Therapy that makes a difference.

Alyssa Baker, MSW, LICSW
Childhood Trauma Therapist

I operate from the belief that you deserve to receive care that actually makes a difference in your life. 

Rather than giving you “band-aids” to cover up the wounds that are causing your unwanted symptoms to occur, I help you explore what has happened in your life that has led you to what you are experiencing now; healing you from the inside out. As we systematically work to reorganize the internal structures of how your mind has been working to protect you, the symptoms you had been experiencing no longer need to be present. 

My focus is on working with Cycle Breakers. These are people who are dedicated to becoming aware of the cycles of harm that are present in their life and are ready to work towards stopping the cycles of harm so they do not continue in their own life and in the lives of the people they care for.

I approach therapy with the understanding that you are inherently good inside and you already possess everything you need inside of you to do this cycle-breaking work. My job is to provide you with the optimal environment, feeling safe and supported without judgment, to guide you as you get to know these parts of you that have been working really hard to keep you safe and functional all this time.

My view of one’s mind is non-pathologizing; which means that rather than diagnosing you with, let’s say, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I view your mind as having a cluster of parts that use symptoms of anxiety to protect you. Although these parts of your mind have good intent, they oftentimes are misguided in what they think is best for you.  Rather than teaching you how to deal with or live with your anxiety symptoms, I get curious about what is causing the symptoms to arise in the first place. By digging in and identifying the root cause of this cluster of symptoms, we then get the opportunity to untangle the web of protective mechanisms that your mind has developed throughout your childhood to keep you safe and functioning. 

As an adult, these protective mechanisms are likely causing you more suffering and harm than their original good intent. By helping you increase your awareness of how your mind has structured itself to protect you, I give you the chance to choose what is working for you and what isn’t and, in the process, change the circuitry of your mind. The goal, in the end, is to have your mind operate in ways that are actually helpful which will allow you to be the best version of yourself.

Read what other’s have to say about working with me:

  • At first I was hesitant to start therapy, but once I did I felt so much better. I’ve truly enjoyed having Alyssa as my therapist. She is so understanding, kind, and personable. I felt like I could tell her anything, which is sometimes hard for me to open up to others. I’m very thankful to have had therapy sessions with her and would look forward to each therapy session with her!

  • Alyssa has been an amazing therapist. Without her I likely would have dropped out of college as I was unable to cope with my depression and anxiety. She has taught me ways to manage my feelings and skills to continue improving. Before meeting Alyssa, I was very against therapy and had a bad experience before college. I now believe I just needed to find the right therapist for me.

  • Alyssa is a wonderful counselor and seeing her every two weeks is a bright spot in my life. She is kind and patient but willing to ask the tough questions and push me to grow. She has made an immeasurable difference in my mental well-being, relationships, communication strategies, self-image, literally everything. I’m so grateful for her presence.

Credentials

  • Education and Licensure

    Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Minnesota State University in 2011

    Master of Social Work Degree earned from Minnesota State University in 2018

    Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker credentialed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work in 2021

  • Training

    Mayo Clinic Health and Wellness Coach Certification in 2011

    Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems with Dr. Frank Anderson, IFSI Online Circle Program Completion, IFS Immersion, Attendance at the Annual IFSI Virtual Conference

    Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy Certification

  • Experience

    I have spent the last 12 years working in a variety of capacities all dedicated to helping women step into their greatness. Whether that be roles in the health and wellness industry, mental health community agency work, or work in higher education. All of my past experience has shaped me in to the clinician that I am today. Please don’t hesitate to ask me more about my occupational background!

Guiding Principles

I believe that my purpose in life is to do my part to heal the internal wounds of the current generations so we can raise the coming generations with less trauma, pain, and suffering. I am especially passionate about helping women navigate the path between all of their many roles and responsibilities in life including the relationship they have with themselves. I care about the parent/child relationship and strive to help parents heal wounds from their past that may be affecting their ability to be the parent they would like to be for their own children. I believe that doing so will help folks stop the cycles of intergenerational trauma that have persisted in their families.

Every modality I utilize operates from a trauma-informed lens and is centered in self-compassion and the psychosomatic connection. To create a truly personalized remedy, I draw from many therapeutic modalities. I am informed in Internal Family Systems, trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and incorporate mindfulness practices and meditation into sessions. I operate from a person-centered, strengths-focused, and solution-oriented stance. I believe in the dignity and worth of all people, no matter their intersection of identities. I strive to create a space that feels safe, inclusive, and supportive to all.

Why Collective Remedy?

Your ultimate healing will depend on you getting in touch with your collective self, all of the pieces of you that make you who you are. The work I guide my clients through becomes the remedy they’ve been seeking that will finally allow them to fully embrace and love every part of themselves.