Minneapolis Trauma Therapy and Counseling
If you are looking for a trauma therapist or counselor in Minneapolis, North Star Counseling & Trauma Specialists provides compassionate, trauma-informed care for teens and adults. Our office is located in nearby Minnetonka, and we also offer secure telehealth counseling for clients throughout Minneapolis and Minnesota.
Our counselors help clients work through trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, identity questions, and major life transitions. We use evidence-informed approaches such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Brainspotting, Narrative Therapy, and other individualized counseling methods based on your needs and goals.
Counseling for Minneapolis Clients
Finding the right therapist can feel difficult, especially when you are already carrying stress, fear, grief, or the effects of trauma. You deserve care that takes your experience seriously and gives you a clear, respectful path forward.
North Star Counseling & Trauma Specialists works with Minneapolis-area clients who are seeking a therapy practice with specialized trauma experience and a person-centered approach. We take time to understand what you are experiencing, what you want to change, and what kind of counselor may be the best fit.
Depending on your needs, counseling may focus on:
- Healing from a single traumatic event or ongoing trauma
- PTSD symptoms, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, or feeling constantly on edge
- Anxiety, panic, overwhelm, or difficulty regulating emotions
- Depression, sadness, isolation, or loss of motivation
- Grief after the death of someone important or another major loss
- Relationship, couples, or family concerns
- Gender identity, sexuality, coming out, or LGBTQIA+ mental health
- Work-related stress and trauma for first responders and other helping professionals
- Sexual-abuse recovery and support for male survivors
- Major life transitions, boundaries, self-worth, and personal growth
You do not need to know exactly what type of therapy you need before contacting us. Our team can help you identify your goals and connect you with a counselor whose experience and approach are appropriate for your situation..
In-Person and Online Therapy Near Minneapolis
North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists offers two ways for Minneapolis-area clients to receive care.
In-person counseling in nearby Minnetonka
Our office is located in Minnetonka, west of Minneapolis. Clients who prefer face-to-face counseling can meet with a counselor at our office at:
North Star Counseling & Trauma Specialists
10650 Red Circle Drive, Suite 203
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Secure telehealth for Minneapolis clients
Telehealth can be a convenient option if you live or work in Minneapolis, have transportation concerns, prefer to meet from home, or feel more comfortable beginning therapy in a familiar setting. North Star provides secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions for eligible clients in Minnesota.
Your counselor can explain whether telehealth is appropriate for your goals, what technology is required, and how to prepare for your first virtual appointment. You should have a private setting and a reliable internet connection for each session.
Trauma Therapy and PTSD Counseling in Minneapolis
Trauma can affect your thoughts, emotions, body, relationships, sleep, and sense of safety long after an event has ended. Some people experience one clearly identifiable event. Others are affected by repeated experiences, childhood trauma, abuse, relationship violence, discrimination, occupational exposure, or ongoing stress.
Trauma therapy is not about forcing you to retell everything before you are ready. A trauma-informed counselor works with you to build safety, understand how trauma is affecting your life, develop coping tools, and choose an appropriate pace for treatment.
North Star counselors may use approaches that include:
- EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing may help reduce the intensity and distress connected to traumatic memories.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy: A structured approach that helps identify and work through trauma-related beliefs and patterns.
- Brainspotting: A therapeutic approach that may be used to help access and process emotional experiences.
- Narrative Therapy: An approach that helps you examine the stories you carry about yourself and your experiences.
- Trauma-informed counseling: Care grounded in safety, collaboration, choice, trust, and respect for your pace.
The right approach depends on your history, symptoms, goals, preferences, and the counselor’s clinical judgment. Your counselor will explain the process and work with you to create a plan that feels manageable.
Counseling Services for Minneapolis-Area Clients
Anxiety and panic counseling
Persistent worry, panic, racing thoughts, irritability, and physical tension can make work, relationships, sleep, and everyday activities feel difficult. Anxiety counseling can help you understand patterns that keep you stuck and develop practical ways to respond to stress.
Depression counseling
Depression can affect energy, motivation, concentration, sleep, relationships, and hope for the future. Counseling provides a confidential space to understand what you are experiencing and work toward meaningful, sustainable change.
Grief and loss counseling
Grief may follow the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a health change, a career change, or another loss. Counseling can provide support while you process emotions, adjust to change, and find ways to move forward without minimizing what happened.
