NATALIE BJORNSTAD, LAMFT

Hello & Welcome!

During this time in our world, we can all benefit from extra sources of support.  My approach as your therapist is a collaborative one.  I will help you (or your child and family) navigate the stressful moments in life.  Behaviors, relationships, feelings, or diagnoses, I can offer new tools and therapeutic insights to guide you toward your goals. In counseling children, families, and adults for fourteen years, I am experienced in treating a variety of challenges, but most importantly, I am centered on client care. My utmost priority is creating a strong therapeutic connection where my clients feel heard and supported. It is from this foundation that we will build on skills and explore areas for self-growth to help you reach your goals.

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What is an MFT?

My training in marital and family therapy (MFT) differs slightly from other clinical approaches and licenses in that our philosophy centers on a “systems” approach to treatment.  We know people do not function on individual islands, but instead live within a fluid system, influenced by the environment and people that surround them.  I recognize each client not only has a personal growth journey but also thrives best when involving their family and support system within that growth process. As appropriate, I welcome families and other support persons to join sessions as we work through treatment goals.  Within the systems approach, I gravitate toward Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Collaborative and Proactive Solutions treatment models.

Do you have specialties?

Yes, with a passion for gifted and twice exceptional children, I have sought out additional knowledge, training, and experience within this area. I also work extensively with stress and anxiety management, which tends to coincide with mood struggles, behavioral issues, and family-relational issues.  A list of my common treatment areas are also available below.  Please feel free to contact me with specific questions on areas in which you’re seeking help, and I am happy to have a conversation to see if I match your needs.

Additionally, I have the unique experience of being a school counselor for several years, where I assisted in creating IEP and 504 goals, presented within the classrooms, and generally gained knowledge about our charter and public school systems.  When working with clients who face school-based struggles, I utilize this experience to help families navigate the education system and advocate for their child.

What else should I know?

• I received my masters degree in Marital and Family Therapy (2009) from the University of San Diego and my bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona.

• Prior to private practice, I worked in various counseling positions within community mental health agencies, higher education, public and charter schools, and on the Gila River Indian Reservation.

• I am a member of the Arizona Association for the Gifted and Talented as well as a parent member of a Davidson Young Scholar, an organization providing various supports for profoundly gifted children and their families.

• I am truly passionate about my work and enjoy integrating opportunities to advance my knowledge.  You’ll often find me engaged in a new book, podcast, or training!

• I love traveling, cake decorating, reading, writing, and spending time with my family and two children.

Common Areas of Focus:

• Academic Pressures                

• Family Relational / Family Transitions

• Anxiety Disorders                

• Executive Functioning / ADHD

• Anger Management                

• Giftedness / Twice Exceptional

• Behavioral Struggles                

• Grief / Loss

• Autism Spectrum                

• Parenting Skills / Collaborative Parenting

• Depression / Self-Esteem            

• Social Skills / Peer Relational Struggles

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