Betsy Sansby has almost 30 years experience counseling individuals, couples, and families. She is the creator of  The OuchKit, LoveBites, and other communication tools for couples. She is also the author of Ask Betsy, an online relationship advice column.  Betsy has appeared in Redbook Magazine, and is a regularly featured therapist in the popular Ladies' Home Journal series "Can This Marriage Be Saved?"

A note from Betsy: 

When you're going through a rough patch in your life,  it's critically important that you find the right therapist. So let me describe how I might  work with you.  First we'll talk about what you really want and figure out what's keeping you from getting it.  Then we'll come up with a plan to help you achieve your goals as quickly as possible.  Between sessions, you'll be practicing whatever skills you've been working on, so you're always making progress--even when I'm not around. Each time we meet, we'll figure out what's working, what's not, and what's next. My job is to make each session challenging and relevant, and give you tools to help you be your brightest self--inside and outside the therapy setting.

You can expect me to:

* Ask direct questions

* Notice what others miss 
* Tell you what I really think 
* Care about your relationships 
* Insist you do your homework 
* Make each step as easy as possible

Don't expect me to: 
* Sit and nod 
* Agree with you all the time 
* Avoid difficult topics 
* Work harder than you do 
* Perform miracles very often

Intensive Couples Therapy available.  Email me with your request.

Office hours and setting:  I work out of a lovely home-office, perched on a hill, and surrounded by trees. I work: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to noon. I answer my own phones. I do not work evenings. 

Email or phone counseling sessions:  These sessions are for those who travel, live out of state, or have trouble getting to my office.  You pay for my time.  If you live in the US or Canada, I pay the long distance charge.  Same day, weekend, evening appointments available.

Fees:  Therapists typically charge for a "therapeutic hour," which lasts 45-50 minutes. This is not only misleading, but 45 minutes is not long enough to get much work done. My fees are based on either a 60-minute or a 90-minute session.  A 60-minute session is $140.  A 90-minute session is $200.  All couples or family sessions are 90 minutes.  Payment is due at the time of service.  Although I do not accept insurance, some clients have been successful at getting their insurance carrier (including Blue Cross and Medica Choice) to cover a percentage of their therapy on an out-of-network basis.  I'm happy to provide you with claims forms you can submit to your insurance company.  I also accept VISA and MasterCard payments.

Credentials and Experience:

MS in Counseling (Marriage & Family) 1983, California State University

Minnesota Board-Approved Supervisor of Marriage & Family Therapists.

B.S. University of California at Davis 1979

Scripps College, Claremont, CA, 1974. University of Minnesota, 1973.

Clinical Memberships: American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy, Midwest Association of Marriage & Family Therapy

Client feedback:

"Betsy pulled the truth from an ocean of craziness."

 "Being with Betsy is like getting a great mental flossing.  I always leave sessions with more to think about."

 "I appreciate how real you are, how you capture the essence of an issue, instead of getting lost in symptoms..."

" Things are FABULOUS!! It's like I am living with a totally different person--the person I once fell in love with!"

"Truly amazing...I am grateful to you every day!"

"You did amazing things for us. We've had a great couple of months realizing how much we love each other.

Couples like us could put you out of business!"

"After our first session, my husband said 'This is the most hopeful I've felt in ages.' Thanks, Betsy!"

"You are not just helping the two of us, you're helping us give our beautiful girls the gift of a peaceful, happy home

they can feel loved in. I thank you for that!"

"We worked hard, but you gave us the tools. Without them, we could have worked just as hard and gotten nowhere--except maybe divorced."

"Thank you for your intense curiosity, intelligence, humor, and compassion."

"Betsy didn't turn away, judge, or silence me when things got uncomfortable or difficult."

"Thank you for all you have done. I believe your work is truly PRICELESS! I hope you know how much it is appreciated."

"Hi Betsy!  Our kids love the OuchKit.  So do we all!  They come in quite handy here, as we 'Ouch' each other on a regular basis. :)"