Welcome

Dakota Counseling Services

Compassionate Mental Health Support

1411 W. Dakota Pkwy Suite 2A

Williston, ND 58801

dakotacounselingservices@outlook.com

About Dakota Counseling Services

Our Mission

At Dakota Counseling Services , our mission is to provide high-quality counseling services to individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties.

Strength of a Buffalo

Like the buffalo, each person carries a quiet strength within them. Buffalo are known for their resilience, endurance, and ability to keep moving forward even through harsh storms. In many ways, mental health is the same. Life can bring challenges, pain, uncertainty, and difficult seasons, but with support, courage, and healing, people can learn to face those struggles rather than be overcome by them.

True strength is not about never falling or never struggling. It is about continuing to move forward, even when life feels heavy. It is about learning new ways to cope, finding hope during difficult times, and recognizing that asking for help is a sign of courage, not weakness.

Just as the buffalo faces the storm head-on, therapy can help you build the strength, resilience, and confidence needed to navigate life’s challenges. With support and guidance, you can move toward healing, growth, and a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling.

Susan Wade, LCSW

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is tailored to meet your unique needs, goals, and life experiences. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space where you can talk openly, process emotions, and work through challenges in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to you.

Treatment may include a variety of approaches depending on your concerns and personal preferences. Solution-Focused Therapy can help you identify strengths, build on what is already working, and create realistic goals for positive change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, helping you develop healthier thinking patterns and coping skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) may be used to help improve emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and communication skills. DBT can be especially helpful for people who experience intense emotions, relationship difficulties, impulsive behaviors, or feelings of being overwhelmed.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and other Trauma Techniques

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an evidence-based therapy approach designed to help people quickly process distressing memories, trauma, anxiety, grief, and other difficult experiences. ART uses a combination of guided eye movements and therapeutic techniques to help reduce the emotional intensity connected to upsetting memories and negative thoughts.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART does not require you to share every detail of your experience out loud. Many clients appreciate that they can work through painful memories without having to relive them or repeatedly discuss them in depth. The focus is on helping the brain process and reframe distressing experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming or emotionally charged.

ART can be helpful for a variety of concerns, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, grief, phobias, relationship issues, chronic stress, sleep problems, and difficult life experiences. It may also help people who feel “stuck” in negative patterns, unwanted thoughts, or painful memories that continue to affect their daily lives.

CPT is a research-supported, time-limited therapy that targets unhelpful beliefs maintaining PTSD symptoms. Combined with trauma-informed stabilization and skills training, it helps clients reduce distress, reclaim control, and rebuild relationships and daily functioning.

Exposure Response Prevention for OCD

ERP is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD. It focuses on reducing the cycle of avoidance and rituals so anxiety naturally decreases over time. I emphasize safety, gradual challenge, and building real-world functioning.

Intimacy Related Therapy

Intimacy related therapy provides a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental space to talk openly about intimacy, sexuality, relationships, and concerns that may be difficult to discuss elsewhere. Many people experience challenges related to intimacy at some point in their lives, and therapy can help you better understand these concerns while building confidence, connection, and communication.

Intimacy related therapy can help individuals and couples with a wide range of issues, including differences in desire, low libido, intimacy concerns, difficulty with arousal, painful sex, orgasm concerns, sexual anxiety, erectile difficulties, body image concerns, sexual shame, communication struggles, infidelity recovery, pornography concerns, compulsive sexual behaviors, and the impact of stress, trauma, or medical issues on sexuality and relationships.

Therapy may also support individuals exploring sexual identity, sexual orientation, relationship dynamics, changing bodies, aging, menopause, sexual health concerns, or the effects of past experiences on intimacy. For couples, sex therapy can help improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, rebuild trust, and create a healthier, more satisfying intimate relationship.

