Let’s build the life you want…
Danielle Minges, LCMHC-QS, LCAS, CCS
Owner
What does therapy with me look like?
You’re here because you are feeling lost, frustrated, or ashamed. Maybe sex has become painful, frustrating or boring. Maybe you're tired of having the same arguments with your partner. Or there has been infidelity within the relationship that you are wondering if you can come back from. Maybe you’re interested in exploring how childhood trauma has impacted your relationships. Maybe you're ready for recovery but need help with accountability. Maybe you're just exploring parts of your sexual identity for the first time, or want to learn something new. Whichever the reason, you’re here because you are ready to heal from frustration, shame, or hopelessness.
I know that asking for helping can be uncomfortable. It can be embarrassing or exhausting. It can also make the intimate issues you have been trying to ignore feel too real. This is why I say that my clients come to me in a rut. Sometimes they have even tried therapy before and found it to be underwhelming. I often hear clients saying “I don’t want someone who will just let me whine.” My clients appreciate that I model honesty and collaboration. I am the type of therapist who will challenge you, identify when you are being disingenuous, and call you out. You will hear therapists say therapy should be a place where you feel safe, seen, and heard. Which is beautiful, and true, of course, but also therapy should be a place where you actually see progress. Therapy with me is interactive. I provide you with psychoeducation, give you a lot of feedback, and homework, if you’re up to it. I structure sessions based on your goals and the tools that I know will help you reach them. Sometimes I curse, so I hope you are okay with that. We will also laugh, and you may cry. Sessions are also about more than just talking, we will incorporate both mind & body interventions, so you can experience wholeness again. We always go at your pace. And if something isn’t working, I encourage you to tell me. You should feel understood by your therapist, so I welcome your feedback too.
Therapy is hard work. It can be frustrating work. It can also just feel good to be listened to and cared for by someone who gets it. Therapy works if you let it work.
So what tools do I use to help you?
I know this part is boring, but you should know the modalities I use in my practice (I spend a lot of time in training). Skip it if you don’t care!
Each client comes to therapy with a different story and a unique set of needs. Therefore, my approach to therapy is eclectic and highly personalized. I have been a licensed clinician since 2013 and likewise I have been trained in many different therapeutic modalities that I will draw from, depending on your needs. In general, my style is mostly Attachment Theory, Family Systems, and Somatic Experiencing focused. The Gottman's Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy are proven couples counseling modalities that can help if you feel on the brink of ending your marriage or you are struggling with communication skills and conflict resolution. I offer sex therapy if you are feeling a loss of connection and intimacy, struggling to enjoy sex, or dealing with traumas related to sex. I use Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or a combination in conjunction with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for substance use disorders. I might use a more direct and Solution Focused approach if you are a high performer feeling stuck in your career. Perhaps you want to heal from childhood trauma, or reconnect with a family member, and would benefit from a Family of Origin orientation. I have been trained in Trauma-Focused CBT and Cognitive Processing Therapy which works well for some with trauma. Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) combines bilateral stimulation with the recall of distressing memories or experiences to facilitate adaptive processing and symptom reduction in trauma treatment. Mindfulness and meditation techniques work well for a variety of issues, but works especially well for some of my clients struggling through sex and intimacy issues. Overall, I view therapy as a collaborative process, where your goals guide treatment. I will gather information from you that helps me decide which modalities and interventions might work best for you. Sometimes clients already know what doesn’t work for them. Most importantly, therapy is a unique and personal process, and no two people’s experiences will look identical, even when following evidence-based therapies.
A little more about Danielle…
Originating from the tri-state area, Danielle Minges completed her BA at Iona University and MS at Monmouth University. She is both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in North Carolina, as well as a Qualified Supervisor and Certified Clinical Supervisor. She is also licensed to provide Telehealth services in South Carolina. Throughout her 11 year career as a licensed mental health therapist she has worked with thousands of clients in a number of settings including inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation, academia, and more recently overseeing several organizations as an executive. Danielle has extensive experience with substance use disorders and addictions, high level career stress, attachment and mood disorders, and relational traumas in both the individual and couples capacity. She particularly loves working within family systems and relationships, as well as stress management in high achieving individuals. As a sex therapist Danielle stays up to date with the newest research in sex education by maintaining membership with AASECT. In her down time she enjoys true-crime documentaries, eating good food, Crossfit (will not talk about Crossfit outside of Crossfit, though), the occasional aimless scroll-avoidance through Instagram, and anything outdoors in the sunshine with her partner.