Frequently Asked Questions

There are many reasons to choose NSCTS for counseling. We specialize in helping clients work through trauma and provide guidance and support during difficult times. 

Our team of counselors is highly skilled and experienced in handling a variety of issues, so you can be confident that you're getting the best possible care. Our staff also diverse in many way making it likely there is someone who would be a great fit for you. 

We offer a supportive and confidential environment in which to explore your thoughts and feelings in ways that foster healing and personal growth. Our goal is to help you achieve your full potential and live a life you enjoy.

We also accept insurance and offer convenient scheduling options to make counseling more accessible for everyone. If you're ready to start working on healing and growth, please contact us.

We provide individual, couples, and family therapy both in-person and through secure telehealth platforms. We also offer groups as well. 

We understand that making the decision to seek help can be difficult, but we assure you that you will be in good hands with our team.Our counselors at North Star Counseling and Trauma Speialists offer an array of counseling services that can help those struggling with trauma, grief, gender, PTSD, and many other issues. Our counselors are experienced in helping clients identify the issues to work on, establish goals, and a plan to reach those goals. 

We believe that every individual is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of each client. Our counselors help clients heal through a variety of approaches, like individual, couples, and group counseling and various techniques such as talk therapy, EMDR, CPT, mindfullness, coordination of care, narrative therapy, building healhty coping, setting healthy boundaries, and many other effective ways to help clients heal. 

If you don't have a counselor in mind who you want to work with, we'll help you pick the best counselor for you. To do that, we work with you by asking specific  questions about your needs and desires to narrow down the options. We then match you with the counselor whose expertise and approach align with your goals, ensuring a supportive and effective therapeutic relationship.

Yes. We adhere to strict HIPAA guidelines to protect your privacy. Counselors are held to strict standards of confidentiality. Our telehealth sessions use an encrypted platform, SimplePractice to ensure the highest level of safety and all records are securely stored to maintain confidentiality throughout your care.

Confidentiality is limited in the case of reports of abuse to a child, elderly, disable, or another person who cannot care for themselves. Additionally, any report of internt to harm yourself or another person may also have to be reproted by law. Please feel free to contact us with any question. 

Your initial session will include disclosure of importnat information like confidentialiy and the process of therapy. The counselor may review intake paperwork and have assessments to complete. All the while, the counselor will build rapport and learn about your unique history and needs. You'll also have time to ask any questions you have and talk about what you want from therapy. 

Our counselors have training on trauma and how it impacts a person. Some of our counselors have direct experience in trauma workand some are suprvised by those experts. Many also hold certifications in trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, Brainspotting, CPT and other modalities. They are all applying trauma-informed principles that recognize the impact of trauma on the brain and body, ensuring treatment is both effective and compassionate.

Sessions typically last 45 to 53 minutes and are scheduled weekly or biweekly, depending on your needs. We offer flexible telehealth options to accommodate your schedule and ensure consistent support throughout your recovery. In a time of crisis sessions may be increased to two times per week for a short period of time if necessary. We also understand cost is a factor in deciding frequency as well giving you the ultimate say in how often you attend. 

Trauma is a deeply distressing experience that overwhelms your ability to cope, leaving you feeling helpless, unsafe, or emotionally shaken. It can result from a single event, a series of events, or ongoing circumstances that threaten your physical or emotional well-being.

Because trauma is a broad term covering a wide variety of experiences, we all process events differently. What feels traumatic to one person may not feel the same to another, and that is perfectly okay. Your individual experience is unique, and your feelings are always valid.

If you find yourself wondering if you have experienced trauma, the answer might be yes. But whether or not you use the word "trauma" to describe your past, you are welcome at North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists. We are here to help you understand what you are going through, find a path forward, and support you on your journey to feeling better.

Please feel free to contact us with questions or to discuss trauma with us!

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a highly effective counseling approach designed to help you heal from the aftermath of distressing life experiences.

What EMDR Treats

This therapy frequently helps individuals who have survived specific traumatic events, such as car accidents, physical abuse, or sexual assault. It also provides significant relief for people navigating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and severe phobias.

