Counseling News
Volume 02
Prepared by Affiliated Counseling Center
Making the decision to begin therapy is
often not an easy one. Once having
made the decision, it is natural to
wonder what type of psychotherapy will
be the most helpful and appropriate.
Having a basic idea of what different
types of therapy are and how they work
may be helpful when selecting a
therapist. What follows is a brief
overview of some different therapy
modalities, although it is by no means
complete or in depth.
Cognitive Therapy
This type of therapy teaches clients how
certain thinking patterns can create a
distorted, inaccurate interpretation of
what is going on in one’s life, making
one feel anxious, depressed or angry, or
provoking one into making less than
ideal choices for oneself.
Cognitive therapy is targeted toward
current thoughts and behaviors affecting
an individual (or couple, or family). It
is oriented largely toward the present,
and does not delve into past issues as a
means of understanding what is
happening in the present.
Cognitive therapy is a well researched
therapy which has held up well under
rigorous research. In study after study,
it has been shown to be as effective as
drugs in treating both depression and
anxiety. It is effective for treating
shyness, headaches, panic attacks,
phobias, post-traumatic stress, eating
disorders, loneliness and
procrastination.
Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic
Therapy
This method of therapy is for the
investigation of mental processes
inaccessible by other means. These are
depth therapies, meaning that the
therapist travels with the client to the
root of problems, gaining insight and
understanding into how a client’s
problems or issues were first formed,
and then through that clinical
understanding helping clients to change
feelings, thoughts and behaviors. This
method is most closely associated with
Sigmund Freud, who first made the
“talking cure” a socially acceptable
means of dealing with personal issues.
Humanistic Therapy
This method of therapy stresses the
importance of personal experience. The
therapist provides a warm, caring
therapeutic setting for the client to
explore him or herself, free of
judgments so that the client may
investigate thoughts, feelings and
behaviors with the support and caring of
a skilled therapist.
The premise of this therapy is that as
human beings we are naturally oriented
toward personal growth and
psychological health, and if given the
proper therapeutic environment, clients
will figure out their true thoughts and
feelings about themselves and their
lives. With this information, clients are
then able to work more effectively on
their growth as people, and resolve
problems and issues present in their
lives. A common misperception of this
therapy is that therapists merely listen to
clients, offering little by way of
feedback. Therapists utilizing this
method are actually quite clinically
skilled; they have as one of their main
tasks keeping attention and focus on the
client and his or her psychological and
emotional experiences.
Group Therapy
This type of therapy allows a group of
people to meet with the guidance of a
professionally trained therapist. Group
therapy has been a standard treatment
for over 50 years. People come
together to share problems and concerns
about specific predetermined topics.
Group therapy helps people learn about
themselves and improve their
interpersonal relationships. It addresses
feelings of isolation, depression or
anxiety. It helps people make
significant changes so they feel better
about the quality of their lives.
In studies comparing group therapy to
individual therapy, group therapy has
been shown to be as effective as
individual therapy. Some of the issues
typically addressed in group therapy
include interpersonal relationships,
problems facing children and
adolescents, aging, medical illness,
depression and anxiety, loss, trauma,
lifestyle issues within a traditional
culture, personality disorders, and
addictive disorders.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a method of communication
that induces a trance-like state. Trance
is a naturally occurring state in which
one’s attention is narrowly focused
and relatively free of distractions.
Hypnosis is most often used as an
adjunct to psychotherapy. It helps
clients enter a relaxed, comfortable state
Marcie Stresemann, PhD, MA, LPC
For more information on this
topic or to talk more about your
concerns call:
Marcie Stresemann, MA LPC
President/Licensed Professional
Counselor
Affiliated Counseling Center
(763) 572-2605
LOCATIONS AT
7260 University Ave, Ste 235
FRIDLEY & UPTOWN
www.mncounseling.com
for obtaining specific therapeutic
outcomes. With clinical hypnosis, the
therapist can make suggestions designed
to help the client formulate specific
internal processes (feelings, memories,
images and internal self-talk) that will
lead to mutually agreed upon outcomes.
There are many myths surrounding
clinical hypnosis. It is not a form of
brainwashing, one is never immobilized
during hypnosis, one can bring oneself
out of the trance state at will, it is not
sleep (although some people may
become so relaxed they fall asleep!).
Hypnosis cannot cause anyone to act in
a manner in which he or she would
normally not behave, or in any manner
which goes against one’s personal
values and morals.
Counseling News
Volume 02
Prepared by Affiliated Counseling Center
Hypnosis is typically used for building
confidence, relaxation, treating phobias,
fears and anxiety, sleep disorders and
disturbances, depression, sexual
difficulties, pain management,
addictions, performance issues, grief
and loss, as well as blocks to motivation
and creativity.
There are many additional forms of
therapy which have not been addressed
in this article. The majority of
therapists practice from an eclectic
stand point, meaning they do no adhere
rigidly to any particular form of therapy.
