About
Welcome to TouchingTrees.
Learn about our experience and approach.
The TouchingTrees Approach
Our practice and services are focused on helping individuals, couples, and families learn to manage stress from relationships. Some of the most stressful times, of course, are when a divorce or separation is going on, so that is often how we enter into someone's life. Our involvement can include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, Discernment Counseling, decoupling counseling, and coaching.
Our approaches include looking at the ways you are feeling "stuck" through emotional, physical, and financial attachments to a stressful relationship. From there, we work together to understand how you got to where you are, why you are motivated to change now, and how you can achieve your personal goals. Those goals may include goals related to parenting, to partnering, or to growing into a more authentic identity.
We use strategies from Internal Family Systems, Adlerian therapy, systems theory, and structural theory, as well as values integration and vulnerability exploration. Sometimes the best vehicle for growth is a trusting relationship with a therapist, and we strive to provide that to every one of the people we work with.
First Sessions
Our first meeting or two is a great way for you to share as many thoughts and feelings as you want. The more we can learn from you, the better we can tailor your therapeutic experience to meet your needs. We'll be taking lots of notes during these sessions!
Next Visits
Depending on your needs, we will work together to figure out the patterns that are getting (or keeping) you stuck. We will also work together to create a plan to make the most of our time together. We want you to feel so much better after participating in therapy, and understanding and changing patterns and cycles is a great way to do that.
Therapeutic Orientation
We believe that the client's needs determine the type of therapy we do together. Generally, we like to integrate any number of theories and strategies into our work with you. We're always learning, too, so don't be surprised if we share with you some book or concept we just discovered if we think it would be a help to you.
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Jenni's Experience & Focus
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University
Recipient of a Lilly Endowment Fellowship to Indiana University for Secondary Education
B.A. in English Composition, DePauw University
Jenni specializes in post-divorce issues related to emotional, physical, and financial attachment, as well as decoupling counseling. She is trained in Prepare/Enrich, Discernment Counseling, Mediation, and Parenting Consulting.
* Author of Outsmart Your High-Stress Divorce
* Presenter of Outsmart Your High-Conflict Relationship
* Author/Presenter of "Divorce, Everlasting" to Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (MAMFT)
* Experience providing therapy to young adults with developmental disabilities, as well as their families
* Author of Child Less Parent, Basement Daisies, Fence Pumpkins, Serotiny, and Cape of Leaves
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Developer of High Conflict Relationships: Rescue, Recovery, and Restoration
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Developer of the High Conflict Relationship Therapy training program for professionals
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Author of Outsmart Your High-Stress Divorce
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Author of Child Less Parent, Basement Daisies, Fence Pumpkins, Serotiny, and Cape of Leaves
Jenni McBride McNamara, LMFT
Pronouns: She/her
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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MA, Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University
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BA, DePauw University
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Member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
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Member of Minnesota and American Associations of Marriage and Family Therapy
Serves:
Individuals, couples, teens, and families
About Me:
I specialize in working with individuals navigating high-conflict dynamics, court-involved therapy, personality disorders, and divorce. With extensive experience in these complex areas, I provide a structured yet compassionate approach to help clients manage challenges, set healthy boundaries, and regain control over their lives. My goal is to empower clients to move beyond conflict, heal from past experiences, and step into their inspired identity.
Recognizing the need for specialized support in high-conflict situations, I have developed a comprehensive training program for therapists seeking to enhance their skills in high-conflict therapy. Additionally, I’ve created a video course designed for clients who want guidance in managing and overcoming the stress of high-conflict relationships. These resources reflect my commitment to equipping both professionals and individuals with the tools necessary for meaningful change.
I believe that transformation is possible, even in the most difficult circumstances. By exploring patterns of communication, emotional responses, and relationship dynamics, I help clients shift from feeling stuck to feeling empowered. Whether you are navigating a high-conflict divorce, managing a court-involved case, or working through the challenges of personality disorders in relationships, I provide a supportive and results-oriented space for growth.
