About

If “therapy” is a verb in which both client and provider are engaged participants in a dynamic “give and take” collaboration, what, then, is “good therapy”? In my mind, good therapy involves the interweaving of three ideas, sometimes each true at independent times throughout the process, sometimes all true simultaneously:

• Doing: We DO the hard work, but also grow into awareness/existence a new version of ourselves.
• Being: While it is important to be active, at times we are required to BE, quiet or sit with ourselves, process and listen to that “small voice” for what feels right.
• Playing: It is said that play is children’s “work”, but play is just as important for adults. As humans our right brain is activated during creative activities. These creative activities often facilitate deeper understanding of our whys and help clarify what steps are needed to move forward. Additionally, a “playful” approach, one involving fun and humor, can lessen the intensity of emotions related to the work of therapy.

I would like each of my clients to feel welcomed, accepted, and hopeful. As such, my practice is centered around providing “good therapy” that honors each’s individual process and respects the speed that feels comfortable to their progress. One size does not fit all in therapy. Together we’ll discovery the solutions and strategies that work for you to get unstuck and started down the path to thriving.

Who is Dr. Margaret?

Dr. Margaret Houston, DMFT, LMFT, ICST (She/her/hers)

As a holistic provider, I believe in an approach that includes both experiential and mindfulness interventions. One aspect of my practice that makes me different from similar providers is the way I incorporate play into the therapeutic process. While I am not a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), I have completed many play therapy trainings and do have a certificate in sand tray therapy.

I have been a therapist and a mom for over 20 years. I am comfortable working with children as young as four, individuals from various socioeconomic sectors, cultural backgrounds, and religiously diverse groups.  Until recently, my clients were all required to have services through the courts and I performed in home therapy most of my early career. I have years of experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum as well as young adults and understand first hand what it takes to navigate the system. I am also well-versed in working with people experiencing crisis, suicidal ideation and recovery from trauma. Having spent many years in crisis counseling, I have had the opportunity to work with adoptive and foster families navigating through transitions. The families I have been honored to work with have had a variety of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic levels and I bring both a deeper understanding of and humility in learning more about various cultural issues.

Education wise, I hold a Doctorate Degree and Post-masters Certificate in Marriage and family therapy, a Master’s degree in human development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Multicultural Studies, as well as many certificates and formal trainings. I currently live in South Minneapolis with my dog, a few cats, and a never-ending roster of house repairs.