Meet Our Staff

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This page is dedicated to highlighting our team and giving you a better sense of who we are. The information below will help you put faces to names and give a small snapshot of what each of us does at SCS. We look forward to working with you. 

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Counseling Staff

Michelle Bettin, PsyD, LP, LICSW

 

 [Picture TBD]

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Interim Director.
Education: MSW, Mental Health Direct Practice: University of MN -TC; PsyD, Clinical Psychology: Minnesota School of Professional Psychology

About me: In therapy, supervision, and management I strive to understand the needs, context and preferences of each client/trainee/staff. I strive to listen deeply, see people fully, and create welcoming, inclusive spaces and relationships that support healing and wellness. I believe that people’s strengths and struggles reflect their identities and the relationships, communities, and systems they are nested in and impacted by. I see therapy as one way to facilitate or rekindle a client’s natural ability to thrive, heal, and have a more connected, empowered, fulfilling life.

I have provided therapeutic services, supervision, consultation, and training in college counseling centers, community mental health clinics, and private practice settings.  When not working, I am connecting with family and friends, exercising, cooking, learning, enjoying nature, or working on a DIY project.

Professional interests: My areas of interest include: wellness, mindfulness, social justice, personal/historical/racial trauma, development, biopsychology, EMDR, program development/management, and continuous improvement. I incorporate multicultural, feminist, holistic, psychodynamic, and continuous improvement theories and values into my work.

 

Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff, Ph.D., L.P., L.M.F.T.
Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Senior Supervising Psychologist.
Education: Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Indiana State University.

About Me: I’ve worked in college counseling for the largest part of my career because this is a time in a person’s life where they are open to understanding themselves as adults, often for the first time. I weave a developmental approach into my work with students as they learn more about who they are and how to navigate the relationships that are important to them. I focus on emotional understanding, believing that our culture often encourages us to negate important feelings we have, leaving us to navigate our lives without fully knowing ourselves. I also look at the world with a feminist lens, believing that the gender roles and other stereotypes we are taught when we are young, and are expected to follow into adulthood, can create barriers to leading a fulfilling life. Lastly, I recognize that the people I work with are students who may be struggling with academic challenges and expectations that complicate their lives.

When I’m not at work you can likely find me running by the river, reading a library book, or cheering on my favorite football team..

Professional Interests: Prior to working at Student Counseling Services, I worked in a LGBT+ Counseling Center and I continue to find fulfillment working with students from my queer community. I also have
been privileged to facilitate a grief group for students who have lost parents or siblings, and I work with grieving students individually as well.

 

 Kifaya Bishop, M.S., LPC
Kifaya Bishop, M.S.

Pronouns: she/her
Multicultural Counselor 
Education: M.S. College Counseling & Student Development, St. Cloud State University

About Me: As a first generation college student, many Student Affairs professionals have guided me and contributed to my undergraduate success. For this reason (and many more) I pursued a career in College Counseling and Student Development to continue to give back to college students in their academic and mental health journey. I’m committed to advocating, supporting, and empowering students as they navigate systemic oppression and institutional barriers. I hope to make mental health services accessible for everyone and destigmatize seeking services, especially those from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds.

When not at work, I enjoy and appreciate time with my family and friends. I also like exploring nature, new places, and new foods! When the opportunity arises, I love to travel domestically and internationally. 

Professional interests: It’s important for me to build trust and rapport with my clients. I have a holistic counseling approach and use a social justice lens within my work. I also use an integrative approach to theories and ideas depending on my client's needs. I have a strong interest in intersectional identity development, systems theory, personal/racial trauma, and interpersonal processes in my work. Prior to working in SCS, I served students within TRIO, University Honors Program, Multicultural Student Services, and Study Away/Abroad.

