School Based Staff

Clinical Approach
Mary is a graduate of Adlerian style counseling. She likes to view the whole person including medical and social problems that could be causing symptomatic behaviors. Her approach is to use common sense type counseling to help the kids evolve between group therapy and follow up individual sessions.
Clinical Interests
Mary continues to learn Adlerian therapy whenever possible, but considers the client to the expert on who they are and myself the perpetrator of change. Mary has experience working in schools and in home therapy.

Hobbies
Outside of work Mary studies about the effects of diet on mental health, enjoys working out, ballroom dancing, cooking and crochet. She also sees the importance of making time for family and friends.

Clinical Approach
Clair aims to work with clients from a place of empathy and creativity to foster a deeper understanding of client strengths in order to promote change for the individual and by extension the family unit. She believes that every single person deserves to feel loved and a sense of belonging within their families and communities.

Clinical Interests
Clair is certified in Prepare/Enrich premarital curriculum and Psychological First Aid. She has also completed a Level 1 Gottman Training course. Clair worked with children of all ages and their families during her recent internship using structural, experiential and trauma-informed approaches based on each family’s inherent strengths and needs.

Hobbies
Clair loves snuggling up with her family watching Harry Potter, listening to music (especially live), and spending time at the Great MN State Fair!

Clinical Approach
Emily is an Adlerian Art Therapist, who uses a person-centered, relational approach to clinical work.

Clinical Interests
Emily works primarily with adolescents, and has training in Art Therapy & Trauma.

Hobbies
In her free time Emily enjoys time with her family, being outside, and making art.

Clinical Approach
Kellie’s approach to therapy is strengths based and person centered. Her practice is influenced by attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and systems theory.

Clinical Interests
Kellie enjoys working with all clients off all ages and families. Her specific areas of interest include: grief and loss, family change, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, emotional regulation, and behavior concerns.

Hobbies
In her free time, Kellie loves spending time with family, camping, swimming, traveling, reading, and drinking sweet iced coffees.

Clinical Approach
Andrea is a graduate of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She believes that treating the individual within the context of the family system is the best way to create lasting change for the better. Her clinical approach is to meet people where they are in the present moment and address their immediate concerns while keeping their next steps in mind too. Andrea believes that when people are motivated to improve their lives, great things can be accomplished in therapy!

Clinical Interests
Andrea has worked in different capacities that allowed me to gain experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and the geriatric population. She enjoys working with any age, but especially enjoys working with children and adolescents. She is certified as a Prepare/Enrich facilitator and recently completed a training on Mandated Reporting. Andrea is also well versed in Systemic Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

Hobbies
Andrea enjoys being outdoors, going for walks by the lake, attending concerts, antiquing, and a little retail therapy.

Clinical Approach
Brent believes that the client is the best source of information about themselves and that he is a conduit to help them process the information they present. He also thinks although it helps regardless all clients are in a different state of life, as such the therapist needs to meet them where they are and work with them on the issues that they have. Brent’s believes therapy helps people process their lives in a safe comfortable setting that allows for growth and change to occur helping the client become a better person.

Clinical Interests
Brent works with children and adolescences primarily, but has experience working with all age groups.

Hobbies
Brent enjoys being with his family. He likes board games, card games, movies, and sports including basketball, football, and soccer.

Clinical Approach
Steven views issues in the context of relationships. He believes therapy is an opportunity to make a direct effort towards understanding and resolving issues that become barriers towards interpersonal or relational success and happiness.

Clinical Interests
Steven is a nationally certified TF-CBT therapist, and is also MAP certified. He enjoys supporting parents, schools, and working with adolescents 10 to 18 years old.

Hobbies
Steven’s hobbies include soccer, golf, good food, and having fun with his family.

Clinical Approach
Karen believes encouragement combined with strategic interventions creates the foundation of a good therapy experience. Her style is warm, compassionate, humorous, and honest. Karen provides Integrative Art Therapy, a holistic clinical approach, which connects clients to their innate well-being and ability to create a meaningful life.

Clinical Interests
Karen has over 24 years of experience providing integrative health in the hospital setting. She is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist. She has continuing education in Yoga Calm, Integral Somatic Psychology, Neurodevelopmental Art Therapy, and Adlerian Psychology. Karen is a Certified Infant Massage teacher. She works with children age 0-12 and their families. She is especially interested in the wisdom of somatic psychology to release trauma from the body and support clients to embody joy.

Hobbies
Karen most enjoys spending time in nature with friends and family, including her dog. Her hobbies include needle felting, ceramics and reading. Karen is interested in meditation and travel to expand awareness and enhance life experiences.

