Lura Smedstad , LPC

Lura Smedstad brings twenty years of counseling experience to a practice that blends spiritual respect, expressive art processes, and a grounded cognitive behavioral approach. She honors the inner spiritual Source she sees in every person while using art-informed techniques and evidence-based cognitive behavioral strategies to support healing. Over the course of her career she has worked with both adults and teens, helping people address trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and related challenges, and guiding clients to establish sustainable life goals and healthier relationships. Her style is tailored to each individual or couple, and clients have described her approach as "direct but compassionate." Lura emphasizes helping clients tune in to what she calls the Voice of Wisdom within themselves and then use practical tools to move forward.

Lura’s early work included service as a Ministerial Partner alongside her husband, a Unity Minister, at Unity Churches in Clear Lake, Texas; Taos, New Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut; and Key West, Florida. After relocating to Minneapolis in 1993, she and her husband founded and led a three-year school focused on personal growth and spiritual maturity for ten years, drawing students from many occupations and spiritual backgrounds. While completing her BA and master’s training she completed practicums in both counseling and art therapy while working at a psychiatric hospital in Key West. Her formal training includes ordination from Theophilus Divinity School, a BA in Fine Arts, and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy. Lura is an LPC - a Licensed Professional Counselor - practicing in Minnesota, and since 2020 she has conducted her practice through telehealth from her home office.