Sessions are guided by your goals, comfort level, and values. Therapy may include education, communication skills, emotional processing, relationship work, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral strategies, and exercises designed to improve intimacy and connection. There is never any sexual contact or sexual activity during therapy sessions. Sex therapy is a professional counseling service focused on helping you feel more informed, supported, and empowered.

Carrie Burris, LCSW

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling offers a private, supportive space where you can talk openly, process difficult emotions, and work toward meaningful change. Counseling is tailored to your unique needs, goals, personality, and life experiences. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship concerns, trauma, self-esteem, life transitions, or simply feeling overwhelmed, individual counseling provides a safe place to slow down, reflect, and heal.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is based on the idea that the way we think can influence how we feel and respond to situations.

Many people experience patterns of negative thinking that can increase anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, anger, or feelings of being overwhelmed. CBT helps identify these unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more balanced ways of thinking.

In therapy, you may learn how to recognize negative self-talk, challenge distorted thoughts, improve coping skills, manage stress, and respond to difficult situations in a more effective way. CBT can also help you develop problem-solving skills, improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and increase confidence in your ability to manage emotions and daily challenges.

CBT is often used to help with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, stress, anger, phobias, and life transitions. It is a goal-oriented therapy approach that focuses on creating meaningful change in the present while building skills that can be used long after therapy ends.

Couples Counseling

Our couples counseling services are designed to help you and your partner improve communication, work through conflicts, and strengthen your relationship. Our experienced therapists are here to guide you through the process and help you build a strong and healthy relationship.

Shay McKinney, LCSW

Telehealth Provider

Shay provides telehealth counseling which offers a convenient and flexible way to receive therapy from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Online sessions allow clients to access support without the need to travel, making it easier to fit counseling into busy schedules, parenting responsibilities, work demands, or life in rural areas.

Telehealth can be a great option for individuals, couples, teens, and families who prefer the convenience of meeting virtually. Sessions are provided through a secure, confidential video platform that allows you to connect with your therapist in a safe and comfortable setting.

In her own words:

I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can show up exactly as you are—without pressure, without judgment, and without needing to have everything figured out. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to explore your experiences, understood in your struggles, and supported as you begin to make sense of your story.

At the core of my work is a belief that understanding yourself—your patterns, your experiences, and the ways you’ve adapted—is a powerful step toward change. Together, we’ll explore how your past has shaped your present, while also identifying ways to create a life that feels more manageable, intentional, and aligned with who you are.

I work from a generalist perspective and have experience supporting individuals across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, psychotic disorders, ADHD, crisis situations, and dual diagnosis. Whether you’re navigating something acute or something that’s been quietly building over time, I approach each person with curiosity, respect, and a commitment to meeting you where you are.

My approach to therapy is integrative and tailored to your needs. I am trained in several evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. I also utilize Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which incorporates bilateral stimulation to support the central nervous system and enhance emotional regulation. Additionally, I provide CBT for insomnia, helping individuals improve sleep quality through precise and structured interventions.

Telehealth allows us to do this work in a way that is accessible, flexible, and often more comfortable. Meeting from your own space can reduce barriers like travel, time constraints, or anxiety about entering a clinical setting. It also creates an opportunity for therapy to fit more naturally into your life, rather than feeling like something separate from it. Many people find they’re able to open up more easily and consistently when they’re in a familiar environment.

If you’re looking for a space to better understand yourself, process what you’ve been through, and build tools to move forward, I invite you to meet with me. You don’t have to have a clear starting point—just a willingness to begin.

Melissa Bair, LPC

Individual Counseling

Couples Counseling

Family Counseling

Family dynamics can be complex and challenging. Our family counseling services are here to help you navigate through the challenges and build stronger relationships. We work with families of all sizes and backgrounds to help them communicate better, resolve conflicts, and build stronger bonds.

Play Therapy

Welcome to a warm, inviting play therapy space designed especially for children, teens, and families. The office feels more like a cozy playroom than a traditional therapy room, helping children feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable from the moment they walk in.

