March 5th - Blaine office will move to our new location - across the street to 11870 Ulysses Street!

Marit holds a master’s degree in clinical social work from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She has over fifteen years of experience providing respectful, supportive, and collaborative services to children, families, and adults.These services include play therapy, family support and developmental guidance, and individual therapy with adults. She has developed an approach that builds on clients’ strengths and unique life stories, which is informed by psychodynamic, developmental, and attachment theories. Her areas of clinical focus include families of young children (ages 0-10) struggling with issues related to emotional and behavioral regulation, sensory integration, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, attachment, and other developmental concerns. She also specializes in adoption, parental stress, women’s issues, and individual work with adults of all ages to help them feel successful with emotional struggles, life transitions, and relationship concerns.

Jennifer holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Ball State University in
Indiana, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  She has been providing mental health services for 14
years, with a primary focus on helping people recover from the challenges of life. Her areas of expertise and training are in trauma and attachment; however,
the scope of her work also includes treating anxiety, mood, and behavior disorders.  Jennifer began treating children and families in a community mental
health setting, with a specific interest in helping those with a history of trauma. In 2009, she moved into a private practice setting. In addition to the
above, she has extensive experience in attachment, children in the foster care system, victims of sexual abuse, grief and loss, couples’ counseling, and
complex trauma. Jennifer is trained in EMDR and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and her method of treatment is highly based on these two models. She provides psychotherapy to adults and children. The majority of her therapy with children includes the family, as she strives to provide support and education to parents. 

Pat holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Bethel Seminary in Minnesota.  Additionally, she holds a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from the College of St. Catherine and
is licensed as an occupational therapist (OTRL). She currently provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families. The individuals she sees range in age from 14 to seniors. Special interests include conflict resolution, effective communications training, self-esteem, physical/emotional/verbal abuse, domestic violence, boundary setting, anger management, women's issues, parenting and
child development, depression, anxiety, PTSD, Christian counseling and spirituality, and sensory integration issues as relates to daily functioning/social interactions. Pat's desire in the therapeutic relationship is to provide a place for individuals to feel 'heard', encouraged, instill a sense
of hope, and self-esteem to tackle their goals and dreams.

Christina holds a master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the College of St.
Catherine/University of St. Thomas, as well as a master's degree in Special Education and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Minnesota State University Mankato.  She is experienced with children, teens, families, adults, and groups. Areas of expertise and interest include childhood behavior difficulties, teenage behavior and self esteem struggles, family/individual relational issues, adults with serious mental illness, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety disorders,  loss/grief, skill acquisition, and DBT.  Christina's approach to therapy is based on client need and is eclectic.  She draws from systems theory, play therapy, cognitive-behavioral frameworks, insight and relational perspectives, psychodynamics and stages of change.  She values an engaging, collaborative therapeutic relationship. "Treatment is most effective with safe and supportive relationship between the client and therapist."

Christine holds a master's degree in counseling psychology from DePaul University and received her post-master’s certificate in marriage and family therapy from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.  She has over 14 years working in the field of mental health. She has extensive experience in working with children with a variety of presenting problems including autism spectrum disorders.  Christine’s other special interests include working with adolescents, couples, families, GLBT concerns,
& those struggling with depressive symptoms. She works collaboratively with clients to identify strengths and find hope to address life’s challenges.
Christine is also a Minnesota Board approved clinical
supervisor.

Lauren is in the process of completing the internship portion of her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Walden University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Olaf College and is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Lauren has experience working with adolescents and adults providing supportive mental health recovery services, substance abuse counseling and domestic and sexual violence advocacy. Lauren particularly enjoys working with individuals experiencing addiction or chemical abuse patterns, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, sexual assault/abuse, domestic violence, trauma and people struggling to cope with life changes. Lauren believes in the power of choice to change lives and works to empower clients to find hope through a focus on personal strengths to promote healing.  Lauren’s therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of building a trusting relationship and includes the use of rational emotive behavior therapy and reality therapy. Lauren work with clients to identify needs and define goals through the exploration of family systems and motivation for change. Lauren believes that each individual is ever-evolving, and she works to promote client growth though hope and optimism for the future.

Jodi holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from St. Cloud State University. She has experience providing intensive in-home
family therapy. Her primary focus has been working with children, ages 3 to 18
years old, who struggle with behavioral and emotional difficulties. She has worked closely with parents to provide education and support to address unique
challenges that they are faced with. Jodi’s therapeutic framework is systemic and practical in nature. Her faith-driven approach is enlightened with hope and strength for the client’s personal growth and development. She assists clients toward becoming empowered by their self-worth, and works collaboratively to reach their ideal goal of success and progress. She provides a supportive, humorous, and safe environment where she makes it possible to connect on a therapeutic level. Her special interests and enthusiasm surround work with: couples, marital difficulties, intimacy concerns, boundary setting, women’s issues, parenting skills, adolescents, children, attachment disturbances, child development, faith-based, spirituality, grief and loss, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, difficult transitions throughout stages of life, and stress
management.

