CAROL SCHIRBER

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist Certified Brain Spotting Therapist Seeing clients in Prior Lake

I believe that relationships in all areas of our lives are important for our well-being. I have a passion for helping people as they journey through life's difficulties and transitions and find joy and peace along the way. Before becoming a therapist, I was an audiologist for many years. It was an honor to help patients with hearing loss as they came to understand their diagnosis and treatment options. Looking back, it was always the relational patient interaction aspect of that profession that appealed to me most. Through my own life journey, I had the opportunity to meet many gifted mental health therapists and through them I discovered my calling. My clinical focus is working with couples who are seeking to re-establish intimacy and create a stronger lasting bond in their relationship. It can be easy to allow your relationship to become a lower priority when other parts of life seem to take up so much time. This can take a toll on the quality of the relationship over time. I often hear couples talk about having lost that special feeling and connection they once had. I have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a model of therapy that focuses on decreasing conflict, increasing positive communication, and deepening the connection between people. Though it can be hard to take that first step to repair your relationship and restore the respect and love you once had together, my purpose is to help you build the relationship that you want, need, and deserve. Working with people who have been affected by trauma is an area of special interest and passion for me. I am trained in, and have experience with, two powerful interventions for processing trauma and associated after effects: Brainspotting and EMDR. I have seen first-hand the healing effect these can have when used within a trusting therapeutic relationship. Together we will work to process through the difficult emotions, thoughts, and memories that are tied to trauma. I also have a special interest in neuroscience as it relates to therapy and the process of change, the mind, body, and spirit connection, and mindfulness meditation. If you are looking for help, someone to listen, or are simply curious about life changes you are experiencing, I will work with you through a collaborative therapeutic process. I believe family, friends, and community are an important part of any healing process, since effective and lasting change happens through supportive relationships and connection. With this foundational approach, I work to support couples, individuals, and families through life's challenges. I bring a gentle, mindful, client-centered and humanistic approach to therapy, focusing on your needs while listening with an open heart and spirit. ​ I have been married to my husband for 35 years and we have three grown daughters. We enjoy spending time together as a family when time and distance allow, and typically will pick spending time at, on, or in the lake as a favorite family activity. I am grateful to my husband and girls for the life lessons we have experienced together, and which have helped me to grow both personally and professionally. When I am not in the office, I enjoy travel, especially adventures to places I've never been, long conversations with friends, and of course Netflix! When I need to restore and recharge I turn to yoga, meditation, and walks in the woods with my dog. I’m privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to walk with you as you find your strength and build resilience in your own healing.