CenterLife Counseling

02/13/2026

⭐ Meet Kristen Arden, MA — Therapist at CenterLife Counseling

Kristen brings a creative and deeply affirming presence to the therapy room. She believes the stories we tell ourselves shape how we move through the world — and that with compassion and support, those stories can be rewritten in ways that bring healing and hope.

🎨 Play Therapy for Children

With a strong background in art, teaching, and creative expression, Kristen integrates Play Therapy — a developmentally grounded modality that helps children process emotions, build coping skills, and express themselves in a safe, age‑appropriate way — in CenterLife's state-of-the-art Play Therapy Room. Kristen brings a natural, gentle presence that helps kids feel understood and supported.

❤️ Couples Work

Kristen helps partners better understand one another’s needs, build emotional safety, and strengthen their bond. Her style is attuned and encouraging — creating space for partners to reconnect, repair, and grow together.

🌎 Inclusivity

Kristen welcomes clients of all ages, background, and family structures, and is also passionate about offering a safe, affirming space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

📅 Kristen has current openings — but hurry, they won't last long!

📞 Call today — 651-289-3111!

🌐 Learn more about Kristen at www.centerlifecounseling.com

10/02/2025

CenterLife Counseling is proud to collaborate with Autism Services of Minnesota to ensure that clients have access to the quality care they need.

And great news - they're currently welcoming new clients - if you've been thinking about reaching out for support, this is your chance to get connected.

Now accepting new clients! Our Blaine, MN clinic has immediate therapy openings - call to schedule a tour and assessment.

10/02/2025

Are AI chatbots putting teens at risk?

AI companions are everywhere — from homework helpers to emotional confidants — but new research warns they can also amplify negative thinking, reinforce harmful behaviors, and replace human connection.

Newport Healthcare’s article dives into:

▪️How teens are using chatbots like ChatGPT, Replika, Snapchat My AI, etc.
▪️The risks of confirmation bias, emotional dependence, and dangerous advice
▪️Real-life consequences and heartbreaking case studies
▪️What parents, educators, and caregivers can do to protect kids

If you’re a parent, teacher, or care about teen mental health, this is a must-read.

👇 Here are a few ways to start a healthy conversation with a teen:

▪️Ask about their experience: “Do you ever talk to AI bots? What do you say?”
▪️Encourage human connection: remind them that no algorithm can replace a real friend
▪️Share red flags: withdrawal, secretive use, escalating negativity
▪️Offer alternatives: journaling, therapy, peer groups

Let’s help our young people navigate technology safely — because they deserve more than an echo chamber.

Need a partner through these challenges or an assessment for your teen? CenterLife is here to help! Reach out today...

☎️ 651-289-3111
🌐 www.centerlifecounseling.com
📍 White Bear Lake, Minnesota
📍 Centerville, Minnesota
📍 Virtual throughout Minnesota



Special thanks to Newport Healthcare for raising awareness on this critical issue.

A wave of tragic incidents has shown that ChatGPT and other AI bots can reinforce dangerous ideas and threaten users’ mental health. Find out how teens are using chatbots, and how to keep them safe.

09/25/2025

Words Matter.

CenterLife Counseling is here when you need us!

📞 651-289-3111
📍 Centerville, Minnesota
📍 White Bear Lake, Minnesota

: When discussing su***de, words matter. Using the phrase "died by su***de" is recommended by experts because it avoids judgment, which in turn can encourage people to seek mental health care when they need it.

08/28/2025

After A School Shooting: Child and Family Resources
​
In the wake of the recent school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, many children, families, and communities are navigating overwhelming grief, fear, and uncertainty. No child, family, or community should feel alone in the aftermath of school violence. We’ve gathered these resources to help you find support, direction, and connection as you care for your children, families, and communities impacted by this tragedy.

​Online Resources for Families/Children:

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: School Shooting Resources
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/terrorism-and-violence/school-shooting-resources

American School Counselors Association: Helping Students After A School Shooting
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Publications-Research/Publications/Free-ASCA-Resources/After-a-School-Shooting

American Psychological Association: Resources for Coping With Shootings
https://www.apa.org/topics/gun-violence-crime/mass-shooting-resources

University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention: Resources for Communities After A School Shooting
https://firearminjury.umich.edu/resources-communities/resources-for-communities-after-a-school-shooting/

Sesame Street Resources for Community Violence
https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/violence/

Sesame Street YouTube Video Community and Gun Violence
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQJaFRtaBs0r_wH3_gzJqjiZMyBuH0NnH

Sesame Street Tips For Talking to Kids About Traumatic Events
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/27/1151957882/sesame-street-communities-trauma

YouTube Video: A Kids Book About School Shootings by Crystal Woodman Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4lxEPBRW4

YouTube Vide: Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sunner (5th grade and up)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gne3bH5tBc

Child Mind Institute: How To Talk To Children About School Shootings
https://childmind.org/article/anxiety-school-shooting/

