Jessica Bauman, MA LPC LPCC
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Brooke Manning, MA
Therapist
Amanda Sasek, MS LMFT, Supervisor
Brooke holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Brooke enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families. She has a particular interest in working with couples and is LGBTQ and Kink friendly. She has experience working with college students and recent graduates dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, sexuality, life transitions, blended families and family conflict. Brooke strives to help her clients find more effective ways to live and new ways to handle emotions. Brooke is passionate about helping couples, individuals, and families gain insight in therapy to help them make lasting changes in their life. She uses an integrated approach in providing therapy services, meaning she relies on a variety of theoretical perspectives and techniques based on each client. when working with couples to improve communication and connection, she uses evidenced based theories such as the Gottman approach and Emotionally Focused Therapy. She aims to provide genuine and effective services that supports hope, healing reflections about you and your life, genuine growth, and a gradual restoration of what you desire and value. Brooke provides honest feedback and guidance using humor and compassion while supporting her clients through therapy.
Lilia Pachenko, MA LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Lilia holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Saint Mary's University. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on family studies from the University of Saint Thomas. Lilia has worked in the metal health field since 2011. She enjoys working with individuals, couples and families on a variety of issues including: anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, attachment/relational concerns, parenting skills, relationship issues, divorce, life transitions, and work stress. Lilia believes in an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from several approaches including: emotionally focused therapy, attachment theory, family systems theory, & cognitive behavioral therapy. She has also completed Level 2 Training in Gottman method couples therapy to help client’s work through a variety of relationship stressors. For her work with parenting concerns, she has been trained in Circle of Security-Parenting, an evidence based intervention program for parents and children that focuses on relationships from an attachment-based perspective. Lilia has a client-centered, supportive, and empathetic approach to therapy that supports clients in fulfilling their goals. She believes in challenging and encouraging clients to be their best selves so they can reach their full potential. She has a straight-forward, yet kind approach that she uses to walk alongside clients in their journey of self-discovery.
Holly Traynor, MA LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Holly holds a master’s degree from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. She welcomes working with adults, teens, couples, and families regarding relationship conflicts, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, substance abuse, communication, addictive behaviors, aggression, GLBT issues, parenting and emotional dysregulation. As a group facilitator, Holly is both dynamic and engaging. She is certified in Prepare/Enrich assessments as well as Aggression Replacement Training. Holly is trained in Brainspotting and EMDR and utilizes these two mindfulness based approaches to help clients reprocess past traumatic experiences. Holly has also worked with Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and family caregivers at the University of Minnesota and Fairview Hospital. Holly believes therapy is a collaborative partnership between therapist and client and provides a safe, judgment-free environment where she can offer hope, acceptance, connection and empowerment. She helps her clients find successful ways to navigate problems by listening to their stories and helping them to feel connected with themselves and others. Holly believes that her role as a therapist is to assist her clients to become masters of their own change and growth, and tailors her therapy based on client need.
Liz Lanari
Masters Intern
Amanda Sasek, MS LMFT, Supervisor
Liz is completing her master's degree in marriage and family therapy at the University of St. Mary's. She holds a bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of St. Thomas. Liz has experience in crisis work and is a Certified Crisis Worker through the American Association of Suicidology and is certified in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and Psychological First Aid. She is also a certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator for premarital couples. She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan, with specific interest in working with those dealing with depression, anxiety, family communication difficulties, self-esteem, couple conflict, family conflict, and health & wellness. Her style of therapy is warm, relational and insight oriented, with elements of narrative, attachment, and emotion-focused therapy. Liz believes that the most important part of therapy is the relationship between therapist and client, and aims to create a non-judgemental, validating environment in order to help clients move toward their goals
Amber Buren, MA LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Amber holds a master's degree in counseling and psychological services and a certificate in marriage and family therapy from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota as well a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Amber has over 14 years of mental health experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her areas of interest include grief/loss, relationships, parenting, self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, and health/wellness. Her theoretical approach includes a family systems background infused with techniques and interventions from dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment theory, and narrative therapy. Amber strives to create a safe and warm therapeutic relationship working collaboratively with clients on their path of healing and growth both within themselves and their relationships.
Nikki Dufour, MSW LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Nikki holds a master’s degree in clinical social work from the College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communication from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She has been working in the field for over 18 years. The individuals she currently sees range in age from 18 to seniors. Her areas of interest include trauma and abuse, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and self-esteem issues. Her approach is influenced by attachment theory, neuroscience research and mindfulness. She incorporates evidence based therapies such as cognitive behavioral techniques, humanistic theory and psychodynamic philosophies and is trained in the technique of Brainspotting. She works collaboratively with the client and implements therapy techniques that will match the client’s needs. Nikki provides a non-judgmental and compassionate environment for clients to explore their challenges and assist them in developing their desired goals.
