Hello! I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based out of Northern Minnesota. Prior to getting my Masters of Social Work from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, I worked for 15 years in the medical and education industries in a variety of roles. I have been able to bring many years of life experience into my practice and have been loving working as a therapist for the past 3 years. I work with adults 18 years and older with goals to help them understand the "why" behind the mental health struggles they are facing, heal from past life events that impact their daily life, reduce current stressors, and implement changes in their lives to live the life they know they were meant to live. I love helping people in identifying and honoring their true, authentic, wonderful self!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
This is where we begin our therapeutic alliance! We will start off with me welcoming you with some orientation to session, then head into introductions, and finally move into us having a conversation regarding what brought you to therapy. I will ask questions to further understand your desires within your therapy journey but, rest assured, I do not expect you to share anything you are not ready to share - this will all happen when you are ready.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe that one of my greatest strengths as a therapist is that I have done the work that I ask my clients to do. I have been doing therapy for 3 years in a professional capacity but have over 15 years of work experience as well as a life full of lived experiences that I draw upon when working alongside my clients. I truly believe it is my purpose in life to walk beside others through their journey of healing in order to support, challenge, and empower them. I will be forever grateful for the experiences I have had which have led me to becoming a therapist as I truly believe that it has brought me to be right where I am today - strong, resilient, and able to help others achieve their mental health goals.
About Lynn Whalen
Lynn Whalen offers therapy covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicaid and UCare - Medicaid in Minnesota.
Identifies as
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
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Address
120 7th Street, Two Harbors, MN 55616, Ste. #104Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
EMDR
I have been using EMDR in my practice for 2 years. My approach to EMDR therapy is unique for each client since every human has a unique life experience. We will work to identify adverse life events and/or traumas that could be the root cause of the mental health difficulties you are experiencing. No matter what brings you in for therapy, we will first collaborate together in gaining insight as to the "why" of your current mental health symptoms. We will also explore how your body experiences emotions to help you feel more aware in moments where emotions feeling really big and difficult. We will then work together to identify what in your life has contributed to the difficulties you face. From there, we work on healing the past, decreasing reactions to present stressors, and improving future outcomes.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have been using ACT in my practice for 3 years. I use ACT in conjunction with EMDR therapy and have found that it has been very helpful for many of my clients in being able to take action toward the changes they seek in their lives.