Andrew Qualy

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), who provides inclusive, affirming, and culturally sensitive therapy services to adults 18 and over. I also specialize in practice with military, veterans, law enforcement, fire/EMS, and other frontline healthcare workers. I graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota, where I studied in the Area of Emphasis in Military Practice program. In my practice, I utilize evidence-based therapies for depression, anxiety, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD and trauma, adjustment concerns, stress management, self-esteem, relationship concerns, men's health, and others. I have been practicing for 10 years and have worked in nearly every level of the mental health care continuum.

Therapy names can make counseling sound more technical or rigid than it needs to be. Each approach below offers a way to understand patterns, respond to difficult experiences, practice skills, or move toward what matters. The method provides structure; the counseling relationship provides context, pacing, and accountability. I believe that therapy is most effective when it is personalized to the strengths, needs, and goals of each patient.

To this end, I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities and techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as mindfulness-based approaches. In addition, I have received specialized training in the delivery of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) a treatment modality utilized to assist individuals with a history of trauma and PTSD. Sessions often focus on helping you increase your insight into patterns and connections between your patterns of thinking, feeling, and the resulting behaviors, with an emphasis on modifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Evidence does not mean certainty for one individual. Research can show that an approach has helped groups of people under particular conditions. Responsible use still requires attention to your safety, physical health, culture, service background, relationships, preferences, and response to the work. We can discuss what fits and change direction when needed.

My goal as a therapist is to help people overcome difficult past experiences and work toward making meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. I will take a personal and collaborative approach to helping you acquire the tools and resources you need to realize a lifestyle of wellness specific to your needs, challenges, and circumstances. This begins during the first session. We will begin with an introductory session, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and what you hope to achieve in therapy. I will get to know you, work with you to understand what is bringing you in for help, obtain some background information, and most importantly, we will work together to develop a plan for how we will work together. I strive to create a welcoming and engaging environment that allows you to feel comfortable sharing and being vulnerable, while also feeling secure.