Brian Mulder, MA, LPC
An open minded guide to join you on your journey of self discovery.
Specialties
Relationship Challenges - Anxiety - Life Transitions
Spirituality - Meaning-Making - Grief
Worldview Shifts - Identity Formation
Background
I struggled to find clarity as I moved through school, exploring a number of fields, starting with psychology, before landing on science and education. I taught for a while, worked with nonprofits, and dabbled in grad school (MSW/ MDIV) until I recognized that I needed some space to more freely explore who I was and what I wanted. I pivoted, started a small woodworking business, made music / toured doing small house shows with friends and fellow artists, and painted houses while occasionally taking some breaks to pilgrimage as I continued to search for a vocation that felt both meaningful and sustainable.
My meandering path and quest to find my voice in the world eventually led me (back) to counseling. I was ready to dive in and complete the training. I love this work and consider it a great honor to get invited into the “back stage pass” of people’s lives.
Clinical Approach
My approach to therapy is organic and conversational. I seek to understand what it is like to be you, how you got to where you are, and where you’d like to go. I’m informed by approaches that emphasize the therapeutic relationship, existential concerns (purpose, mortality, connection…), and deep curiosity and creativity. My unique background and multidisciplinary approach allow me to connect deeply with folks and assist them in expanding their ability to engage more fully with self, others, and the world around them.
I am not into offering quick fixes, but will often incorporate practices of mindfulness, self-compassion, and grounding somatic work into sessions when it feels helpful and desired by a client. These practices can offer stability to build resilience and prepare for the deeper work of untangling the past.
Quote
“Most human suffering is related to love and loss… The job of the therapist is to help people acknowledge, experience, and bear the reality of life- with all its pleasures and heartbreak.”
—Elvin Semrad
Who I Work With
Many of my clients are sensitive and creative souls. They are often at stuck points that have become a barrier to deeper intimacy, expression, and freedom. They are generally not looking for overly clinical or rigid approaches, but rather, they are seeking understanding so they can more fully become themselves.
Outside the Office
I enjoy moving slowly and noticing the environment around me. I commute on my green bike and can often be found stretching, lifting, or jostling in a pick up basketball game at the downtown Y.
I create wordless, contemplative music designed to support reflection and calm. These albums invite quiet, undistracted awareness, helping you notice subtle shifts in mood, attention, and inner experience. Check out a playlist of these albums and give yourself a moment of stillness.
Training & Background
Looking back, I’ve come to appreciate my unique path to becoming a therapist. My ~15 years of prior work experience and exploration inform my therapeutic work significantly.
I am an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and graduated with a masters in counseling degree. I have an EMDR certification, which I will utilize further along in my work with some clients. I frequently attend trainings to stay up to date with research and new perspective, and I just can’t stop reading therapy books for fun.
Connect
Podcast interview: "Seeing Counseling as Pilgrimage to Personal Transformation"