Resource Center
Clear, trusted answers about brainspotting, EMDR, HeartMath, Quantum Biofeedback, neurofeedback, trauma, ADHD, autism, military support, spirituality, and psychological evaluations, plus how to get started with our Forest Lake team.
Tap a topic to jump straight to the answers.
Getting Started
New to therapy or new to us? Start here.
You can request an appointment online through our secure SimplePractice portal, book directly with Debra Nelson, MA, LMFT or Nicole Lindberg, MSW, LGSW, LADC, call 651-408-3174, or send us a secure message.
We start with a short conversation about intake paperwork and your goals. There is no pressure to dive into trauma or anything heavy on day one. The first session is about getting oriented and building a plan together.
No. You can reach out directly to schedule a consultation. No referral is required.
You do not need to know in advance. We will help you figure out the right combination in your first conversation, and many clients use more than one of our therapy specialties together.
Yes. Telehealth appointments are available for many of our services throughout Minnesota. Some services, such as certain biofeedback sessions, work best in person at our Forest Lake office.
Insurance & Rates
How billing works for counseling, specialty services, mediation, and evaluations.
Counseling may be billed to participating plans, including Medica, Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, UCare, and Medical Assistance. Mediation, evaluations, and some consulting services are typically private pay. We recommend verifying your benefits before your first visit.
That works well. Private pay and HSA/FSA cards are both accepted.
Generally these are private-pay services. Learn more about brainspotting and biofeedback and neurofeedback.
Mediation and evaluations are billed differently than counseling because insurance generally does not cover them. See divorce mediation and family-court evaluations at our partner practice, Counseling & Mediation Solutions.
Brainspotting
A brain-body approach to trauma therapy that does not require retelling your story again and again.
Brainspotting is a focused therapy method developed by David Grand, PhD. It uses where you look, your eye position, to help locate and process sources of emotional and physical distress, often with soft bilateral sound. Learn more from Brainspotting.com or our brainspotting therapy page.
You talk briefly about what you want to work on, then your therapist guides you to a comfortable eye position while you notice what comes up in your body. You stay in control the whole time and can pause whenever you need.
People use brainspotting for combat and first-responder trauma, abuse and assault recovery, single-incident trauma such as accidents or medical events, anxiety, and performance blocks for athletes, musicians, and public speakers.
Brainspotting is a newer approach and research is still growing. Many clients find it helpful, especially when talk therapy alone has not been enough. We use it alongside licensed counseling and will talk through whether it fits your goals.
EMDR
Two brain-based trauma therapies, compared in plain language.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided back-and-forth eye movements, to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they feel less intense. Learn more from EMDRIA.
EMDR is one of the more widely studied trauma therapies. The American Psychological Association includes it in its clinical practice guideline for PTSD as a conditionally recommended treatment.
Yes. Debra Nelson, MA, LMFT, and Nicole Lindberg, MSW, LGSW, LADC, are both trained in EMDR therapy and see clients at our Forest Lake office. Book with Debra or book with Nicole.
Both are brain-body trauma therapies. EMDR follows a structured protocol with moving bilateral eye movements, while brainspotting holds a single eye position and is more client-led and open-ended. Some people respond better to one or the other, and we offer both, so we can help you choose. Compare them on our brainspotting and EMDR page.
Quantum Biofeedback
A complementary, relaxation-focused wellness option offered alongside counseling.
Quantum Biofeedback uses a computer-based SCIO system to give feedback on stress patterns during a relaxing, seated session. We offer it as a complementary wellness tool alongside counseling. It is not a medical diagnostic test and does not replace care from your physician.
Traditional biofeedback uses sensors to measure signals such as heart rate, breathing, muscle tension, or brain waves, so you can learn to adjust them (see Mayo Clinic). Quantum Biofeedback is an energy-based wellness approach, so its research base is more limited. We are happy to talk through the differences.
You sit or recline comfortably while soft straps connect you to the system. Most people find sessions calming. Visit our biofeedback page or our biofeedback for pets page to learn more.
HeartMath
Heart-focused breathing and heart rhythm feedback for everyday stress.
HeartMath uses a small sensor to show your heart rhythm in real time while you practice slow, heart-focused breathing. The goal is a steadier rhythm pattern, called heart rate variability (HRV) coherence, which the HeartMath Institute links to calmer focus and emotional balance.
Seeing your heart rhythm change as you breathe helps you learn, in the moment, what calm feels like in your body. Many clients pair it with counseling for anxiety and depression.
Yes. Once you learn the breathing techniques in session, you can practice them anywhere, and some people use a home HRV device between visits.
Neurofeedback
Brain-based biofeedback that trains attention and regulation.
