Rogers & Lino Lakes

heidi@bridginghopecounseling.com

*Independent Contractor

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, author, consultant and the former owner of Bridging Hope Counseling. She currently has very limited openings. She offers individual, couple, family counseling, 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 and gets at the root of the issue. She is available for speaking engagements and some business consultation appointments – please reach out for availability. If you want to check out her podcast, see her website at www.heidimortenson.com.

“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

Heidi sees that not all individuals in families and businesses are interested in coming to counseling. She believes it’s important to connect with family members who are resistant to therapy, or those who have been through many therapists. We also need to pay attention to patterns that keep repeating, and root issues that need to be dug up and healed. We can keep going in circles if we don’t address unhealthy patterns and heal deep rooted pain that creates negative beliefs.

Business Owners: Business owners: As the original owner of Bridging Hope Counseling, Heidi understands the ups and downs of owning a business. She also grew up in a family business and understands the difficult dynamics that can show up. Before owning Bridging Hope, she worked as a branch manager at a bank. She can provide the much needed mental health support. She loves to see connections grow where they didn’t exist before. We can cut people off and are “done with them” because of misunderstandings and hurt from business choices. If we avoid difficult conversations, toxicity and the culture of companies can get unhealthy. Heidi is available for speaking engagements with businesses and consultation to help bring hope.

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.

Faith integration: Faith integration: Heidi is very comfortable integrating the client’s Christian faith into therapy, when it is their choice. She finds that healing and freedom is quicker and easier with the help of Jesus. She uses various methods to do this and combines clinic techniques with the client’s faith.

Supervision: Supervision: Heidi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Minnesota (#1894). She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, a MN Board Approved Supervisor for Marriage and Family Therapy and LPC/LPCC Approved Supervisor. She is also pursuing certification to be an EMDR approved consultant, currently under supervision with Hector Matascastillo. She obtained her Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bethel University. She is certified in EMDR through EMDRIA. She is a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator. Her Bachelor’s is in Entrepreneurship and she worked as a Branch Manager at a bank.

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/
  • Sand Tray Therapy Training – Family Connections

Education:

• • • Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry (BSSM) – 3rd year 2024/2025
    • 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