Betsy Sansby, Marriage Counselor in Minnetonka, 55345

Betsy Sansby, MS, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Profession(s):
Marriage & Family Therapy, Counseling, Psychotherapy
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - #48

My Approach to Helping

"We got more out of our first session with Betsy than we did in three years of counseling with another therapist." Betsy Sansby has 30 years experience counseling individuals, couples, and families, and supervising other therapists. She has appeared in Redbook Magazine, and is regularly featured in the popular Ladies' Home Journal series "Can This Marriage Be Saved?"

She is the creator of The OuchKit, LoveBites, and other communication tools for couples. She is also the author of Ask Betsy, an online relationship advice column.

A note from Betsy:
When you're really struggling, you need more than a good listener. You need someone who can sort through the details fast, someone who can help you you figure out what you really want, what you really need, and how to get it--as quickly as possible.

My job is to make each session relevant, not just interesting, and help you develop whatever skills you need to be your brightest self--inside and outside the therapy setting.

You can expect me to:
* Ask direct questions
* Notice what others miss
* Tell you what I really think
* Care about your well-being and your relationships
* Insist you do your homework
* Make each step as easy as possible

Don't expect me to:
* Sit and nod
* Agree with you all the time
* Avoid difficult topics
* Work harder than you do
* Perform miracles very often

Am I the right therapist for you?

Yes, if you want to live your values, realize your dreams, and take your relationships to the next level. First we'll talk about what you really want and figure out what's keeping you from getting it. Then you'll learn techniques to help you break out of patterns that cause sadness, pain or dissatisfaction in your life.

Between sessions, you'll be practicing whatever skills we've been working on, so you're always making progress--even when I'm not around. Each time we meet, we'll figure out what's working, what's not, and what's next.

A special note to those suffering from depression or anxiety:
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 10% of the adult population--or 15 million people--suffer from depression each year. And 40 million suffer from anxiety disorders. In older adults--especially women--these numbers are even higher. And the numbers are rising, especially among children.

The good news is that you will not always feel this way. And you do not need to suffer alone. I will keep you company on your journey and can teach you mindfulness practices that will help you disengage from your suffering, and prevent relapse once you are well again.

More Info About My Practice

Clients' feedback:

"We got more out of our first session with Betsy than we did in 3 years of counseling with another therapist.

"Being with Betsy was always like getting a great mental flossing. I always left sessions with more to think about."

"I appreciate how "real" you are, and how you're able to capture the essence of an issue, instead of getting lost in the symptoms or outer layers."

"Just a quick update...things are going FABULOUS!! It is like I am living with a totally different person...well, the person I fell in love with!! He's back!! Truly amazing...I am grateful to you every day!!"

"My husband and I were talking about you tonight. You did amazing things for us. We've had a great couple of months realizing how much we love each other. Couples like us could put you out of business!"

"After our first session, my husband said 'This is the most hopeful I've felt in ages.' Thanks, Betsy!"

"You are not just helping the two of us, you're helping us give our beautiful girls the gift of a peaceful, happy home that they can feel loved in. I thank you for that! "

"We worked hard, but you gave us the tools. Without them, we could have worked just as hard and gotten nowhere--except maybe divorced."

"Thank you for your intense curiosity, intelligence, humor, and compassion."

"Betsy didn't turn away, judge, or silence me when things got uncomfortable or difficult."

"Thank you for all you have done, and all that you do. I believe your work is truly PRICELESS! I hope you know how much it is appreciated."

"Betsy pulled the truth from an ocean of craziness."

"Hi Betsy! Our kids love the OuchKit. So do we all! They come in quite handy here, as we 'Ouch' each other on a regular basis. :)"
Credentials and Experience:

Master of Science in Counseling (Marriage & Family) 1983, California State University; Minnesota Board-Approved Supervisor of Marriage & Family Therapists. Bachelor of Science, University of California at Davis 1979. Scripps College, Claremont, CA, 1974. University of Minnesota, 1973.

Clinical Memberships: American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy, Midwest Association of Marriage & Family Therapy since 1983.

Office hours and setting: I work out of a lovely home-office, perched on a hill, and surrounded by trees. I work: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to noon. I answer my own phones. I do not work evenings.

Email and Phone Sessions: I also I offer email and phone sessions for people who travel a lot, live out of state, or have trouble getting to my office. I can usually return calls within a couple of hours.

Fees: Therapists typically charge for what's called a "therapeutic hour," which lasts 45-50 minutes, instead of 60. This strange and misleading convention makes sense in busy clinics where therapists have to return calls between sessions in order to leave work on time. I don't charge this way. It's not only misleading to charge for an hour that's not really an hour, but I find that 45 minutes is not long enough to get much work done. My fees are based on either a 60-minute or a 90-minute session.

A 60-minute session is $140. A 90-minute session is $200. Payment is due at the time of service. Although I do not accept insurance, some clients have been successful at getting their insurance carrier (including Blue Cross and Medica Choice) to cover a percentage of their therapy on an "out-of-network" basis. I'm happy to provide you with claims forms you can submit to your insurance company. I also accept VISA and MasterCard payments.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I know depression and anxiety well--both professionally and personally. I've spent the past ten years learning ways to retrain the brain to heal from these bewildering illnesses and to prevent them from ever coming back. I am trained to teach the 8-week, "Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the Prevention of Relapse of Depression Program," and used mindfulness techniques with my clients.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

We do not heal as well on our own as we do in relationships--in particular, in relationships with people who acknowledge our gifts, accept our faults, and aren't afraid to challenge us to be our highest selves.

What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process

You will know in the first ten minutes if I can help you. I will challenge you, but I will not push you to go faster than the slowest part of you feels safe to go.

Services I Provide

Individual Therapy & Counseling
Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Consultation
Online Counseling / Phone Therapy

Ages I Work With

Teens
Adults
Elders

Languages I Speak

English

Groups I Work With

Individuals, couples, therapists, families, groups. People struggling with depression and/or anxiety who are looking to recover fully and develop ways to prevent relapse.