Child Mind Institute: Caring For Kids After A School Shooting
https://childmind.org/article/caring-for-kids-after-a-school-shooting/

Child Mind Institute: Helping Children Cope With Frightening News
https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-cope-frightening-news/

National Association of School Psychologists: School Violence Resources
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources

Yale Medicine: How To Talk To Kids About School Shootings
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/school-shootings-talk-with-kids

***Courtesy of Minnesota Association for Play Therapy
https://www.mna4pt.org/mn-resources.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawMcwGVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB3Q0pwSGg2RVA3anFjbGp5AR6DVfHRjJBQxMnsTTQj918Y--nsPl2OVgnnnlk93_n8JwAHI4J9PgyT0Hp1fQ_aem_f-CxAAqXm7FWqO5XiBuPRA

And as always, CenterLife Counseling, and our exceptional team of therapists are here to support our community members of all ages as they process this tragedy. Here when you need us: for the last 16 years; today; tomorrow; and into the future. We are with you…we grieve together, we heal together.

07/17/2025

Say hello to Amanda Fredrickson, MA, a pre-licensed marriage and family therapist based at CenterLife’s White Bear Lake office!

💛 Therapist work is heart work—and Amanda brings both deep compassion and thoughtful insight to every client relationship.

She supports individuals, couples, and families of all ages, helping them navigate anxiety, grief, postpartum transitions, relationship challenges, and more. With a systems-based, empathetic approach, Amanda helps clients understand the patterns in their lives and make meaningful, lasting change.

We’re so grateful to have Amanda on the CenterLife team—her presence is a gift to both clients and colleagues alike.

📅 Amanda currently has openings—but they’re filling fast.

📞 Call 651-289-3111 to get started!

🌐 Learn more at www.centerlifecounseling.com

07/12/2025

Quote of the Day

Today's Topic - Meltdowns & Tantrums/Recovery and Repair

06/26/2025

🌈 This June, we’re proud to highlight therapist, Tatia Jewell-Schwartz, who brings compassionate, LGBTQIA+ affirming care to their work every day. With a deep commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for all clients, Tatia is passionate about walking alongside individuals on their journeys of identity, healing, and growth.

Affirming care is more than a specialty — it’s a belief that everyone deserves to be seen, respected, and supported just as they are.

We’re honored to have Tatia on our team and to celebrate Pride with intention and love.

Whether you’re seeking support around LGBTQIA+ identity or navigating life’s challenges unrelated to identity, Tatia offers a warm, affirming space to explore what matters most to you.

📆 Current openings with Tatia are limited — reach out today to schedule your first session. And remember, you are welcome here.

📞 Call 651-289-3111 to get started!

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

06/17/2025

We can’t always protect kids from the world’s tragedies, but we can help them feel safe, seen, and supported. This article offers thoughtful, practical ways to guide them through what’s hard.

Need more support? CenterLife Counseling is here to help!

In-person or virtual visits available now!

Contact us today at 651-289-3111 or messages@centerlifecounseling.com

In our hyperconnected world, people of all ages have instant access to what’s happening around the globe. Vivid images and sounds of violence and harm can invade our homes and our psyches in the blink of an eye. Even if we understand intellectually that what’s happening is far away and does not ...

05/01/2025

We just couldn't let Autism Awareness Month come to a close without shining a spotlight on resident expert - Alyssa Deutschmann, MSW, LGSW; MA, BCBA!

Already working with Alyssa? Lucky you!

Don't know about Alyssa yet? Well, here's your chance!

Call to schedule with Alyssa today: 651-289-3111
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

05/01/2025

Explore the full spectrum at CenterLife Counseling.

White Bear Lake | Centerville | Minnesota

651-289-3111 How can we help?

04/23/2025

April is Autism Awareness Month

At CenterLife Counseling, we’re all about embracing what makes each person uniquely awesome. This month, (let's be real - more like every month!) we’re celebrating the beautiful diversity within the autism community and advocating for a world that values ACCEPTANCE over everything else!

💙 Autism isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” experience, and neither is therapy. Whether you are looking for THERAPY or PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, therapists and staff at CenterLife are here to support neurodivergent individuals of all ages, including those on the autism spectrum, by providing a safe, inclusive space for growth, healing, and self-discovery - because every journey is different, and that’s what makes it meaningful.

🧩 Diversity is strength.
🧩 Acceptance is everything.
🧩 Mental health is for everyone.

Whether you’re navigating challenges or celebrating victories, we’re here to support you with compassion, respect, and a whole lot of heart. Everyone deserves a space where they can be themselves and feel seen.

💬 Let’s continue to listen, learn, and celebrate each other! Drop a comment and share how you're embracing the diversity and strength in your community this month. Let’s keep raising awareness, promoting kindness, and building a world that's inclusive for all!

www.centerlifecounseling.com