Akasha Balkman

Healing begins with feeling seen, heard, and supported. I'm a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over five years of experience in healthcare social work, palliative care, grief, bereavement, and medical trauma. As an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe (Dakota), I strive to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and holistic care that honors each person's unique story and strengths.

I specialize in supporting adults navigating grief and loss, trauma, serious illness, caregiver stress, anxiety, and life transitions. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can process difficult experiences, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward healing at your own pace. Whether you're facing a recent loss, adjusting to a major life change, or carrying the weight of experiences that feel difficult to navigate alone, you don't have to do it by yourself.

I believe healing happens within a trusting, compassionate relationship where you feel safe to show up exactly as you are. I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported, because I believe that feeling understood is often where healing begins. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and person-centered, recognizing that each person's experiences, culture, values, and strengths shape their healing journey. Together, we'll move at a pace that feels right for you while working toward your goals in a way that feels supportive and meaningful.

I integrate evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, somatic techniques, Brainspotting, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process grief, trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and the emotional impact of serious illness. I believe healing doesn't mean forgetting or "getting over" difficult experiences; it means learning how to carry them with greater resilience, self-compassion, and hope.

My role is to walk alongside you with empathy and curiosity, helping you better understand yourself, develop practical coping strategies, and reconnect with your strengths. Whether you're navigating loss, trauma, or a difficult season of life, you don't have to face it alone.

Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, and my goal is to make your first session feel comfortable, supportive, and free of pressure. We'll spend time getting to know one another, talking about what brings you to therapy, and exploring what you hope to gain from our work together. You don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly where to start; we'll take it one step at a time.

Together, we'll identify your goals and create a plan that feels right for you. Whether you're navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, a major life transition, or the challenges of serious illness or caregiving, we'll work at a pace that honors your needs and readiness. My hope is that you'll leave your first session feeling heard, supported, and with a clearer sense of the path forward.