Clinical Approach
Kari specializes in solution focused, strengths based and relationship based therapy with children, adolescents, and their families. She works with children and youth, ages 5-15 experiencing social and emotional regulation issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, trauma, attachment issues as well as working with family system issues. Kari graduated from Augsburg College with her master’s degree in multicultural clinical social work in 2013.

Clinical Interests
Kari obtained her certificate in Holistic Health from St. Catherine’s University May 2017 and is a registered yoga teacher. Other areas of specialization include mind/body connection, holistic health, nutrition and yoga.

Hobbies
Kari enjoys doing yoga, dance and playing with her two dogs.

Clinical Approach
Katie’s therapy style is relationship oriented and insight focused. She enjoys group work and believes group therapy can be a highly effective change agent.

Clinical Interests
Katie specializes in working with adolescents who are in need of a high level services. She is a member of the Association for Specialists in Group Work and has experience working with people who struggle with depression, anxiety, social skills, trauma, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

Hobbies
Katie enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family, jogging, yoga, and cooking. She loves animals and has two adorable cats who she loves to hang out with.

Clinical Approach
Amber’s approach to therapy is trauma informed and relationship based.

Clinical Interests
Amber works primarily with adolescents between 14-18. Amber has extensive clinical experience in trauma (physical abuse, sexual trauma, neglect, complex trauma) and related issues like self-harm, emotional regulation and relationships. Amber is trained in implementing the ARC model in trauma work, balanced and restorative justice practices and mindfulness strategies.

Hobbies
Amber enjoys yoga, dance, reading and adventures with her kids.

Clinical Approach
Jean’s approach to therapy is to use a strengths-based and person-centered approach. Her practice has been driven by attachment styles, family systems approach and mindfulness practice.

Clinical Interests
Jean has worked with elementary and middle school students in the past. She is also a licensed special education teacher who has focused on teaching reading using the Wilson Reading Systems. She has experience in teaching mindfulness and yoga as a tool to improve being present and in the moment.

Hobbies
Jean enjoys spending time with family and friends. She likes to read or listen to books, and she loves to eat out with her friends and go for walks.

Clinical Approach
Jordan's favorite part about her job is building relationships. She believes that creating a safe and supportive environment builds trust and can lead to success.

Clinical Interests
Jordan is currently on track to obtain her LPCC. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Jordan has worked with a variety of diagnosis including: FASD, ASD, and anxiety.

Hobbies
In her free time, Jordan loves to travel and be outdoors. She particularly likes hiking, swimming, and tennis.

Clinical Approach
Kathleen takes an integrated approach, meaning she likes to utilize strategies from several different therapeutic styles, depending on the issue at hand. She prefers to tailor her approach to each individual as much as possible. When clients are open to it, she often includes the creative arts in therapy in a variety of forms, such as drawing, playing music, or writing poetry.

Clinical Interests
Kathleen is a board-certified music therapist and has worked in that capacity for 9 years. She plays many instruments, including piano, guitar, accordion, and harp, all of which she has used in providing therapy.

Hobbies
Kathleen enjoys knitting, gardening, playing musical instruments, and tango dancing.

Clinical Approach
Rachel believes in treating the whole person physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Her work is client centered, and she does her utmost to work diligently in learning best practices in order to ensure clients understand the therapeutic process.

Clinical Interests
Rachel is certified in cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and diagnosing children ages 0-5 (DC-0-5). Her specialties and interests include: anxiety, depression, trauma, adoption, family restoration, attachment, medical trauma, developmental disabilities, martial counseling, skill building, and social emotional training. Rachel works with all ages from birth to adulthood and she has centralized her education and training in early childhood, elementary, and family work.

Hobbies
Rachel enjoys listening to audio books, going on adventures, traveling, horseback riding, games, and cooking with her family.

Clinical Approach
Christopher follows a creative approaches that provide an exploratory and healing aspect to therapy. He believes that artistic, insightful, and humorous thought benefits one's well-being.

Clinical Interests
Christopher has experience with children and adolescents in school and community settings, as well as within an Autism center.

Hobbies
Outside of work, Christopher enjoys sports, going to comedy clubs, playing board games, and cooking.

Clinical Approach
Megan joins clients in therapy with an eclectic and supportive approach to counseling, often utilizing Humanistic, Adlerian, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mind Body Skills and other evidence-based techniques. Her belief is that therapy success is based on the client-therapist relationship and openness to change.

Clinical Interests
Megan’s passion is working with children and their families, specifically with adolescents. She has experience working with the special education population in public schools, and particularly enjoys working with adolescents receiving services in Autism Spectrum programming and also those with emotional behavioral difficulties.

Hobbies
Megan loves to travel when possible. She enjoys being outside, both relaxing and trying new outdoor activities. Family time is important to her and she loves being an aunt! She is admirer of fine arts and enjoys painting, drawing, and being creative. She loves animals and one day hopes to be more involved in rescue.

