“I am not the story you made of me. You are not the story they made of you. We are not the story they made of us. Take the stories back. Restory.
Lidia Yuknavitch, The Misfit’s Manifesto
Restory (re + story)
Synonymous for re-authoring, a narrative technique that involves reconstructing new meaning from old narratives.
Holistic Healing Space
Providing compassionate mental health support through individual & relational psychotherapy services.
At Recenter & Restory, we believe story telling is inherently human.
From seanchaí to griots, stories have been passed across generations, holding both pain and wisdom. We believe healing is possible when these stories are met with care, curiosity, and compassion.
We believe in collective liberation, recognizing that our individual healing is inseparable from the well-being of others. As poet Yung Pueblo reminds us, “when you heal yourself, you heal the world.”
This understanding of interconnection extends beyond people, as our stories are intertwined with the story of the earth. Nature is our kin and our teacher, calling us to care for what sustains us.
Our Values
Creativity
Curiosity
Interdependence
Kindness
Are you feeling overwhelmed with everything?
Out of sync? Like the world moves to a rhythm that doesn’t quite match your own?
Maybe you’ve moved through life feeling just a step off from where you’re “supposed” to be and it’s hard to know what to do next.
People might describe you as capable, thoughtful, or “doing well” but it has come at a cost. While you’ve learned how to shape yourself to fit in, it’s now starting to feel like you’re disappearing in the process.
And maybe part of what makes it all harder is that you feel deeply. You care about people, about injustice, about the world at large in a way that can feel paralyzing.
If any part of this feels familiar, you’re in the right place. You don’t have to carry this alone.
My Story
Samantha Shepherd, LICSW (she/they)
We are all meant for connection. My story began with both love and loss. As an adoptee, I’ve come to understand that family, identity, and belonging can be both beautiful and complicated. The stories we inherit shape how we see ourselves and relate to others, often in ways we don’t fully understand at first. We all deserve safe spaces to tell these stories.
Healing the whole person. With a background in social work and holistic health, I bring an integrative approach to psychotherapy that honors the interconnectedness of our emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. Having navigated the complexities of the medical system both personally and professionally, I understand how exhausting it can be to advocate for your needs.
Supporting folks through life’s messy and meaningful moments. As a queer person with ADHD, I understand the importance of having space to be your authentic self. Whether you’re navigating identity, anxiety, trauma, grief, or change, I hope to offer you a place where you can feel seen, understood, and supported to explore who you are who you’re becoming.
After all, everyone deserves support through this thing called life.
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Graduate Certificate in Holistic Health, St. Catherine University
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Bachelor’s of Music in Piano Pedagogy, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Gottman Method for couples
Walk & Talk Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Holistic Health
Expressive Therapies
Attachment Theory
Land Acknowledgment
R&R acknowledges that we are located on the ancestral land of the Dakota people, we acknowledge the reality and history of these lands and affirm our appreciation of and support for Indigenous peoples.
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![Deep forest with light shining through]()
"Trauma creates change you don't choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose." Michele Rosenthal
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![Peering through purple flowers looking at a lake with mountains behind it]()
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." Albert Einstein
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![Green sprawling mountains and a road below with a sunset peeking through the clouds]()
"...It is because our own human existence is so dependent on the help of others that our need for love lies at the very foundation of our existence." Dalai Lama
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![Several birch trees with yellow flowers]()
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." E. E. Cummings
Ready to connect?
Time: 15 minutes
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual only
The initial consult allows us to get to know each other & discuss your hopes for services. This is semi-structured & we welcome whatever questions you might have! During this time we also discuss scheduling & fee options available.