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What is Integrative Care?
Integrative Care emerged in response to the deep need for both counseling and spiritual support. In this unique approach, the full range of training and experience in counseling, trauma-informed therapy and spiritual direction is drawn upon to meet each person where they are. The need for Integrated Soul Care arose from people wanting tangible tools and boundary work, yet also wanting to be in touch with their spiritual side, and integrating God or the Divine in. Rather than choosing between therapy or spiritual direction, Integrative Soul Care says "why not both?" In this space, you will find relatable, tangible, and transferable skills to make changes in your life and spiritual practices. You will also find deep listening, open-ended promptings, and possibly prayer. One moment there might be work on practical coping strategies for anxiety and then a move into exploring what your soul is trying to tell you through that anxiety. This approach understands that sometimes what looks like a mental health issue is actually a spiritual crisis, and sometimes what feels like a spiritual struggle has very practical, therapeutic solutions. We might explore limiting beliefs that keep you stuck while also creating space for meditation or contemplative silence. Integrative Soul Care is perfect for people who want concrete tools and skills but also crave meaning, purpose, and spiritual connection. It's for those who've found traditional therapy helpful but felt something was missing - that deeper soul dimension. Some folks have used this modality as a one time session or a few sessions and feel a difference in their life. They often use this space for clarity on specific issues in their life. You don't have to compartmentalize your life. Your struggles with relationships, your questions about purpose, your grief, your joy - it's all welcome here. This work moves at the pace your soul needs, honoring the sacred nature of your healing journey while providing practical tools for real change.
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. There is so much mystery around self, faith and God, that as a Spiritual Director, I am able to listen deeply with reflective questions, gentle promptings, and spiritual offerings. Often times I'm just creating a safe space for others to hear themselves. I have found people usually have the answers they are looking for themselves. The insights that people gain by the end of the hour still astounds me. To be able to be with others on this sacred journey is such an honor. I want nothing more than to create a safe space for others as they share their hearts about any confusion, wonderings or wanderings. It's all welcome. Spiritual Practices are used in session as well. Such as Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer, solitude, guided mediation and grounding exercises. Or, none of these. The session is really up to each person and what they need. Spiritual Direction doesn't give concrete answers to questions. Spiritual directions asks if the questions are even answerable at all. Most of the time people are searching for answers to unanswerable questions. And somehow in the end, they have their answer! One can bring anything they bring to traditional therapy to spiritual direction. We don't even have to discuss the Divine because spiritual direction is mostly about becoming your most authentic self, and being true to who one is.
How do I know if I need Spiritual Direction?
If you want to understand yourself better or gain clarity If you have questions, wonderings, and have wandered about faith and spirituality If you don't want someone giving you the answers directly, but instead you need a space to hear the voice within OR. your inner teacher as Parker Palmer names If you are experiencing loss or a hardship If you want to feel like someone truly cares and is gentle If you want to learn to discern If you want your relationship with God/Universe to make more sense and grow If you've left church and are looking for spiritual community
What is the difference between Counseling and Spiritual Direction?
Counseling is change and agenda-focused and spiritual direction, simply put, is not. There is no agenda when it comes to spiritual direction. It's not that folks don't come to a session with a problem or an issue that they want to discuss, but I don't come to sessions with set solutions. In counseling, there is usually always an agenda. We talk about tools and skills, and tangible ways to create change. Usually in counseling people are eager to change and change quickly. They want their whole life to be different. And quickly. Spiritual direction work can be slow. There is movement in every session, sometimes a lot, sometimes not so much. We are spiritual beings so a person can be in SD forever. Most people move in and out of counseling.In a nutshell, counseling moves pretty fast and has lots of tools, skills, and "doing your work" vibes, and spiritual direction is slow, gentle, reflective, listening, and wondering vibes. In counseling, I usually have the answer, and in spiritual direction, you usually have the answer. I'm just there to guide and facilitate. Some of that guidance is from the schooling I've had and some of it is just me. Years ago, one of my professors told me, "Gina, you are the actual gift. Who you are makes your work. That's what a healer is. They just are. You are the product." A person can definitely see a counselor at the same time they are seeing a Spiritual Director. I usually see counseling clients once a week and Spiritual Direction directees/clients, once or twice a month.
What Is Your Counseling Style?