Research on neurofeedback for ADHD is mixed but promising, and many families use it alongside other care rather than instead of it. It is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. See our ADHD questions below.
We offer neurofeedback, HeartMath heart rate variability training and Quantum Biofeedback (SCIO), and all three are available now. Our biofeedback and neurofeedback page compares them. Call 651-408-3174 to talk through which fits your goals.
Trauma & PTSD
Common signs of trauma and the ways we help.
After a traumatic event, people may replay what happened, avoid reminders, feel on edge or easily startled, have trouble sleeping or focusing, or feel numb or irritable. When these reactions last for months, it may be PTSD. Learn more from the National Institute of Mental Health and the VA National Center for PTSD.
We combine licensed counseling with brainspotting therapy and biofeedback to calm the nervous system. Our partner practice also offers anxiety and trauma counseling.
No. Approaches like brainspotting do not require you to retell your story over and over. You set the pace.
ADHD
Support for focus, regulation, and daily life for kids, teens, and adults.
Biofeedback and HeartMath can help some people practice calm focus and self-regulation, and are often used alongside counseling, parenting support, school accommodations, and medical care. Learn more on our biofeedback page.
A formal ADHD diagnosis usually comes from a qualified clinician or physician after a full evaluation. Call 651-408-3174 to talk through evaluation options and referrals.
Autism
What to watch for, how diagnosis works, and how families can find support.
Early signs can include limited eye contact, not responding to their name by about 9 months, and not pointing to share interest by about 18 months. The CDC has a helpful signs and symptoms guide and a free Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone tracker.
Yes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism can be diagnosed at any age. Many adults seek an evaluation after years of feeling different or misunderstood.
Counseling can help with stress, anxiety, social and family relationships, and parenting support. Our partner practice offers child and teen therapy and family counseling. If you are looking for a diagnostic evaluation, call 651-408-3174 and we will help you find the right specialist.
Military Support
Support for service members, veterans, and military families.
Yes. Debra Nelson, MA, LMFT, brings experience as a Military Family Life Consultant, and our brainspotting trauma therapy is often used for combat and first-responder trauma. Book with Debra.
Call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or text 838255. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7, even if you are not enrolled in VA care.
Military OneSource (800-342-9647) offers counseling and support 24/7, the VA National Center for PTSD has trusted education, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs helps with state and federal benefits, and the Wounded Warrior Project supports injured veterans.
Spirituality & Guidance
Your beliefs are welcome here, and never required.
Yes, if you want it to be. Debra Nelson’s background includes ministry, and we are glad to include faith, meaning, and spiritual guidance in your care when it matters to you. The APA Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality studies this kind of integrated care.
No. Therapy always follows your values and goals. Spirituality is only part of your sessions if you choose.
It can include exploring meaning and purpose, grief and loss, forgiveness, or how your beliefs shape coping. It is always client-led and respectful of every faith background, including none.
Psychological Evaluations
Structured assessments for clarity, planning, and family-court needs.
A psychological evaluation is a structured assessment that may include interviews, questionnaires, and standardized tests to better understand emotional, behavioral, or family functioning and to guide next steps. The American Psychological Association explains how testing and assessment work.
Debra Nelson is a psychological evaluator and parenting consultant. Family-court evaluations and parenting assessments are offered through our partner practice, Counseling & Mediation Solutions. Evaluations are typically private pay.
Bring any court orders, prior records, or questions you want answered, and plan for more than one appointment. Call 651-408-3174 and we will explain the process for your situation.
What to Expect
Progress, pacing, and what to do if you are unsure.
It varies by person and approach, but many clients notice initial shifts within the first several sessions. We check in with you regularly about how things are progressing.
That is a completely normal place to start. We can talk it through in your first session, and you can always begin with traditional counseling.
Please do not wait for a callback. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Veterans can press 1 after dialing 988.
Trusted Resources
Reliable outside sources we recommend for learning more. Links open in a new tab.
What brainspotting is, from its developer.
About EMDR therapy.
The science of heart coherence.
What neurofeedback is.
How biofeedback works.
Understanding PTSD.
Signs, diagnosis, and treatment.
Free child milestone tracker.
24/7 support: 800-342-9647.
Still Have Questions?
Book online through our secure SimplePractice portal, choose your clinician, or call our Forest Lake office at 651-408-3174.
Explore more: Therapy specialties · Our team · About Debra · Contact
Our Partner Practice
Beyond the Brain Therapies Inc. also does business as Counseling & Mediation Solutions. Visit their site for answers about these services.
Talk with our Forest Lake team about brainspotting, biofeedback, trauma therapy, and more, in person or by telehealth across Minnesota.
