Healing Connections Therapy Center Burnsville Minnesota

Home Welcome As you step into these pages, we hope you get to know us and have the opportunity to experience the care we provide for our clients. We invite you to browse our website, which offers introductions to our staff and services, skills coaching, and other information about our practice.At Healing Connections, we offer a full range of mental health services including individual, couples and family therapy, group therapy, and medication management. We have a specialty in dealing with individuals and families of those who are experiencing long term mental health difficulties. With an office in Burnsville close to both 35E and 35 W, we are easily accessible to all areas of the greater metropolitan Twin Cities area.We are providers for most of the areas largest health insurers and also see some clients for private pay and with state insurances.Please feel free to contact us either directly or through the Internet with your questions.EXCITING NEWS!We have expanded our presence here in Burnsville, MN by occupying more space in the Earley Lake Office Park. We now have two units to account for our growing staff and clientele. Visit us today at unit 1751 and 1713!
welcome page

" We welcome the opportunity to be of service to you"

Patricia Verby, MA, LP

Executive Director

The Healing Connections Experience

About Us

Mental Therapy Services DBT life skills building

About Us Healing Connections Therapy Center began long before its establishment in 1999 as a dream for a center where a variety of professionals could come together to learn, work, and share experiences. We have a strongly motivated, creative and energetic group of clinicians who are dedicated to the well being of our clients and who continue to grow our professional and ethical knowledge base through ongoing training, education, and consultation with extraordinary leaders in our fields.The primary focus of Healing Connections is to form a relationship between therapist and client that encourages growth and healing. This is achieved in surroundings that are sensitive to clients' needs for privacy while allowing them a structure that gives them opportunity to create healing bonds with others in both individual and group settings. By combining standard cognitive behavioral therapy with the newer dialectical behavior therapy, medication evaluation and management, and body centered therapies, our clinicians are creating a therapeutic community in which clinician, client, and families are working together to heal and grow.As we think it is a privilege to share in our clients' lives, so too we think it is a privilege for our clients to experience the caring community of professionals who are dedicating their lives to providing quality services for them.

Contact Us
Join Our Team
Consult and Training

We are located in Early Lake Office Park, a townhouse style complex, across from the Super Gas USA Convenience Store. We occupy units 1751 and 1713.

Healing Connections Therapy Center

1751 Southcross Drive West

Burnsville, MN 55306

Directions:From the South Take I-35 North Take the Crystal Lake Rd. exit 87 Turn LEFT onto Crystal Lake Rd. West Stay straight through the round-a-boutTurn RIGHT onto CR-5 N / Kenwood Trl. Turn LEFT onto Southcross Dr. W Turn left into the Early Lake Office Park From the EastTake I-35E South Take the CR-42 Exit 88B Turn RIGHT CR-42 West Turn LEFT CR-5 S / Kenwood Trl. Turn RIGHT onto Southcross Dr. W Turn left into the Early Lake Office Park From the WestTake I-494 to I-35W SouthMerge onto I-35W S via Exit 5B toward Albert Lea Take the CR-42 Exit 1 toward Crystal Lake Rd. Turn RIGHT CR-42 West Turn LEFT CR-5 S / Kenwood Trl. Turn RIGHT onto Southcross Dr. W Turn left into the Early Lake Office Park From the NorthTake either I-35W or I-35E South Take the CR-42 Exit 1 toward Crystal Lake Rd. Turn RIGHT CR-42 West Turn LEFT CR-5 S / Kenwood Trl. Turn RIGHT onto Southcross Dr. W Turn left into the Early Lake Office Park

Email: info_HealingConnectionsOnline.com

Phone: 952-892-7690

Fax: 952-898-4930

Join Our Team

Healing Connections Therapy Center is committed to providing the best care possible to our clients. We are always interested in finding new therapists who are creative and energetic and interested in working with a team to provide state of the art therapy to clients. We are also one of eight Certified DBT Programs in the State of Minnesota providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy services to clients.

If you are interested in providing these services as part of a team, as well as providing individual, couples or family therapy please contact Patricia Verby.

Currently, we are also interested in finding new office staff to provide quality care for our clients and staff members. We are currently hiring for

the position below.

If interested, please contact Janet Betting.

