Heidi (Waldoch) Mortenson, MA, LMFT, CDWF, Clinical Supervisor

Rogers & Lino Lakes

Heidi Mortenson, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MN Board, AAMFT Approved Supervisor LPCC Board Approved Supervisor, Certified Daring Way Facilitator, podcaster, speaker and the owner of Bridging Hope Counseling. She currently has very limited openings. She offers individual, couple, family counseling, DBT Skills, and is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization) and the Daring Way™. She works with adolescents, teens, adults, couples, businesses and ministries. She collaborates many techniques and styles with each client so therapy is effective. She is available for speaking engagements and some business consultation appointments – please reach out for availability.

“Most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice.” ~Bob Goff

“What if we were willing to acknowledge our own hurt and pain, and in doing so make sure not to diminish the hurt and pain of others? We could change the world.” Brené Brown

“Great moments are born from great opportunities.” ~Herb Brooks

I have worked with individuals, couples, teens, children and parents and I enjoy what I do. However, I have seen that not all individuals in the family are interested in coming to counseling. I have a bit of an attitude about therapy. One of my goals is for you to not have to come to therapy. This attitude allows me to connect with those who wouldn’t always want to come. I get that most people would rather be doing something else! I learned to work with the most difficult in the family first to make sure we can get somewhere. Otherwise, we could just keep going in circles! I want to do my best for therapy to be effective for everyone involved.

Teens & family therapy: Through my experience, I witnessed the struggle between parents and teens. They both think they are right! What I realized is that usually they are. Both speak in different languages and it becomes more and more difficult to keep the connection. An example of this language barrier is a teen telling their parent something the parent would think is inappropriate but the teen thinks it’s “cool”. The parent responds by letting them know they think it’s inappropriate. The teen then feels judged, misunderstood and more insecure. The parent is usually correct and what they are talking about is inappropriate, but the way the parent communicates this makes a BIG difference. Validating the teen first and then giving your advice goes a long way. I truly feel the connection between adolescents and their parents is important for continued happiness and family satisfaction. If this bridge can be stronger, life is so much more fun! Many teens won’t admit it, but they love to be with their parents when that time is quality time.

Dissociation, DID, trauma: I have worked extensively with trauma and what often gets missed is dissociation. Children are not meant to be abused. If they are, they are extremely smart and dissociation is a way to survive the abuse. It helps them get through life. However, as an adult without the abuse it can cause more problems. It can be scary to realize someone may actually have DID. However, I have seen hopeful circumstances where people have overcome this diagnosis and lived a very normal and hope filled life. We don’t need to stay stuck in our diagnosis. We are more than that. I assess for dissociation through an assessment and series of questions using ego state therapy. When I work with clients who have DID, I use ego state – which is like “family therapy in your head”. I do not do EMDR with people who struggle with dissociation, unless therapy is further along.

Business owners: As a business owner myself, I am comfortable working with people who run their own businesses. I grew up in a family business and understand the difficult dynamics that can show up. I can provide the very much needed mental health support. I like to see connections grow where they didn’t exist. Many times we operate based on something “we thought” because we never actually had the conversation. We can sometimes avoid those difficult conversations and make up our own beliefs about others. I am very passionate about helping families be connected authentically.

Faith integration: I am very comfortable integrating client’s Christian faith into therapy, when it is their choice. I find it speeds up healing faster and clients find freedom. I use various methods to do this – please reach out to ask.

Community involvement: I believe in being involved in the community. We are a member of the Buffalo Chamber, Lakes Area Women in Business and the Forest Lake Chamber. I am a member of the Sherburne County Safe Child Council. I am a part of the Wright County Partnership for Youth and Families. I served on the board of the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Minnesota Association of Christian Counseling Board. I also enjoy doing speaking engagements in the community.

Supervision: I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Minnesota (#1894). I am an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, a MN Board Approved Supervisor for Marriage and Family Therapy and LPC/LPCC Approved Supervisor. I obtained my Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bethel University. I am certified in EMDR through EMDRIA. I am a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator. My Bachelor’s is in Entrepreneurship and I worked as a Branch Manager at a bank. I believe my business background has allowed me a different perspective in the counseling field. I understand many people don’t want to go to a counselor. I blend my professional experiences together to help each client to meet the goals they have for themselves.

Professional Training:

BOLD – A Courage Building Training for Adolescents by Daring University – April 2019
The Daring Way™ Training – June 2017
EMDR – The Trauma Institute http://www.childtrauma.com/ by Dr. Ricky Greenwald
DBT – DBT Associates http://www.dbtassociates.com/
Clinical Hypnosis – University of Minnesota, Intro to Clinical Hypnosis, Advanced Hypnosis
TFT (Thought Field Therapy) By Jill Strunk, Ed. D, LP, TFTdxVT http://www.tftrx.com/
Sand Tray Therapy Training – Family Connections
The Superlative Relationship: Moving Couples from Conflicted to Terrific by Terry Real, LICSW

Other Training:

Online School of Supernatural Ministry http://school.lsgacademy.org/
Using EMDR with Craving and Addictions by Larry Anderson, PsyD, LP, LLC
Shame Resliance: Dr. Brene Brown http://thedaringway.com/
Sozo Training www.dare2believe.info/sozo-ministry/
Complex Trauma, Attachment and Dissociative Symptoms: Treating Children with Pervasive Emotion Dysregulation Using EMDR Therapy and Adjunctive Approaches by Ana Gomez, MC, LPC
The Embodied Self: Somatic Methods for EMDR Practitioners by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D
Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation by Sandra Paulsen, Ph. D
When There Are No Words – Reprocessing Early Trauma & Neglect In Implicit Memory with EMDR by Katie O’Shea, MS, LMHC
Complex Trauma, Structural Dissociation & EMDR by Kathy Martin, Feb 2010
Play Therapy Conference, Spring 2008 http://www.mnapt.net/
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy http://www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/
Frontiers of Trauma – Dr. van der Kolk http://www.traumacenter.org/
MACC (MN Association for Christian Counseling) Conference, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018 http://www.yourmacc.com/
MAMFT (MN Association for Marriage and Family Therapy) Conference, Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2012, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2018, Fall 2019 www.mamft.net/

Education:

Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry (BSSM) – 2nd Year Student
Certificate of Marriage and Family Therapy – St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
Master of Arts – Bethel University, Counseling Psychology
Bachelor of Arts – University of St. Thomas, Major Entrepreneurship, Minor Psychology

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