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Keller offers counseling services in Fergus Falls [UPDATED]
Published 10:43am Monday, October 1, 2012 Updated 12:45pm Monday, October 1, 2012Cindy Keller, a licensed independent clinical social worker, is hoping to serve people in the Fergus Falls area with her new business, Keller Counseling Services, LLC.
A long-time Fergus Falls resident with experience at mental health organizations as varied as Lakeland Mental Health Center to Sanford’s partial hospitalization program in Fargo, Keller left the latter job earlier this year to fulfill her dream of opening her own private practice.
“I’m excited to be able to do it in the community where I’ve lived for the past 15 years,” she said, adding that counseling for her is all about helping other people deal with their challenges.
Keller deals with adults, talking about issues as wide-ranging as depression and anxiety to life transitions and more. She described her sessions as relationship-based.
“It’s relationships built on respect, compassion, honesty (and) treating them with dignity,” she said.
Keller’s counseling method is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. She approaches people’s difficulties with a two-pronged approach. On one hand, she discusses the thought processes behind a problem.
“Studies have shown that how we’re thinking about things really affects our emotions,” she said.
Keller encourages balanced thinking about people’s situations and challenges.
“I help people to identify the challenges in their lives and what it is they want to be different,” she said.
On the other hand, Keller approaches people’s behaviors, recommending positive changes in lifestyle that help deal with challenges. Those actions can be anything from asserting one’s self to taking better self-care to increasing human connection and more.
Keller has stayed in the mental health field for more than 20 years because of her desire to assist others on their life journeys.
“It’s a sincere desire to help people,” she said.
Keller Counseling Services is located at 1806 East Fir Ave., Suite 500, in an office at the rear of the All Building Corporation. The space is private and comfortable, and Keller said many clients appreciate the privacy and security it provides.
Keller is available by appointment. To inquire about appointments or services, call 205-2743.
On Wednesday, Keller is hosting an open house at her office from 1 to 5 p.m. She invites residents to munch on snacks and check out the business, to “get comfortable” in the environment and with her.