Ian Evans, Psy.D., L.P.
Ian Evans

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Training Lead, Staff Psychologist
Education: Psy.D. Counseling Psychology, Radford University
 

About Me:  As a psychologist, I view the process of counseling as one that allows for life's difficulties to be explored and addressed within a supportive environment and trusting relationship. My general approach to therapy is from an interpersonal, emotion-focused, and positive psychotherapeutic lens, which emphasizes the meaning and emotional impact of relationships in the clients' life along with fostering personal strengths to promote holistic well-being and resiliency. Within this approach I view a warm and empathic therapeutic relationship as a primary agent of change; a relationship that actively incorporates the holistic identities and experiences that helps embody the client's full story.

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time flipping through vinyl records at a local shop, sitting in the stands at a Twins or Wild game, and taking my dog Pickle for walks.

Professional Interests: I have strong interest in working with first-generation college students, international students, LGBTQIA+ identities, masculinity & emotion, racial/ethnic identities, and rural mental health.   My clinical interests include presenting concerns such as adjustment difficulties, anxiety and depressive disorders, emotional processing, group therapy, multicultural identity exploration, relational distress/couples counseling, suicide prevention, and trauma. Working with students and organizations outside of the therapeutic context is deeply meaningful to me. I have enjoyed providing outreach programming related to character strengths, gratitude, grief/loss, identity development, life transitions, mentoring, relationships, self-care, suicide prevention, violence prevention, and work-life balance.

 

Alexa Fetzer, Ph.D., L.P.
Alexa Fetzer

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Groups Coordinator, Staff Psychologist.
Education:  Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, SUNY.

About Me:  In my counseling work, I like to help students gain a better understanding of their current struggles, and help them identify new ways of being or relating to others that feel more genuine and meet their goals more effectively.  I believe that in coming to know ourselves and forming relationships with others, we often rely on what we’ve learned from previous experiences, or what has seemed to work in the past.  When we enter periods of transition that bring new roles, new relationships, and new experiences, our previous learned ways of being or forming relationships may not be as effective, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, or relationship and identity concerns.  I enjoy working with students to gain insight into the possible “whys” of what isn’t working, and “hows” for moving forward in a way that is more genuine to who they are and to what their values and goals may be.  This inherently includes a multicultural approach, as I believe we receive many messages and “shoulds” about how to be and how to form relationships from our diverse experiences—from our family systems, our cultural values and beliefs, and surrounding sociopolitical messages and experiences.

When I’m not at work, I like to nurture my northern MN roots by camping, canoeing, and working on my loon call in the wilderness.  I also enjoy yoga, eating delicious food (emphasis on the eating—not so much on the cooking), and keeping up with an ever-growing Netflix queue

Professional Interests: My professional interests include clinical supervision and training, group counseling, diversity awareness and social justice issues, identity development, interpersonal relationship concerns, emotion regulation, mindfulness, anxiety, and depression.

 

Nina Hernandez Beithon, M.S.W., LICSW
Nina Hernandez Beithon

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Diversity Liaison Counselor.
Education: M.S.W. Social Work, University of Minnesota.

About Me: My work is deeply rooted in relationships, as I believe that healing happens in relationship with others and ourselves. I approach therapy with a social justice and anti-oppressive lens which includes a profound understanding of the systems at play that impact students from oppressed communities. My personal and professional work also includes macro-level work to change systems at a larger institutional level in addition to individual and group counseling. As a mixed (Mexican/White) person I am committed to serving students from a variety of backgrounds and enjoy co-creating and exploring together in therapy what healing looks like for you. I take a holistic approach to healing as I believe that our mental wellbeing is strongly connected and in balance with other life components including academics, spirituality, politics, relationships, finances and physical health. I provide therapy in English and Spanish. In my free time, I enjoy practicing and performing with our Indigenous Mexica Danza group, reading, and spending time in nature.

Professional Interests: My professional interests include:  race-based traumatic stress, student activism, police violence, political-based oppression, Latinx populations and issues, oppression fatigue, indigenous and students of color populations and issues, traditional indigenous healing practices, interpersonal trauma, inter-generational and/or historical trauma, gender based violence (domestic and sexual violence), self-esteem, body positivity, identity exploration, LGBTQ populations and issues,  harm reduction, and cultural adjustment for 1st generation college students.

