Dr. Dedra Tentis, MSW, PhD
Trauma, Grief, Sexual Abuse, Relationships
“I Help Children, Teens, and Adults Navigate Stress and Trauma”
Dr. Dedra Tentis is a trauma therapist. She completed training in several modalities including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which is her primary specialty. Having deployed 4 times, Dedra and her family have navigated stress, trauma, and growth on multiple levels. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury in Afghanistan, Dedra found life-changing benefits as a client of ART. This led her back to the classroom to become a trained ART therapist.
Her passion is helping people unpack and process stressful experiences, as well as prepare for upcoming stressors, so they can live a more balanced and purposeful life.
Dedra uses ART for the following:
- Sexual abuse/assault
- Phobias
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Panic attacks
- Addictions and bad habits
- Anger management
- OCD
- Hoarding
- Sleep problems
- Dreams and nightmares
- Co-dependency
- Marital problems/infidelity
- Goal setting
- Pain management
- Migraines
- and other issues
Client comments after ART with Dedra
Father of a young client with extreme insect phobia that lasted 8 years: “My son is no longer scared of any bugs. It is a miracle for me and thank you so much. I spoke to a number of therapists, and I was not confident. I was so confident the moment I spoke to you. Thank you so much.”
Client with anxiety and panic: “Dr. Tentis gave me the tools I needed to process difficult things from my past while helping me worry less about the future. This is my go-to therapy for managing my stress.”
Client with multiple traumas including father’s suicide: “ART helped me process multiple things. The biggest thing it did for me is fade and replace the bad memories surrounding my dad’s suicide. It also made me realize I want a stronger relationship with his parents – my grandparents.”
How I Work With You
My greatest passion is to bring healing to people who have been through stressful or traumatic life events. I help my clients unpack and process their experiences, so they can form healthier impressions of themselves, strengthen their relationships, and develop purpose from their experiences.
My Training
No single approach is the right one for every individual navigating stress or trauma, so I have completed training in several modalities including Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy (for PTSD), and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
My Experiences
I had a dual career as a professor in higher education and the military. Therefore, I have considerable experience in those roles working with young adults and military members navigating stuck points. I have often found stress and trauma to be the root cause of their anxiety, depression, relationship issues, as well as their unhealthy habits and addictions.
I served over 25 years in the United States Air Force in multiple roles (active-duty, national guard, enlisted, and officer). I have completed military education at Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and Squadron Officer School.
My Academics
I received my Ph.D. in Sociology from South Dakota State University. I have my MSW from Louisiana State University, and I have BA and MS degrees in Criminal Justice from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
Personal Notes
I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 25 years. We have 2 adult children and 2 dogs (boxer and golden doodle). As a couple and family, we have experienced multiple stressors and traumas throughout our lifetime.
With the help of our family, extended families, and therapy, we have come out on the other side of these experiences. My training and life experiences are a natural fit for someone struggling with stress or trauma.