Henryetta Bergstresser

I have nearly 30 years experience in a variety of roles in the mental health field, which I bring into my practice. I've been an therapist for 14 years, the past 5 have been in private practice. Prior to that I worked at Humboldt County Behavioral Health in Eureka, CA as a clinician in outpatient, inpatient, substance abuse treatment, crisis services, and critical incident response. I have extensive experience working with a number of mental health concerns, including PTSD, developmental trauma, religious trauma, anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, attachment issues, codependency, interpersonal communication, and adjustment disorder. I don't have a preferred population; most of my career was in situations where I had little choice in who I worked with- I had to learn how to build rapport with almost anyone. I'm curious about people and their experiences, and it is always an honor to be part of their healing journey.

I see therapy as teamwork; my role in your journey is not to fix you, it's to support you in doing the work. I have a very direct, honest, and welcoming approach which my clients appreciate. If we try an intervention, and it doesn't work for you, it does not mean it's a failure or an impossibility, it just means we need to try something else. I am fascinated by how the brain and body work together, especially in relation to trauma and chronic mental illness. My clients appreciate when we discuss what their diagnosis means and how it affects both their mental and physical well being. Throughout my career I've followed how our developments in science and research have adjusted our understanding of mental health, particularly in the area of trauma. I take advantage of any new training or education available to me. More importantly, I learn from my clients, and how they experience these changes in the way treatment is approached. Part of teamwork is learning from each other.

My goal for your first session is to begin to build trust and rapport. I understand that some people are ready to go into their personal history, while others are not. I allow you a place to share what you are ready to share. As part of our first session we will identify two or three goals and start developing a treatment plan to meet those goals. Generally I find it best to start with a couple of easier goals which you can meet quickly. Having early success helps you engage in your therapy and builds the confidence and sense of safety you'll need to keep going when it gets difficult. You will leave your first session with a treatment plan, agreements about how we will communicate with each other, and the reassurance that we will go at a pace that is best for you. I will work with you, hold space for you, challenge you, and push you when needed, but this is your healing, and you are the one who has to do the work.