Natalie Bjornstad, LMFT

*Natalie is currently accepting new clients:

children (5+), adolescents, young adults, women, and families

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

CONTACT

MEET