Bridget Forst, LGSW
“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” - Brené Brown
Biography
Bridget Forst is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in the state of Minnesota. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and minor in Corrections from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Bridget continued her education at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where she completed her Master’s degree in Social Work with a certificate concentration in Mental Health & Substance Misuse. Bridget is also a current non-clinical supervisor with the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
Counseling Approach and Clinical Focus:
While completing her Bachelor’s degree, Bridget worked and interned in a few different settings including: Adult Foster Care for individuals with mental illness, ARMHS (adult rehabilitative mental health services), and probation. Bridget also has almost five years of experience working in a county setting as a mental health case manager. Bridget worked as an Elderly Waiver case manager shortly after graduating from MSU, Mankato in 2018 where she assisted elderly clients and their families to get connected with medically appropriate community services. Bridget then continued her work in a county setting as an adult and children’s mental health case manager.
In addition to her work as a therapist, Bridget currently works as an adult mental health case manager and substance use assessor. Bridget will work with anyone above the age of 5. Some areas that Bridget has an interest in working with include but are not limited to: depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, OCD, and psychosis.
A message from Bridget:
“I believe we all have internal strengths and resiliency we can build upon. Sometimes this involves taking a deeper dive within ourselves to cultivate those strengths. I utilize a strength-based perspective, which includes taking a solutions-focused approach as well as integrating aspects of CBT and DBT skills to help you reach your goals. Therapy can be a powerful way to help organize, make sense of, and reshape those certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can often make life feel difficult. Let’s sift through the weeds together.”
Education:
Master of Social Work Degree, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Science in Social Work Degree, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN
Minor in Corrections, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN
Associations/Memberships:
Minnesota Board of Social Work
Other Team Members
Pamela Thompson, LICSW
She loves reading, landscaping, family time and taking classes to improve her ability to help her clients.
Ashley Thompson, M.Ed., LPCC – SUP
Ashley believes we all have a story but that does not have to define who we become.
Kallie Marsh, M.Ed., LPCC
Kallie believes in using an empathetic and holistic approach that empowers individuals and families to find solutions to their problems and reach their self-determined goals.
Allie Skjonsberg, LICSW
I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy as life throws a lot at every single person and it’s nice to have a neutral person to talk to and process life with.
Marissa Perry, M.Ed., LPC
I am passionate about connection and client empowerment. I use individualized tools, techniques, and an integrative therapy approach to meet your individual needs and to help you find self-worth and balance within your daily life.
Sheyenne Hokit, LPC
I have a passion for helping my clients become the best they can be and empower them to go above that.
Jamie Newberger, M.Ed., LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
I am passionate about working with individuals who are healing from painful situations in life, and who feel stuck in old patterns that just aren’t working anymore. Whether you are having difficulty communicating your needs or emotions, facing hard choices, or lacking direction, change is possible. You don’t have to continue feeling stuck or overwhelmed, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Stephanie Schafer, M.Ed., LPCC-SUP, NCC
I take an inviting approach to counseling, and collaborate with my clients in their healing. I believe people to be resilient, and know that we all get “stuck” sometimes. I work with my clients to identify their strengths and resources to get “unstuck” and move toward thriving in their lives.
Heidi Leckner, LPCC
In my counseling work I utilize a humanistic approach, which is the belief that each human is not only unique, but also has the innate ability to overcome life’s hardships and pursue growth. When you are in counseling with me, I will hear you. Most importantly, I will provide you with support and validation while I assist you with your journey of self-improvement and healing.
Cheyanne Hart, LMSW
I strive to empower youth in finding their strengths and utilizing them with the help of their caregivers. I also enjoy working with families and individuals to improve overall functioning through a strengths based, client centered practice.
Nicky Besette, LGSW
I know therapy can be scary or intimidating but I will be here to help you in finding a healthier, happier you! Building a healthy and trusting relationship with my clients is important to me. I look forward to meeting you and I am excited you are here!
Austen McFarren, MS, LPCC
Austen’s clients describe him as gentle, patient, genuine, non-judgmental, warm, flexible, sarcastic, and witty. Austen’s clinical foundation is in humanistic approaches, while also utilizing tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy.
Reid Segal, M.S., LAPC, NCC
Reid decided she wanted to be a counselor at 12 years old when she met with her own counselor for the first time. She has seen the benefits of therapy from both sides of the couch and is passionate about offering a welcoming and unintimidating therapy environment where she collaborates with her clients as an equal.
Deb DeMinck, Ed.D, LPCC, NCC
Deb believes that challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
Denise Hellekson, LPCC, LISW
Denise believes one of the greatest investments we can make in life is the investment in ourselves, and one of the wisest choices we can make is reaching out for assistance when we need support along the way.
DeNae Haagenson, M.Ed., LPCC
A Minnesota native, DeNae has raised her family here and is active in her community.
Amanda Weston, LPC (MN), LAPC (ND), NCC
Counseling provides a safe space for hope to grow. I believe that every person is the author of their own story and healing can happen as we navigate the writing and rewriting of our story. It is a privilege for me to support you along your journey.
Amy McIntosh, M.S., M.Ed., LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
Amy uses a client-centered approach to meet you where you are at; she is always striving to tailor her approach to what each individual needs.
Bridget Forst, LGSW
I believe we all have internal strengths and resiliency we can build upon. Sometimes this involves taking a deeper dive within ourselves to cultivate those strengths. Therapy can be a powerful way to help organize, make sense of, and reshape those certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can often make life feel difficult.
Kaitlin Hetland, LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
I work with people to help them highlight and build on their strengths and focus on what is truly important to them. I can work with you to help when you are dealing with overwhelm, difficult change, worry, sadness, past hurts, family and relationship problems, and other hard things.