Heather Brinkman, MS, LPCC

heather@affinitypsych.com

My name is Heather and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and a MN LPC and LPCC Board-approved Clinical Supervisor.

First, I want to congratulate you on your courage. Taking the first steps towards therapy can be a very scary feeling and it takes strength to know when to ask for help. So congratulations – you are taking those all-important first steps! I know your struggles are real and can feel overwhelming at times. I also know that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Together we can explore the most effective strategies to help you navigate through your current struggles and become a more positive, focused, and confident you.

How I Work

My philosophy about therapy comes from a strong belief that each person has the power to make positive life changes, and my approach is to provide focused guidance when it is too difficult to move forward alone. If you feel isolated, stuck, or lost, I believe that working together we can help you overcome those not-so-good feelings.

Different people work best with different approaches, and you and I will find the best approach to help you feel comfortable, positive, and motivated. To do this, we might explore past hurts and challenges, family dynamics, current and past relationships, stressors, accomplishments, achievements, and the list goes on. I will be there with you to support you and encourage you through the hard parts, and to celebrate your successes. My job is to help you heal and to help you feel empowered, and I always feel honored to be part of that journey.

What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?

As a multiracial female being raised in an adoptive family, my experiences have helped me understand the importance of understanding diversity and the difficulties that can present. First and foremost, I believe that establishing a rapport is essential to any good relationship, so I make sure that I am always authentic, honest, direct, compassionate, empathetic, and reliable. That also includes laughing a lot, quoting “The Office,” occasional dad jokes, and finding playful ways to work together. However, the end goal is always a commitment to your success. To quote the great Ted Lasso, “If you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain’t nothing you can’t get through together.”

Issues I Treat:

Depression

Anxiety

Attachment

Trauma (including but not limited to racial trauma, sexual assault, bullying, domestic violence,

childhood abuse or neglect)

Significant stressors

Adoption

Abandonment

Behavioral issues

Racial identity

Gender and sexuality

Relationship difficulties – specifically interracial relationships

Parent-child-family issues

Shame and guilt

Life transitions

Grief and loss

Women’s issues

Heather Brinkman, MS, LPCC

heather@affinitypsych.com

How I Work

What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?

Issues I Treat:

Populations I Serve:

Professional background:

Education

Trainings

Previous Employment

Licensure

Areas We Serve