Meet Our Providers in Coon Rapids

RIKKI ALSTAD, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Serving: Couples, Individuals, 11+

Rikki’s areas of expertise and special interest include working with diverse populations regarding LGBTQ+ concerns, gender and sexual identity, grief and loss, relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life adjustments. Her therapeutic approach includes 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

Serving: Couples, Individual, 7+

Alissa is 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

MARLANA BALK

Clinical Trainee

Serving: Couples, Families, Individuals, 6+

Marlana’s areas of expertise and special interest include addiction, self-esteem, life transitions, anxiety, and trauma. Also has experience in anger management, behavioral issues, codependency, depression, grief, and personality disorders. Her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused, and Person-Centered.

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

GARY BEAVER, MA

Licensed Psychologist

Serving: Individuals, 18+

Gary’s areas of expertise and special interest include trauma, PTSD, grief, and loss. Gary has 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

Serving: Couples, Individuals, 18+

Jeffrey’s areas of expertise and special interest include marital counseling, alcohol/drug problems. Jeffrey is trained in 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

Serving: Families, Individuals, 16+

Linda’s areas of expertise and special interest include 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

Serving: Individuals, 8+

Michael’s areas of expertise and special interest include working with adolescents and adults with autism (social/communication skills), ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stress management. His therapeutic approach utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness practices. His 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

Serving: Couples, Families, Individuals

Sheila’s areas of expertise and special interest include adjustment disorders, trauma/abuse/post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety and mood disorders. Her therapeutic approach includes 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

Serving: Individuals, 15+

Allyson’s areas of expertise and special interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, LGBTQ+ concerns, caregiver stress. She has particular interest in helping individuals and care-givers cope with illness and disease progression. She is an eclectic therapist who incorporates Mindfulness, Solution-focus, Narrative, Cognitive-behavior methods, and Hypnotherapy into her work. She strives to practice with cultural humility and build collaborative, empowering relationships with her 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

Serving: Couples, Individuals, 12+

Jorgen’s areas of expertise and special interest include anxiety, depression, PTSD, LGBTQ+ concerns, maternal mental health, and couples experiencing infertility. Her therapeutic approach is from a strength-based, culturally attentive lens 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

Serving: Families, Individuals, 4+

Mackenzie’s areas of expertise and special interest include adjustment disorders, mood and behavioral disorders, relational difficulties, and parenting issues and support. She has experience working with diverse populations regarding trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her therapeutic approach 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

Serving: Individuals, 18+

Megan’s areas of expertise and special interest include anxiety, depression, trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), parenting concerns, perinatal concerns, coparenting, and relational conflict. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Narrative, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy approaches. Her 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

Serving: Families, Individuals, 12+

Shelley’s areas of expertise and special interest include 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

Serving: Couples, Individuals, 18+

Nohemi’s areas of expertise and special interest include working with those who may be adjusting to a current transition, experiencing behavioral or emotion issues, grief, anxiety, depression or relational difficulties. Her therapeutic approach includes 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

Serving: Families, Individuals, 2+

Stacey’s areas of expertise and special interest include working with families and children who may be in transition, having behavioral or emotional issues, anxiety, depression, AD/HD or relational difficulties. Her therapeutic approach includes 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