 

Jodi Leirness, Psy.D., L.P.
Jodi Leirness

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Staff Psychologist, Coordinator for the University Response Team.
Education: Psy.D. Counseling Psychology, University of St. Thomas

About Me: I believe therapy is most effective when conducted in an open, safe, and nurturing environment with respect given to the strengths, wisdom, and humanity of each client. I work from an integrative and holistic perspective, meeting each client where they are, and working collaboratively with clients to reach their own personal goals. I truly love working with students and I feel honored to join alongside clients as they create lasting, meaningful change and healing in their lives. When I am not at work I enjoy baking homemade blueberry muffins, taking walks to the farmers market with my partner, dancing in the kitchen with our two young children, and playing games with our silly kitten.

Professional Interests: My professional interests include working with college students struggling with suicidality, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity and multicultural exploration, and existential issues, with a specific focus on well-being, balance, self-care, compassion, and self-acceptance.

 

Jake Loeffler, Psy.D, L.P.
Jake Loeffler

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Outreach Coordinator, Staff Psychologist
Education: Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Rosemead School of Psychology.

About Me:  Sometimes life happens faster than we can adapt to it and often it can be helpful to have someone navigate life during these times. I view caring for one's’ mental health as an ongoing process which requires more work during difficult chapters in life. As a counselor, I help students build resiliency through supporting their strengths and equipping them with skills to make changes to their lives. Each of us are weathering a unique season in our lives and I aim to provide assistance for today’s battles as well as confidence in one’s abilities to effectively build a life for the future. Some of my own personal values include watching and playing sports. I am a MN sports fan. I enjoy woodworking and collaborating with different makers. I cherish sunny days on the lake paddle boarding and nights under the stars. I completed my graduate school at Rosemead School of Psychology in La Mirada, CA and moved back to Minneapolis for the friendly people, nature, and seasons. I am a foodie and enjoy frequenting the great eateries and gathering spaces around the Twin Cities. I value my faith and enjoy sharing life with other members of my faith community.

Professional Interests: Trained as a generalist, I work with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety/stress, mood disorders, trauma, academic skills development, grief, identity development, family and relationship issues, and spirituality. I work from an integrated holistic framework that incorporates person-centered, interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral and insight-oriented theories that values individual differences and diversity with the goal of identifying and developing personal strengths that will foster empowerment.

Maureen Maslinski, MSW, LICSW
Headshot of Maureen

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Wellness Counselor/Embedded Counselor for Carlson School of Management (CSOM)
Education: MSW, Social Work, University of St Thomas/College of St. Catherine

About Me: My hope is to help students improve their quality of life and get to know themselves better. I believe, as humans, we inherently have within us what we need to feel better and experience life more fully.  Oftentimes, we need help accessing those capabilities, as well as navigating through and healing from the environmental and life stressors that we deal with along the way. As a counselor, I provide that help.

As the embedded Wellness Counselor within the Carlson School, I meet with undergraduate students for individual counseling. I provide monthly workshops on wellness topics, and host monthly Wellness Connection Wednesdays as a time for students to connect over food and share their wellness ideas/tips with one another. I am also available to provide support/training/resources for student groups, staff and faculty. I am located on the West Bank in Hanson Hall and meet in-person and virtually. 

I enjoy connecting with students to form a trusting, inclusive and open space. I utilize relationship-based, strength-focused, empowerment, social justice, and system perspectives in my work. As a white, cisgender woman, I am committed to doing my own daily work to address biases, combat systematic racism, and educate myself and others of the consequences of oppression and marginalization on individuals from the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities.  

In my free time, I enjoy taking my golden retriever out on sniffing excursions, traveling, spending time in nature, being with family and friends, and watching a variety of sports on TV and in person.  

