About Us

Specialized training: DBT Skills Certification, Neurofeedback, Therapy Addiction and Co-occurring Disorders Andrea began her career in the mental health field in 2012 and developed experience through supportive and financial roles for clinics specializing in trauma and eating disorders. She attended Adler Graduate School where she studied co-occurring disorders and completed her master’s degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy. Andrea is dually trained to provide counseling for both substance use and mental health disorders. She provides personalized care, equipping clients with the courage and skills to meet their goals.

“Each person comes to therapy with their own set of views, challenges and experiences. I’m a firm believer that a one-size-fits-all approach promotes discouragement for all parties. I approach my clients with curiosity and adjust treatment to align with your specific needs and values.”

Specialized training: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Carol is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a decade of experience working with majority and minority cultures. She is fully trained in EMDR, AFOT and several other modalities with emphasis on person-centered care. Carol’s Native knowledge and culture influences her practice in bringing balance and harmony.

“As a Native American female therapist, I provide culturally sensitive/appropriate services with a focus on person-centered, strength-based, relational care. I provide a safe space for you and serve as your guide on your path to healing and self-realization. I believe that seeking help and guidance is being compassionate and kind to yourself and your loved ones. Together we will find the answers and the healing.”

Carrie has an associate degree in medical administration and brings a wealth of experience to the Alliance for Healing team. She has held positions at Park Nicollet, Fairview Health Services and Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota as both an admissions coordinator and senior patient access associate. Carrie also has experience in prior authorizations and specialty scheduling. Carrie enjoys working with clients and having a variety of duties to keep busy. She welcomes the challenge of new skills and developing her leadership style.

When she’s not at work, Carrie enjoys traveling with her family, watching football, reading, going for walks and rollerblading around the lakes.

Specialized training: Neurofeedback, Addiction Treatment

Cate is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with experience in individual therapy, working with young adults in transition, intensive in-home therapy with children and families, couples work, counseling within the criminal justice system and addiction treatment. She is especially fond of working with individuals and families in transition. As a former combat medic with 9 years of experience in the United States Army Reserves, Cate has a unique understanding of the “tough it out” cultural mindset and of the conflicts that arise between the military way of doing things, civilian life with family, friends, work, and daily responsibilities.

“The therapy process creates space and time for you to explore what is at the root of your individual challenges. I will work with you to build a genuine therapy relationship that supports your journey toward improved functioning and life satisfaction as you learn to develop and maintain authentic and rich relationships in your life.”

Specialized training: Neurofeedback, Addiction Treatment

Charlie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He has a long history of working to improve people’s mental wellness and promote recovery and participation in community. Charlie is experienced in working with trauma, depressive disorders, loneliness, anxiety disorders and behavioral issues. Charlie’s training is in integrated behavioral health with an emphasis on addiction and changing repetitive behaviors.

“What we do matters. I will work with you to identify and find solutions to the mental and physical habits which may be harming your relationships or efficacy. Our actions construct our lives, regardless of our inner experiences. Be ready to learn and grow through action!”

 

Corrie has 12 years of experience in customer service. Before coming to Alliance for Healing, she spent the last two years working in a recovery facility for men, focusing on substance abuse as well as mental and behavioral health. In her spare time, she helps out with a local community theatre group. She loves to write and enjoys meeting others where they are and helping them feel seen.

“I have a passion for people, and I’m a caregiver at heart. I want to make a difference and help people in the little ways you don’t often think about. A smile and a personalized greeting can go so far.”

Specialized training: DBT Skills Certification, CBT and Addiction Treatment

Eve has worked in areas of mental health and chemical health for the past 30 years. As a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, Eve works with clients who have concerns about chemical use. She also works with those with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief issues, family of origin issues, parent coaching regarding children with behaviors or chemical use issues. Some of her approaches to therapy include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and Family Systems.

I believe in creating a safe, non-judgemental environment for client to be able to work through their issues. It is an honor for me to be able to come along side people, listen to their stories, but I also believe in teaching people new skills to help them cope more effectively.

Specialized training: Comprehensive Clinical Neurofeedback

Iris is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. With a background in counseling and psychotherapy, Iris also holds a PhD in biology which, she believes, is of value in bringing the concepts of the science and psychology closer together. Iris specializes in neuro/biofeedback, used in conjunction with traditional counseling, to promote the long-term effectiveness of treatment outcomes.

