About me

I'm Natalie Runge, MA, LPCC, C-AAIS — a licensed therapist and animal-assisted intervention specialist based in Alexandria, MN. I've been providing mental health counseling through Birchwood Counseling since 2020, working with individuals, families, and groups navigating some of life's most difficult moments.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I draw from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), attachment-based therapy, and cognitive-behavioral approaches — tailoring the work to what fits you best. For clients who benefit from it, I also offer animal-assisted therapy, integrating my deep background in animal behavior and welfare to create experiences that are both clinically meaningful and genuinely safe for the animals involved.

My path to this work has been shaped by years of study and practice at the intersection of human and animal wellbeing. I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, completed graduate coursework and certificates at the University of Denver's Institute for Human–Animal Connection, and am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare at Virginia Tech.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine partnership. You are the expert on your own life. My role is to offer a steady, curious presence — asking the right questions, reflecting what I notice, and walking alongside you as you find your way.