Professional Interests:  I have extensive experience helping people heal from and work through trauma, attachment injuries and grief and loss. I enjoy helping individuals on their own journey of identity exploration as it relates to sexuality, gender, spirituality, race, culture, being a student, adoption, etc. I am also interested in helping students dealing with depression, anxiety, and other adjustment stressors.

 

Greg Sawyer, M.A.
Greg Sawyer

Pronouns: He/His/Him
Counselor/Care Coordinator.
Education: M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, St. Mary's University.

About Me: I am an African American male, social justice advocate, educator, advisor, and counselor.  I am committed to providing advocacy and support to our student population using a student-centered approach as my guidance modality.  I am a graduate of the U of M and was born and raised in the Twin Cities. I’m also a father to 3 exceptional daughters.

Professional Interests: I am a strong believer in the systems approach to understanding and learning ways to best navigate our world.  I am a proponent of well managed mental health and work to guide and support students in their journey.

 

Lauren Scholder, Psy.D., L.P.
Lauren Scholder

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Coordinator - St. Paul Office, Staff Psychologist.
Education: Psy.D. Clinical Psychology,  Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

About Me: I strive to create genuine relationships with clients where they feel heard, understood and accepted. In therapy, we will work together to build insight, self-awareness, coping, problem-solving and promotion of overall well-being. I approach each therapeutic relationship with compassion, empathy, respect, and warmth. My objective is to create safety with clients so that they may be their authentic selves and work towards change.

I have had the privilege of working in four college counseling centers with both traditional and non-traditional college students.  In my free time, I enjoy taking my dog Billmurray for walks, watching too much TV, and spending time with friends and family.

Professional Interests: My professional interests include identity development and exploration, relationships with self and others, navigating significant life change, working with historically marginalized individuals and communities, trauma, managing depression and anxiety, graduate and professional school student issues and clinical supervision and training.

I provide services on the St. Paul campus of the University, and have liaison relationships with faculty and staff who work with students whose majors are housed in St. Paul, or who live on or near the St. Paul campus.

 

Meredith Martyr, Ph.D., L.P.
Meredith M

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Staff Psychologist, Graduate Student Services
Education: Ph.D. Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology, University of Minnesota.

I believe that counseling is a collaborative process where we both ‘lean in’ together and I support your inherent wisdom & strengths. I am typically described as warm, empathic, and honest while incorporating an appropriate sense of humor. I consistently incorporate my values of equity, authenticity, and transparency throughout the counseling process. As a psychologist, it is important to pull back the curtains around mental health and empower clients to honor their internal and external experiences. I have extensive experience with LGBTQIA+ populations, Transgender health, women's health, gender roles & societal expectations, romantic relationships, sexual violence, anxiety, and adjustment concerns. My approach to counseling is contextualized based upon each client but is firmly grounded in co-identifying your internal resources that can help you build compassion and awareness around painful interpersonal and intrapersonal patterns that lead to emotional conflicts. When I am not on campus, you can find me at First Avenue, chasing after other people's cats, or running around any and all bodies of water in Minneapolis.

I received my M.A. and Ph.D. from the UMN in Counseling Psychology (Go Gophers!) where my research was focused on cultural implications in abortion access and clinical supervision. I completed my Pre-Doctoral Health Psychology Internship at Virginia Commonwealth University where I gained specialized training and supervision in working with Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Nonbinary (GNCNB) populations. While doing my post-doctoral research training at the University of Iowa I taught graduate level courses, co-created a telehealth counseling clinic that provides mental health services to underserved populations, and provided free assessment & clinical services at the LGBTQ Clinic. 

 

Chia-Chen Tu, Ph.D., L.P.
Chia-Chen Tu

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Assistant Director/ Training Director.
Education: Ph.D. Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology, University of Minnesota.
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese.

