Twin Cities Therapy and Counseling Associates

04/16/2026

To the Educators, Counselors, and Social Workers:

As the 2025–2026 school year winds down, we know how much care and effort you’re putting into lining up supports for your students over the summer months.

As you know, for many children and teens, summer isn’t always a break. The loss of routine, increased free time, and fewer consistent supports can bring challenges—loneliness, heightened mental health concerns, and greater exposure to risky behaviors. Having the right supports in place can make a meaningful difference.

We want you to know—we’re here, and we currently have immediate openings available to support the youth and families you serve.

Summer can also be an important time for you. After a long year of showing up for others, it’s an opportunity to rest, reset, and prioritize your own well-being. Whether it’s space to process, recharge, or refocus, seeking support for yourself is just as important as the work you do every day.

If you or your students could benefit from additional support this summer, we’d love to connect.

Visit our website to learn more:
www.twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com

Expert therapy in Minneapolis–St. Paul. In-person & virtual sessions. Start your path to healing with compassionate Minnesota therapists.

04/13/2026

Breathwork is one of the simplest—and most powerful—tools we have for supporting our mental and emotional well-being.

So, what is it?
Breathwork is the practice of consciously changing your breathing pattern to influence how you feel. While breathing is something your body does automatically, you can also guide it intentionally to calm your mind, release tension, and reconnect with yourself.

How does it work?
Your breath is directly connected to your nervous system. Slow, steady breathing signals safety to your body, activating the “rest and restore” state. This can lower your heart rate, reduce stress hormones, and help you feel more grounded.

Why does it matter?
When we’re overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stuck, our breath often becomes restricted without us noticing. By bringing awareness back to the breath, we create space—space to pause, regulate, and respond instead of react. Over time, breathwork can improve emotional resilience, reduce anxiety, and support overall mental health.

What does the research say?
Evidence shows that slow, controlled breathing (around 5–6 breaths per minute) can increase heart rate variability and activate the parasympathetic nervous system—both linked to reduced stress and improved emotional regulation.

A simple place to start:
Try inhaling slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, holding for 2, and exhaling gently through your mouth for 6 seconds. Repeat for a few minutes and notice what shifts.

Your breath is always with you. It can be a quiet anchor in moments of stress—and a bridge back to yourself.

Reference:
Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., et al. (2018). How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

Ready for a fresh start? ✨
We’ve got immediate therapy openings to get you started now:

• In-person in Robbinsdale & St. Louis Park
• Virtual sessions anywhere in Minnesota
• Flexible days & times
• Most insurance accepted
• Kids, teens, adults, couples & families welcome

Find a therapist who truly gets you 🤝

Take a peek at our bios and discover your match 💛
https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/meet-our-therapists/

Or let us help you find the right fit: 612-202-8703

04/07/2026

For most people, eating is routine—sometimes even enjoyable. But for individuals with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), eating can feel overwhelming, stressful, or difficult in ways that aren’t always visible. ARFID is often misunderstood as “picky eating,” but it is far more complex and can significantly impact both physical health and emotional well-being.

Click below to learn more about what ARFID is and how therapy can help.

Bri Ball, LGSW is now accepting new child, teen, and adult clients seeking support for ARFID.

View Bri's Bio and Conveniently Schedule Online:

https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/therapist/brianna-ball/
Contact Us: 612-202-8703

https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/understanding-arfid-when-eating-feels-complicated/

ARFID isn’t just picky eating. Learn how it affects eating, emotions, and how therapy supports a more flexible relationship with food.

04/04/2026

“Gloomy outside? Gloomy inside? Don’t carry it alone. Let’s talk. 💛

Today’s a good day to start looking forward to a brighter tomorrow.

We’re here when you’re ready.

612-202-8703
https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/

04/03/2026

We’ve been doing some growing—intentionally. 🌱

In 2026, we’ve welcomed four new clinicians to our practice. This isn’t about growth for the sake of it—it’s about deepening the care we provide.

Our clients tell us what they need, and we listen. Every addition to our team is a direct response—so we can offer more support, more expertise, and more thoughtful care.

We’re excited to introduce:

✨ Erin, LPCC – Joining April 6 as our Clinical Supervisor, Erin brings 13 years of experience supporting both clients and clinicians. She works with adults facing anxiety, depression, OCD, skin picking and hair pulling (BFRBs), ADHD, ASD, PTSD, phobias, and life stressors. Erin also supports healthcare providers, LGBTQIA+ clients, artists, teachers, people pleasers, caretakers, perfectionists, and those navigating spiritual or religious concerns.