How the Process Works

When you experience a traumatic event, the memory can become improperly stored in your brain, causing ongoing distress. EMDR helps you safely reprocess those stuck memories. Your counselor will guide you to focus briefly on a specific memory while you follow patterns of bilateral stimulation. This stimulation can take the form of guided left-and-right eye movements, gentle hand taps, or audio beats.

The Benefits of EMDR

As you engage in this process, the emotional intensity attached to your past experiences begins to fade. Processing these thoughts and emotions in a healthier, more adaptive way allows the memories to become less intrusive. Many clients experience profound relief from disruptive symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, racing thoughts, and emotional numbness.

Your Safe Space for Healing

At North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we proudly offer EMDR as a therapeutic service. We ensure you always have a secure, fully supportive environment as you do this vital work.

Please contact us today to learn more about EMDR therapy or to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to walking alongside you on your journey toward peace and healing.

LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - This is a first tier license not able to accept insurance unless supervised by an LPCC-S. Requires 2 years of supervision by and LPCC-S to get their LPCC license. 

LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - This is a higher-level license than LPC, allowing for independent diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, along with insurance billing capability

LAMFT - The entry-level license for individuals who have met educational requirements but are still completing their post-graduate supervised experience.

LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  The full, independent license obtained after completing all supervised experience and passing all required exams.

LCSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - This is the highest level of social work licensure in the state, allowing for the independent practice of clinical social work, including diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.

LP - Licnesed  Psychologist - They hold doctoral degrees (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology and are authorized by the Minnesota Board of Psychology to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.

NCC - Nationally Certified Counselor - A voluntary certification that signifies that a counselor has met high national standards for education, training, and experience, including passing a rigorous examinatio

If there is an S after the acronym, like LPCC-S, it means they are a supervisor who can supervise pre licensed counselors and interns. 

Currently we accept Aetna and Optum/United. 

We are in the credentialing process with:

BCBS of MN

Cigna

Health Partners

Ucare and Medicaid

If we are "out of network" (don't take) your insurance, we can provide superbills. Superbills are just fancy receipts with information on them that the insurance company requires.

How it works: 

The client pays the full out of pocket cost to NSCTS. NSCTS then provides a superbill to the client. The client submits the superbill to their insurance company to possibly receive partial reimbursement of the out of pocket cost directly from the insuarnce company. 

Unfortunately no, we do not accept Medicare. 

In many circumstances, yes. However, we must be in network with your plan and it must be a servcies for which insuarnce pays. For example, some plans do not pay for couples counseling. 

While insurance may cover counseling servcies, you may also have out of pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, and/or coinsurance, depending on your plan.  

You can call the customer service number, usually on the back of your benefits cards, and ask them if we are in network with you plan and what your cost would be for counseling. You can also contact us if you have questions.

Very likely not. Most insurance plans include a deductible, copay, and/or coinsurance amounts that the client is responsible for. These number vary widely from plan to plan. It is best to call your insurance provider using the number on the back of your benefits card and ask them what your out of pocket cost would be for individual counseling services. 

Currently, we do not have anyone on staff who can prescribe medications, but we have great referrals we can provide to help with medicaiton prescriptions and management. 

Yes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for anxiety. In fact, research has shown that CBT is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders.

CBT helps people to understand how their thoughts and beliefs contribute to their feelings and behavior. Once people become aware of the thoughts that are contributing to their anxiety, they can learn new ways of thinking that will help them feel better. CBT also teaches people skills for managing stress and anxiety-provoking situations.

At North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we help clients mange and cope with anxiety and some of our counselors use various CBT techniques to help clients do just that. 

We understand that anxiety can be debilitating, so we offer our clients a sense of warmth, understanding, and support. We believe that self-compassion is key to healing, and we work to create a safe and supportive environment for our clients. If you're looking for relief from your anxiety symptoms, we encourage you to give us a call. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on your journey to healing.

North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists use a number of cognitive-behavioral techniques for anxiety, which have been found to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their behavior. It can be helpful in managing anxiety by teaching people how to change the way they think about things that make them anxious, and by teaching them coping skills to deal with stressful situations.

One common technique is cognitive restructuring, which helps people change the way they think about difficult situations. For example, someone with social anxiety might think that everyone is judging them harshly, but with cognitive restructuring they would learn to think more realistically about social interactions. This would then help them feel less anxious in those situations.

