Sandra R. Johnson

Who Sandra works with

Over the years, I have worked with first responders, medical personnel, military veterans, sexual assault survivors and others with both single and chronic trauma backgrounds. My thoughts and perspectives on police work are anchored in my work with first responders, my work with crime victims, my experience as a resident on the Northside of the city of Minneapolis and my own experiences, both positive and negative, with police officers. I have developed cultural competence through work and training with LGBTQ+, African American, Native American, Hmong/Thai and Latinx populations and communities, parents at high risk of abusing their children, parents of children with ADHD, survivors of sexual and physical abuse, general parenting and adolescent groups.

Treatment Approaches

In therapy, I use multiple approaches including EMDR, CBT, Humanistic Relational Therapy, psychoeducation and the skill building aspects of DBT.

Practice philosophy

I take a nonjudgemental approach that includes respect and compassion for my clients; a priority for their growth and change; and an unshakable belief in equity for all humans. I see my job as helping clients make changes they desire and learn to cope with their difficulties. I know that therapy involves commitment and a willingness to experience pain in the process of positive change and I support clients through that. My perspective of trauma is that events are stored in our whole bodies, our whole nervous system and we need an approach that addresses that. This is why I am an EMDR therapist as it works more quickly than other modes of therapy.

Current License

MSW, LICSW

Degrees

Masters of Social Work degree; Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker license.

Personal Interests

I enjoy reading, nature, animals, my dog, time with family, humor, thunderstorms, art and poetry and surprising friends and family with unexpected gifts.