Current Openings:

Billing Specialist

Contact Information:

Patricia Verby

952-892-7690 x101

Janet Betting

952-892-7690 x119

Healing Connections Team

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Retreat

Relaxtion

Therapists

Consult and Training

As part of comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Healing Connections provides consultation and training opportunities to our own team on a regular, weekly basis. For those therapists in the community who have clients in one of our programs, or who are interested in being part of an ongoing DBT consultation and training group please contact us for further information. This service will be offered at no charge for those interested. There is a weekly commitment of two hours to meet the accreditation and certification requirements of the State of Minnesota and Behavioral Tech (the accrediting organizations for DBT therapy and therapists).

For further information please contact:

Patricia Verby MA

Licensed Psychologist

Executive Director

Healing Connections Therapy Center

1751 Southcross Drive West

Burnsville, Mn 55306

Phone: 952-892-7690 x 101

Fax: 952-898-4930

pverby_healingconnectionsonline.com

consult and training group

consult and training

consult and training sessions

consult and training ind

Our Team

Overview

Therapists

Consultants

Overview

Healing Connections Therapy Center has a multidisciplinary team of providers including psychologists, a marriage and family therapist, a clinical social worker, nurse practitioners and mental health counselors who are working towards licensure. We are also a training facility and have graduate interns who are in the process of completing advanced degrees. In addition, we have an office staff who provide support for our therapists and clients.

Team

therapists

overview support staff

Therapists

Therapists

Patricia Verby

David Bradshaw

Nancy Bradshaw

Jill Ell

Karen Erdmann

Shannon Goecke-Watson

John Gawboy

Virginia Helfrich

Colleen McGinnis

Amy Quinn

Louise Quinn

Anna Smith

Kate Hennessy-Keimig

Dean Charles

Therapists

On the following pages, you will be introduced to the staff at Healing Connections Therapy Center. We welcome you to read a brief description of our education, licensure, therapy experience, as well as get a glimpse of our leisure activities and interests. We hope this will help you get to know us as you begin or continue the search for a caring professional to work with.

Therapists

Patricia Verby

David Bradshaw

Nancy Bradshaw

Jill Ell

Karen Erdmann

Shannon Goecke-Watson

John Gawboy

Virginia Helfrich

Colleen McGinnis

Amy Quinn

Louise Quinn

Anna Smith

Kate Hennessy-Keimig

Patricia Verby Patricia Verby MALicensed PsychologistPat is the director of Healing Connections Therapy Center. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and incorporates both into her present practice. She has provided care for women in chemical dependency treatment in a state prison, for families involved in adoption and foster care, for adults and adolescents, couples, and families in a mental health clinic, and in a private practice setting. She has developed the Life Skills Programs at Healing Connections Therapy Center. Pat has also trained therapists in the United States and abroad in the treatment of individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. When she is not working she entertains and is a gourmet cook. She also loves to travel and work in her garden when the Minnesota weather permits.

David Bradshaw David Bradshaw MSEdLicensed PsychologistDavid is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and specialized graduate studies in the areas of family and group psychotherapy, and systems work. David comes to Healing Connections with 16 years experience of working for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and was previously the Director of a residential program for the seriously and persistently mentally ill. David has a love of the arts which ranges from music and theatric performance to woodcarving and sculpting. David is also the clinics resident magician, having performed magic at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for seven years. At times he is inclined to share his talents to inspire wonder, joy and enchantment.

Nancy Bradshaw Nancy Bradshaw RN, CNPCertified Nurse PractitionerNancy has provided nursing care for 17 years in a variety of mental health settings including inpatient, residential facilities and clinics. She completed her Masters Degree in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in 2004. She is trained in providing individual and group therapy with a Dialectical Behavior Therapy focus. Additionally, she provides medication management for adults with a focus on mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar illnesses. In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing and spending time with family and friends.

Jill Ell Jill Ell RN, CNPCertified Nurse PractitionerJill has provided psychiatric and mental health nursing care for 25 years primarily in the inpatient setting. Jill completed her Masters Degree in Nursing form the College of St Scholastica in 2008 and became board certified in November of 2008. She provides medication management for adults with mental health and psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar, psychotic disorders and Attention Deficit Disorder. She has a holistic ideology to wellness that uses medication as one of the tools in seeking mental wellness. Her focus is on the physiology of mental wellness. In her free time she enjoys reading, worship, meditation, yoga, hiking and scuba diving.

