About Toni

My legal name is Michelle, however, my nickname is “Toni.” Most people who know me will use the former. Growing up in Minnesota offered me the opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events throughout my life.
I was educated in Minnesota and believe learning is a lifelong experience I am dedicated to and hope to instill in others. I love the outdoors and spend my free time there. Family and friends are my greatest assets and most of my accomplishments are a direct result of their support. Through my connection to animals, I have experienced the emotional and psychological impact the human-animal bond can hold.

 

 

My Therapeutic Philosophy

  My philosophy originates from a client-centered solutions focused perspective that attends to building a collaborative therapeutic relationship and alliance. Within that relationship, I utilize a cognitive behavioral approach, which recognizes the significance of thinking, emotions and behavior. I believe counseling is an active process that changes. Because of this, I actively interact with my clients, ask for their participation in goal setting and work to solve a problem vs. staying stuck in it. As a result, some of the therapeutic work happens outside the office or in a client’s daily life. Because I see people from different age groups (5 to 70+ years), I adjust my approach or strategies to meet the person’s needs. My personal philosophy when working with others is to treat people as I would like to be treated. I hope each session reflects mutual respect.

 

 

 

 

SEE WHAT I CAN OFFER

 

My Philosophy

I believe there is a significant interaction between thinking, emotions and behavior.  My approach is solutions-focused, stressing the importance of people’s strength, competency and potential. My style tends to be active and involved. I see counseling as a collaborative relationship and believe counseling is an active process that is fluid and changing.

Population Served

Serving Children/Teens, and adults through 70+.  Individual/group psychotherapy focusing  on cognitive behavioral strategies.  General psychotherapy practice includes,  DSM diagnostic assessment, family/co-parenting and couples counseling, assessment (Connors Rating Scale for children/teens and adults for ADD/ADHD, subjective self reports, depression and anxiety screening tools, some projective tests).