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Meet Elly

It is often difficult to explain exactly what therapy is and to best describe a therapist's approach. I like to think of therapy as looking at what has scraped you up emotionally, cleaning out that wound, and then healing so you can live a healthier and happier life. 

 

As to my approach, clients, parents, and colleagues have described me as
honest, kind, compassionate, nonjudgmental, interpersonal, solution focused, collaborative, and someone who will call you on your crap. One colleague said, "You don't get paid to care. You care because it's who you are. That is your gift to your families."

 

I work with all ages and types of problems, except couples. I'm most
passionate about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and working with women, people who experience depression, and those who have a history of abuse/neglect/domestic violence/placement in foster care.

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I was excited to introduce PCIT to South Dakota back in 2018 as I was the first and only PCIT International Certified Therapist in South Dakota. I have since hired two therapists who are also PCIT International Certified Therapists, with there now being a total of five providers in the State of South Dakota. I am working on completing my training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Toddlers (PCIT-T), making me one of two therapists to provide this therapy in the entire State of South Dakota as well!

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In order for therapy to be successful you need to be able to connect with your therapist and trust them. If you feel like I might be the right fit you please contact me.

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Meet Audra

I am happy to announce that I have recently joined Elly’s team at Clear Minded Counseling in order to provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) via the internet. I can’t wait to meet you and your family! Life is short…Let’s start now!

 

I specialize in three types of clients: parents (of strong-willed kids) who are at their wit's end, moms/dads who are beyond busy and for whom the idea of attending long-term therapy is daunting, and individuals who are immobilized by anxiety and depression. As someone who has personally lived and survived all three of these scenarios, I've got a ton of empathy and can help equip you with the essential tools you need to meet your full potential as a parent, partner, and individual. 

 

Before becoming a therapist, I was a stay-at-home mom for many years. Back then, I all too often felt guilty and inadequate as a parent. I frequently wondered "Why don't I know how to do this [be the perfect mom/parent]?" and "Why does everyone else seem to have it [parenting] down?". They don't! After years of specialized training, I am happy to share with you the skills that will make you the best possible parent to your child. I wish I would have had these skills back then!

Meet Jaime

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Tired of struggling in the parenting department? Sick of feeling like you’re all alone and don’t know what to do? Are you struggling with your child/ren and not enjoying some of your parenting interactions (or all of them)? PCIT is the answer.  I echo Audra’s words that I wish I had known about PCIT when my children were young.  My background is in early childhood development and I had lots of knowledge and experience before being a mom, but PCIT has opened my eyes to a positive way of parenting that empowers parents to be the parents they want to be and teaches children limits, self-regulation, sharing, and other prosocial skills they need to be successful in their relationships with others. 

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  I specialize in PCIT for parents and children.  I have personal and professional experience with foster care and adoption and hold the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certification (PACC). I also work with couples focusing on adult attachment and betrayal trauma/infidelity.  My individual specialty is trauma, anxiety, and depression.  I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and IFOT (Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy) which are all trauma therapies.

I will be providing PCIT via the internet. If you are ready to change the way you parent with the help of a professional (and mom) who knows how hard this parenting thing can be, let’s get started.  Let’s work together to change those negative behaviors, to help you enjoy parenting in a more fulfilling way.  Let’s help you to help your child.

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