Lura is caring and understanding of my situation and suggests new ways to help me focus on what I need to work through. More than any other therapist has ever done and I so appreciate her wisdom and experience for that.
Lura Smedstad, LPC
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Lura is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Lura. View 26 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Minnesota
Recent reviews
Lura has helped me out a lot in just a short time. I’m very thankful
More about Lura
- 20 years' experience
- Female
- LPC
In her counseling practice, Lura combines aspects of what she loves the most: a deep regard for the spiritual Source within every person; effective therapeutic art processes, and a sound cognitive behavioral therapy approach. For many years, she has had the opportunity to support both adult and teen clients in the process of healing their lives. Lura specializes in helping her clients alleviate the effects of trauma, anxiety, and depression, as well as grief and loss issues. She helps them to establish workable, sustainable life goals and healthy relationships. Her clients describe her approach as “direct but compassionate!” and uniquely suited to each individual or couple who meet with her. According to Lura, “We all have a Voice of Wisdom within us. Part of what I do is to help clients get in touch with that Voice.”
EXPERIENCE:
I have been working as a Counselor and Therapist for many years. My primary work was partially accomplished as a Ministerial Partner with my husband who is a Unity Minister while serving Unity Churches in Clear Lake, Texas; Taos, New Mexico; Charlotte North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut and Key West, Florida. In 1993, we relocated to Minneapolis, MN where we established a school with a three year course of study to support individuals in personal growth and spiritual maturity. We led the school for 10 years and attracted students from a variety of occupations and religious/spiritual affiliations. Many of our students came from "helping" occupations, (e.g., doctors, nurses. social workers, teachers, etc. ) and this taught us that our approach was valuable and timely.
I continued to work as I completed BA and Masters programs and had the advanced opportunity to do practicums in both Counseling and Art Therapy degrees while working for a Psychiatric hospital in Key West, Florida. In 2015 we left Florida, did another round of Interim ministry work in Hartford, CT before moving back permanently to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I joined an established counseling clinic as an associate and worked there from 2016 to 2021.
Because of COVID-19, I moved my practice to my home office and have been serving clientele on telehealth services ever since.
EDUCATION:
Ordained: Theophilus Divinity School 1995
BA in Fine Arts: Minneapolis College of Art and Design - St. Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota 2006
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling w/concentration in Art Therapy: Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona 2014
LICENSING:
Minnesota LPC #1916 (expires 10-31-21)
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Grief
Self esteem
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Parenting issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Depression
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
Aging and Geriatric Issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Family of Origin Issues
First Responder Issues
Forgiveness
Life purpose
Postpartum Depression
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
Licenses
Lura Smedstad's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1750839551.
- LPC · Minnesota · 01916 · Expires October 2024
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions. Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.
Reviews for Lura Smedstad
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Lura is caring and understanding of my situation and suggests new ways to help me focus on what I need to work through. More than any other therapist has ever done and I so appreciate her wisdom and experience for that.
Lura has helped me out a lot in just a short time. I’m very thankful
It has been a blessing to have Lura as my therapist. She listens and is direct but respectful and sympathetic. Her approach is very nurturing and provides a safe environment to be honest and understanding. The growth I have had since meeting Lura was been a blessing. I am truly grateful for Lura and her service.
Lura is amazing!
Laura is helping me grow and heal in ways that I have not been able to experience with other therapists. She knows what she's talking about and she'll challenge even your best excuses. 10/10
I've had the greatest experience with Lura! She's awesome!
Lura is engaging, authentic and has good suggestions. She listens well and has compassion. I love her straight-forward approach.
Lura is an amazing woman. So full of joy and patience.
Lura Smedstad has been Very accountable and listens emapthetically with Strong support toward healthy life choices. Lura is able to get to the Truth and provide the needed help to step off the CrAzY Rollercoaster of life to find peace with self. Thank You Lura!!! Looking forward to my journey with you until healthy. Thank You for your support; Helpful information; Care.
Lura is wonderfully supportive and provides the compassionate care I was looking for and needed. I'm very grateful for her wisdom and guidance.
Lura is very kind and comfortable to talk to. I really enjoyed our sessions. Take care
Very helpful and non judgemental. Helped me a ton and referred me to another place that specializes in my issues
Lura is very understanding of my life difficulties she guides me and gives me the best advices she also has me read very interesting books that help me out as well
Lura is fun and thoughtful. She gives me a new insight on how to process things.
Loved working with Lura! A caring and loving therapist. Just a great listener and someone I needed. Anyone would benefit from her expertise as a therapist.
Lura's kind, gentle and supportive guidance is exactly what I need and was looking for. I'm so grateful to benefit from her wisdom and care.
Lura has been nothing but kind, loving and extremely helpful. I'm very fortunate to be working with a therapist like Lura.
Amazing. Pick Lura
In a short period of time, Lura helped me realize the importance of setting boundaries in my life and prioritizing myself. She helped me navigate the stages of grief I was experiencing following the loss of my mother. I truly enjoyed our sessions. She is an excellent listener and she brought a spirit of joy and optimism to time together. Lura is a ray of light and I feel blessed that Betterhelp connected me with her.
Lura is amazing, she’s very sweet and insightful. Also very funny she’s kinda like a grandma to me
Lura is very understanding and easy to talk to, she helps me to see different perspectives and brings humor into our sessions
I am grateful for my sessions with Lura. She made understand different views on life. She showed me that I could love myself and not be so harsh. She made me feel loved and cared for. Lura is an amazing person & I plan to continue talking to her in the future.
Lura has been a wonderful therapist to work with! She has a warm and caring perspective on a broad range of topics. She helped me through a challenging time and I found her advice very helpful! It would be great to continue therapy with her again in the near future:
Lura is extremely approachable, and comes to the table with empathy and a sense of humor.
I have really enjoyed my sessions with Lura during my short time on betterhelp. She has provided a safe and comforting environment to express my feelings in my current life situation as well providing a non judgement space. I am never afraid to talk about any certain subject and she allows me to talk things through without interjecting or making me feel my feelings are invalid.
Lura is a very kind and caring soul. She is a wonderful listener and shares helpful advice. Her smile is contagious. Her bubbly personality definitely puts a smile on my face when it is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lura Smedstad offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Lura Smedstad works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Lura Smedstad speak?
Lura Smedstad speaks English.
How many years of experience does Lura Smedstad have?
Lura Smedstad has 20 years of experience.
Where is Lura Smedstad licensed to practice?
Lura Smedstad is licensed to practice in Minnesota.
Does Lura Smedstad accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Lura Smedstad does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Lura Smedstad offer?
Lura Smedstad offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.
How can I communicate with Lura Smedstad?
Lura Smedstad can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Lura Smedstad?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation.
Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.