Jeffrey Brunsgaard, MA, LPCC
jeffrey@affinitypsych.com
Hi! I’m Jeff Brunsgaard, a licensed professional clinical counselor licensed in Minnesota. I have lived in Minnesota for my entire life, from as far south as Rochester to as far north as Andover. I provide therapy to adolescents, adults, individuals, and couples. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Winona State University and a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of St. Thomas’ Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
Professionally I am at my best when I can see a wide range of clients – younger and older, individuals and couples, neurotypical and neurodiverse – all with a wide range of personalities and challenges bringing them to therapy. My training and expertise make me well-suited to work with this breadth of clients, as I pull from a variety of therapeutic approaches in order to meet the needs of each individual person. I have particular interest in working with adolescents, those with neurodevelopmental diagnoses, and individuals who have experienced trauma.
How I Work
I believe in constantly learning, growing, and improving my skills. So I could tell you that I have training in everything from narrative therapy, to solution-focused therapy, to EMDR. But that might not mean much to you, and it probably shouldn’t. Ultimately, all those theories and techniques are simply tools in a toolbox. Our task is to figure out which tools are going to be helpful for you in your unique circumstance.
For us to effectively figure that out, my foremost priority is developing a safe and collaborative relationship with you. With that in place, we will work together to try out the tools, discarding the ones that don’t work and honing your ability to use the ones that do.
As you build confidence in these new skills, you’ll see the discomfort and distress that brought you to therapy begin to transform. You will again find yourself pursuing your aspirations. It is powerful to rediscover those feelings of agency and purpose in your life!
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
One – I love, seriously love, to listen to people’s stories. When you dive deep into the heart of your personal story in therapy, allowing us to really examine and understand your place in that story, then I know we’re on our way to making big things happen for you. I know you’re going to be able to write and re-write the story of your life in a conscious, authentic way.
Two – I am a highly non-judgmental therapist. Your story, your goals, your dreams, your challenges are what make you unique. And your uniqueness is what makes our work together so interesting to me. I believe that there is always room to improve our lives, and I want to follow your direction in terms of setting goals and striving for the improvements you want to achieve. You bring your expertise about yourself and your life, and I bring my clinical expertise. Together, that collaboration allows us to address immediate problems on the way to pursuing your larger aspirations.