Karen Erdmann Karen Erdmann MAGraduate InternKaren is completing her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University. She received her Masters degree from the University of St. Thomas in Counseling Psychology in 2006. This year at Healing Connections she is completing her therapy practicum by co-facilitating groups, and providing individual therapy and case management. Karen has experience working in a community mental health clinic and a domestic abuse shelter where she worked closely with women and children in crisis, offering parenting support, stress management techniques and safety planning skills. She also has previous experience performing evaluations for students receiving special education services. In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and traveling.

Shannon Goecke-Watson Felicia O'BrienGraduate InternFelicia is completing her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Saint Marys University. She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. This year at Healing Connections she is completing her therapy practicum by co-facilitating groups, providing individual therapy, and case management. Felicia has experience working as a Behavior Therapist with families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a Behavior Therapist, she provides in-home therapy to children and their families. Felicia has a passion for the field of mental health. She is inspired by the resilience and strength that people exhibit when faced with difficult situations. It is her hope to encourage and support clients by providing a safe therapeutic environment so they may enhance their personal growth. Felicia enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her black lab puppy. She loves playing hockey, scrapbooking, and cooking.

John Gawboy John Gawboy MAMental Health CounselorJohn recently completed his Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology at Saint Marys University. He decided to become a counselor after volunteering at the Domestic Abuse Project conducting intakes. He learned in his time at DAP that he appreciates helping clients who were experiencing difficult times. He loves studying psychology and enjoys working with clients. During his intern year here at Healing Connections, he provided therapy, case management, and co-facilitated groups. John values his time at Healing Connections and is excited to be hired on board as a therapist. In his spare time he reads, goes to movies, plays with his dog, and spends time with his family.

Virginia Helfrich Virginia Helfrich MRELicensed Marriage and Family Therapist and SupervisorNational Certified Addictions Counselor IIn the past 17 years Ginny has provided individual, couple, family, and group counseling in residential chemical dependency, community mental health agencies, mobile childrens crisis and private practice in the Seattle and Twin Cities Metro areas. She enjoys helping clients who are dealing with a variety of mental health issues as well as marital counseling, spirituality and personal growth issues. Having a life time interest in music and creative arts, Ginny has incorporated it into counseling. After completing post-graduate training in Guided Imagery with Music, Cross-Cultural Sacred Healing Music and Mandala training, Ginny has been adding Sound Healing to Healing Connections therapeutic services.

Colleen McGinnis Colleen McGinnis PsyDMental Health CounselorColleen has worked for over 20 years to foster personal development and quality of life for clients in many settings. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for both groups and individuals including adults, adolescents, couples and families. She has also applied the principles of psychological growth to organizational settings, assisting both management and non-management individuals with workplace and personal issues. Over the last few years Colleen has expanded her view of personal growth to include the spiritual aspects of development. She specifically enjoys integrating mindfulness and consciousness raising learned from the Eastern traditions of meditation and yoga. Outside of work Colleen enjoys traveling, exercise, comedies, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Amy Quinn Amy Quinn MALicensed Professional Clinical CounselorAmy joined Healing Connections in 2009 after completing her internship at this site. She recently graduated with her Masters degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, MN and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Amy has previous experience working with adolescents at a dual diagnosis residential treatment center. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and facilitates our Intensive Life Skills morning program, co-facilitates a Life Skills group and conducts individual therapy sessions for adults and adolescents. In her free time, Amy enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Louise Quinn Louise Quinn MALicensed PsychologistLouise comes to Healing Connections with a special expertise in working with clients who have experienced trauma and complicated grief. In 1988 Louise and two colleagues established the Minnesota Center for Grief and Loss. Over the years, Louise has incorporated cutting edge therapeutic methods, such as EMDR,(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Hakomi (a body centered psychotherapy) into her work. Prior to joining the Healing Connections staff, Louise provided psychological services in a primary care medical clinic with a diverse population of clients and mental health issues. Outside of work, Louise enjoys cooking with natural foods and biking and hiking around Minnesota state parks and trails.

Anna Smith Anna SmithGraduate InternAnna is completing her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology at Saint Mary's University. She received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Minnesota, where she studied psychology and family social science. This year at Healing Connections she is completing her therapy practicum by co-facilitating groups, providing individual therapy and case management. Anna has experience providing phone counseling to individuals and families in crisis. She also has experience working in a group home where she developed and managed behavioral programming for adult residents with Autism. When she's not working or studying, Anna enjoys spending time with friends, cooking, biking and running, creating collage art, seeing live music, and playing co-rec kick ball.