Together, we will work toward lasting change—helping you break free from destructive cycles, establish healthy boundaries, and move forward with clarity and confidence. My approach is client-centered, practical, and focused on real solutions that honor your values and personal growth. No matter where you are in your journey, I am here to help you find strength, healing, and a renewed sense of self.
Jenni's Experience & Focus
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University
Recipient of a Lilly Endowment Fellowship to Indiana University for Secondary Education
B.A. in English Composition, DePauw University
Jenni specializes in post-divorce issues related to emotional, physical, and financial attachment, as well as decoupling counseling. She is trained in Prepare/Enrich, Discernment Counseling, Mediation, and Parenting Consulting.
* Author of Outsmart Your High-Stress Divorce
* Presenter of Outsmart Your High-Conflict Relationship
* Author/Presenter of "Divorce, Everlasting" to Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (MAMFT)
* Experience providing therapy to young adults with developmental disabilities, as well as their families
* Author of Child Less Parent, Basement Daisies, Fence Pumpkins, Serotiny, and Cape of Leaves
Stephanie Nelson, LMFT
Pronouns: She/her
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University
Serves:
Preschool and school-aged children, young adults, coparents, individual adults, couples and families
About Me:
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly 15 years of clinical experience. I currently see clients in person at our Eagan office and virtually via telehealth. My background includes providing mental health support in a wide range of settings, including schools, day treatment programs, shelters, hospitals, and traditional outpatient therapy offices.
I believe that relationships are the key to meaningful change. Whether we’re talking about the relationship we have with ourselves—our self-talk, beliefs, and inner world—or our relationships with others and the broader world around us, how we relate deeply shapes how we feel, function, and grow.
I work with individual adults, couples, children, and families, offering a warm, nurturing, and supportive therapeutic space. I believe the relationship between therapist and client is one of the most powerful factors in successful therapy. When trust is established and people feel genuinely cared for, meaningful exploration can occur, new understanding can emerge, and lasting change becomes possible.
My approach is relational, collaborative, and strengths-based. Within the therapeutic relationship, there is room to explore the relationships that matter most—past and present—while increasing self-awareness and learning how to be more intentional moving forward. I strive to meet each client with empathy, curiosity, and a deep belief in their capacity for growth. I naturally see the best in people and enjoy helping clients reconnect with their strengths, resilience, and sense of hope.
While connection is central to healing, I also value the role of theory and training in guiding effective care. My clinical training has shaped a systemic perspective, meaning I pay close attention to the interconnectedness of thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships—particularly within families and primary attachment relationships. I also incorporate psychoeducation, mindfulness strategies, and trauma-informed practices into my work.
I have experience supporting clients with concerns including anxiety, depression and mood instability, stress, life transitions, gender identity exploration, low self-esteem, high-conflict relationships, and co-occurring mental health concerns alongside cognitive and/or physical disabilities.
As a systemic and relational therapist, I prioritize trust and emotional safety in my work with children and families, especially those navigating high-conflict situations. Separation, divorce, custody disputes, and complex family dynamics can create significant stress for children, impacting their emotional well-being, behavior, and ability to thrive. My goal is to provide children with a safe, supportive space where they can process their experiences, develop coping skills, and build resilience.
In my work with children, I incorporate play, art, games, sensory activities, and creative expression to help them communicate their thoughts and feelings. These approaches allow children to process difficult experiences in developmentally appropriate ways while strengthening emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and self-esteem.
I also work closely with parents and caregivers, offering guidance on how to support children through high-conflict transitions, improve communication, and create more stable, emotionally safe environments. Whether your family is navigating divorce, co-parenting challenges, or other relational stressors, I am here to provide support and practical strategies to help both you and your child move forward.
Above all, I bring a big heart to my work and a genuine belief in each person’s ability to grow and heal. My goal is to create a nurturing space where clients feel truly heard, understood, and supported. If you’re looking for a therapist who is warm, encouraging, and deeply invested in your well-being, I would be honored to work with you.