Biz Buzz: Dr. Tamarah Gehlen of Transformational Therapy Services

Business: Transformational Therapy Services

Your Name: Dr. Tamarah Gehlen, LMFT LADC CCTP FLE (Dr. Tam)

Job Title: Owner/Therapist

Give us a brief overview of your business and what services you provide the community: As the name implies, we provide transformational, not transactional, therapy care. We specialize in trauma, relationships, grief and loss, addiction, and general mental health support for teens and adults. People can come to see us in person at our Rockford, MN office, or can reach us from anywhere in Minnesota via telehealth.  We know that there are many people that do not have high-quality access to individualized mental health and addiction supports – so we want to get our name and information out there so everyone in Minnesota can reach us when they need to.

How many years have you been in business? Transformational Therapy Services just opened in October 2022; however, I have been providing therapeutic services since 2008.

What’s something unique we should know about your business?

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I can understand and empathize with the unique difficulties that folx may struggle with, on top of the everyday life events that can overwhelm us. Every provider who works with us at this time has dual licensure in addiction and mental health as these issues commonly co-occur.

What’s your favorite thing about your job? It is an honor to hear anyone’s story – and it is such a beautiful thing to see someone come home to themselves and be the healthiest, best version of themselves.

What’s the best thing about working with the LGBTQ community?  We are a vibrant, creative, and diverse group who have so much strength and resilience! There is a lot of hurt, unfortunately, in our community – and it is my honor (along with so many others) to help people fully step into themselves and their own personal power.

Does your business have anything new, fun or unique happening on the horizon? We will be starting groups both in person and online starting in January 2023: Grief and Loss, Self-esteem, LGBTQIA+ youth group, Addiction Resilience Group (could be used as a first step towards addressing problematic substance use, or as an additional support after treatment).  We need at least 6 people registered for a group to start the group – for folx who are interested, please email [email protected] and let us know what group you would like to be a part of!

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing? I am a National-level speaker, and also an adjunct graduate-level Associate Professor of Addictions and Mental Health at St. Mary’s University, Twin Cities. Teaching/training and providing therapy are the greatest professional loves of my life!