Kate Hennessy-Keimig Kate Hennessy-Keimig PsyD Licensed PsychologistKate has a wide variety of experience in the mental health and substance abuse fields, with over twenty years providing counseling, consultation and education to clients and professionals both locally and nationally across the spectrum of care. Kate is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy as well as other therapeutic modalities. Kate holds a strong belief in the importance of the wellness and balance of the whole person, body, mind and spirit, and strives to foster that in her in her work with clients as well in her own life through such practices as meditation and yoga. In her free time, Kate enjoys road tripping with her husband and their Pekingese, reading, singing, and pursuing her interests in both Western and Eastern spirituality.

Dean Charles Dean Charles PsyD Mental Health CounselorDean graduated from St. Olaf College with a major in psychology. He has also earned his masters degree (M.S.) and doctorate (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology from Pacific University in Oregon. He has extensive experience treating co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues in a variety of settings. He strives to motivate people and provide a therapeutic atmosphere that encourages change in a nonjudgmental manner. Dean enjoys participating in sports, particularly martial arts, basketball, and golf. He also attempts to cook in spare time.

Consultants

Consultants

Karen Hilgers

Alford Karayusuf

Consultants

To help us provide outstanding care to our clients, Healing Connections reaches out to the community and engages experts to provide teaching and consultation to our staff. Along with Karen Hilgers and Alford Karayusuf who join our team on a monthly basis for training and consultation, other community professional such Ethics Experts, yoga trainers, and financial experts make guest appearances to bring their knowledge and training to our clients and staff.

Consultants

Karen Hilgers

Karen Hilgers Karen Hilgers PhDLicensed PsychologistKaren has been in practice for over thirty years and has devoted her career to counseling in the areas of extreme stress and the psychological aspects of health and illness. She also provides supervision to supervisors. She is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Catherine-Minneapolis Campus, where she teaches two courses in the Masters of Holistic Studies program: Spiritual Wellness: The Search for Meaning, and Core Concepts of Mind-Body Interactions. Karen provides opportunities to reflect on spirituality and healing in our intensive day treatment program as well as staff consultation for Healing Connections. She enjoys reading, walks in the woods and refinishing furniture at her home in St. Paul, where she lives with Bailey, the Dog and Lacey, the Cat.

Alford Karayusuf Alford (Sam) Karayusuf MDConsulting PsychiatristIn his capacity as our consulting psychiatrist, Sam attends monthly consultation meetings with the staff and works closely with the psychiatric nurse practitioners. He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and did his psychiatric training at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and the VA Medical Center. He is also in private practice in several locations in the Twin Cities including White Bear Lake and Minneapolis.

Office Staff

Office Staff

Janet Betting

Brigitte Miller

Office Staff

Healing Connections Therapy Center is managed capably by our office staff. They are available during business hours to assist clients and providers in scheduling, answering questions, making payments or financial arrangements, and handling any business concerns that may arise. In addition, it is their job to keep Healing Connections running smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask them to be of assistance to you during your time here.

Office Staff

Janet Betting

Brigitte Miller

Janet Betting Janet BettingBusiness ManagerJanet returns to Healing Connections after working as the Executive Director of Valley Health and WIC in Grand Forks, ND. She has experience working with billing and a strong administrative background. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, quilting, biking, and movies.

Brigitte Miller Brigitte MillerOffice CoordinatorBrigitte is formally trained and certified as a Physician Assistant in West Germany. Since relocating to the United States Brigitte worked in medical offices in Internal Medicine, Urology and Oncology before coming to Healing Connections. She brings over 20 years of experience in Office Management and as a Medical Management Professional Consultant. Her position here is to support the business manager as well as the therapists and to oversee special projects. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with friends and family and traveling with her husband.

Linh Nguyen Linh NguyenOffice AssistantComing Soon

Billing Specialist NameBilling SpecialistBio

Services

Therapy

Day Treatment

DBT Life Skills Groups

Medication Management

Therapy

Individual, Couples, and Families

While many of our group services focus on building skills to deal with major life difficulties, Healing Connections' providers are trained and experienced in treating a wide variety of problems. Below is a partial list of some of the specialty areas of our staff.