“Albert Einstein is credited with the saying that it is impossible to solve a problem from within the same consciousness that created it. I help clients break out of old patterns to communicate and work together more effectively, and to avoid replicating patterns in future relationships. I offer personalized care that is meaningful, optimistic and encouraging, giving you tools to move beyond discouragement and frustration.”

Lydia has a Masters in Social Work. She has spent several years in roles throughout the mental health continuum of care. Lydia has worked with individuals in Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS), supporting families with care coordination to help them access community resources, and most prominently, working with adults with severe and persistent mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders at longer-term housing facilities.

“I enjoy working collaboratively with individuals and looking at the whole picture when discussing factors of stress, like cultural or systemic barriers. I aim to create and hold space for clients to explore their authentic selves and empower them with the strategies and tools needed to ‘grow through what they go through’.”

Specialized training: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Somatic Therapy and Motivational Interviewing

Mary is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who has provided therapeutic services to adults for 13 years. She has worked with a wide range of challenges with particular focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, co-occurring disorders and mood disorders. Mary is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Somatic Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. She has experience with varying levels of care including residential treatment, day treatment and outpatient individual therapy. Mary’s therapeutic approach emphasizes a collaborative and empowering process while creating a safe and non-judgmental space to explore emotions, thoughts and behaviors openly. She is LGBTQ+ affirming and has also worked in areas of SPMI (schizophrenia/affective disorder, bipolar 1 and 2, major depression) and post traumatic stress disorder.

“I see myself as a guide. I value exploration and helping people discover and leverage their hidden strengths. I emphasize the effectiveness of self-awareness and insight, guiding you to become an expert in understanding yourself. My hope is this journey will empower you with confidence and a deep sense of competency. Let’s work together to help you become your own best guide, navigating challenges with newfound strength and clarity.”

 

Michaela has a Bachelor’s of Science in Family Social Sciences with a focus in family violence prevention. While in school, she spent her time volunteering at House of Peace (a women’s shelter) as a children’s advocate. She helped the women and children gain a closer and safe relationship through crafts, games and activities. Michaela has worn many hats as a preschool teacher, a barista and a freelance designer. This led her to her pursuing a certificate in user experience/user interface design from Springboard.

Michaela has worked with a handful of individuals and companies to transform their user experiences online through design. She looks forward to merging both of her areas of study into one role at Alliance for Healing. Outside of work, Michaela is an active person; she enjoys biking, swimming, knitting, crocheting, reading, watching movies and trying new restaurants.

I have a passion for understanding how things work together in harmony. We all have unique backgrounds and characteristics that make us who we are. I deeply value when people feel comfortable enough to share their true opinions. This concept is critical in gaining a better understanding of others and how they perceive the world around them.

Specialized training: Registered Art Therapist (ATR), Dissociative Identity Disorders, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Patricia (Pat) Welch earned her Master’s Degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from the Adler Graduate School in Minnesota in 2018. She also holds a Fine Arts Degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she graduated in 2014.

With 25 years of experience, Patricia has dedicated her work to supporting urban American Indian adolescents. Her contributions include using theater as a gang intervention tool, developing a Native American Doula program for both adolescents and adults, leading culturally focused parenting and youth groups, and offering therapeutic art services to individuals and groups. Additionally, she has served the Native American community in the Fosston/McIntosh region of Minnesota.

Patricia integrates expressive art therapies and talk therapies in a holistic approach to address trauma, depression, anxiety and Dissociative Identity Disorder.

“I believe that art therapy is a powerful tool in making the invisible, visible.”

Patricia (Patty) Hall comes to the field of psychotherapy following a pandemic-inspired pivot from her tenure as a performer and teaching artist. As in the arts, she approaches therapy from a relational standpoint and emphasizes authenticity, warmth and trust while creating a safe and non-judgmental space for people to experience vulnerability. Patty addresses anxiety, depression, grief and loss, substance use disorders and trauma. As a trained ally, she brings years of experience in organized advocacy, intervention and prevention work, especially with adults recovering from childhood sexual abuse and adult victims/survivors (V/S) of sexual violence.

