Weston Edwards Ph.D., LP

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Direct: 612.987.4482
Weston@sexualhealthinstitute.org

I am professionally trained and experienced psychologist licensed by the Minnesota Board of Psychology (LP 3347).  I claim competencies in individual, couple, and group counseling. I have specific experience in working with Sexuality, Spirituality, Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Issues.  In the fifteen years I've been in practice, I'm continually touched by the gift I have to be able to work my clients.  My committment to you is to do the best I can, be open and honest, and in the end to help you live a life you love.  My primary approach is spelled out in the early entries of the blog.  Please review at your leisure. 

Shannon Garrity Psy.D., LP

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Direct: 612.703.8589
Shannon@sexualhealthinstitute.org

My training is in clinical psychology. My approach to therapy is dynamic and strength-based. I integrate tenants of Eastern philosophy with Western psychology. People have problems; however, they generally do not cause the problem (although, sometimes, the way we think about things causes problems). Therapy must address the whole person, so we will work with the psychological, behavioral, emotional, and spiritual aspects of being. We all want to feel good, which is challenging at times because life can be difficult. As humans, people struggle with similar things, while at the same time feel isolated. Therapy is about learning how to live effectively and work with what you have.

I have a strong interest in fitness goals & overall life improvement. I am trained to work with problems such as depression, anxiety, personality styles, addiction or compulsive behavior, coaching or goal setting, couples therapy, relationship issues, sexual concerns or problems, & I conduct psychological assessments (related to personality, cognitive functioning, and diagnosis). My clients are diverse in terms of sexual orientation, ethnicity, & overall background.

What we look for is what we see, and that is our reality. It can be helpful to work with someone to learn to see more clearly.

Xavier Schmitz, MSW, LICSW

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Direct: 612.872.1500
Xavier@sexualhealthinstitute.org

It is your birthright to express yourself in ways that are fulfilling to you.
         ---Louise L. Hay

I believe you are the expert on your life. Within you exists the potential to fully express your whole, authentic self in ways that are fulfilling to you and respectful of others. There are times in all of our lives in which our experiences—psychological, social, physical, spiritual—evoke distressing emotions. These emotions can take the form of depression, anxiety, confusion, anger, fear, etc. When this happens, our abilities to fully and authentically understand and express ourselves often decreases and we may seek professional support. This is where I may be of service.

I am licensed as an independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and have a second master's degree in gender/women's studies. My work experiences include developing a psychotherapy program for individuals in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV+ communities, conducting research with individuals with schizophrenia, providing counseling and social services to the Jewish community, and working in college student affairs as a hall director and diversity educator. My theoretical background includes training in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), nonviolent communication (NVC), and sensorimotor psychotherapy.

I enjoy working with people on many types of problems and have a specialty in working with individuals on gender and sexuality issues. I believe that all clients, including those identifying on the transgender spectrum, are fully capable human beings with the capacity to make informed decisions about their identities, self-expression, and medical care.

Whatever issues you are struggling with, I will collaborate with you to help you identify your goals and develop a treatment approach to empower you to realize them.