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ACOA

Adoption

Adjustment Disorders

Adolescent Behavior Disorders

Affective Disorders (Bipolar Disorder & Major Depression)

Anxiety Disorders

Borderline Personality Disorder

Chemical Dependency Issues

Codependency

Crisis and Trauma

Dissociative Disorders

Eating Disorders

Family issues

Grief and loss

Identity Disorders

Impulse Disorders

Marriage and Family Issues

Mens Issues

Panic and Phobias

Personality Disorders

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Relationship Issues

School Related Problems

Sexual and / or Physical Abuse

Womens Issues

Workplace Issues

Day Treatment Intensive Life Skills Outpatient Day ProgramThe Intensive Life Skills Outpatient Program has a DBT focus. The purpose is to offer intensive services as an alternative to, prevention of, or transition from hospital based services.This is a 12 week, four hour a day / three days a week program which can be repeated. It is offered both mornings and afternoons, either from 8:30am-12:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or 12:00-4:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The following is a general outline of the days and topics addressed.
Clients may seek treatment themselves, or health care professionals such as therapists, psychiatrists, hospital personnel or substance abuse treatment program personnel may refer clients to this program. After a complete psychosocial assessment, clients will begin either the morning or afternoon track. Clients who are in this program will also continue with their outpatient therapy and medication management outside our facility, or they may receive these services by our team. In either case care coordination between client, family, and all medical professionals is an ongoing part of the program.

DBT Life Skills Groups

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DBT Life Skills ILife Skills I is based on the philosophy and practices of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The goal of this skill based group is to help individuals who have significant life stressors and difficulty with regulating their emotions, thinking patterns, behaviors, relationships, and self concept. It is a program, based in mindfulness practice, that combines acceptance and understanding of skills to contain, regulate, change, and experience new patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. This program begins with an intake meeting with one of the group facilitators. This is a time when both client and therapist can get to know one another and clients can learn more about the program. Clients are oriented to the program followed by four modules that focus on managing stress, mindfulness, building and maintaining healthy relationships, and managing emotions more effectively.In a weekly 2 ½ hour group setting, clients will find support, learn, and practice new skills. It is combined with individual therapy and out of group skills coaching to reinforce the skills learned in group. Groups are offered at a variety of times throughout the week.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------DBT Life Skills IILife Skills II is a continuation of Life Skills I. Its purpose is to practice and generalize previously learned skills in the group setting and in daily life.While the Skills I focus is to learn skills to manage and contain emotions, chaotic relationships, and ineffective and self harming behaviors, the Skills II focus is to begin to balance the managing of distress through containment with being mindful of the emotional dysregulation and using new skills to discharge the emotions without resorting to ineffective coping strategies and self harm.In addition, new goals are to increase sense of self worth and healthy self identity, to develop healthy boundaries, to increase social interest and contribution to society.Because insight and cognitive understanding are not enough to keep individuals from reliving trauma responses over and over, this process utilizes not only additional skills training and coaching, but also movement, psychodrama, body centered and creative techniques. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Further Information For further information about any of these services, please call 952-892-7690 and ask to speak to Amy Quinn, the group intake therapist. You may also conveniently email us using the contact information in this web site.

Medication Management

Medication Management

At Healing Connections, medication management is provided by two certified nurse practitioners.

Medication Management is the use of medications to help treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar illnesses. Clients are seen for a one hour initial assessment where current and past symptoms are reviewed. Together, the client and nurse practitioner develop a treatment plan for the use of medications. At regular 30 minute follow-up appointments, clients review their response to medications including benefits and possible side effects. With clients' consent our nurse practitioners work in collaboration with other health care professionals in order to optimize their treatment.

Often, medication management is used in conjunction with individual therapy to help the client increase ways of managing the symptoms that are difficult in life.