Nikki holds a master's degree in professional counseling & marriage and family therapy from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.  She has more than seven years experience in the mental health field and extensive experience working with adolescents and families with significant emotional dysregulation.  Her approach to therapy is systemic in nature, collaborative and strength-based.  Her special interests include working with adolescents and those struggling with depression, anxiety, parenting skills, family communication, and stress management.

Jessica holds a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services from Saint Mary’s University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota.  Jessica’s specialties include individual adolescent and adult
clinical therapy for the management of mood disorders, anxiety concerns, sexual trauma and trauma-related issues, school refusal, self-esteem work, family and relational issues, LGBT issues, and psycho-education on medication.  Over the past six years, Jessica has worked in various settings, including an outpatient
clinic, a hospital psychiatric unit, and as the clinical therapist for a local high school.  She also has specialized knowledge in the special education system for children and adolescents.  Jessica’s therapeutic approach combines psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral strategies with strength-based
interventions.  She believes in empowering her clients to begin to consider healthy and constructive alternatives to their lives.  Jessica utilizes both
traditional and non-traditional perspectives to offer support and guidance for many of the issues that complicate our personal and professional lives.  She
helps people to find courage to face their fears, find the strength to heal, and make changes to create balance in their lives

Jenny holds a master's
degree in marriage & family therapy and professional counseling from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.  She is currently completing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.  She has over 13 years experience in the mental health field and particularly enjoys working with couples and individuals struggling with relationship difficulties, anxiety (specifically with panic attacks), atypical or treatment-resistant depression, personality disturbances, addictions, sexual/intimacy concerns, unresolved or ambiguous loss, trauma, stress management, & interpersonal communication.  Jenny’s approach is influenced by neuro-affective research, dynamic & psychoanalytic principles, family systems, and attachment theory.She works collaboratively with clients to establish a secure therapeutic relationship where healing can occur and produce long-lasting results.Jenny is also a Minnesota Board approved clinical supervisor & provides mental health & performance consultation services to individuals and corporations.She is the owner and Clinical Director of Rum River Counseling, Inc.

Shawn holds a master's degree in counseling and counselor education from Indiana University and a certificate in
marriage and family therapy from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.  He has more than ten years of experience in the mental health field and has extensive experience working with adolescents and families with significant emotional dysregulation.  His work draws from systemic, experiential, and narrative models.  He offers the ability to be empathic and affirming, balanced equally with the ability to be irreverent and humor-based.  He believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship, and that change and acceptance can only happen in relationship with another person. Shawn works best with adolescents, families, couples, and individuals.  His special interests include working with concepts of relational addiction (codependency, love addiction, love avoidance), boundary work within individuals and couples, LGBT populations, men’s issues, and those struggling with symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.  Shawn is also a Minnesota Board approved clinical supervisor.

Alisha is in the process of
completing the internship portion of her master’s of arts degree in counseling
psychology at the University of St. Thomas.  She holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in psychology from the College of St. Benedict/ St. John’s University. Alisha has experience working with adolescents, adults and elderly individuals with a range of issues including mood and anxiety disorders, severe and persistent mental illness, self-harm behaviors, life adjustments, and relational issues.  Settings she has worked in include hospital inpatient psychiatric units, child/adolescent residential treatment, and group homes.  Her interests include mindfulness and meditation, emotion regulation, development,
communication, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Alisha values a strong therapeutic connection that empowers clients to recognize resiliency, hope, and
opportunities for self-care.

Tara holds a master’s degree in social work with a
concentration in mental health and a  bachelor’s degree in religious studies
with a concentration in Buddhism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Tara
has experience working with adolescents, adults, parents, and families with issues ranging from emotion dysregulation, chemical dependency, recovery, trauma, skills deficits, community reintegration post-imprisonment, depression, anxiety, hearing voices, empowerment, self-harm, personality disorders and other issues that strain an individual or family system’s ability to cope.  Tara focuses on being present and joining with her clients to challenge and adapt unhelpful beliefs and behaviors. While acknowledging past and present pain, Tara strives to balance compassion, humor and change to increase self-esteem and move beyond barriers.

Sam holds a master's degree in marriage & family therapy from the University of Wisconsin Stout.  She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota in the family social science department with a specialization in marriage and family therapy.  She has
several years experience as a counselor in a women's health care setting as well
as experience working with individuals, couples, and families in mental health settings. Her special interests include adolescents, parent/child relationships, relationship/marital difficulties, sexual/intimacy concerns, spiritual issues, grief & loss, trauma, stress management & relaxation techniques, interpersonal communication, self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, and much more.  Sam honors all forms of intimate relationships. She has advanced training in trauma therapies, mindfulness techniques, & clinical hypnosis. "I see
life's challenges as a combination of physical, psychological, emotional, relational, and spiritual issues.  I also believe that with creative and
collaborative work, all individuals, families, and communities can lead fuller, happier lives."