Selah Therapy MN

Picture this: you're brushing your teeth in the morning and mentally going through your list of things that *have to* get done and by the time you're at the end of your list you are already exhausted, and you haven't even left the bathroom yet. Been there? Same. Perhaps in our endless pursuit of accomplishment and checking things off the list that's what brought us here. Exhausted. Unfulfilled. At our wits end. Short with the people we love. Short with ourselves. Unable to just catch our breath and connect. Let's change that. Why Selah? The concept came to me in the depths of early postpartum, harboring the majority of the mental load that comes with a new baby and it just stuck. Like glue. I haven't been able to shake it and I knew that this was something I wanted to offer others. The precious thing about Selah is that it does not have a definitive meaning. Scholars have connected it with poetry and musical interludes, with strength, to lift up, and to pause or reflect. The lack of a definitive definition feels like the perfect reflection of life: there's no one way to do it, describe it, experience it. There's uncertainty in that, which feels a little messy, intimidating and scary. There's possibility and beauty too. It is the inspired beauty that brings me to this space. I believe wholeheartedly in the concept of Selah as a moment to pause, to reflect, to take a dang breath. To take up space and not feel guilty about it. Sometimes all it takes is a moment of breath to allow us to be comfortable where we sit, or in a breath of bravery to stand up, move forward, have that conversation, to encounter raw brutally beautiful honesty and vulnerability. That's what I believe my role is as a therapist. I am not a guide, a teacher, or a healer. I am a person with education and training who is here to offer you the space to take a breath, to pause, and then encourage you to decide what to do next while giving you the support you need to get there. I am here to actually see you for all that you are and remind you of your inherent worth and capability, to witness your own growth and path that is as unique as you are. What can you expect from therapy with me? Good question, therapy feels really intimidating and scary for a lot of people--even therapists! Each session is going to be unique and you will have a lot of control, because even though I am the professional "expert" who has done this before I have never done therapy with YOU and you are the expert in your own life and your needs. In session I offer gentleness, patience, calm, compassion, curiosity, and a healthy dash of humor and sarcasm where it fits because therapy doesn't have to be serious 100% of the time. I obtained my Bachelors degree in Psychology and Family Studies from the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, MN. I obtained my Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2017 from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT 4395 & 1082-228), what this means is I am working towards full licensure in the state of Minnesota and in the state of Wisconsin, while doing so I work under the supervision of MN Board of Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor Kalee Williams (LMFT 2928). I am a member of AAMFT and MAMFT. I have taken courses and facilitated groups on mindfulness. I am certified in Psychological First aid and in PREPARE/ENRICH as a facilitator. I have also completed Gotten Level One Training. Additionally I have completed trainings in Maternal/Perinatal Mental Health through Maternal Mental Health Now, Postpartum Support Minnesota (Minnesota's PSI chapter), and through Postpartum Support International. That's the professional tea on me, here's the personal: because I believe when you enter a relationship with someone, especially one as vulnerable as therapy you should at least know if they like chips and salsa, which I do. I think that chips and salsa are entirely underrated and under utilized, they should be offered and enjoyed everywhere. Now that we have that established, here is a little bit more about me as a full person: -I am a wife and mom to four kids and I have two dogs. -I have a deep love for coffee and a good book with a cozy blanket beside a fireplace, I am not sure what love language that is but it's mine. I also deeply value quality time with the people I care most about, time is so limited and precious and I do not take shared time for granted. -My last name is pronounced "shoe." -When I am wanting to connect with myself I like to listen to music, color, stretch, or go on walks. This role is my passion. It truly is the greatest honor and privilege to be allowed into some of the most vulnerable spaces of your life. The only thing I can truly promise you is that I do not take it lightly and I will not take it for granted.