A transformational approach to well-being
drmaryfreitag.com
As an integrative psychologist, Dr. Mary incorporates experiential mind-body therapies, mindfulness, and neuroscience insight into her compassionate clinical work. She developed and runs SpiritWoods in Stillwater, MN offering experiential, research-based ecotherapy in a nature setting for individuals, couples and groups. Whether via Telehealth or distanced in-person at her nature immersion studio, Dr. Mary’s services have evolved to meet you safely where you are.
Specific areas of expertise include anxiety management, trauma recovery, chronic illness, interpersonal effectiveness, couples communication, conflict regulation, and family relationship repair.
In addition to specializing in mindfulness-based therapies, she trains other clinicians interested in enhancing their clinical skills. Dr. Freitag teaches graduate students in the field of psychology, engages in research to further the understanding of what makes mental health treatments most effective, and collaborates with other professionals in various disciplines to help provide a whole-health approach in the treatment of patients and their families.
After receiving her doctorate in clinical psychology, Dr. Mary held positions as staff psychologist and Assistant Professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, and as adjunct faculty with St. Thomas University Graduate School of Psychology. She opened Integrative Psychological Services, P.A. in 2005 as a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Supervisor in private practice. Today, she continues her private practice incorporating ecotherapy at SpiritWoods Wellness Center, developed in 2019.
At SpiritWoods, Dr. Mary’s therapeutic services for individuals, couples, families and groups teach daily practices that improve quality of life.
Licensure/Certifications
- Licensed by the Minnesota Board of Psychology
- Certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- Trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
- Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
- Certified in Hypnosis by the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Professional Associations
- American Psychological Association
- APA Division 12 for Clinical Psychology
- Minnesota Psychological Association
- Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy
- Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Special Training: The Five Mindfulness Trainings
In August 2007, Dr. Freitag received her dharma name, Healing Tenderness of the Heart, from Thich Nhat Hanh, after completing The Five Mindfulness Trainings.
Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet, and peace activist, was nominated by Nobel laureate Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. He was awarded the Courage of Conscience award in 1991 and has been featured in many films, including The Power of Forgiveness showcased at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival.
Thich Nhat Hanh lived in the Plum Village Monastery in the Dordogne region in the South of France, where Dr. Freitag gave a presentation on the topic of Mindfulness and Cognitive Psychotherapy on June 4, 2011.
Known as the Father of the Mindfulness Movement, Thich Nhat Hanh was laid to rest on January 22, 2022 at the age of 95 in Huế, Vietnam.
Natalie Wasiluk is a licensed independent clinical social worker and psychotherapist who provides compassionate individual, couple, and group therapy. With a strong foundation in dialectical behavior, interpersonal, mindfulness-based, and compassion-focused therapies, Natalie helps clients understand emotional and relational patterns that contribute to difficulty, including experiencing anxiety, depression, feeling stuck, frequent conflicts, or disconnection. Within the context of a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship, Natalie works with clients to increase their self-efficacy and empowerment, so as to take the emotional risks needed to bring life more in line with their values and goals. Natalie believes that relational wounds are healed in secure relationships and is passionate about creating space for clients to connect and recover from experiences of trauma, moral injury, grief, and shame.
Natalie completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Minnesota in 2011, and has since worked in a variety of clinical settings including partial hospitalization, outpatient DBT, and specialty behavioral health clinics. She has completed advanced training in evidence-based psychotherapies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and integrating mindfulness-based practices into therapy interventions. She has additionally received specialized training in areas of reproductive mental health and working with veterans and the military community.
Lauren Hill has been an AmSAT (American Society for the Alexander Technique) certified teacher of the Alexander Technique since 2003. She began studying the Technique in her 20’s looking for help managing chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain. Besides the physical relief she found with the Technique, she was also drawn to its simple and practical nature. Often it’s the simple things in life that prove to be sources of endless learning and exploration. That’s why she’s continually fascinated by this work, more than 25 years since her first Alexander lesson.
Lauren runs a studio in St. Paul, MN where she primarily works with students one-on-one. She also teaches group classes through St. Paul Continuing Education and is a guest teacher in residential workshops around the US. Lauren joined the faculty of MinnCAT, an Alexander teacher training course in the Twin Cities, in 2017.