✨ Laura, LMFT – Laura works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, eating disorders, PTSD, relational stress, self-esteem concerns, identity exploration, life stressors, and major transitions. She is passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and immigrant clients, creating spaces that feel affirming, empowering, and safe.

✨ Bri Ball, LGSW – Bri works with children, teens, adults, and families navigating anxiety, OCD, depression, eating disorders, and life stress. She creates a warm, welcoming environment for all clients—from young children in our play therapy room to adults seeking support and connection.

✨ Sam Vagac, LAMFT – Sam supports pre-teens, teens, adults, couples, and families managing anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, trauma, oppositional defiant disorder, reactive attachment disorder, psychosis, and other complex mental health concerns. Sam also works with LGBTQ+ clients, those navigating illness or disability in relationships, and those exploring B**M or kink dynamics.

We’re grateful to continue building a team that prioritizes people over numbers—and care over growth. 💛

If you’ve been waiting for support, we’re here. Let’s take that next step together.

Learn more at www.twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com

03/25/2026

✨ Therapy that’s truly designed around you ✨

At Twin Cities Therapy and Counseling, we offer:

✅ Highly skilled therapists providing individualized care for a wide range of concerns
✅ The personal touch and privacy of a small, client-focused practice
✅ Smooth, hassle-free scheduling, secure records, and reliable billing—so your therapist can focus on you, not paperwork

Experience therapy where you’re seen, heard, and supported—without the stress of navigating systems. 💙

Schedule a session today and see the difference individualized care makes.

📱612-202-8703
💻www.twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com

03/24/2026

Handling Everything on Your Own Works—Until It Doesn’t

Pushing through is the default for many: handle it, figure it out, keep moving.

And for a while, that works. Until it doesn’t.

Shorter patience, constant pressure, trouble sleeping, checking out in conversations—stress shows up physically and mentally. Not because you’re failing, but because no one is taught how to manage sustained stress, emotions, and relationships effectively.

Therapy helps with exactly that.

👉 Click below to read more.
📱 Call 612-202-8703 today to get started.
💻 Browse therapist bios and schedule online at:
https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/meet-our-therapists/

https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/stress-management/

Manage stress, improve focus, and strengthen relationships with therapy—tools to handle life more effectively.

03/24/2026

If you’ve been feeling more on edge lately—there’s a reason. If it’s affecting your life, get the right tools to regain control with therapy.

Call Today: 612-202-8703
Schedule Online:
https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/

03/24/2026

March is Women’s History Month—a time to recognize the innovations by women that shape our everyday lives.

Ever used GPS to get somewhere? 🚗📍
You can thank Gladys West.

A mathematician whose work on satellite geodesy helped develop the technology behind GPS, Dr. West’s calculations made it possible for us to navigate the world with accuracy—from road trips to finding the nearest coffee shop.

It’s easy to take for granted—but GPS has changed how we travel, work, and stay connected.

Women’s contributions aren’t just history—they guide us every day.

03/19/2026

Please join us in welcoming Sam Vagac, LAMFT to our team!

Sam takes a collaborative, trauma-informed approach to therapy, creating a nonjudgmental space where clients feel empowered and supported in making meaningful change. His work is grounded in parts-based (IFS) therapy, with a focus on curiosity, connection, and care.

Sam has extensive experience working with teens and their families, helping them navigate complex challenges while strengthening communication and relationships. He also works with adults—both individuals and couples—to build deeper connections, heal attachment wounds, and explore how larger systems impact their lives and relationships.

Sam works with a wide range of mental health concerns and is dedicated to supporting each client in their unique journey toward growth and well-being.

📅 Sam begins seeing clients at our Robbinsdale clinic on March 30th—we’re so glad to have him on our team!

Schedule now to reserve your spot:

☎️ 612-202-8703
💻 Conveniently schedule online:
https://www.therapyportal.com/p/tctca5861/appointments/availability/

https://twincitiestherapyandcounseling.com/therapist/sam-vagac/

Trauma-informed therapy for teens, adults, and couples. Specializing in IFS, relationships, LGBTQ+ care, and complex mental health.