Clinical Approach
Katie works from a strengths based and family systems oriented approach and therapy style which draws on various theoretical orientations.

Clinical Interests
Katie has worked with Pre-K through 8th grade and is interested in attachment solutions focused therapy work with students who have experienced homelessness, high mobility, and trauma.

Hobbies
Outside of work, Katie likes to read, hike, explore new parts of the city, and try new foods.

Clinical Approach
As a School Group Facilitator Shari provides a safe and caring environment for kids to learn and share. Using a small group setting, she provides helpful tools and teaches skills that kids can apply in everyday situations. She also provides resources for kids and families to bridge with the community.

Clinical Interests
Shari is driven by the difference our work makes and teaching lifelong skills. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of so many!

Hobbies
Shari loves spending time with her wonderful daughters, horseback riding, the beach, reading and working puzzles.

Clinical Approach
In her work, Rachel utilizes client centered and strengths based approach. She believes in meeting a client where they are at.

Clinical Interests
Rachel has experience working with kids from 10-14 years old. Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral disorders, and trauma.

Hobbies
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, cooking, and reading.

Clinical Approach
Alyssa is a lead therapist for Lee Carlson Center. She believes in the uniqueness of each individual and is passionate about working with teenagers and their families. Pulling from their strengths and values, she enjoys helping individuals realize their full potentials.

Clinical Interests
Alyssa has worked at Columbia Heights High School for three years as well as partnered with other schools in Anoka County. Alyssa has experience supporting teenagers through anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, adjustment difficulties, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She also has experience working with adults with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness and is trained in DBT.

Hobbies
Alyssa enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, cooking, and skiing.

Clinical Approach
Matthew’s approach is client centered. He works hard to meet the client where they are. Matthew also utilizes a holistic and family systems approaches. He is Adlerian trained and utilizes mindfulness based stress reduction and yoga when appropriate. Mathew also draws from CBT and DBT skills.

Clinical Interests
Matthew is trained in EMDR and works with clients who have experienced trauma. He has 18 years of experience in the mental health field working with individuals of all ages. Matthew works with individuals who struggle with anger, anxiety, attention, autism, depression and substance abuse. He also enjoys working with parents and working with family systems.

Hobbies
Matthew enjoys hiking, taking his puppy to dog parks, and yoga.

Clinical Approach
Bailey believes people have many strengths and talents within themselves, and their interpersonal relationships. It is her job to assist people in finding those parts within themselves and their relationships. Bailey accomplishes this collaboratively by working with a person’s family and other important systems.

Clinical Interests
Bailey works with pre-k through 5th graders, as well as their families. She is also certified in Prepare/Enrich and has done several trainings on Play Therapy.

Hobbies
Outside of work, Bailey enjoys spending time with her cats and dog, reading, and going on hikes with her partner.

Clinical Approach
Amanda uses a client-centered and strengths-based approach. She finds it best to allow clients to lead the session and move at their own pace.

Clinical Interests
Amanda as worked with all ages, but she has the most experience with children, adolescents, and teens.

Hobbies
In her free time, Amanda likes to be outside, read, and spend time with her friends and family.

Clinical Approach
Amy’s style is fluid and adaptable to her client’s pace and need.

Clinical Interests
Amy’s clinical interests include: trauma with focused training on recovery from sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking. She also works with chemical dependency, harm reduction, and health relationships.
Amy works with ages 12 and up.

Hobbies
Outside of work, Amy enjoys geocaching, fantasy football, and hanging out with her dog, Oliver.

Clinical Approach
Krysta grows with clients utilizing the client’s learning style and flows with them to work on their goals. She utilizes aspects of CBT and mindfulness in her sessions.

Clinical Interests
Krysta has experience working with elementary aged children and older adults. She has a certification in Respecting Choices, an advance care planning model. Krysta also has experience working with individuals with autism and ADHD in CTSS and ARMHS. Krysta’s experiences range from working in a memory care clinic to hospital settings.

Hobbies
Krysta enjoys running, crafts and watching movies.

Clinical Approach
Molly primarily follows a client-centered style where she draws from third wave behavioral approaches such as: DBT, ACT, and mindfulness based CBT.

Clinical Interests
Molly works primarily with children and adolescents ages 11-18, ranging in presenting concerns of anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, autism, and adjustment issues.

Hobbies
Molly likes to go to concerts, read, and take her dog on walks.

Clinical Approach
Laura utilizes a strengths based and person-centered approach to therapy, focusing on clients’ strength and resiliency. Laura has experience working with individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds.

Clinical Interests
She has specialized in working with children with special needs, individuals facing chronic medical and mental health issues and end of life care.

