Northland Counseling Center

Committed to Recovery

Mental Health Staff

Northland Counseling Center, Inc.’s therapists currently offer services to all ages.

Specialized training includes: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adults and adolescents, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders, Play Interventions, Sand tray interventions, Equine-Assisted Interventions, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), DC: 0-5 Assessments (Diagnostic Assessments for ages 0-5) and Clinical Hypnosis.

Your Initial Appointment with a Therapist:

During your initial appointment with a therapist you will meet with a clinician, either in-person via telehealth, for approximately 1-2 hours to assess for current mental health symptoms, referral needs and determine treatment options available to you and/or your family member.

Your Initial Appointment with a Medication Manager:

During your initial appointment with a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Psychiatrist you will meet with them, either in-person or telehealth, for approximately 1-2 hours to assess for current mental health symptoms, referral needs and determine treatment options available to you and/or your family member.

Aitkin Out-Patient Mental Health Providers For Appointments - Please Call 218-670-0005

Miranda Skinner, MPS, LADC, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: MPS, University of Minnesota, 2015; LADC licensed, 2015; LPCC licensed, 2018

General Clinical Interests: Anxiety, Depression, Substance Use, PTSD/trauma, Life transitions, Personality Disorders and Grief and Loss

Specialize Training In:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy
  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Equine Assisted Therapy

Age Range: 18-years old and older

Grand Rapids Out-Patient Clinical Staff For Appointments - Please Call 218-326-1274

Alyson Lopez, MA, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: MA, University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1997; Master’s Clinical Psychology Certification, University of Minnesota, Duluth, 2018.

General Clinical Interests: Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Mood Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Personality Disorders, Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Age Ranges: All ages

 

Angie Baratto, MA, LPCC

Education and Training: 

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Difficulty adjusting to life transitions, Grief and Loss, Personality Disorders, Sexual/Physical Abuse, Trauma Related Issues

Specialized Training In:

  • EAGALA Certified Therapist
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensively trained, DHS Certified, Nationally Certified
  • LPCC Board Approved Supervisor
  • DC: 0-5 Assessments, Trained

Age ranges: 6 and up

Ana Pereira, MA, LMFT (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of St. Mary’s, Minneapolis 2008. Practicum at Comunidades Latinas Unitas En Servicio (CLUES) 2008

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety Disorders, Couples and Family Therapy, Domestic & Sexual Trauma, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders

Specialized Training In:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Preverbal Trauma (Implicit Memory)
  • Adaptive Internal Relational Network Model
  • Marriage and Family Therapy

Age ranges: 18 and up

Brad Nelson, MA, LP (he/him/his)

Education and Training: Licensed Psychologist: 1989-Present; Master of Arts: Connecticut College 1987

General Interests: Individual therapy, Adolescent–Adult; Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders and Behavior Disorders

Specialize Training In:

  • ADHD assessments
  • Psychological assessments
  • Psychological consultations

Age Ranges: 15-years old and older

Brandi Worrath, MS, LPCC

Education and Training: Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Human Development, Minor Psychology from University of Washington; Master of Science (MS) in Human Services & Masters of Science (MS) in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University.  BA Internship completed at Kootasca Community Action (Teenage Parent Program -TAPP); MS Internship completed at Northland Counseling Center, Inc. LPCC Board Approved Supervisor

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Health & Wellness, Sports/Athlete Challenges/transitions, Teenage transitions, Behavior modification and Relationship issues

Specialized Training in:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adults and teens
  • Biofeedback
  • LPCC Board Approved Supervision
  • Clinical Supervision for Community Support Programs
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Age Ranges: 15 and up

Brea Wallaker, MSW, LICSW (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: MSW, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 2015. Board Approved Supervisor, 2020

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety; Depression; Life transitions; Mood Disorders; Personality Disorders; Grief and Loss

Specialized Training In:

  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Adolescent Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Age ranges: 15 and up

Demi Kapler, MS (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: BA in Psychology, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 2014; MS in Counseling & Certification in Equine- assisted Mental Health, Prescott College, 2020; Practicum Northland Counseling Center, 2019-2020

MS in Counseling & Certification in Equine- assisted Mental Health, Prescott College, 2020

General Clinical Interests: Adolescents; Adults; Anxiety; Depression; Life Transitions; Trauma and Adjustment Disorders; LGBTQ+, CBT; Experiential therapies; Attachment- and somatic-based principles; Equine-assisted psychotherapy; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); Natural Lifemanship,  Level 1 and EQUUSOMA

Age Ranges: 8-years old and up

Jennifer Alstad, MS. Ed., LMFT (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from North Dakota State University, 2003; Master of Education (MS. Ed.) in Community Counseling from University of Wisconsin Superior, 2008; Master’s degree Internship at Northland Counseling Center, 2008; Board approved supervisor 2016

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Difficulty adjusting to life transitions, Personality Disorders, Relationship Issues, Mood Disorders

Specialized Training In:

  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Adolescent Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • EAGALA Trained
  • Board Approved Supervisor (LMFT, LPCC)
  • Community Support Program Clinical Supervisor

Age Ranges: 16 and up

Jillian Ristau, MS, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: BA in Psychology and Music from Ohio Wesleyan University, 2012; MS in Professional Counseling with School Counseling Certificate from Carlo University, 2015. Practicum at adoption Connection Beaver, PA 2014; Internship at Mohawk Area School District, Bessemer, PA, 2014-2015.  LPCC licensed in MN, 2021, LPC licensed in PA, 2023.