Another techniques is journal and thought records to challenge negative thoughts. Deep breathing, role playing, scheduling, and even behavior experiments can be used to help manage anxiety too. 

If you are experiencing anxiety or if you're interested in learning more about any of the services offered by North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists, reach out to us today to get started on the road to healing.

Yes, remote telehealth counseling or virtual sessiosn are an excellent way to provide care for clients who may not be able to access traditional in-office counseling. Telehealth can eliminate barriers to counseling in that those in rural areas can gain access to a broader range of counselors and specialities that may not be available in their area. Telehealth also reduces time off by not having to drive to sessions. It may even save money by not using fuel to drive. Finally, telehealth also allows more flexiblity for scheduling sessions due to travel time. 

North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists offers a wide range of services that are delivered through telehealth technology. This includes individual, couples, and some group counseling sessions.

Our counselors are highly skilled and have a great deal of experience working with clients through telehealth platforms. We take great pride in providing quality counseling services whether in-person or via telehealth. We use the latest technology to ensure that our sessions are high quality, safe, and confidential and provide the best possible experience for our clients. 

Our goal is always to help our clients overcome their challenges and improve their lives. NSCTS provides excellent care for their clients and has helped many people overcome mental health challenges. If you're looking for quality counseling, please contact us today to begin your counseling journey with us!

The words counselor and therapist are used interchangeably and there is no diffrence. A professional conselor or therapist is licensed by their state and has minimal education of a Master's Degree to allow them to get licensed. Sometimes called a psychotherapist, counselors are trained specifically to work with clients to work through mental health issues that are bothering them. Some times the general term therapist can be confused with other disciplines like physical theapist, speech therapist and other professions.

At North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists, our counselors are all trained to work with a wide variety of topics and issues to help as many clients as possible. Reach out to us today to see how we can help you! 

Sometimes the fit doesn't work out with the counselor you choose. No problem! Please reach out to our admin team at NorthStarCanHelp@gmail.com and they will help get you connected with a different counselor. 

Absolutely! Counselling can be an extremely effective way to help people work through their problems.  Counseling can help you learn more about yourself, develop healthy coping mechanisms, challenge faulty logic, reframe ideas, heal old hurts, discover ways to be gentler with self, ways to relax, breathe, and make positive changes in your life.

Many people think that counseling is only for people who have some serious mental health issue. The truth is, counseling can be beneficial for anyone who is struggling to cope with a difficult situation. Counseling provides a safe space to explore your thoughts and emotions. It can help you to identify patterns of negative thinking and behavior. And it can provide tools and resources to help you heal from pain and trauma. Counseling can be an important part of the healing process for many people. If you are struggling with a difficult situation, counseling may be able to help you.

Our counselors are experienced and compassionate, and they really care about helping our clients reach their full potential. If you're considering counseling, I encourage you to give us a call. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on the path to healing.

1. Pre-Counseling - This is the phase where the counselor and client assess the situation and determine what needs to be done in order to resolve it. During this phase, the counselor may also gather some background information on the client and their situation.

2. Assessment - This is where the counselor tries to understand more about the problem so they can develop an appropriate treatment plan. They will also look for any signs of trauma that may have been suffered by the client.

3. Treatment - This is where counseling and therapy take place. The counselor will work with the client to help them work through their problems in hopes to improve their life situation.

4. Termination/Post-Counseling - In this phase, the counselor and client will work together to end the counseling relationship in a way that is best for both of them. The counselor may also provide some resources and recommendations for the client to continue working on their problems after therapy has ended.

There are many different types of counseling and therapy, but they all share some common goals: to help the client resolve their problems and improve their life situation.

Knowing when to seek out professional help can be difficult. Therapy offers a range of benefits and can provide much-needed support during hard times, however it is important to consider your individual needs before deciding whether or not you should pursue therapy. 

First off, it’s important to examine your mental health in an objective way. Are you feeling overwhelmed by emotions such as sadness, anger, despair or apathy? Have you been struggling with intrusive thoughts that don't seem to go away? Do persistent feelings of hopelessness make it difficult for you to maintain your usual level of functioning throughout the day? These are all potential warning signs that may indicate the need for therapy. 

