Social Constructionist Therapists in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

My clinical experience is wide and deep. I estimate I have conducted about 90,000 hours of psychotherapy sessions, including many hours training and supervising other therapists. This experience covers many modes: individual therapy, as well as family, couple and group therapy. My basic orientation is existential and psychodynamic, but I have added much training and experience in other approaches on top of that over the years. I am Board Certified in Clinical Psychology, ABPP, have served 2 terms as a board director and secretary for the American Academy of Psychotherapy, and previously trained young clinical psychologists and psychiatric residents at the University of North Carolina. We keep learning more about how to be effective therapists, and I have aggressively added to my clinical wisdom. I stand ready to work to understand you deeply, and help you profoundly, whatever your current dilemmas.

I view therapy as a collaborative interaction in service of understanding the best forms of quality human relating. My approach to therapy is primarily guided by Coherence Therapy. Coherence Therapy is an approach to treatment that is different from many others in that - instead of focusing on what is "negative" or "wrong" and trying to change or alter it - the purpose is to genuinely understand a person's symptoms; to curiously explore why maintaining certain patterns of thinking and behavior is emotionally necessary, even when a person is feeling stuck because of those patterns. Understanding the symptom leads to identifying the underlying emotional reasons of why we do things and addresses the cause of feeling stuck, not just the symptom, which leads to meaningful and lasting changes.

I do my best to listen in the service of understanding and provide thoughtful responsiveness, which I have found helps my clients connect to their inner life and with others. Using gentle honesty and compassion, I value autonomy and collaboration to help people feel less alone while finding a sense of purpose within their lives and in the world.

Are you feeling weighed down by trauma, shame, or family conflict? I specialize in helping individuals navigate the most challenging parts of their lives, from trauma and PTSD to identity struggles and relationship issues. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can explore your emotions without judgment, rebuild your sense of self, and develop tools to move forward with confidence. If you're ready to reclaim your life and start healing, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Therapy can offer a space to better understand yourself and the experiences that have shaped you. I help adults make sense of trauma, neurodivergence, burnout, identity, and life transitions by understanding their experiences within the context of their relationships, environments, and the systems they have navigated. Together, we'll build practical skills, deepen self-understanding, and create meaningful, lasting change in a compassionate, collaborative space.

Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and a regional center for healthcare, finance, and retail, with two major health systems—Sanford Health and Avera Health—each operating significant behavioral health programs that serve the city and a wide surrounding rural region. The city has grown rapidly and attracted a notable refugee resettlement population, creating demand for culturally diverse and multilingual mental health services alongside the needs of the established community. Cold winters and geographic isolation from other major urban centers contribute to elevated rates of seasonal depression and loneliness. Common therapy concerns include anxiety, depression, family and relationship stress, and the challenges of navigating mental health care in a region where conservative and religious cultural attitudes toward therapy coexist with growing acceptance.

Gender ID

	75%	Male
	25%	Female

Session Type

	62%	In Person and Online
	38%	Online Only

Top Specialties

100%	Anxiety or Fears
100%	Depression
75%	Loss or Grief
63%	Self Esteem
63%	Trauma and PTSD
50%	Addictions or Substance Abuse
50%	Body Image

Ages Served

100%	Adult
63%	Young Adult
25%	Senior
25%	Teen

Client Focus

50%	Men
38%	Women
25%	Black / African American
25%	LGBTQ+
25%	Military / Veterans

Social Constructionist therapists in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

James C. Carpenter, PhD, ABPP

James Parker

Dr. Adam Shafer (Chicago, IL)

Emily Rowe

Kourtney Bennett

Social Constructionist Therapy therapists in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Statistics

Average years in practice

Average cost per session

Accept insurance

Offer sliding scale