A dedicated sand tray area offers children a safe, creative way to tell their stories without needing to use words. The sand tray is filled with soft sand and surrounded by miniature figures such as animals, people, fantasy characters, houses, trees, vehicles, and symbolic items. Children can build scenes in the sand that help them explore feelings, family relationships, fears, hopes, and life experiences in a gentle, non-threatening way.

For children and teens who connect through technology, the therapy space also includes a comfortable gaming area with a television, an Xbox, colorful controllers, bean bag chair, and age-appropriate video games. Video games are used intentionally as part of therapy to help build communication skills, problem-solving abilities, frustration tolerance, teamwork, emotional regulation, and connection. Gaming can also help children who may be hesitant to open up in traditional conversation feel more comfortable and engaged.

The overall feel of the office is playful, calm, and nurturing, blending traditional therapeutic techniques with creativity, imagination, and modern interests. The space is designed to help children feel accepted for who they are while giving them many different ways to express themselves, work through challenges, and build healthy coping skills.

Empowering You to Achieve Happiness

Meet Christina

Christina is the friendly face and welcoming voice of the office. As a mother who has returned to school herself, she understands the challenges of balancing family, work, education, and everyday life. Her own experiences help her connect with clients in a warm, understanding, and supportive way.

Originally from California and now proud to call North Dakota home, she brings a caring and approachable personality to the practice. She is often one of the first people clients speak with when reaching out for services and works hard to help each person feel comfortable and supported from the very beginning.

She assists with scheduling appointments, processing payments, answering questions, and helping clients navigate the intake process. She also communicates client concerns and important information to clinicians to help ensure that everyone receives the support and care they need.

Her goal is to make each interaction feel welcoming, respectful, and stress-free. Whether she is helping a new client get started, answering questions about appointments, or offering reassurance during a difficult time, she is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive experience for every person who contacts the office.

About the Intimacy Inbox

The Intimacy Inbox

Intimacy email: intimacyinbox@outlook.com

Intimacy Inbox is a private, judgment-free space where community members can anonymously or discreetly submit questions about intimacy and relationships relationships. Inspired by trusted advice columns like the famous columns Dear Abby and Dr. Ruth, Intimacy Inbox offers thoughtful responses to questions that

people may feel uncomfortable asking out loud.

Many people have questions about intimacy but may not know where to turn for accurate, respectful information. Intimacy Inbox provides a safe way to ask those questions privately and receive supportive, educational answers from a licensed therapist who understands the sensitive nature of these concerns.

The goal of Intimacy Inbox is to reduce shame, encourage healthy conversations, and help people feel more informed, confident, and connected in their relationships and personal lives. No question is too small, too embarrassing, or too unusual. If it matters to you, it matters here.

Please note the following information:

📩 Intimacy Inbox Disclaimer – Dakota Counseling Services (North Dakota)

Age requirement is 18 years of age and above.

Participation in the “Intimacy Inbox” is for general educational and informational purposes only. Submitting a question or receiving a response does not establish a therapist-client relationship with Dakota Counseling Services or any of its clinicians.

Responses provided are not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, diagnosis, or medical advice. Information shared is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation.

🔒 Confidentiality & Communication Limits

Email communication is not a secure or confidential method of communication. While identifying information is not requested and reasonable efforts are made to protect privacy, submissions may be viewed by authorized staff. This communication method is not a HIPAA-secured or encrypted clinical platform and should not be used to transmit sensitive personal health information.

Please do not include names, locations, or other identifying details in your submission. Questions may be edited for clarity, length, and removal of identifying information before being responded to or shared.

By submitting a question, you acknowledge and accept the risks associated with electronic communication.

📌 Response Limitations

Dakota Counseling Services:

Does not guarantee a response to every submission.

May decline to respond to any question at its discretion.

Does not provide continuous monitoring of submissions.

Does not provide clinical advice or establish a duty of care through this service.

Welcome

Dakota Counseling Services