Rather, they draw from multiple schools
of therapy and use the methods and
procedures that are most appropriate for
clients on a case by case basis. It is
always helpful to discuss with your
therapist his or her views on various
therapy modalities, and how he or she
typically works with clients.
Therapists of Affiliated
Counseling Center
Marcie Stresemann, M.A., L.P.C.
Marcie specializes in women’s issues,
including depression, relationship
issues, sexual abuse/assault and selfesteem. She has experience working
with adult and adolescent populations in
individual and couples' therapy.
Therapeutic approach includes creating
a safe environment for clients to explore
present and past issues. She is
experienced in crisis counseling dealing
with a variety of issues. She offers
competency in marriage counseling, and
anger counseling. Her orientation to
counseling facilitates growth and
understanding of oneself through
examining current and previous events,
as well as developing skills helpful to
dealing with related issues.
Larry Suess, M.A., L.P., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Psychologist, Licensed
Marriage and Family Therapist
He is skilled in working with
individuals, families and couples. Larry
is trained in several different therapeutic
approaches and works directly with his
clients to determine which is the most
appropriate for them. He is experienced
in helping clients with grief work, anger
management, building communication
skills and deepening of intimacy. He
has experience with personal coaching
and high level wellness and the use of
holistic approaches to help clients
enhance their lives, relationships and
careers.
Lori Bassin, M.A., L.P.
Licensed Psychologist
Lori has a special interest in chronic
health issues, sexual function issues,
spirituality
and
the
mind/body
connection. Related special interests
are alternative and holistic health
practices. Lori works primarily with
couples and individuals and uses
various
therapeutic
approaches
depending upon the client’s needs. She
deals primarily with depression,
anxiety, and relationship issues.
Tricia Gibson, M.A., L.M.F.T.
Lic. Marriage Family Therapist
She is experienced in individual,
marital, family, child and adolescent
therapy around issues of depression,
relationship difficulties, spiritual issues,
abuse, and family of origin issues,
addiction, and work-related difficulties.
Her approach includes working with
past history to look at its influence in
the present problem. This is done in a
supportive environment allowing clients
to make desired change and learn new
skills that can be practiced in their lives.
Tricia also offers Christian based
counseling for those who prefer.
Lori A. Brule Wiggenhorn, M.A.,
L.P., Licensed Psychologist
Lori specializes in working with
children and the families of children in
individual and family therapy. She also
has experience working with domestic
and sexual, physical and emotional
abuse issues, therapy groups, cognitivebehavioral therapy, play therapy, social
skills, and diagnostic assessment. Lori
utilizes a variety of therapy modalities
based upon the issues a client would
like to work on and appropriateness of
fit.
Michael J. Charland, M.S., M.Div.,
M.C.Sp., L.P, L.I.C.S.W.,
L.M.F.T.Lic. Psychologist, Lic.
Independent Clinical Social Worker,
Lic. Marriage and Family
Therapist/Board Approved
Supervisor
He works with college-aged and adult
clients and is particularly interested in
couples/marriage therapy, grief/loss
issues, stress, conflict resolution,
chronic illness, work related issues,
sexuality, life-direction/meaning and
organizational development
interventions. He is experienced in and
able to provide faith-based counseling if
so requested. He believes strongly in
counseling approaches that not only
deal with the issue at hand but at the
same time build strengths.
Stuart Dansinger, M.A., Ed.S., L.P.,
Licensed Psychologist, Licensed
School Psychologist
Stuart is competent in diagnosis and
psychotherapy of older and younger
adults, adolescents, and children. He is
trained and experienced in several
different assessment and therapeutic
techniques and works directly with
individuals, families, and couples to
determine which strategies are the most
appropriate for them. He is also
competent in administration and
supervision of psychologists.
Rachel Greene, M.A., L.M.F.T.
Lic. Marriage Family Therapist
Rachel Greene is a strength-based
Marriage and Family Therapist who
believes that we are always on our path.
It is her calling to assist people during
their journey of growth while navigating
through life’s challenges. She offers
services for any presenting issues and/or
challenges in life from a holistic,
spiritual approach for those who prefer.
Rachel specializes in intuitive
therapy/soul guidance for individuals
and couples. She utilizes intuitive
abilities in session to assist in the
healing process, and to help find the
answers that lie within. She also
specializes in themes and patterns,
anxiety, depression, self-care,
relationship issues, and grief and loss.
Prior to entering private practice, she
spent several years working with
individuals of all ages, couples and
families in agency settings.
Kristi Smith, M.A., Psychotherapist
Clinical Intern
She has over 18 years of clinical
experience in the mental health field.
She has experience working with
children, adolescents and adults both
individually and in psychotherapy
groups with a variety of issues,
including depression, anxiety, chemical
dependency, grief/loss, crisis
intervention, parenting, conflict
resolution, abuse and spirituality,
among other issues.