LGBTQIA+ affirming counseling
North Star provides affirming care for LGBTQIA+ clients navigating identity, coming out, gender exploration or transition, family concerns, relationships, minority stress, trauma, anxiety, or depression. Your identity is respected, and your counselor will work with you to define the goals of therapy.
First responder counseling
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical professionals, military members, veterans, healthcare professionals, and other responders may carry work-related trauma and stress that affects sleep, relationships, mood, and daily life. North Star offers specialized support for people who serve and protect their communities.
Counseling for male survivors of sexual abuse
Survivors deserve a confidential, respectful space to speak about experiences that may have been difficult to share. North Star provides specialized support for male survivors of sexual abuse while also welcoming all survivors seeking care.
How to Choose a Counselor
A good therapeutic relationship matters. When you contact North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists, our team can ask about your goals, concerns, scheduling needs, preferred counseling format, and the type of support you are seeking. We can then help you identify a counselor whose experience and approach may be a good fit.
When comparing counseling practices near Minneapolis, consider asking:
- Does the counselor have experience with the concern I want to address?
- Are they licensed or supervised appropriately for the services they provide?
- Do they offer in-person sessions, telehealth, or both?
- Do they accept my insurance or offer private-pay options?
- What happens during the first appointment?
- How will we decide whether the approach is helping?
- What should I do if I need urgent support between sessions?
What to Expect When You Contact North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists
Starting therapy can feel like a significant step. Our process is designed to help you understand your options before beginning ongoing care.
1. Request a consultation
Complete the contact form or call the office. Let us know what type of support you are seeking, whether you prefer in-person or telehealth counseling, and any scheduling or insurance questions.
2. Discuss your goals and preferences
A member of our team can learn more about what brings you to counseling and help identify possible next steps. You do not need to provide every detail of your history in an initial inquiry.
3. Connect with an appropriate counselor
We will help determine which counselor may best match your needs, goals, availability, and preferred approach.
4. Begin your counseling plan
During your first session, your counselor will review confidentiality and the counseling process, learn more about your history and goals, and begin developing a plan with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minneapolis Counseling
Is North Star Counseling located in Minneapolis?
North Star’s in-person office is located in nearby Minnetonka at 10650 Red Circle Drive, Suite 203. We serve clients from Minneapolis and the surrounding area at this office and through secure telehealth throughout Minnesota.
Do you offer trauma therapy for Minneapolis residents?
Yes. North Star provides trauma-informed counseling for Minneapolis-area teens and adults. Services may include trauma therapy, PTSD counseling, EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Brainspotting, and other individualized approaches when clinically appropriate.
Do you offer EMDR therapy near Minneapolis?
Yes. EMDR may be available in person at the Minnetonka office or through telehealth when appropriate. Your counselor will discuss your goals, history, and whether EMDR is a suitable part of your care plan.
Can I receive counseling online from Minneapolis?
Yes. North Star offers secure telehealth counseling for eligible Minnesota clients, including clients who live or work in Minneapolis. Ask the team about technology requirements, privacy, scheduling, and whether virtual care is appropriate for your needs.
What ages does North Star serve?
North Star provides counseling for teens age 13 and older and adults. Confirm age ranges for each counselor and specialty before publishing if they vary across the practice.
Do you accept insurance?
North Star accepts several different insurance plans and may offer private-pay options. Visit the rates and insurance page or contact the office for current information. Insurance participation can vary by counselor and plan, so confirm benefits directly with your insurer and the practice.
How do I know which counselor is right for me?
You do not need to choose a counselor alone. When you contact North Star, the team can ask about your concerns, goals, preferred format, availability, and other needs, then help identify a counselor who may be a good fit.
What should I do if I am in crisis?
This page and the North Star team are not a substitute for emergency services. If you may hurt yourself or someone else, are in immediate danger, or need urgent medical help, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Do not wait for a routine therapy appointment in an emergency.
Begin Counseling Near Minneapolis
You do not have to figure everything out before reaching out. Whether you are looking for trauma therapy, EMDR, anxiety counseling, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, support after a loss, or help navigating a major life change, North Star Counseling and Trauma Specialists can help you explore the next step.
Our office is located in Minnetonka, near Minneapolis, and secure telehealth may be available throughout Minnesota. Contact us to discuss your needs and find out whether North Star is the right fit.