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The Rev. Ross A. Aalgaard, MSW, LICSW

Psychotherapist / Pastoral Counselor
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Master of Social Work
Master of Divinity, American Baptist Churches USA

raalgaard@wpc-mpls.org
612.332.7743 x285

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I am very excited about becoming a member of Westminster Counseling Center (WCC). I count it a privilege to be part of such a highly regarded agency as well as a talented and qualified team of mental health professionals and care-givers. It is a dream-come-true for me to be able to fulfill my calling as a psychotherapist and pastoral counselor at WCC. My passion for helping and serving others is fulfilled in the counseling center’s dedication to transforming mind and spirit. After 16 years of pastoral ministry and 10 years of working in customer service, I am finally able to do direct clinical social work as a psychotherapist/pastoral counselor. I have a deep desire to help people live well-balanced, holistic lives with equal portions of mental health, emotional health, social health, spiritual health and physical health. It is a pleasure for me to be able to address an individual’s, a couple’s, a family’s, or a group’s life challenges and growth from both a psychological and spiritual perspective. This is why WCC is a great place for me to be and for you to come.

Clinical Perspective

Although psychotherapy may not always be comfortable, I believe that when it comes to your life, you are the expert. I take a client-centered approach to psychotherapy. Both you and I have something to offer in this professional relationship. We go on a journey together. It is important to note, the journey only may be an inch or two rather than hundreds of miles long. However, an inch of change or growth is major! Although I may offer insight, perspective, understanding, encouragement, comfort or may even confront or challenge you; wherever therapy may take us, I will always try to give you a place of honor and treat you with respect.  It is my hope that the time we share together will help enhance your daily life and relationships.   

I believe in addressing matters of the here and now. However, many of our current patterns and behaviors come from what we learned when we were young, primarily through our relationships with our primary care-givers. Looking at the past may help you gain wholeness for the present. We will consider your past only to enhance your present. Through your own introspection and reflection, personal development can often occur. Sometimes, change depends on simply recognizing unhealthy thought patterns and replacing those patterns with healthy perspectives. We will start by finding out where you are in your journey in order to determine the approach to take in addressing your concern. We will continue to ask each other if the approach we are taking is helping or if we need to take a new direction.

During psychotherapy you can expect to talk about:

  • Your problem and its history
  • Your relationships both past and present, including your family
  • Your medical and mental health history as well as your education/work history
  • Your culture and social life experiences
  • Your actions and behaviors
  • Your spirituality, worldview, perspectives, hopes, dreams, and/or what gives you meaning
  • Your plans and future

I believe that psychotherapy can give you more meaning and fulfillment in your life. I trust you will find the same to be true for you in your experience.

Clinical Interests Include

  • Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer/Questioning issues/concerns
  • Spirituality/meaning
  • Depression/anxiety
  • Death/dying
  • Grief/loss
  • Relationships/groups/families/blended families
  • Chemical dependency/substance abuse

Theological Perspectives
I believe in a Higher Power or Energy which is personal, active, and interested in our lives and the affairs of the world. I call this Ultimate Being, God. I also believe that through our spiritual journeys, each of us has come to have our own understanding of God. Whether you choose to acknowledge God or choose to recognize the spiritual realm in some other way, your spirituality can be a genuine resource for your life and well-being. Therefore, I intentionally honor and affirm whatever spiritual path or philosophy that will strengthen you in your journey.

I choose to acknowledge spirituality from the vantage point of acceptance, affirmation, grace, mercy, forgiveness, love, charity, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These will be the principles that I uphold in therapy and from which I will form my viewpoints and approach.

Education
M.S.W., 2009 – College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
M.Div., 1991 – Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN
B.A., 1986 – Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN

Credentials
Ordained Clergy, American Baptist Churches USA
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, State of Minnesota
Member, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Member, National Association of Social Workers

Theoretical Approach
Self Psychology and Object Relations Theory
Humanistic Psychology and Existential Psychology
Cognitive-Behavioral Theory
Family Systems and Ecological Systems Theories
Integration of theology/spirituality and psychology

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