Saundra Stodden, BA

Saundra’s goal is to create an empathetic, warm, and safe place for all clients to share what is on their minds and hearts. While meeting clients where they are at mentally and emotionally, she collaborates with her clients on goals that truly matter to them. Integrating Attachment Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she practices a strengths-based approach to emphasize each person’s unique characteristics that create positive change. When working with children, she incorporates a child-centered play therapy approach. While focusing on the relationship with the client, she makes it her mission to ensure her clients feel heard, understood, and valued. Throughout the healing journey, she provides support by processing emotions together, improving insight and awareness, and finding coping strategies that fit the client’s lifestyles and interests.

Saundra is a graduate intern at Secure Base Counseling Center in Northfield, MN. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and health humanities from St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN in 2024. She is completing her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in play therapy at Plymouth State University. Saundra has also completed DC:0-5 training to provide assessments, diagnosis, and treatment to children under age 6. She has extensive experience working with children and utilizing play-based techniques to support healing for children.

Outside of work, she enjoys going to coffee shops, yoga, painting, and reading.