We specialize in working with people who have experienced highly stressful or traumatic events in their lives. We work with individuals, couples, police officers and other first responders/public service employees. Sometimes these are single event episodes and other times the events have drawn out over a long period of time and built up for a cumulative effect. Ranging from childhood abuse and neglect to adult relationship concerns and abuse, we use to ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale) to help identify trauma history and PTSD assessment among other assessment tools. We use Evidence Based Trauma Therapy of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy), Brain-spotting and TF-EFT (Trauma Focused Emotions Focused Therapy), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy). Trauma impacts people in a variety of ways and at different stages in life. The coping skills learned in therapy are important components of all treatment, even if you have not experienced trauma. Therapy addresses the impact of stress and we offer a variety of tools and interventions to use to help alleviate the symptoms.

Police officers, EMT’s, fire fighters and other first responders and their families are a unique and underserved population. Their stress incurred in these jobs is constant and the impact the job has on the Public service employee and their families creates additional stress. Our therapist’s have intense training and knowledge to serve all first responders and to understand the level of intensity of the work they do. Our therapists have a variety of experiences working in corrections, juvenile services, as police officers and in other first responder positions and have been mentored by retired police officers. First Responders are often hesitant to seek out mental health services due to lacking trust in others or fear that their treatment will be exploited. Some are worried they will have to pour out their soul, lying on a couch while sobbing, but this is not the movies so we strive to provide a comfortable, secure environment for everyone to feel safe going through the process in their own way.

Sunrise Wellness works with a variety of police departments and sheriff’s offices to provide wellness programs, peers support training, mental wellness training and to be available to support departments and the families of those officers in times of critical incidents.

Andrea provides supervision for LPCC and LMFT licensure track and provide onsite practicum and internship opportunities.  Andrea is an EMDR approved consultant.  We find that mentoring and supervising new and developing professionals is empowering and is an opportunity to continue growing skills as a seasoned therapists’.

All therapists at Sunrise Wellness utilize concepts and skills from yoga and mindfulness. These skills are actively used for both the physical and emotional aspects of our mental health in therapy sessions.  Research supports the use of Yoga as an added therapeutic intervention for reduction of anxiety and treatment for stress and trauma. The skills create a healthy lifestyle working to change one’s mindset to see things in a more positive light by building self-esteem, being more mindful of your present moment and allowing greater control over mood and physical health.  Mindfulness activities might include taking a mindful walk around the path outside the office next to the Mississippi River.  There is use of essential oils for grounding and centering.  Other resources are utilized for support between appointments.

Pet therapy.  Pete is currently on break as the Pandemic caused a set back for him, like it did for many humans! He will be continuing his training to become a Certified Therapy Dog and returning to the office. He has an affinity for getting to know clients and loves mindful walks during sessions. Animals can provide a calming to us and an emotional connection that is powerful to the therapeutic process.

Our Child/Adolescent Mental Health Therapists utilize age-appropriate developmental strategies while working with children in therapy.  They serve children ages 3-18 at our Isanti Clinic.   Therapy with children consists of conversation, processing, and teaching, and also includes the use of books, games, art, play, and other activities to help them process and learn through strategies based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Treatment areas include:

• Individual therapy for children and adolescents (3 to 18)
• Parenting support
• Anxiety
• Depression
• AD/HD
• Autism support
• Trauma, Grief/Loss
• Behavioral Diagnoses
• Eating Disorders
• OCD

Additional areas of focus:

*Adjustment Disorders
*Life Transitions
*Family Changes
*Attachment Issues
*Relationship Issues
*Conflict Resolution Skills
*School Refusal