Lura Smedstad

Lura Smedstad blends a steady respect for the spiritual Source she sees within each person with expressive therapeutic art processes and a pragmatic cognitive behavioral therapy orientation. She brings these elements together to support both adult and teen clients in healing and life change.

With a specialty in addressing the effects of trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, Lura also focuses on helping people set realistic, sustainable life goals and build healthier relationships. Those who work with her often note an approach that is direct but compassionate, and she tailors care to the needs of individuals and couples. She often reminds clients, “We all have a Voice of Wisdom within us. Part of what I do is to help clients get in touch with that Voice.”

Her professional path includes many years as a ministerial partner with her husband, a Unity Minister, serving Unity Churches in Clear Lake, Texas; Taos, New Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut; and Key West, Florida. In 1993 they relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they established a three-year school for personal growth and spiritual development and led that program for a decade. The school drew students from diverse occupations and spiritual backgrounds, including many people in helping professions.

Lura completed practicum work in both counseling and art therapy while working with a psychiatric hospital in Key West. After leaving Florida in 2015 and doing interim ministry work in Hartford, Connecticut, she returned permanently to Minneapolis and served as an associate in an established counseling clinic from 2016 to 2021. Because of COVID-19, she moved her practice to a home office and has been providing therapy via telehealth since then.

Her formal training includes ordination from Theophilus Divinity School in 1995, a BA in Fine Arts (Minneapolis College of Art and Design - St. Cloud State University, 2006), and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy from Prescott College in 2014. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Minnesota (MN LPC 01916) and has 20 years of experience. Lura practices in Minnesota as a female, older, liberal therapist with expertise that also covers relationships, family dynamics, self-esteem, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting, anger, career concerns, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.