It’s also important to evaluate your current relationships and support system – do you have any close family members or friends who can offer emotional support during times of need? If so, then these people might be able to act as a form of “informal therapy” by providing a safe place where one can express their struggles and feel supported emotionally without needing professional counseling. On the other hand, if this isn't an option for whatever reason (e.g due to lack of trust) then therapy may be needed in order for one's emotional well being remain healthy and balanced. 

In addition, physical symptoms such as insomnia or extreme fatigue should not only alert us that something could potentially be wrong but also remind us that our mental wellbeing is closely linked with our physical state. Thus stress-related physical ailments may very well require professional help in order alleviate them effectively. 

Ultimately if any combination of these warning signs is present then reaching out for professional help could greatly benefit one's overall quality life - it’s always worth considering seeing a counselor even if just on an exploratory basis; discussing personal problems openly with someone trained in psychological support has been shown time again to bring relief from emotional distress while fostering greater self-awareness which ultimately leads towards healing over time .

Finding the right therapist can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. It is important to ask yourself a few questions before you start your search – what kind of therapy do I want/need, what type of scheduling works best for me, and how much am I willing to spend? Once you have answered these questions, you can begin narrowing down your choices until you find the right fit. 

When looking for a therapist, always make sure they are licensed by their state’s board of counselors or psychologists and that they specialize in the area of therapy that meets your needs (for example, couples counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy). Research is key here as you will want to ensure that their credentials are legitimate and recognized by professional organizations. 

Next up is scheduling. Some therapists offer virtual appointments via video conferencing or phone calls while others prefer face-to-face visits in an office setting. Additionally, consider if the hours offered by these professionals work with your schedule so there isn’t any conflict when trying to attend sessions regularly. 

Lastly comes cost – some therapists charge on a sliding scale based on income level while others may provide discounts for returning clients or special circumstances; don't be afraid to contact them directly if this applies! Likewise, many insurance plans cover partial payments towards mental health services so reach out to yours prior starting any treatment plan with a new provider as well just in case coverage is available. 

Overall finding the right therapist may take some time - but don't give up! When all else fails try word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family who already receive counseling: they should be able to point you in the direction of someone who meets all three criteria mentioned above - license status & specialization + accessible scheduling & affordable pricing - offering exactly what YOU need most at this moment in time!

Absolutely! It’s completely normal to feel anxious or uncomfortable when it comes to therapy. Everyone has a different experience in therapy, and sometimes it can be difficult to open up about your inner thoughts and feelings with someone you don't know very well. However, that doesn’t mean that therapy isn't effective. In fact, studies have shown that the more uncomfortable or anxious you feel in the beginning of your sessions, the more likely you'll see positive changes over time. 

Therapy is all about working through your anxieties and fears in order to better understand yourself as an individual and how those issues are affecting your life currently. In order for therapy to work effectively, it's important for you to trust the therapist enough with these deeper parts of yourself so they can help guide you through them. To do this successfully requires vulnerability which is often accompanied by anxiety or discomfort but once a client starts feeling safe enough they start experiencing genuine growth while in session. 

It's always important not only when starting but throughout any form of treatment process - including counseling - to make sure that you're comfortable with the support system around whether it's friends family co-workers etcetera so that way whatever change happens even if temporarily leaves no one behind so keep this into consideration when making any sort of lifestyle modifications such as going into ongoing therapy sessions at new location incase a check-in is necessary during a particularly tough day or week ahead of getting started with treatment altogether thankyou for reading I hope this helps!

At North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we understand how important it is to find a counselor who you trust. That's why we offer free consultation calls so that our clients can get to know the counselors before making an appointment.

Our specialized team of counselors is highly experienced and trained in the latest trauma-informed techniques. We understand that everyone has their own unique needs and preferences when it comes to counseling, so we want to make sure that we match you with the best possible therapist for your situation. During the initial consultation call, you'll have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about our services and learn more about each of our counselors. We understand that taking these steps can help ensure that everyone feels comfortable with their decision and starts off on the right foot.

