Relationship Counseling Minneapolis & St. Paul

relationship therapy

Takeaway: Do you wish you had friends who really “get” you? Are you struggling to find the kind of romantic relationship you’re looking for? You’re not alone. Many women crave stronger, more intimate relationships but aren’t sure how to get there. The truth is, forming genuine connections starts by improving your relationship with yourself. Relationship therapy offers a space to help you do that. Reach out today to get started. 

 Does this sound like you?

You have people in your life—friends, family members, coworkers, and a partner—but you often feel alone. You’re rocking in your career and feel good about your life from 9-5, but you feel lonely and unfulfilled on the weekends. You don't feel as connected to your loved ones as you want to, and you feel resentful that they don't make more of an effort. You feel like you're the only one who makes an effort, and it leaves you feeling mentally and emotionally drained.

In an attempt to feel more connected to your friends and partner, you might say "yes" to things you don't really want to do. Maybe you give emotional support when you don't actually have the capacity, or even hold back from being your authentic self to try and make people like you. Yet, these strategies always seem to backfire and make you feel even lonelier than before.

That's where I come in.

Relationship therapy can help.

Forming genuine connections is possible, even if it feels totally out of reach right now. Individual counseling for relationships provides a supportive, constructive space for you to examine the most important relationship in your life: the one with yourself. Before long, you’ll feel as confident and fulfilled in your personal life as you do in your career.

By learning more about who you are and what you value, you create a solid foundation for every other connection you have. Gaining this insight will change how you show up with all of the people in your life. Plus, you'll learn new skills to help you relate and communicate more effectively.

It might feel scary or overwhelming to think about actually being yourself after years of pushing yourself past your limits and hiding how you really feel. At the same time, staying stuck in unfulfilling, disconnected relationships isn't much better. Plus, I'll be here to support you every step of the way.

Meet Beth Klein, MS, LMFT | Relationship therapist in Minneapolis & St. Paul

relationship therapist

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I specialize in helping women like you: executives and professionals who want deeper personal connections but aren't sure how to make them. In relationship therapy, we'll uncover the root causes of the patterns that keep you from feeling more connected. Why do you have trouble saying no? Why do you feel like you have to change who you are in order to be accepted? These are tough questions, but the answers are key to shifting how you show up in relationships.

While our mutual goal is to help you foster a strong relationship with each person you love, we'll start by building up the relationship with yourself. Our sessions will be a venue for self-exploration, a safe space for you truly express yourself and learn what you want, need, and value.

Taking this step toward change is vulnerable—and courageous. You're not alone in this process, though. I'm fully committed to supporting your growth, and I practice what I preach: I'm honest and engaged in our sessions, and I meet with a limited number of clients each week because I value setting healthy boundaries.

If it sounds like we might be a good fit for each other, I encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation.

 My approach to counseling for relationship issues

Right now, you're likely struggling to be your true self. I strive to make the therapy room a safe space where you can gradually learn how to express your feelings, set boundaries, and accept yourself as the unique person you are. With the right support, you can finally feel empowered to be your authentic self.

Therapy with me is a two-way street that involves mutual respect and engagement. I work best with women who are motivated to change and who are ready to put in the work necessary to see real results. You can expect the same in return from me: I'm highly involved in the therapy process, meaning I won't just sit and nod quietly. I'm outgoing, and I offer feedback along with real tools you can actually use in your everyday life.

My approach is also informed by feminism and social justice. Individuals don't exist in a vacuum; rather, we're a product of the culture we live in. As women especially, we're affected by unique social dynamics that can make it difficult to be authentic and assert ourselves with others. We'll take all of this (and more) into account during our work together.

While elements like gender discrimination—along with mental health issues, difficult life experiences, and other challenges—are valid barriers to being yourself, they don't need to keep you stuck in a state of disconnection. Together, we can uncover what's important to you and use the values to drive you toward a life you love, even when internal and external factors make it difficult.

Beyond my general orientation to therapy, I also use a variety of specific modalities to help you learn more about yourself and make sustainable changes that will last beyond our work together. Here are the methods that inform my practice.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

    CBT is an evidence-based approach to therapy that can help treat mental health disorders, substance abuse issues, relationship problems, and more. In our work together, we'll use CBT to explore how your thought patterns influence how you show up in your relationships with others.

  • Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP)

    While ERP is often used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it can be applied to many different issues. With ERP, you'll learn how anxiety may be driving your actions and learn skills to help you make decisions that are aligned with your values instead of your fears.

  • Narrative therapy

    In narrative therapy, we'll explore your internal stories about yourself and the people in your life. Often, these stories include self-blame, assumptions, and other harmful distortions that weigh us down. Together, we'll explore alternatives and re-author your narrative to help you feel better.

