Renee Segal
MA, LMFT, Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist
I am well aware that you might be self-conscious with the idea of going to a counselor and seeking therapy. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help especially when you are hurting and feeling vulnerable. I believe that it is part of life to experience hurt, pain and disappointment sometimes.
Therefore, it is important to me that you feel comfortable. One of the ways that I feel safe is if I know a little about the person that I am talking with. Sometimes people like to know a little about their therapist.
I have been married for over 25 years. I have two young adult children so I know personally both the joys and challenges that married life can bring. I have been a yoga teacher for 9 years. This practice is very meaningful to me because it is a moving mindfulness practice which helps me stay grounded, and fully in the present moment. I also have a daily meditation practice. This helps me to be the best therapist I can be by being open, empathic and compassionate.
I am a runner and have run 2 marathons and several half marathons, I love biking, swimming and lifting weights as well. When I am not working, being outside and in the sun is really important to me, no matter what the season. I am a big fan of coffee and dark chocolate. I love to read and you will see many books in my office. I also enjoy movies and I may recommend a book or a movie for you but it won’t ever be a requirement to your therapy work.
Doing couples and marriage counseling is a favorite of mine, I enjoy repairing the bonds between couples. My couples tell me that afterwards they feel more connected to their partners and more at ease with themselves.
I view counseling as a way to help you with your life, not a way of life. My goal is to help you get on with your life and what matters most to you.
I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business. I worked as an accountant and then as a securities broker, but I was more truly interested in people’s problems than numbers. I was often found asking people about their family backgrounds instead of sitting at my desk crunching the numbers. So I went back to school and got my master’s degree in clinical counseling in marriage and family therapy at the Adler Graduate School. Now I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
I am certified in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, one of only two methods of couples therapy that is proven to work, even in extremely distressed couples. It is an experiential type of therapy that is based on attachment theory and is effective in 90% of cases by reducing couples distress. To learn more about this type of therapy here is a video.
I am fully trained in an extensively researched and effective method of trauma treatment called Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. I am also trained in Prepare-Enrich, a widely used premarital couples instrument.
I also have specialized training in working with childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape and other sexual problems.
Professional memberships
Mental Health Issues & Intimate Relationships: Understanding the complexities. (2015) 15th Annual Conference on Mental Health Sponsored by the Twin Cities Jewish community
Private Practice Boot Camp (2014), St Mary's University
How to succeed in Private Practice. (2013) Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Fall Conference
Women in Erotic Literature (2012) Hadassah, Minneapolis Chapter
A Trainee’s Guide to Exploring Self-of-Therapist in Clinical Supervision (2012), MN Psychology Association
A Primer on Couples Counseling (2011). Minnesota Counseling Association
Adlerian Countertransference: Oxymoron or Mission-Critical Data? (2011). North American Society for Adlerian Psychology, Victoria, BC, Canada
Is it Sexual Deviance or Sexual Addiction? The Ambiguity of Sexual Behaviors on the Internet. (2011) Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Fall conference
Courage to Thrive in MFT Supervision: Dealing with Countertransference (2010). Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Fall Conference.
Parent Talk/Partner Talk: Is Your Communication Pattern Affecting Your Teen? (2010). Not Our Kids Conference of Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Minneapolis, MN.