My counseling style is transformation-focused, rooted in both professional training and deep personal experience with healing and change. When I discovered I was struggling with codependency in 2008, it was destroying my relationships and running my life. I was taking everything personally, had no boundaries, couldn't say no, and constantly over-explained myself hoping others would understand me. None of these patterns were serving me. After experiencing firsthand how transformative counseling could be, I knew I wanted to help others find that same freedom. I completed my professional training through Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, MN, and have been practicing as a trained counselor for over twelve years. My approach combines the rigor of professional counseling techniques with the wisdom that comes from lived experience — something that enhances rather than replaces formal training. My training emphasizes focusing on *how* you're thinking, feeling, and behaving, which research shows creates more sustainable change than only exploring the *why*. However, I believe both are important. We'll work together on questions like: "Why am I the way I am?" and "How do I change?" "Why did my parents hurt me?" and "How can I forgive?" "Why do I feel stuck?" and "How can I grow?" While these questions don't have simple answers, the perspective shifts we'll explore together help you make better sense of your life and relationships. I believe in all forms of therapy — talk therapy, somatic work, EMDR, psychotherapy — each has its place. My approach helps you become deeply self-aware of your thoughts and feelings, then gives you practical tools to implement change in your daily life. Every session includes actionable steps you can take immediately. You'll leave each session with something tangible to work with. We'll identify what's keeping you stuck (often limiting beliefs that no longer serve you) and develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding. My approach is both practical and spiritual, honoring the whole person. I believe all emotional pain can be transformed into beauty, character, and a well-managed life. Nothing is impossible to heal from, and I'm here to help you understand your own path to freedom.
What do you specialize in?
Along with life experience, I've had a wide range of training including but not limited to: Depression Anxiety Issues Women's Issues Identity Issues/LGBTQ+ Racial Justice Codependency DBT, CBT Inner Child Work Parts Work Meditation Regulating the nervous system Spiritual Formation Spiritual Practices Clearness Committee, Quaker practice Group Spiritual Direction Discernement
Do you support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging?
I am deeply committed to providing culturally competent therapy and creating safe, affirming spaces for all clients. I specialize in supporting BIPOC individuals and LGBTQ+ communities, understanding that finding an inclusive therapist who validates your lived experience is essential for meaningful healing. My practice offers affirming counseling for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer clients, as well as culturally responsive therapy for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. I recognize that marginalized communities often face unique challenges in accessing quality mental health care, and I'm dedicated to providing trauma-informed, identity-affirming support. As a white counselor, I engage in continuous anti-racist education and training. My graduate work included extensive study of multicultural counseling approaches, including texts like Injustice and The Care of Souls by Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook and Karen B. Montagno. I understand my responsibility to examine privilege and ensure my practice actively supports equity and justice. I provide a safe space free from religious trauma and spiritual abuse, welcoming clients of all faiths, spiritual backgrounds, and belief systems. Whether you're seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or spiritual concerns, my practice honors your full identity and lived experience.
Do you hold any degrees?
I attended San Francisco Theological Seminary in Marin County, California from 2019-2022, where I earned a Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction. This certificate also includes extensive training in Spiritual Formation. The letters behind my name, CASD, represent my credentials for practicing Spiritual Direction. I am a professionally trained counselor with twelve years of experience providing counseling services to individuals from diverse backgrounds. My comprehensive training equipped me with evidence-based counseling skills and therapeutic techniques. Over the years, I have worked professionally with dozens of clients addressing anxiety counseling, relationship therapy, depression support, personal growth coaching, and major life transitions. As a trauma-informed counselor and member of clergy, I adhere to strict ethical standards and confidentiality protocols. I have specialized training in Clearness Committee, a Quaker practice of deep listening in group settings. I am currently pursuing additional certification in Trauma-Informed Care to become a nervous system regulation coach, expanding my expertise in somatic therapy approaches. I provide counseling services to clients from all walks of life, including those who are non-religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, agnostic, atheist, or from any faith tradition. My holistic counseling approach addresses mental health concerns, emotional wellness needs, and spiritual questions. As ordained clergy, I provide professional counseling and spiritual direction services that complement traditional therapy approaches.
Do you take insurance?
I do not currently accept insurance for counseling or spiritual direction services. While I understand this represents a financial consideration, many clients find that working outside the insurance system offers significant advantages for their therapeutic journey. Without insurance constraints, we have complete flexibility in session length and frequency, allowing our work together to unfold naturally according to your unique needs rather than predetermined coverage limits. Choosing to invest directly in your mental and spiritual wellbeing also ensures complete privacy — no diagnoses are required or shared with insurance companies, and our conversations remain entirely confidential between us. This freedom allows us to explore your concerns without the clinical frameworks that insurance often demands, creating space for a more personalized, holistic approach to your growth and healing. Many clients find that the investment they make in their own care, while requiring careful budgeting, reflects and reinforces their commitment to the transformative work we do together.
Where is your office located?
Currently, I see clients through Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet. I am open to meeting in person at my office in Minneapolis or a space at a coffee shop.