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

    The ACT framework focuses on identifying your values and then taking active steps toward them, despite the barriers (such as emotional discomfort) that might be in your way. With ACT, you'll learn how to embrace those feelings of discomfort so they don't drive your actions.

  • Solution-focused therapy (SFT)

    As the name suggests, the goal of SFT is to find tangible solutions to the issues that have led you to seek professional help. Together, we'll identify your existing strengths and tools you've used successfully in the past. We'll expand upon these resources and add new strategies to your repertoire in order to give you a well-rounded action plan.

What we'll work on together

  • Friendships

    While adult friendships can be challenging, they can also be a source of incredible fulfillment, joy, and support. Therapy can help you grow your confidence so you don't feel the need to compare yourself to your friends. Instead, you'll learn how to ask for what you need in your friendships and cultivate healthy, mutually beneficial relationships.

  • Romantic relationships

    Whether you're currently in a relationship or trying to navigate the dating scene, relationship counseling can help. You'll learn how to identify what's important to you in romantic relationships, improve your communication skills, and advocate for yourself with current or potential partners.

  • Relationship with self

    As we've discussed, your relationship with yourself is the foundation for all the other connections in your life. In therapy, you'll get in touch with your values, learn how to set boundaries, and identify the root cause of the challenges that keep you stuck.

FAQs about relationship counseling in Minneapolis & St. Paul

Here, I've answered some of the most common questions I receive about individual therapy for relationship issues. If you don't see your question here or would like more information about the process, feel free to contact me directly.

  • Relationship therapy is individual counseling that helps people with a variety of different relationship problems, including those with friends, family members, or a partner. Couples therapy, on the other hand, is a venue for romantic partners to meet with a therapist together.

    People seek couples therapy and relationship therapy for both similar and different reasons. As the name suggests, couples counseling is specifically focused on the romantic relationship itself. While relationship therapy can help these types of relationships—especially if one partner isn't open to therapy—it usually has a broader focus. Instead of centering around one particular relationship, relationship counseling helps people understand the communication and behavior patterns that show up with all the people in their life.

    While both services can be helpful, I offer individual relationship therapy exclusively. If you're seeking couples counseling instead, you can use this directory from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy or use a search engine to look for couples therapy in your area.

  • Each person gets something different out of therapy, depending on their situation and goals. With that being said, there are many common benefits of working with a relationship therapist, including:

    • Improved communication skills

    • Greater insight and understanding of your values

    • Reduced psychological distress

    • Stronger relationships and greater relationship satisfaction

    • Increased self-confidence

    This isn't an exhaustive list of what you can gain from engaging in relationship therapy. We'll work together to create a treatment plan that's customized to your goals, and you'll learn tangible tools to help you achieve them.

  • Therapists use many different methods to help people improve their relationships. My approach involves modalities like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and others listed here. However, many therapists may use other techniques like emotionally focused therapy (EFT) or psychodynamic therapy.

    If you choose marriage counseling (or premarital counseling) instead of individual relationship therapy, your therapist might use techniques like the Gottman method or Imago relationship therapy to help you and your partner resolve issues.

    Beyond the many types of therapy, there are also different professionals who can provide relationship therapy. During your search for a relationship therapist in Minneapolis and St. Paul, you might find the following types of therapists:

    • Licensed professional clinical counselor

    • Licensed clinical social workers

    • Clinical psychologists

    • Marriage and family therapists

    All of these professionals are competent therapists who can provide effective therapy for both individuals and couples. At the same time, each therapist is unique, so it's important to research their approach, credentials, and specialties to determine who is the right fit for you. If you'd like to see whether we're a good match for each other, you can schedule a free consultation here.

  • I provide both online and in-person therapy. My office is located at 1599 Selby Avenue, Suite 106 Saint Paul, MN 55104 in a historic building with free street parking nearby. I also offer online counseling for residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Carolina.

    Both online and in-person therapy are highly effective. Some people prefer to come into the office if they want a designated space to have therapy sessions, or if they feel more connected to a therapist when meeting face-to-face.

    Other people enjoy online therapy for the flexibility and convenience it offers. Commuting to a therapist appointment isn't feasible for everyone, especially those who live in rural areas or have particularly busy schedules. Or, you might feel more at ease if you can have a therapy session in a place where you already feel comfortable.

relationship counseling minneapolis

Relationship counseling can help you build the connections you're searching for.

If you're finally ready to embrace yourself and build strong, healthy connections with the people in your life, consider starting relationship therapy. Together, we can break through the patterns that hold you back and learn how to live in alignment with what's most important to you.

The therapeutic relationship is a key factor in your success, so I offer free consultations so you can get a good feel for whether we're the right fit for each other. I look forward to connecting with you and discussing how I can support you.