Skills Coaching

Forms

NEW Patient Packets

Current Patient Forms

Merchandise

Privacy Privacy Information Healing Connections Therapy Center is committed to treating you and using protected health information about you responsibly. This Notice of Health Information Privacy Practices (HIPPA) describes the personal information that is collected, and how and when it is used or disclosed. It also describes your rights as they relate to your protected health information. This Notice is effective April 15, 2003 and applies to all protected health information as defined by federal regulations.Understanding Your Health Record/InformationEach time you visit Healing Connections Therapy Center a record of your visit is made. Typically, this record contains your symptoms, examination and test results, diagnoses, treatment, and a plan for future care or treatment. This information, often referred to as your health or medical record, serves as a: Basis for planning your care and treatmentMeans of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to your careLegal document describing the care you receivedMeans by which you or a third-party payer can verify that services billed were actually providedA tool in educating health professionalsA source of information for public health officials charged with improving the health of this state and the nationA source of data for our planning and marketingA tool with which I can assess and continually work to improve the services rendered and the outcomes achieved. Understanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to: ensure its accuracy, better understand who, what, when, where, and why others may access your health information, and make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others.Your Health Information Rights Although your health record is the physical property of Healing Connections Therapy Center, the information belongs to you. You have the right to:Obtain a paper copy of this notice of information practices upon request:Inspect and copy your health record as provided for in 45 CFR 164.524,Amend your health record as provided in 45 CFR 164.528,Obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information as provided in 45 CFR 164.528,Request communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations,Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information as provided by 45 CFR 164.522, andRevoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.Responsibilities of Our PracticeHealing Connections Therapy Center is required to:Maintain the privacy of your health information,Provide you with this notice as to my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information I collect and maintain about you,Abide by the terms of this noticeNotify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction, andAccommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.We reserve the right to change our practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. Should our information practices change, we will give you in person, or mail a revised notice to the address youve supplied us.We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this notice. We will also discontinue to use or disclose your health information after we have received a written revocation of the authorization according to the procedures included in the authorization.For More Information or to Report a ProblemIf you have questions, would like additional information, or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can contact the Office for Civil Rights. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint. The address for the OCR is listed below:Office for Civil RightsU.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Room 509F, HHH BuildingWashington, D.C. 20201

Links Links Borderline Personality DisorderNEA BPD (National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder)The Mission of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD) is to raise public awareness, provide education, promote research on borderline personality disorder, and enhance the quality of life of those affected by this serious mental illness.www.neabpd.orgBoderline Personality Disorder LinkDr. Heller indicates in his book "Life at the Border," that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a medical disorder and that the "right medications in the right sequence, combined with the right therapy and brain retraining works for those who want it.Dr. Heller regularly answers questions about the borderline personality disorder and other disorders at www.BiologicalUnhappiness.com Borderline Personality Disorder Resource CenterThe Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center (BPDRC) at New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College has been set up specifically to help those impacted by the disorder find the most current and accurate information on the nature of BPD, and on sources of available treatment. www.bpdresourcecenter.orgDialectical Behavior Therapy and Behavioral Tech, LLC,Founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan, trains mental health care providers and treatment teams who work with complex and severely disordered populations to use compassionate, scientifically valid treatments and to implement and evaluate these treatments in their practice setting.www.behavioraltech.orgEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories (Shapiro, 1989a, 1989b). Shapiros (2001) Adaptive Information Processing model posits that EMDR facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring these to an adaptive resolution. After successful treatment with EMDR, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced. www.emdr.com Mental IllnessNational Alliance for the Mentally Ill.Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nations voice on mental illness. As the nations largest grassroots mental health organization, it is dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and as well as their families, through advocacy, research, support, and educationwww.nami.orgThe National Institute of Mental HealthThe National Institute of Mental Health is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders, and is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIMH is actively involved in strategic planning and priority-setting for the Institute as whole as well as for specific research areas. www.nimh.nih.govSensorimotor PsychotherapyPat Ogden's outstanding work in sensorimotor psychotherapy focuses not just on the devastating effects of trauma-induced alterations on mind, but also on body and brain. Asserting that the body has been left out of the "talking cure," she offers a scholarly review of very recent advances in the trauma, neurobiology, developmental, and psychodynamic literatures that strongly suggests that bodily-based behaviors, affects, and cognitions must be brought to the forefront of the clinical encounter. Amply filled with extremely interesting case material, this gifted therapist's creative work on somatically-focused treatment is essential reading for clinicians of all schools of psychotherapy."Allan N. Schore, Ph.D., Dpt. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicwww.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.orgwww.pathoutofpain.com.au/hakomi/html/somatics.html