General Clinical Interest: LGBTIA+; Grief and Loss; Trauma; EMDR; DBT; Life adjustments; Sexual Identity Exploration; Anxiety; Depression and Other Mood Disorders.

Specialized Training In:

  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Adolescent Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Grief/Loss
  • Trauma
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Kids/Teens
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Techniques
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Positive Parenting Techniques
  • Career Counseling

Age Ranges: 8 and up

Kerrie Humble, MSW, LICSW (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: BA in Psychology, Gustavus Adolphus College, 2017; MSW, Simmons University, 2019; and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Trained

General Clinical Interests: Children; Adolescents; Adults; Anxiety; Depression; Life transitions; Mood Disorders; Personality Disorders; Grief and Loss; Play Therapy Techniques; Sand Tray Techniques; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Sexual Identity Concerns; Managing Anger; Group Therapy and Equine-assisted Interventions.

Specialize Training In:

  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Adolescent Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Age Ranges: 6 and up

Laura Roy, MA, LADC, LAMFT (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: MA, Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2016

General Interests: Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Grief and Loss, Coping with Cancer, Women’s Issues, Co-dependency, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Mind Body Connection CBT, Mindfulness, Dually Diagnosed Substance Use/Alcoholism and Mental Health

Age Ranges: 18-years old and older

Lisa Fox, MS, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: BA in Psychology, University of California at Berkeley, 1993.  MS in Mental Health Counseling, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA, 1998.  Graduate Internship at Skagit Mental Health in Mt Vernon WA, 1996-1997.  Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, 2020

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety; Depression; Life transitions; Mood Disorders; Grief and Loss; Family or Couples Counseling; Parent Support; Health/Wellness issues; Stress Management; Relationship Issues; Issues related to aging

Specialized Training In:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Parent Support
  • Alpha Stim Technology
  • Mindfulness
  • LGBTQ+ Support

Age ranges: 12 and up

Jessica (Jess) Albers, MSW, LGSW (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: BA in Psychology, University of North Dakota; MSW, Boise State University.

General Clinical Interests: Eating disorders/disordered eating; Body image; OCD; Trauma; Depression; Anxiety; Life transitions; LGBTQ+; Health at Every Size™; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).

Specialized Training In: Intuitive Eating™

Age Ranges: 10 and up

Josh Day, MS (he/him/his)

Education & Training: BA in Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2015; MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, concentrations in Crisis and Trauma, and AODA, University of Wisconsin-Stout, 2022; Practicum and Internship at Caillier Clinic, Eau Claire WI, 2021-2022.

General Clinical Interests: Adolescents; Adults; Anxiety; Depression; Life Transitions; Trauma and Adjustment Disorders; LGBTQ+, CBT; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Age Ranges: 6-years old and up

Hibbing Out-Patient Mental Health Providers For Appointments - Please Call 218-440-2066

John White, MA, LMFT

Education and Training: MA from Saint Mary’s University in Marriage and Family Therapy

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Depression, Family Therapy, Mood Disorders, Sand Tray Techniques and Play Therapy Techniques

Specialized Training In:

  • Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Certified
  • MFT Board Approved Supervisor
  • DC: 0-5 Assessments, Trained

Age ranges: All Ages

Laura Maxwell, MSW, LICSW (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: MSW, University of North Dakota, 2012; Board approved Supervisor, 2016

General Clinical Interests: Anxiety; Depression; Life transitions; Stress/Adjustment; Mood Disorders; Personality Disorders; Grief and Loss; Trauma Informed Care and Geriatric care

Specialize Training In:

  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Medicare approved provider
  • Clinical Supervision

Age Range: 18-years old and older

.International Falls Out-Patient Mental Health Providers For Appointments - Please Call 218-283-3406

Allison O’Hara Meyers, Psy.D., LP (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: B.A. in Psychology, University of St. Thomas 2006; M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Twin Cities, 2009 & 2011; Pre-Doctoral APA Approved Internship at Robert J. Murney Clinic in Springfield, MO, 2010-2011; Advanced Practicum, Scott County Mental Health Center, 2009; Therapy Practicum, Scott County Mental Health Center, MN, 2008-2009; Assessment Practicum, Hennepin County Medical Center- Neuropsychology Section, 2007-2008.  MN Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy Board Approved Supervised for LPC and LPCC

General Clinical Interest: Adolescents, Adults, Older Adults, Anxiety, Depression, Personality Disorders, Trauma, Anger Management, Issues related to aging, Adoption issues, GLBT, Integrating complementary health approaches, Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Specialized Training In:

  • Psychological Evaluation
  • Nutritional Psychology
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Health & Wellness
  • Clinical Supervision

