Counseling & Therapy
Independent Management Services offers a range of counseling and therapy options tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Our experienced therapists provide individual, group, and family therapy, as well as play therapy for children. We use evidence-based approaches including cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and accelerated resolution therapy to support healing, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Whether you're seeking support for trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges, our team is here to help.
Therapy Options
Independent Management Services provides a variety of counseling and therapy options tailored for individuals, couples, and families. Click each item below to learn more about the specific approaches we offer:
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, is a specialized form of psychotherapy that helps individuals quickly resolve trauma and distressing memories. What makes ART unique is its focus on replacing negative images in the mind with positive ones, guided by a trained therapist. This process often leads to rapid relief from symptoms like intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and emotional triggers—sometimes in as little as one session. By changing how the brain stores painful memories, ART can provide lasting healing and help individuals feel more in control of their lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a widely used and effective form of talk therapy. In CBT, you work one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional in a structured setting over a set number of sessions. The goal is to help you recognize and change unhelpful patterns in your thinking that may be contributing to emotional or behavioral challenges. By understanding the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions, you can learn to approach difficult situations with greater clarity and more effective coping strategies.
CBT is commonly used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders. For some individuals, CBT alone provides the support they need; for others, it works best alongside other treatments, such as medication.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of behavior therapy designed especially for people who experience emotions very intensely. Building on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals understand how their thoughts affect feelings and behaviors, DBT focuses on balancing opposite ideas. The term “dialectical” refers to this balance—teaching people to accept their current reality while also working toward positive change, including modifying unhelpful behaviors. Developed in the 1970s by psychologist Marsha Linehan, DBT combines acceptance and change to support emotional regulation and healthier coping skills.
Individual DBT skills training provides personalized, one-on-one support tailored to your unique needs and challenges. In these sessions, you work closely with a DBT therapist who customizes skills and strategies to help you manage intense emotions and improve coping in a way that fits your situation.
Group DBT typically involves attending a weekly skills training group with other clients. These groups are more like classes than traditional therapy sessions, focusing on learning and practicing skills in four key areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. A full skills training group usually lasts about six months to cover all the material. Depending on your individual needs or circumstances, some clients receive skills training through individual sessions rather than a group. In both settings, clients consistently learn and practice skills each week as part of a comprehensive DBT program.
Please note: DBT is an intensive outpatient program that has specific program admission requirements. You and your therapist will discuss DBT and see if you meet program requirements
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapy technique designed to help individuals heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. During EMDR sessions, you are guided to move your eyes in a specific way while recalling difficult memories, which can help your brain process and resolve those experiences. This approach supports emotional healing by reducing the intensity of painful memories and shifting negative thought patterns.
EMDR is backed by decades of clinical research and has been shown to be highly effective—often helping people feel better more quickly than traditional talk therapy alone. It can benefit adolescents, adults, and even children when provided by trained professionals who specialize in EMDR for younger clients.
At this time, EMDR is offered by only one prrovider at our agency. Please contact our intake coordinator for more information or to inquire about availability.
Marriage and Family Therapy
Marriage and family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the behaviors and interactions of all family members and how these impact both individuals and their relationships within the family as a whole. This therapy addresses a wide range of issues, including marital and couple conflicts such as separation or divorce, parent-child disagreements, substance abuse, sexual difficulties, financial stress, grief, eating disorders, and behavioral challenges in children like self-harm. It also supports families through major life changes like job loss and eldercare challenges, including coping with a parent’s or grandparent’s dementia. Additionally, marriage and family therapists help families navigate mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia, working to understand and improve how these issues affect the entire family system.
Play Therapy
Play therapy uses activities and materials like clay, water, blocks, dolls, puppets, and finger paint to help children express their emotions and work through problems. This approach is based on the idea that play reflects a child’s inner world, allowing them to “play out” feelings and challenges in a way that words alone may not capture. Through play, children can explore relationships, try new ways of coping, and process internal conflicts as well as everyday experiences. Play therapy can be either guided by the therapist or led by the child, depending on their needs.
FAQ
How long does therapy usually last?
Therapy is tailored to each person’s needs. Some individuals benefit from short-term, solution-focused sessions, while others may engage in longer-term therapy for ongoing support.
Is my session confidential?
Yes. Everything shared in therapy is confidential, with the exception of certain safety-related circumstances, which your therapist will explain at the beginning of treatment.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes, we offer both in-person and telehealth therapy sessions, depending on your preference and the availability of your therapist.
Does my insurance cover services?
Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan and the type of services you need. Many of our services are covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and most private health insurance plans. To find out exactly what your insurance covers, we recommend contacting your provider directly or reaching out to our office. We’re happy to help verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before you begin services.
How do I get started?
To get started please complete the forms at the bottom of this page or reach out to our intake coordinator at info@imsofmn.com or 507-437-6389.
Meet The Team: Clinical Therapists and Counselors
Meet the team
Meet The Team: Clinical Therapist Trainees
Meet the team
Referrals
If you’d like to refer yourself or another indvidual to one of our counseling and therapy programs please complete the forms below. Completed forms can be emailed to our intake coordinator at info@imsofmn.com or faxed to 507-437-0977