When she’s not helping her clients learn how to be more comfortable in their bodies, she’s ballroom dancing with her husband Bruce, telling jokes, writing, dreaming up next year’s Halloween costume, or spending quality time out of doors.
Sue Swanson MDiv, is a teaching artist who helps people find Sabbath time in their busy lives by practicing spiritual patterns. She calls her work Prayercraft, which uses art as a gateway to healing, wholeness and meditation. Her classes and retreats include collage, journaling, beadwork, meditative drawing and labyrinths.
Sue holds a BA degree in Professional Communications from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She is an advanced certified Veriditas Labyrinth facilitator, creating circles of beauty and joy.
Sue lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with her husband Roger. She is the mother of two sons, and “Nana” to five grandchildren.
Natasha Lee grew up in South Florida and graduated from Florida State University. From her many years of ballet, and during the care of her four children, Natasha explored the many benefits of natural healing, including body movement. Early on, she became a regular attendee at a restorative yoga class. There Natasha found a new, vibrant energy along with the emotional and spiritual resources needed to parent her children and pursue her dreams.
Finding healing in her own life motivated Natasha to help facilitate the healing of others as well. Certified as a yoga instructor with a 500-hour certification, Natasaha teaches through her registered name, Shining Meadow Yoga, as she leads others in their yoga journey — finding balance in mind and body.
If it has strings, Paul Imholte probably plays it. Paul performs traditional American, Celtic, and original music on nearly a dozen folk instruments.
The hammered dulcimer is his featured instrument. This type of dulcimer is trapezoid in shape and played by lightly striking hammers on strings producing an enchanting sound. Along with the hammered dulcimer, Paul sings and plays fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, viola, cello, mountain dulcimer, autoharp, harmonica, jaw harp, and spoons.
Paul’s instrumental compositions reflect in music the shape and landscapes of the Midwest. He writes and sings songs that deal with farms, small towns, and the people who make their living on the land.
Paul has released twelve CDs of hammered dulcimer music and original songs. He performs throughout the United States at festivals, schools, and concerts.
Jenny Marsh currently works in international development. She is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Mental Health Nursing, and holds a Doctorate in both clinical and health psychology.
During the pandemic, Jenny reconnected with her childhood love of nature and art. Through nature journaling classes, she improved her observational skills while drawing, allowing her to cope with stress and isolation brought on by COVID19.
Jenny believes that we were all meant to love the outdoors — to notice the seasons, to embrace the fresh air, sunshine, rain, snow, and stars, and to observe and value other creatures. “Journaling about nature will help you see more clearly, listen more deeply, notice relationships and patterns, discover beauty, and find comfort and connection with others and the natural world.”
Jenny is the daughter of a Master Gardener who sent her to “Bird Camp” every summer for six years, and the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of three wise and wonderful women who taught her to pay attention to what the present moment brings. Jenny recently launched two remarkable young adult children and lives with her sweetheart in the sunny, snowy San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado.
Rachael Huyck is both a social worker in palliative care/hospice and a yoga teacher and trainer. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Minnesota in 1997 has worked over the years across very diverse settings with children and adults, with a focus on healing from trauma and losses. She sees her role as a practitioner as walking along side persons; supporting, educating and advocating, as people navigate the challenges, losses and what matter’s most in their lives.
Rachael started practicing yoga over 30 years ago after years of competitive sports, in order to deal with pain and her own anxiety. After 1000 hours of teaching and continued study she earned her E-RYT, and began teaching yoga teachers as well. As a teacher she has sought to assist others in understanding and experiencing the myriad of benefits and joys of engaging Mind, Body and Spirit. She has taught students of all ages and abilities to use movement, breath, and mindfulness to support mental health, addiction recovery and injury/chronic pain.
Rachael values the inherent uniqueness of each person — careful to support each student’s physical needs and spiritual beliefs. You can most often find Rachael outside on the water swimming, paddleboarding, hiking or gardening; in the kitchen cooking and eating something delicious; creating art or devouring books. Rachael loves her husband, 2 adult sons, 2 cats, a dog, and 6 nieces.
Ken Epstein is a photographer and retired physicist. Growing up in New Jersey, he was captivated by the natural beauty of the Atlantic seashore and developed his artistic sense on sketchpad and canvas. His attachment to nature transferred to the lakes, prairies, and woodlands of Minnesota and found expression through the digital camera.