Patricia Johnson, MA LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
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). Pat is trained in EMDR and is also certified in the technique of Brainspotting, a modified form of EMDR. She currently provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families. The individuals she sees range in age from 18 to seniors. Special interests include conflict resolution, trauma, effective communications training, self-esteem, physical/emotional/verbal abuse, domestic violence, boundary setting, anger management, women's issues, parenting and child development, depression, anxiety, Christian counseling and spirituality, mind/body work, bereavement/loss of a loved one, prolonged grief (beyond 1 year), managing the emotional impact of medical conditions & chronic pain, and sensory integration issues related to daily functioning/social interactions. Pat's desire in the therapeutic relationship is to provide a place for individuals to feel 'heard', encouraged, and to instill a sense of hope and self-esteem for accomplishing his/her goals and dreams.
Luke McLain, MS LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Luke holds a master's degree in counseling psychology from St. Cloud State University and a graduate certificate in marriage & family therapy from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota - Morris. Luke has worked in mental health since 1999. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families on a variety of issues including: relationship issues, divorce, kids and adolescents, single parenting, stress management, personality issues, anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem, trauma, grief/loss, chemical health, and parenting skills. He is skilled at connecting and working with children and adolescents. Luke interacts with clients from a client-centered and collaborative perspective, and works to assist the client(s) to clarify and drive the direction of their goals and therapy. He strives to provide a secure working relationship (which includes the occasional use of humor) in which to explore the presenting issues and has a calm comforting demeanor. He draws from a variety of theoretical approaches and interventions including, but not limited to, family systems theory, attachment theory, play therapy, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral theory, and emotionally-focused therapy. Luke believes that being flexible and having variety in life, is often beneficial to people and improves the life they are living.
Amanda Pikala, MA LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Amanda holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. She is certified in Prepare and Enrich and has completed level one and two of Gottman Couple's Training. Amanda has attended many trainings on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) and is on the certification track for EFT. She takes a systemic approach to therapy, meaning she places value in integrating past and current relationships into the therapeutic conversation. Amanda primarily utilizes EFT/EFIT and an attachment lens when working with clients, however, she also pulls from narrative and experiential therapy models as well. Amanda enjoys working with traditional, non-traditional, and interracial couples and families in all stages, from premarital couples wanting to build a strong foundation, to couples struggling to connect, to those that are on the verge of divorce, to the unique struggles of blended families. Amanda also enjoys working with those struggling with pregnancy or postpartum depression and anxiety, adolescents (16+) and young adults, law enforcement officers and others that work in state and federal agencies, and those struggling through life transitions and relational concerns. She also utilizes the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy by providing therapy with her co-therapist, Willow.
Amanda offers Intensive therapy for couples, which includes 6 hours of therapy per day, with 1, 2, or 3 day options. Intensive therapy can be especially helpful for couples who... are on the brink of separation, recovering from infidelity, in crisis and/or experiencing significant distress within the relationship, have trouble attending weekly therapy sessions, or couples wishing to speed up or jump start the process. Intensive therapy is followed up with weekly appointments with Amanda or she'll provide a personal referral to someone in your area and with a signed release of information, can coordinate care to ensure a seamless and efficient transition. To learn more, please contact Amanda directly at (763) 220-0931 or email her at amandap@rumrivercounseling.com
Amanda is also a Mediator and specializes in family law. Amanda completed "Certified Divorce and Family Mediation Training" in 2017. She enjoys helping those who are uncoupling as well as post-divorce issues that may arise. Amanda's goal is to support the conversation between people who are in conflict.
Amanda offers Intensive therapy for couples, which includes 6 hours of therapy per day, with 1, 2, or 3 day options. Intensive therapy can be especially helpful for couples who... are on the brink of separation, recovering from infidelity, in crisis and/or experiencing significant distress within the relationship, have trouble attending weekly therapy sessions, or couples wishing to speed up or jump start the process. Intensive therapy is followed up with weekly appointments with Amanda or she'll provide a personal referral to someone in your area and with a signed release of information, can coordinate care to ensure a seamless and efficient transition. To learn more, please contact Amanda directly at (763) 220-0931 or email her at amandap@rumrivercounseling.com
Amanda is also a Mediator and specializes in family law. Amanda completed "Certified Divorce and Family Mediation Training" in 2017. She enjoys helping those who are uncoupling as well as post-divorce issues that may arise. Amanda's goal is to support the conversation between people who are in conflict.
Willow Pikala
Therapy Dog
with Amanda Pikala, MA LMFT
Willow is an 8-year-old golden retriever that serves as Amanda Pikala's co-therapist. She gets excited to greet people but calms down quickly. Sometimes Willow helps facilitate therapeutic techniques such as teaching social skills or helps to calm someone through intense emotions. And sometimes Willow is just in the room and her presence can bring peace and clarity to many on their journey to wellness. Unfortunately, due to her allergies, Willow is not allowed to have any treats while working.
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