We believe in providing quality care while remaining accessible to all members of our community. That's why we offer free consultation calls - so you can meet with one of our counselors before making your appointment. If you’re interested in scheduling a free consultation call or learning more about our services, contact us today!

Texas law requires that requests for mental health records be made in writing.

To obtain your records, or your child’s records, please follow the steps below:

Submit a written request.

Choose one of the following options:

By Email -  

Email your request to NorthStarCanHelp@gmail.com. 

Subject line: "REQUEST FOR RECORDS"

Identify the specific records you are requesting. 

Include the name, address, and/or email address of the intended recipient

By Mail - 

Send a letter to:

North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists

Attn: Records Request

10650 Red Circle Drive, Suite 203, Minnetonka, MN, 55343

Identify the specific records you are requesting.

Include the name, address, and/or email address of the intended recipient

Additional Information in applicable:

Litigation-related records 

If records are requested for use in litigation, please include:

Cause number

Case title

Court where the case is pending

Business Records Affidavit

If you require a Business Records Affidavit, indicate this in your request

Fee: $15

Affidavits will not be provided until payment is received.

Records fee

Fee for providing records: $25 for electronic records.

Accepted payment methods: credit cards, or cash.

Minnesota law does not require records to be released until fees are paid

Couples, family, or third-party records If you are requesting:

Couples counseling records

Family counseling records

Records for anyone other than yourself or your child,

State and federal law require either:

A valid Court Order, or

An Authorization signed by the individual (or parent/legal guardian)

Instructions for Attorneys and Document Companies

A subpoena alone is not sufficient to compel disclosure of confidential counseling or billing records, or other Protected Health Information (PHI), under HIPAA (45 C.F.R. Chapter 164).

For mental health or medical records requested or subpoenaed in litigation (including testimony), HIPAA permits disclosure only under the following circumstances:

In response to a valid court or administrative tribunal order, or

When the individual (or parent/legal guardian):

          *Is a party to the proceeding

          *Has notice that the PHI has been

            requested

          *Does not object to the disclosure

An Authorization from the individual or parent satisfies this requirement.

Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e)

Important Note

If the client or parent has indicated that they do not consent to release of records:

A “Statement of Assurance” will not be accepted

A valid Authorization or Court Order will be requiredm

You have a right to have your complaints heard and resolved in a timely manner. You may contact the owner of the practice, Russell Kauitzsch at NorthStarCanHelp@gmail.com or by calling 612-482-9865. 

If we cannot work things out to your satisfaction, you may file a complaint with the licensing board:

Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health Therapy

335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 290 Saint Paul, MN 55102 

651-201-2756

bbht.board@state.mn.us 

https://mn.gov/boards/behavioral-health/ 

If you have a complaint concerning the HIPAA Privacy Regulations, you may contact the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at: OCRMail@hhs.gov.

If you believe that you have a Consumer Complaint regarding the privacy and security of your health information, you may contact the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office and file a consumer complaint by clicking this link:

https://ag.state.mn.us/office/Forms/en/CARF.html

NSCTS does not write letters for Emotional Support Animals (ESA). There is a liability risk in writing such letters. We recommend seeking out resources for training for your pet and for you regarding navigating having an ESA. 

There are online resources for obtaining ESA letters though we recommend knowing the laws around having and ESA. ESAs are not protected by the American with Disabilities Act and are not considered services animals. Ultimately, you are responsible for the pet and if they hurt someone, you would likely be liable. Be sure to know the laws and your rights!

Our counselors are only licnesed in Minnesota so because counseling is considered to take place where the client is located, you must be within the state boundaries of Minnesota. 

Absolutely not! Information is never shared with anyone without your express permission. The exception is the limitation of confidentialy in which law requires reporting such things as disclosure of abuse of a child, elderly or disabled person, or a threat of harm to self or smoeone else. 

Yes! Partnering with NSCTS can help build a strong continum of care for all of our clients. We are always excited to work with others to make sure we have the best resources to help our clients. Contact us today to see how we can work together!

Thank you for considering referring someone to us! You can point them to our website, https://www.northstarcanhelp.com 

You can contat us by email:

NorthStarCanHelp@gmail.com

Or fax a referral to our confidential fax:

512-919-4149