Captain Soderstrom, LMHC, LPC
I specialize in providing compassionate therapeutic healing for artists, performers, and creatives who are LGBTQIA+ and/or in non-traditional relationships, including polyamory, ENM, kink and BDSM.
For more than a decade I have been helping clients navigating many challenges, including:
Sessions with me are active and collaborative, inviting us each to bring our expertise to help you develop your goals and build skills to reach them. No topics are off limits and your full self is welcomed here. I tailor our sessions to meet your unique needs and goals, working holistically with your mind, body, and spirit.
Our work is informed by my experience with:
As a creative myself, I understand the obstacles of developing our artistic practices in a society that is not always designed for our needs and enjoy finding ways to bring our creativity into every day.
I am a licensed counselor in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. My undergraduate studies focused on community mental health and art therapy for teens and young adults and I received a bachelor of arts in psychology and social behavior with a minor in queer studies from UC Irvine. I received a master of arts in psychological counseling and a master of education in mental health counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University.
After graduation I completed additional coursework in gender and sexuality counseling and practiced under supervision at the Psychotherapy Center for Gender and Sexuality at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy and received my license as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York State.
During my graduate and post-graduate training I worked at community health clinics in NYC serving individuals, families, and groups, and specialized in work with LGBTQIA+ clients and children who have an incarcerated parent or family member. In 2020 I moved to the upper peninsula of Michigan and became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan and Minnesota.
I am dedicated to continuing my education on a regular basis, and have completed extensive professional training in:
I also have significant education and experience working with kink, BDSM, and polyamory. It is important to me to remain up to date in best practices for counseling and therapy to provide exceptional care to the communities I serve.
When I am not deepening my therapeutic knowledge, practice and enhancing my training, you can find me outside foraging for edible mushrooms and wild medicinals or exploring snowy wilderness (depending on the season), observing local wildlife, fostering my artistic and crafty pursuits, or under a blanket with a good mystery novel.
Services tailored to your journey
Every person's path is unique. I offer a range of evidence-based therapies — all delivered via secure video sessions or asynchronously — to support you wherever you are.
Life can throw a lot at us, and it is important to have a place to talk and process our experiences. Through an integration of more traditional frameworks, therapeutic art exercises, and reconnecting with your body and nature, we work to find new avenues to understand yourself and process your experiences, helping you heal past wounds and clarify your direction and ambition in your life and creative practices.
For partnered groups of any size and format, relationships take work and deserve dedicated space to work through conflict, build trust and communication skills. Through a Gottman informed approach, we will create an intentional space to learn more deeply about each other and find meaningful healing and connection.
We are social animals, and healing is often found in community. I regularly offer trans and gender nonconforming support groups, creative art therapy sessions, polyamory and kink support groups, and mindfulness and loving kindness meditation sessions.
While related to EMDR, Brainspotting is a different, often softer way of processing through deep trauma or stuck emotions. Sessions will be carefully structured as we move at your pace to help release trapped stress in the brain through the use of focused eye positioning. Brainspotting can be used on its own or in tandem with other individual therapy modalities.
I offer holistic coaching that focuses on connecting the mind, body and spirit. We will work collaboratively to find healing through nature and creative art practices, therapeutic tools, and experiential somatic exercises to help you reach your goals.
My fee is variable depending on the type of service, length of session, and frequency. My fee is $275 for 50-minute individual and Brainspotting sessions, and $350 for 60-minute relationship sessions. If you are looking for a different length or frequency of sessions or asynchronous options, please reach out to me to discuss.
I have a sliding scale that allows for flexible rates so that care is more accessible to those who need it. Backline also offers assistance to music industry professionals and their families. Please contact me or reach out to Backline for more information.
I am currently in-network with Aetna. Your insurance may also provide out-of-network benefits, and I can help you determine this.
You can use the tool below to determine your out-of-network benefits, and I can help you with documentation and set up on Thrizer to receive your reimbursements.
If you aren’t sure which service is right for you, please reach out and schedule a complimentary consultation. I will be happy to talk through options to help you determine the best form of care for what you are looking for.
Therapy is a guided conversation where you and I will work collaboratively to discuss your concerns and reach your goals. We will find a set time each week for us to meet via video or phone to focus on you and your needs. Our first few sessions will be fairly structured as I learn about your history and symptoms and we get to know each other better. At that point, we will discuss your treatment goals and create an initial plan together. After that, each session will begin with a check in about your goals for the session or topics you want to cover, but we may move through multiple topics as we explore your thoughts and feelings, both past and present. My aim is not to tell you what to do, but to ask questions and help you build skills to uncover your own strengths and help you determine your own path with confidence.
Therapy can sometimes be uncomfortable as we recall, process, and discuss unpleasant events and work with the feelings associated with those experiences. We will take our time and make sure that you have the space and resources to discuss your experiences and feelings. I will support you every step of the way as we give your thoughts and emotions room so you can clarify what it is that you want for yourself. The length of our work together will depend on your needs and goals, and may last a few months or a year or more. I am open to both short-term and long-term therapy, as well as asynchronous options, and we will collaborate to determine what is best for you!
Counseling has both benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings and facing challenging memories because the process of therapy often requires discussing difficult aspects of your life. However, counseling has been shown to have many benefits for individuals who undertake it. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress, and resolutions to specific problems. However, there are no guarantees about what will happen. Counseling also requires an active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work on things we discuss outside of sessions.
In addition, online counseling is not for everyone. If you prefer meetings and doctors appointments in person, you may struggle with the online format of therapy. Please consider if therapy by video or phone feels like the right match for you.
I am always happy to answer questions and demystify the therapy process. Please reach out and ask me anything!
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. Here are answers to the questions I hear most often. Don’t see yours? Reach out anytime.
Book a free 15-minute online consultation meeting. We can meet and discuss how we can best address your specific needs.
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Ready to take the first step?
Same-business-day response, confidential inquiries, no commitment.
Licensed in Michigan, Minnesota, New York
Session hours Mon–Fri 8 am – 6 pm Eastern
hello@captainlistens.com
