Kenneth Turck

Hi, my name is Kenny Turck, and I have worked in mental health for many years. I live in the Twin Cities but grew up on a family farm, and I’m passionate about nature-based spaces, activities, and outdoor adventure. I study nature-based social engagement and its impact on the autonomic nervous system, which is the body’s threat/survival response center. I am a trauma expert, specializing in complex trauma throughout my career. I’ve also studied suicide awareness and prevention since middle school, having lost an older sister to suicide when I was seven.

I mentor, teach, and supervise other therapists and practitioners, and provide seminars, workshops, and professional development in mental health and related fields like education, nursing, social work, psychology, and medicine. I am trained in multiple modalities but never assume one approach fits all. I take a broad approach to understand how challenges impact clients’ lives. I strive to meet people where they are, learn what they want to change, and develop goals to support their healing.

In 2019, Stanley Rosenberg, author of Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve, invited me to study with him in Germany after learning about a program I developed called DIRT GROUP. Stanley stated "Kenny has developed an entire embodied way to help people heal from trauma in DIRT GROUP". Though the name can be confusing, it symbolizes the foundational influence of nature (DIRT) and social connection (GROUP) on autonomic nervous system function and overall wellbeing.

Thank you, and welcome to Headway!

I am trained in multiple modalities but I don't take a 'cookie cutter' approach, as human beings and our lives are often far more complex than that. I seek to learn and understand what challenges someone is experiencing and what they want to be different, and together develop goals and pragmatic strategies to address these challenges. I provide a lot of evidenced-based resources, education, and pragmatic strategies in my practice which manifests in an eclectic, pragmatic, and holistic approach to therapy. Combining and integrating these elements fosters and facilitates education while empowering participants in navigating their journey to restoration.

In your first session with me we will explore and identify the challenges you are experiencing which have resulted in you seeking therapy and how these circumstances & challenges are impacting your life currently. Additionally, I will encourage you to help me understand how you grew up by discussing family and social history, previous mental health care, prior challenges you have experienced, and things that are important to you as well as what goals you have for therapy.