Patty’s counseling approach is collaborative, strengths-based and client-centered. Her work aligns with cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), narrative therapy and feminist theory. When treating substance use disorders, Patty incorporates both 12-step models and harm reduction approaches. She holds an MPS in integrated behavioral health from the University of Minnesota. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and pre-licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

I believe that therapy provides a safe place to land, where an individual is held in unconditional positive regard by their ally — the therapist. Through this therapeutic alliance, a person is more likely to utilize their strengths and talents to meet their interpersonal, professional and artistic goals.

Sam Lewandowski is a counselor-in-training currently pursuing her Master’s in clinical mental health counseling at The University of Wisconsin-Stout. Sam is interested in working with children and adults. She currently works with clients with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Sam is excited to embark on a journey to help her clients achieve their goals by creating a supportive environment where they can focus on the challenges that are getting in the way of their success and ideal life while feeling heard and understood. She is committed to helping her clients on their way to healing in a way that builds on their strengths and creates lasting change.

Sam’s approach to therapy is very collaborative; together, clients will explore their thoughts and emotions and work to create healthy alternatives and develop coping strategies. Sam will implement strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy.

I love working alongside my clients to help them discover how to harness their strengths to guide them in meeting their goals. I believe that everyone can benefit from mental health care and having someone available to listen and empower them to create positive changes for their life.

Sarah completed her LAMFT at Antioch University, New England. She also enters the profession with a PhD in musicology having spent the past 20 years working as a music professor, private teacher and professional musician. She finds that many of the same skills apply in teaching and in therapy.

Sarah’s education focuses on systems theory, seeing clients not only as individuals but as part of interlocking networks of family, friends, colleagues, organizations, etc. Sarah views much of her work as helping clients to evolve in these networks in ways that support them as individuals and work for their health and, potentially, the health of those around them. She has experience working with individuals and couples and is also looking forward to working with families. Sarah also has additional experience and training in LGBTQ+ issues, sex therapy, gender, social justice, trauma, grief and loss, and creative arts modalities.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, kayaking, skiing, cooking, home-improvement projects, making music and spending time with friends, family and fur-babies.

Every person is unique and benefits from focus and attention to their individual needs and experience. I prefer to work collaboratively with clients by listening and trusting that each person has the best idea what is right for them, though I am comfortable taking the lead when necessary. Connection is primary.

Specialized training: Certified Sexual Relational Trauma Therapist,  Certified Prepare-Enrich Premarital Assessment Facilitator

Shannon is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 30 years of experience. She works with adults and older teens, utilizing a straight-forward yet approachable systemic (individual as well as relational) and trauma-informed focus. Her areas of interest and training include couples and individual therapy with a focus on relational trauma and infidelity; premarital counseling; parenting; post-partum depression; eldercare; sexuality; anxiety; depression; grief and loss; assertive communication; and mindful, healthy self-care practices. She is LGBTQIA+ affirmative.

“I like knowing that my work makes a difference in the lives of others in a personal way—that these changes may make a difference for generations. I help my clients form (and guard) a reliable routine for self-care, boundaries with the people or practices that diminish self, and tools to slow down when feeling escalated.”

Specialized training: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), PREPARE/ENRICH couple’s inventory

Tara is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working with teens, adults and couples. Tara has been providing therapeutic services since 2014 and has experience helping people with a wide range of concerns including addiction, trauma, financial crisis, anxiety, depression, adolescent behavioral and emotional struggles, parenting concerns, family/relationship conflict, and marriage difficulties. Tara is passionate about helping people work through past traumas and relationship struggles to form strong, healthy attachments.

“It takes courage to ask for help! I love working collaboratively with people to find what has been missing and to bring healing to what has been hurting. I also love helping people learn and experience what safe and healthy relationships look like, so they can go on living with healthy relationships in their lives. My goal is to enlighten, empower and equip you to face and overcome your current challenges, to live out your values and to experience life-giving connections with others”.

Tashim Lo is a dedicated mental health professional committed to providing safe and nurturing therapy that encourages individuals to grow within their communities and environments. He is passionate about guiding people on their spiritual journeys, emphasizing that this path is open to all, regardless of faith practice or orientation. With a deep interest in historical trauma and intergenerational transmission of trauma, Tashim brings valuable insights to his practice.

His experience includes mental health and addiction counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and mindfulness meditation, making him a versatile and compassionate resource for personal growth and healing.