Bryce Hansen, MSW, LICSW
bryce@affinitypsych.com
Hello! I’m Bryce. I grew up in rural southern Minnesota and have been a lifelong Minnesota resident. I earned my Master’s of Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky, and I’ve been practicing as a social worker since 2017.
I specialize in individual therapy for adolescents and young adults, but I work with adults of all ages. My areas of focus are LGBTQIA+, chronic physical pain/illness, anxiety and depressive disorders, anger management and emotional regulation, shame, self-worth, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, caregiver fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma.
I think it’s important for others to know I’m a gay male who grew up in a religious, conservative environment. I know what it’s like to have a negative coming out experience. I live with anxiety and depressive thoughts that I manage with medication and therapy. I have co-occurring physical diagnoses that impact my mental health and cause chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic fatigue. I have personal experience with the feelings of stigma and shame that try to tell us we are not “good enough.” Therapy was the best thing I ever did for myself, and I would be humbled to provide a positive impact in your life with therapy, too!
How I Work
Therapy can feel uncomfortable and awkward. I’m laid-back, casual, and do my best to make sessions feel like a natural conversation, communicating in the way that feels most comfortable for you while providing a calming presence. It’s important to me to get to know you and form a trusting relationship in order to best help with what brought you to therapy.
I’m a big picture thinker who approaches things with a holistic view before breaking them down in a manageable manner. I try to identify the core beliefs instilled in you from a young age-how those beliefs were formed, the thoughts and behaviors that are reinforcing those beliefs, and how you would like to modify those thoughts and behaviors through therapy and self-acceptance.
For those who enjoy it, I’ll play binaural sounds, calming music, or other background noise during sessions.
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
Others note that I have an infectious laugh and am good at providing comfort to others through humor. I have a lot of social media, TV, music, and pop culture moments stored in my brain that are randomly triggered throughout the day. (Random SpongeBob quotes are what come to mind most frequently-love that show!) I’m a fidgeter and not good at keeping still for a long time. I like to talk with my hands or have something to keep my hands busy. I’m also skilled at losing my train of thought. I am a chatty but introspective person and appreciate the power of silence to “pause” and process information before moving on.