Hobbies
Outside of the office, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and being outside

Clinical Approach
Nicole’s approach is child centered through the use of play therapy techniques. She believes that play is a natural medium of communication that allows children to fully express and explore their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and behaviors.

Clinical Interests
Nicole is interested in play therapy and sand play therapy. She is currently working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Nicole works with adolescents and their families at Centennial Middle School. She has previous experience working with children/adolescents ages 5 to 16 in home doing individual and family skills.

Hobbies
Nicole enjoys Crocheting gifts for friends and family and playing board games.

Clinical Approach
Hal’s foundation for therapeutic approach is rooted in Rogerian Person Centered therapy, linked with a wide variety of approaches to best fir the client’s need or needs. He believes positive therapeutic change is client driven and is best achieved through cooperative efforts between the client, therapist, family members, and other service providers.

Clinical Interests
As a licensed school counselor and therapist, Hal has worked in elementary, middle, and high school, as well as, alternative learning centers. For the past 2 years, he has worked in a federal level IV school setting with students struggling through emotional and behavioral issues in grades 6-12.

Hobbies
Outside of work, Hal enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, son, and their dog, Chester. He loves camping, fishing, gardening, and watching his kids participate in gymnastics and basketball.

Clinical Approach
Jennifer utilizes play based and relationship focused therapy with children and their families. Her theoretical framework is influenced by Adlerian theory and trauma-informed care.

Clinical Interests
Jennifer has experience in Autism day treatment and in-home psychotherapy services. She has worked with children ages 2-12 in the clinical setting since 2011. Jennifer is also certified as a child life specialist, has completed an internship at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, is certified as an educator of infant massage, and is an Autism specialist.

Hobbies
In her free time, Jennifer spends time at home with her husband and their dog, cooper. She also enjoys reading and relaxing with friends.  

Clinical Approach
Kiah utilizes a client-centered approach that focuses on client strengths to promote the health and well-being of individuals.

Clinical Interests
Kiah has varied experience working with children, adolescents and families in school settings on both an individual and group basis. Her specialties include working with children experiencing anxiety, adjustment, depression, trauma, or any other social/emotional difficulty. She currently works with elementary students kindergarten through fifth grade.

Hobbies
Kiah enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, playing cards, and hanging out with her family.

Clinical Approach
Sarah's therapy style is a holistic perspective. She is interested in knowing all areas of the client’s life which may be impacted, and will problem solve with the client to determine the best therapeutic approach. She believes an honest and trustworthy relationship between therapist and client is one of the most crucial components to create lasting change.

Clinical Interests
Sarah has experience working with children, teens and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, self-harm and suicidal ideation, emotional regulation and relationship difficulties.
She has worked with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, children who have witnessed domestic violence, U.S. military veterans, people with severe and persistent mental illness, convicted felons in a prison setting, and adults/adolescents at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.
She enjoys working with children, adolescents and young adults; both on an individual basis as well as groups. Sarah has expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Expressive Art Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

Hobbies
Sarah likes watching football (MN Vikings), playing volleyball and exercising. She also enjoys reading books, creating art and making cakes/cupcakes and traveling and camping.

Clinical Approach
Max is an existential humanistic counselor. He believes that change can be facilitated through a positive, trusting relationship with the therapist who helps the client discover and express meaning in whatever way is significant to them.

Clinical Interests
Max works with K-5 students in the Osseo school district. He has experience working with the Latino and disabilities populations. Max utilizes Trauma-Informed Care to meet the needs of his clients.

Hobbies
Max lifts weights before work most days. He also enjoy cooking and baking, as well as playing video games such as Zelda and Super Smash Bros. (He’s a Pokemon Master! Pretty popular with the kids). He is also an avid fan of Gopher sports, especially football.

Clinical Approach
Jill utilizes a client-centered, strengths based approach when working with clients and their families. She believes supportive, positive connections are transformative and can increase one’s ability to reach their goals.

Clinical Interests
Jill enjoys working with children and teens, ages 10-18, to increase their ability to develop healthy relationships, self-advocate, and manage life’s stressors. With a background in health education and promotion, Jill’s goal is to support all aspects of one’s optimal health.

Hobbies
Jill likes to spend time with family and friends, listening to podcasts, and going on hikes.

Clinical Approach
Tia’s approach to therapy is holistic and attends to the mind, body, and spirit. Her goal in therapy is to offer a safe, non-judgmental, supportive, and honest environment where challenging things can be discussed.

Clinical Interests
Tia enjoys working with adolescents and families in both an individual and group setting utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions. She feels privileged to be on the journey assisting adolescents dealing with issues such as: anxiety, depression, self-harming, anger, trauma, grief/loss, school issues, and relationship concerns, as well as a wide range of other issues.

Hobbies
Tia enjoys reading, going for walks, making time for family and friends, and starting (but never finishing) DIY craft projects.