Andrea Undlin, MA, LMFT
andrea@affinitypsych.com
Welcome! First and foremost, I applaud you for taking your mental health or the mental health of a loved one seriously. Seeking therapy is not an easy step to take for a variety of reasons and I am glad you are here. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a MN Board-approved supervisor, and a trauma specialist. I know that it is not fun or easy to start to unpack the “luggage” you’ve been carrying around for too long that’s been packed full of sad, painful, scary, shameful or other difficult memories or feelings. I know that you may be coming into therapy believing the LIES that life experiences or people in your life have caused you to believe: that you are “broken,” “damaged,” or “crazy.” I’m here to help you unpack that metaphorical luggage and find the truth that you are capable, worthy, resilient, and lovable. I will meet you where you are at, encourage you, empower you, and I will support you along the way. I already believe in you and it’s my commitment to help you believe in yourself.
A Special Note to BIPOC individuals , LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from other marginalized groups: I acknowledge that I am a white, cis-gendered, able-bodied female. I recognize that already impacts my ability to fully empathize with many of the difficulties you face in a world that is often unkind or inequitable to those in marginalized groups. With that, I want you to know that I am here for you. I am committed to being a safe and welcoming therapist for people of all backgrounds, to help you navigate the specific difficulties of your life.
How I Work
I believe that therapy needs to be just enough difficult to know you’re getting some work done but also rewarding enough to keep you coming back to do the hard work!
My therapy framework is rooted in an evidence-based therapy called Internal Family Systems. This therapy holds the belief that all humans consist of a Self with many Parts. Often when someone needs to go to therapy, it’s because Parts of them are taking control and making them act in ways that they wish they didn’t. Parts can make us feel anxious; Parts can make us react with anger; Parts can make us drink, do drugs, find control through food, or make us engage in other unhealthy behaviors to cope. Perhaps you can relate to some of the Parts I just mentioned or perhaps you’ve already identified your own unique Parts. In therapy with me, “all Parts are welcome” without judgement from me. I help my clients get to know the Parts of them that may be taking control in unhelpful ways and help my clients regain control in a Self-lead way.
I am also trained in brain-based therapies and interventions. If you’ve experienced trauma, significant stress, or adverse childhood experiences, you likely need something more than traditional “talk therapy.” Often the most effective way to heal trauma is through the brain and the body because that is where the experiences are stored. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist and I have completed Phase 1 of Brainspotting. I incorporate brain-based modalities into many of my sessions to really get to the root of the problems you face and literally help you re-wire your neural pathways to support positive mental health and well-being.
In addition to trauma, I also have specialization in attachment and I have completed an in-depth training in adoption and permanency. I enjoy working with parents of young children using a reflective model called “Circle of Security.” My “parent clients” have found great benefit in learning how to meet their children’s needs through learning where their child is at “on the circle of security” to reduce power struggle, behavioral issues, and other stressful parenting moments.
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
Many of my clients have commented that they have experienced true progress and change in our work together. They also appreciate that I am genuine and personable in our work together. Just because I am a therapist and have a lot of solid trainings and knowledge does NOT mean I have it all figured out. Also, I fully acknowledge and admit that some of the interventions I use may seem weird or “woo-woo”-at least they did to me when I started learning about them. But here’s the thing – they ACTUALLY WORK, and enough research backs that up for me to feel confident in saying that. I do my best to practice what I preach and I don’t ask my clients to try any intervention that I haven’t found personally helpful.
