Meet Our Providers in Coon Rapids

RIKKI ALSTAD, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Individual (starting at age 11) and couples therapy. Experience in working with diverse populations regarding LGBTQ+ concerns, gender and sexual identity, grief and loss, relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life adjustments. Utilizes creative, narrative, and family systems approaches, among others, in collaboration with clients.

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

ALISSA AUNE, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Works with individuals (starting at age 7) and couples. Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

GARY BEAVER, MA

Licensed Psychologist

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Individual therapy;  adults;  trauma/PTSD; grief and loss; Extensive training/experience in using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In practice since 1990.

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance,  Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

JEFFREY BROWN, MA

Licensed Psychologist

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Marital counseling, Individual counseling, psychotherapy for adolescents and adults, alcohol/drug problems. Hypno therapy.

Professional Affiliations: American Psychological Association; Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

LINDA BUCHS-HAMMONDS, MSW

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Adult clients and adolescents age 16+; individual and family therapy; communication problems, trauma history, abuse history, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, relationship issues, LGBTQ+ concerns, stress management, work stress, family conflict, parenting issues, grief and loss, life adjustment, and enhancing insight. More than 40 years in the field of Clinical Social Work.

Professional Affiliation: Minnesota Society of Clinical Social Workers

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medicare, Medical Assistance, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

MICHAEL CHRISTLIEB, MSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

Clinical Trainee

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Individual therapy; children (10+), adolescents, and adults. Experience working with adolescents and adults with autism (social/communication skills), ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stress management. Therapeutic approach utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness practices. My goal is empowering clients to recognize and utilize the strengths and abilities they possess.

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield PMAP, some Blue Cross/Blue Shield Commercial, Cash, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medical Assistance, and Ucare

SHEILA K. FORBES, MSSW – DIRECTOR

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Family/couple/individual therapy; children, adolescents, adults; adjustment disorders; trauma/abuse/post-traumatic stress disorder; anxiety and mood disorders. Solution-focused, narrative and cognitive behavioral therapies. Training and consultation in family systems therapy. Approved supervisor for the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Professional Affiliations: Member, National Association of Social Workers; Member, Minnesota Family-Based Services Association; Member, American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy.

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

ALLYSON HAYWARD, MSW

Licensed Independent Social Worker

Areas of Expertise and Special Interests: Individual Therapy – Adolescents, age 15+, adults and seniors. Anxiety, Depression, trauma, life transitions, LGBTQ+ concerns, caregiver stress. Of particular interest is helping individuals and care-givers cope with illness and disease progression. I am an eclectic therapist who incorporates Mindfulness, Solution-focus, Narrative, Cognitive-behavior methods, and Hypnotherapy into my work. I strive to practice with cultural humility and build collaborative, empowering relationships with my clients.

Network Provider for: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, and United Medical Resources

JORGEN KNUTSON, MA

In-Home Counselor & Clinical Trainee

Areas of Expertise and Special Interests: Individuals, adolescents (starting at age 12), LGBTQ+, and couples therapy. Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Maternal Mental Health and couples experiencing infertility. Therapeutic approach is from a strength-based, culturally attentive lenses that is Experiential and Collaborative with clients.

Network Provider for: Anoka County, Blue Cross/Blue Shield PMAP, some Blue Cross/Blue Shield Commercial, Cash, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medical Assistance, and Ucare

NICHOLE MEYER, MA

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Serving: Individuals, 18+

Nichole’s areas of expertise and special interest include anxiety, depression, personality disorders, trauma, and parenting. She has additional training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Neurolinguistic Psychology and her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Positive Behavior Support, and Internal Family Systems.

Network Provider for: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, and United Medical Resources

MACKENZIE NOLAN, MS

Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Clinical Trainee

Areas of Expertise and Special Interests: Family and individual therapy; children (4+), adolescents, adults. Experience working with diverse populations regarding trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder; adjustment disorders; mood and behavioral disorders; relational difficulties; and parenting issues and support. Utilizes narrative and family systems approaches as well as art and play therapy techniques with children and adolescents.

Network Provider for: Blue Cross/Blue Shield PMAP, some Blue Cross/Blue Shield Commercial, Cash, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medical Assistance, and Ucare

JOHANNA ROSE, MA, PMH-C

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Serving: Couples, Families, Individuals 12+

Johanna’s areas of expertise and special interest include trauma, perinatal concerns, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. She has certifications in Perinatal Mental Health and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and her therapeutic approach includes Narrative therapy, Emotion-Focused therapy, CBT and DBT.

Network Provider for: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

MEGAN RUSTAD, MA

In-Home Counselor & Clinical Trainee

Areas of Expertise and Special Interests: Individual therapy for adults (18+). Experience working with adult clients with anxiety, depression, trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), parenting concerns, perinatal concerns, coparenting, and relational conflict. Trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Narrative, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy approaches. My hope is to provide a safe space for you to share your story while walking alongside you in your healing journey.

Network Provider for: Blue Cross/Blue Shield PMAP, some Blue Cross/Blue Shield Commercial, Cash, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medical Assistance, and Ucare

SHELLEY SLOMINSKI, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Family and individual therapy; adult, children and adolescents. Depression, anxiety, grief, interpersonal difficulties, as well as communication, infidelity and other relationship concerns.

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

NOHEMI WEEKLEY, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Spanish Speaking

Areas of expertise and special interest: Individual and couple’s therapy; adults who may be adjusting to a current transition, experiencing behavioral or emotion issues, grief, anxiety, depression or relational difficulties. Use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Gottman Couples Therapy and Family Systems approach.

Network Provider For: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Medica, Optum, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs

STACEY WOLFGRAM, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Areas of Expertise and Special Interest: Families and children who may be in transition, having behavioral or emotional issues, anxiety, depression, AD/HD or relational difficulties. Use of play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and a strengths based, systems approach.

Network Provider for: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Hennepin Health, Medica, Medical Assistance, Optum, Ucare, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, and EAPs