Kimberly Esau

About

Kim enjoys working with adolescents, (12+), women, men, seniors, and their families. Since 1999, she has worked in a variety of clinical settings including outpatient, and inpatient programs as well as home-based counseling.  Her passion is helping people to heal within the context of a safe, grace-filled environment where they feel heard and understood. Kim works with clients on a variety of issues, including, but not limited to, those listed below:

• Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual)
• Attention difficulties (Inattentive, Combined, Impulsive/Hyperactive)
• Anxiety, Depression & Perfectionism
• Codependency
• Creativity and Creative Blocks, Feeling Stuck in Life
• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Parenting and Family Issues
• Relationship Issues
• Self-Injurious Behaviors
• Shame
• Self-Esteem and Low Self-Worth
• Spiritual and Religious Concerns
• Stress Management
• Trauma, Dissociation and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Women’s Issues

Philosophy

I am passionate about helping people heal by listening closely to their stories, helping them to identify patterns woven throughout their life that may be contributing to the problems or symptoms they are experiencing. I draw from a wide range of resources to assist my clients in the healing process.  Some of these are: psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as many other trauma-informed approaches. I also utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a form of therapy that helps to heal various forms of trauma or painful life experiences. I use a whole-body approach to healing– body, mind, and spirit and seek to understand and support healing on all three levels.  After spending many years in personal and professional study in expressive art therapy, I enjoy integrating creative methods into the healing process.

My approach to therapy is very collaborative and I enjoy working with clients to tailor the therapy process according to their unique needs.  I work with clients to provide practical suggestions and tools they can utilize in their everyday life that will facilitate healing as well as help them delve into past and present life experiences that may be impacting their life today. My desire is to provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere where clients can heal.

Licenses & Certifications

• MN Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Education & Additional Training

• Saint Mary’s University, Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Saint Mary’s University, MA, Counseling & Psychological Services
• University of Minnesota, BS, Family Social Science
• Anoka Ramsey Community College, Associate of Arts
• Certified Therapist in EMDR
• DBT Training (Basic & Advanced, 2007)

Professional Associations

EMDR International Association

Selected Links

• • http://www.traumacenter.org/ Trauma resources and information
  • http://brenebrown.com/ Shame and Wholehearted living
  • http://www.chadd.org/ Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • https://www.additudemag.com/ ADDitude, resources for those with ADHD
  • http://www.emdr.com/ Eye Movement & Desensitization Information and Support
  • https://www.emdria.org/ EMDR International Association
  • http://amihungry.com/ Developing a healthy relationship with your body and food.
  • https://www.intuitiveeating.org/about-us/ Eating disorder recovery and intuitive eating
  • http://www.gottman.com Marriage research and information
  • http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/mental-health-screening-tools Screening tools
  • http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Suicide Prevention and Information

Selected Books