaged in the process. I respect that it is a commitment, of both time and resources, and it is important to see results. I look forward to talking with you and learning how we might be able to partner together to improve your quality of life.

Katherine Flynn
Hello. My name is Kathy Flynn and I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Minnesota. I have worked in the mental health field for 35 years. I worked in the substance-abuse programs for 14 years and went into private practice 21 years ago. My specialty has been working with addictions which includes depression, anxiety, codependency. I’ve also worked with individuals going through divorce and facing fear, anxiety, anger, betrayal, low self-esteem, and communication issues. Grief and aging are also two areas that I have worked with individuals. I’ve also worked with military families from 2007 to 2012, working with re-integration and deployment concerns. My counseling style is individual psychology which is a cognitive social psychology. I focus on a person's feelings of anxiety and inferiority to examine that person's sense of belonging. My goal is to help people feel comfortable and confident within themselves. My focus is to assist the individual in recognizing and identifying their strengths rather than their witnesses. I am looking forward to partnering with you and see you move forward on your journey through life.

James Engen
I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with over 14 years of experience. I approach therapy from a Narrative Neuro-experiential viewpoint. You are not the issue – issues are getting in the way of you attaining your goals and your full life potential. All of us reflect where we have come from and that reflection is not necessarily where we want to end up. As you are able to see in my profile, I am trained in many modalities and we as a team will determine jointly what methods are employed to meet your needs and goals. I also have a wide range of career experience - I have been a professional truck mechanic, a management assistant to the CFO of a large urban school district, a therapist to homeless individuals/families, and I have been in private practice helping individuals develop into who they want to be. My goal is to help you maximize your potential and capitalize on your strengths.

Shari Peterson
I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed in Minnesota with over 20 years working in the field of mental health. i have worked in community based mental health, in school settings and in an outpatient treatment setting, with 3 years providing therapy to individuals. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, personality disorders, anger, substance use disorders, and ADHD. I have also helped many people who have experienced complex trauma, abuse and domestic violence. My therapy style is strengths-based, relational, authentic, warm and person-centered. My approach is individualized, combining client-centered, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused and narrative therapies, as well as mindfulness and somatic approaches. I believe you are the expert of your own life and I am privileged to be with you on your path to recovery. I look forward to working with you!

Gretchen Wesche
I am licensed in Minnesota with 36 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Jordan Achartz
I am licensed in Minnesota with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Michelle Simon
I am licensed in Minnesota with 33 years of professional work experience. I added Christian based therapy 2 years ago as the need for this offering in communities is increasing. I have experience in helping clients of all ages with relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues (to include divorce with children and new parenting struggles); as well as with helping with self esteem and confidence / i typically utilize a cognitive-behavioral approach. My experience also includes understanding of the Family Court System, as well as alternative health/medicinal approaches. I believe everyone should be treated 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 initiate therapy takes courage; I assure you it is the step in a healthier direction.

Tonya Delborne
Hello! My name is Tonya and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Originally from Chicago, I earned my MA from University of Chicago in 1998, and since then I have worked in a variety of therapeutic settings including domestic violence shelters, a foster care/adoption agency, and a parenting organization as well as managing a private practice where I currently reside in North Carolina. I work with clients affected by depression, anxiety, life changes, trauma and parenting and relationship challenges. My approach to therapy is client-centered: clients are the experts on their lives and determine the direction and depth of therapy. Through a strengths-based and solutions-focused lens, I draw on multiple treatment modalities to guide clients in identifying strengths and developing treatment plans that accomplish their goals. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I assist clients in exploring relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to aid in discovering dysfunctional thought patterns leading to self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I support clients through developing skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation with the goal of moving clients towards a life involving the capacity for experiencing joy and freedom. Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy cycling, swimming, reading, knitting, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

Deana Mikolich
I am licensed in Minnesota with 3 years of experience in helping individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges and improve their emotional well-being. I use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), trauma-informed care, Gottman Institute level 1, mindfulness and compassion-based practices. I work with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, trauma, clients struggling with grief and relationship challenges. With a compassionate, client-centered approach, I help empower individuals to build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and achieve personal growth. Committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment, I tailor treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs, helping them on their journey toward mental wellness, balance and more fulfilling relationships.
Find a therapist serving clients in Minnesota
What types of therapists are available to clients in Owatonna?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Owatonna that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Owatonna available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Owatonna therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Owatonna therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Owatonna region and in the state of Minnesota.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Owatonna can help 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 therapist in Owatonna may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Owatonna offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.