Our Practitioners
James (Jim) Broecker, M.S.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Practice Description:
I work with individuals and families and couples with a goal of helping them discover and use their strengths to overcome the regular, and not-so-regular challenges of work, school, marriage and family life. I work with individuals in treating depression, anxiety, stress, grief specializing in solution-oriented and collaborative approaches. I work with couples to discover, or rediscover their strengths and shared interests while learning skills to overcome the challenges and problems that can come from two different individuals with different needs sharing life and family challenges.
I have developed a special interest in the management and treatment of stress and anxiety related issues. I have the firm belief that a person’s strengths can often also be their challenge. Such is often the case with those who deal with anxiety and stress issues, who tend to have high standards, strong work ethics, and are often the “go to“ people at work or home. Viewing stress and anxiety symptoms as a signal, often that we are not taking care of ourselves, rather than the problem itself, frees a person to change his or her relationship with anxiety. When we don’t fear panic symptoms, we can learn to manage and decrease them. When we recognize anxiety is the signal, we can address the problem which lies beneath, much like when we view physical pain as a signal to change what we are doing to avoid injury. At times we need to stand with anxiety, as we address root concerns.
Personal Interests:
Having been married for 18 years, with four children aged 6 - 17, I bring a real world understanding to therapy. I understand the challenge of time and schedule stressers. My work with clients reminds me of the need to prioritize and be intentional about where I invest time and money. As a “fellow traveler” I work alongside clients, and often get the benefit of learning with and from clients as they discover. A self-professed “Summer person”, I enjoy swimming and boating on the St. Croix, rollerblading, traveling in general, and excursions to warm places to snorkel with my kids and explore areas of historical interest.
Education:
- M.S. - Marriage and Family Therapy 1995, University of Wisconsin - Stout
- M.A. - Christian Education/Youth Ministry, 1984 Bethel Theological Seminary
- B.A. Psychology 1980, Winona State University
Licenses:
- Marriage and Family Therapy (WI)
- Marriage and Family Therapy (MN)
Professional Memberships:
- Clinical Member - American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- Association of Marriage and Family Therapists