Chelse Bolin, MSW, LICSW
chelse@affinitypsych.com
Welcome. My name is Chelse, I use they/them pronouns and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota.
I’m glad you are here. Making the choice to start therapy can feel vulnerable and you may feel like you don’t know where to start. Or you may know exactly where you want to start- either way, I am here to meet you where you are at; whether you have been to therapy in the past or this is your first time reaching out for support. I believe you have innate power and wisdom to create change, so that your life is one you enjoy and want
to live, even when it gets tough.
How I Work
I provide trauma informed, mindful, compassion-based support so that you can get to the root of the issues that brought you to therapy. I believe this is where deeper healing lies. My work is informed by humanist, attachment, and feminist theory, as well as somatics. I utilize evidence-based research and lived experience to offer you fresh perspectives you can put into practice. I take a strengths-based approach so you can identify the skills you already possess and the ways you already support yourself. I aim to help you craft your skills, so you feel confident in taking control of what is in your power. My hope is that you will experience more balance within yourself and in your life. My presence is gentle, direct, fluid, and fun! Clients have told me they feel that I treat them like human beings and that I am not afraid of their pain. I am influenced by the perspectives of Nedra Glover Tawwab, Bell Hooks, Dr. Kristin Neff, Kai Cheng Thom and Dr. Gabor Mate.
How We Will Work
When we start working together, I like to spend time getting to know what you envision your experience in therapy looking like and what your short term and long-term goals are. Our time together will be collaborative. There will typically be more space for you in our sessions; meaning, I don’t take up the session by telling you what to do or assuming I know what you are experiencing. I believe therapy works the best when you are in charge. I’m big on consent and I will respect your boundaries; meaning, the majority of the time I will ask if you want feedback before giving it, I will check in with you about how you feel during session, especially if intense emotions and/or trauma comes up and if you tell me you don’t want to talk about something I won’t push.
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
My philosophy on overall health/wellness is that it is greatly affected by a person’s experiences, both conscious and subconscious. I believe people’s symptoms are labeled too quickly as a “disorder” without considering the contributions to these symptoms such as the presence and quality of a person’s relationships, environment, and access to resources. I strive to create a warm space free of “othering” labels, where oppression and trauma are part of the conversation. I’m queer in both my gender and my sexuality. I’m a survivor and a parent through IVF. I love coffee with creamer, doughnuts, and sloths. If you are looking for a place where you can be free to be yourself; to “come as you are”, reach out to me and let’s see if we are a good match.