Age ranges: 8 and up

Amie Black, MA, LMFT, RPT-S (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Liberty University, 2008;  Internship at Nystrom & Associates, Professional Family Based Division 2007-2008; Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate from University of MN, 2018; Board approved supervisor for LMFT and LPCC; Registered Play Therapist, 2018

General Clinical Interest:  Infant and Early Childhood, School-aged Children, Adolescents, Parenting Issues, Trauma and Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, Health/Wellness, Grief and Loss, Play Therapy, Client Centered Therapy

Specialized Training In:

  • Play Therapy
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Trauma Informed Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • DC:0-5 Assessment
  • Clinical Supervision

Age Ranges: All ages

Amy Schaffer, MA, LP (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: BA in Psychology, University of Minnesota 1991; MA in Counseling Psychology, College of St. Thomas Minneapolis, MN 2004; Licensed Social Worker, 1995-present

General Clinical Interest: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Couples, Veterans, Serious and Persistent Mental Illness, Crisis Intervention, Eating Disorders, Anxiety, OCD, Mood Disorders, Pain Management, Grief & Loss Issues, Anger Management and PTSD

Specialized Training In:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Clinical Supervision for ARMHS/CSP

Age ranges: 8 and up

Anna Mann, MS, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: BA in Psychology  (2009) from Ashford University, IA; BS in Business Administration (2015) from Bemidji University, MN; MS in Mental Health Counseling (2017) from Capella University, MN; Internship at Northland Counseling Center in International Falls, MN (2016-2017)

General Clinical Interests: Infant & Early Childhood, Children, Adolescents, trauma & abuse, anxiety, depression, health/wellness, and DBT psychoeducational groups (teens & adults)

Specialize Training In:

  • Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health from University of MN (2020)
  • Child Parent Psychotherapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Adolescent Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • DC: 0-5 Screening & Interventions

Age Ranges: All Ages

Danielle Krasaway, MS, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: MS, Winona State University, 2008; Practicum/Internship, Winona State University Counseling Center, 2008; Board Approved Supervisor, 2016

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Grief and Loss, Trauma, Crisis

Specialized Training In:

  • Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Adult Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Clinical Supervision for LPC/LPCC

Age Ranges: 12 and up

Jeanie Johnson, MA, LGSW (she/her/hers)

Education & Training: MA, Saint Scholastica, 2021. Internship: Range Mental Health Center 2021.  BS, Bemidji State University, 2019. Internship: Bigfork Valley Hospital and Communities 2019

General Clinical Interests: Children, Adolescents, and Adults, Anxiety; Depression; Life transitions; Mood Disorders; Personality Disorders; Grief and Loss; Trauma; Family or Couples Counseling; Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT); Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

 

Tammy Gradine, MA, LPCC (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: MA in Counseling, University of North Dakota, 2008. Graduate internship at Northeast Human Service Center in Grand Forks, ND 2007-2008; Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor 2017

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety; Depression; Grief & Loss;  Employment & Education Difficulties; Relationship Issues; Health & Wellness Issues; Serious and Persistent Mental Illness; Abuse; Sexual Identity Concerns; Aging; Managing Anger; Group Therapy and Client Centered Therapy

Specialized Training In:

  • Adult Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Age Ranges: 12 and up

John White, MA, Doctoral Intern

Education and Training: MA from Saint Mary’s University in Marriage and Family Therapy

General Clinical Interest: Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Depression, Family Therapy, Mood Disorders, Sand Tray Techniques and Play Therapy Techniques

Specialized Training In:

  • Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Certified
  • MFT Board Approved Supervisor
  • DC: 0-5 Assessments, Trained

Age ranges: All Ages

Northland Recovery Center Out-Patient Mental Heath Provider For Appointments - Please Call 218-327-1105

Sara Sundquist-Castle, MPS, LPCC, LADC (she/her/hers)

Education and Training: BAS in Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth 2007; MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities 2016; Graduate internship at Northland Recovery Center in Grand Rapids, MN 2016; Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor 2017 to present; Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor 2020 to present; Experience with outpatient and residential therapy with adults and adolescents

General Clinical Interest: Adults and adolescents; Trauma and Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Relationship Issues

Specialized Training In:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Prolonged Exposure
  • Enhanced Illness Management and Recovery

Age ranges: 15 and up

Alison Larson, MSSW, MA, AADCR-MN (she/her/hers)

Education: MS in Social Work, University of Louisville, 2013; MA in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders, Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, 2019.

General Clinical Interests: Substance abuse, Anxiety, Depression & other Mood Disorders, Relationship Issues, Relapse Prevention, Grief & Loss, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Life Transitions.

Specialized Training in: Substance Abuse Issues, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy.

Medication Management

Angela Pellerito, MS, RN, PMHNP

Angela provides the following services for individuals 4 years and older:

  • Medication Management
  • Psychiatric Consultations

Thomas Kefalas, MD, Psychiatrist

Dr. Kefalas provides the following services for individuals 12 years and older:

  • Medication Management
  • Psychiatric Consultations

Melanie Troumbly, APRN, CNP, PMHNP-BC

Melanie provides the following services for individuals ages 6 and older:

  • Medication Management
  • Psychiatric Consultations