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions What is psychotherapy?Psychotherapy is the relationship between a client and therapist that aids clients in problems of living. It usually includes increasing a sense of well being and reducing a discomforting experience. Psychotherapists employ a wide range of techniques based on their training, which may include dialogue, behavioral interventions, or experiential techniques such as art, journaling, role play, or movement that aid in growth and healing. Psychotherapy may be provided in an individual, couple, family, or group setting.What is the difference between a social worker, a professional counselor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a nurse practitioner? Social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists are all fully trained mental health professionals, licensed by the state, and experienced in a range of mental health treatment modalities. Clinical social workers, professional counselors, and psychologists have all received graduate degrees in the mental health field. In addition they have several years of supervised experience in a mental health setting after completion of their graduate program. In addition, a psychologist may also be trained in psychological testing and evaluations. A psychiatrist is a physician with an M.D. degree with post-doctoral training and specialization in mental health. Psychiatrists may prescribe medication. Nurse practitioners are nurses with additional graduate clinical training in their particular field of specialty. They also prescribe medication. Often mental health nurse practitioners also provide therapy services.What if I need medication in addition to therapy? If you and your therapist are considering the possibility of medication as an aid to your healing, you may make an appointment for an evaluation with our nurse practitioner. How do I make an appointment with a therapist or nurse practitioner? Simply call the Healing Connections main number, 952-892-7690. A clinician or office manager will take your basic information and a brief description of your concern and will get in touch with our panel of providers to see who may be available. You will be contacted again, usually the same day, by a clinician who will be able to see you. How quickly can I be seen? Depending on the limitations of your schedule and the schedules of our providers, you can usually be seen within 2-3 days. If there are scheduling constraints (time of day, days of the week, etc.) the wait time may be longer. Crisis appointments are also available.Does Healing Connections take my insurance? The therapists at Healing Connections Therapy Center are on a variety of health insurance panels. Call or email to find out if your insurance carrier covers our services. We are providers for most of the major insurance companies in Minnesota including but not limited to Medica, United Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Aware, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Select, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Partners, Behavioral Health Plan, Preferred One, Cigna. We are also Medicaid, MCHA, and Minnesota Care Providers. You may also want to call your mental health network number, which is usually on the back of the insurance card. What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment that was developed in the early 1990s by Marsha LInehan. It is a psychosocial treatment that was originally developed for individuals who have Borderline Personality Disorder, although it is used for many other mental health disorders at present. Its focus is to decrease the distress caused by an individuals difficulty in regulating his or her emotions, thoughts, behaviors, relationships, or sense of self. DBT is a method combining individual therapy and skills teaching and reinforcement and skills coaching by therapists outside of therapy sessions that will help in this task. What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?For years in the Western culture, the body has been left out of the talking cure for individuals seeking therapy. Psychotherapists and psychiatrists have been trained to listen to the language and emotion of the client. In addition, they monitor physical symptoms, using medications when warranted. Sensorimotor psychotherapy is an approach that builds on traditional psychotherapeutic understanding but includes the body as central, helping clients to deepen their understanding of how their body either aids or hinders them in growth and healing. Specifically, this method teaches clients to become attuned to inner body sensations, postures, and generally how the body holds information. It is an approach that teaches mindful awareness of the process of the body as it protects, heals, grows and resources itself. It can also support the collaborative team of therapist and client in exploring more effective ways of managing anxiety responses. In this method the body is used as an entry point for healing, so it is most helpful with clients who either are comfortable with the body or are willing to gently explore this as an option for health and healing. What is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)?EMDR is a powerful new method of psychotherapy founded in l988. When a trauma occurs, it seems to get locked in the nervous system, with the original image, sounds, smells, thoughts and feelings. These images, sounds, smells, thoughts and feelings can be triggered unexpectedly by our environment, even years after the original trauma, and the individual will re-experience the trauma, almost as if it were happening again in the present. EMDR seems to "unlock" the frozen nature of the original trauma, allowing the brain to process the original event in a more adaptive manner. Traumatic events may range all the way from minor surgery, being repeatedly bullied, abandonment, sexual and physical assault (childhood or adulthood), witnessing violence, war experiences, or murder. EMDR incorporates eye movement or some other type of bi-lateral stimulation (e.g., an alternating tone heard through ear-phones, or rhythmic tapping gently on hands) to unlock these stored memories from their frozen state to a place in our memory recall where it no longer "triggers" a fearful reaction for the individual.

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Healing

Connections

Therapy Center

"Encouraging change through acceptance and relationship"

952 892 7690 1751 Southcross Drive West, Burnsville, MN 55306