About Lori

I became a Licensed Psychologist in 1997. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in 1995. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota in Psychology and Child Psychology in 1989. I have worked in a number of clinical settings throughout my career. I interned working with adults at a local Twin Cities hospital and at an outpatient chemical health program. I volunteered as a group leader for a women's 12-step addiction focused spirituality group. I worked for 10 years at day treatment programs for children in community and hospital settings. After having two kids, I changed the focus of my practice to outpatient therapy working with young teens through seniors citizens.

What's in a name?

Avila is a beautiful walled city in Spain I went to while on my honeymoon.  My husband and I walked around the walled city curious about its structure.  We got lost and tried to find a way inside.  We found an old door only to discover it was locked.  We found yet another door only to discover it too was locked.  Finally, we came upon an entrance and walked through the gate into a beautiful old European city.  We were amazed at what we discovered on the inside.

I think therapy can be like this.  You might want to know who you are on the inside but struggle to get through the walls you have built up over time.  Yet at some point in life a door can be discovered and if you choose to go inside, a growing sense of self-acceptance can be explored. Sometimes, we need help in this discovery of self and a therapist can be your guide.

My goal as a therapist is to provide a level of care for my clients that meet their needs. Clients can choose to work on: understanding their minds and ways to challenge erroneous thinking; learning how to better understand and cope with emotions; and, healing core wounds from childhood and traumatic events. I welcome clients where they are at in their process and we work together from that point at their own pace.

Through all my years of clinical experience I have learned an appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit and how the psyche will do anything to survive. Sometimes the desire to survive might look like putting up walls and disconnecting from people, our spirits and our bodies. The price of survival might also take the form of an internal harsh critic or ruminating thoughts we can’t seem to get away from or understand. I believe to heal these wounds there needs to be an integration of the body, mind, and spirit. I work with clients using the understanding of the "universality" of spiritual experience. I welcome all faiths and incorporate spirituality to the level you are comfortable with. Clients who do not have a spiritual belief but want to explore their moral code or values are also welcome.  I love helping clients learn how to integrate an understanding of the mind while being present and resourced in the body. This is mind body holism and the central foundation of my therapeutic work.

About Avila Counseling