About Me: I believe human beings have the potential to grow and my role is to enhance people’s awareness and foster change through human connections. I strive to work collaboratively with clients to create a trusting and respectful relationship in which they can gain perspectives or develop new skills and confidence to meet life's challenges. I have extensive experience doing psychotherapy at university counseling centers and providing supervision and training to psychology trainees. I have a special interest in understanding the complexities of human connections as well as exploring the personal and social factors that can lead to disconnection. I work closely with International Student and Scholar Services staff to support international students, and I also develop workshops to assist graduate and professional school students in coping with academic stress and enhancing professional skills. I am fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese and experienced in providing bi-lingual counseling and clinical supervision. When I am not working, I enjoy visiting local farmers markets or art fairs, attending performance art events or film festivals, and travel.  

Professional Interests: Resilience to shame, relationship distress, anxiety, childhood trauma, cultural adjustment and identity development for international students, common concerns for first generation students or students of color, training and supervision of psychology trainees, mind-body integration.

 

Raquel Bacchin Casali, MA

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Intake Counselor
Education: Counseling Psychology Doctorate, University of St. Thomas (anticipated graduation: May 2026)

About Me: I strongly believe that clients know themselves better than anyone, and that it is my duty as a counselor to be a support to their individual journeys, and to provide resources that will enable them to overcome issues and make changes in their own way. I believe that therapy can address serious issues and at the same time be lighthearted, and so I strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and relaxed environment to my clients. 

Professional interests: Depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. I like to approach counseling from a person-centered perspective, integrating CBT and ACT techniques. 

 

Dan P
Dan Piñon, M.A.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Intake Counselor, Case Manager

About me: I am a biracial, queer, latine (specifically Zaoptec roots), female-identifying therapist who has worked with a wide variety of ages, backgrounds, and presenting concerns. Over time, I have developed an emphasis in working with marginalized folx, life transitions, neurodiversity (ADHD, ASD, Complex PTSD, etc) young and emerging adults, college students, graduate students, multicultural identities, and those struggling with disordered eating of any kind. Additionally, my counseling style is trauma informed, sex-positive, and anti-oppressive with foundations in intersectional feminist theory, relational cultural theory, time-limited psychodynamic therapy, and developmental psychology. Some of my passions lie in working with body image concerns, mixed identity exploration, disordered eating, complex PTSD, burn out and neurodiversity. 

I am grateful for the role I am able to have in people's lives and all are welcome into my therapy space, regardless of identity or background. I deeply believe in community and the healing power of relationships. Moreover, I understand that each person is greatly shaped by their community, family, friends, institutions and past experiences. My hope is to consider the whole person, including the cultural context from which they come. This includes being mindful of how my own power and privilege enters the therapy room and impacts our interactions. I welcome direct discussion of systematic/institutional racism, long term impacts of identity discrimination and intergenerational trauma as well as how we can begin constructing our own path to healing, for both ourselves and our communities. Outside of work, I'm an artist, a collector of books, a partner, a dog lover, tattoo enthusiast, community member, sister, daughter, and cloud gazer.  

Education and Professional Background: Dan is a trauma-informed therapist who holds a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from the program at the University of St. Thomas. In addition to her training through an APA accredited doctoral program through the University of St. Thomas, Dan completed various practicum experiences in university counseling, community mental health ( including intensive outpatient facilities and substance use treatment), and neuropsychological assessment (ADHD & Mild/Major Cognitive Impairment). Dan has additional experience in group counseling and case management type advocacy. 

 

Mae Moua
Mae Moua

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Crisis/Intake Counselor.
Education: Argosy University, M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy

 

 

Megan Schmidt, MSEd., NCC
Image of Megan Schmidt

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Crisis/Intake Counselor
Education: MSEd., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

About Me: As a counselor, I practice from a client-centered, trauma-informed approach. Humor, inclusivity, and empathy are the foundation of my of my personality as well as my work with clients. I believe in the transformative power of the therapeutic relationship combined with client autonomy. I seek to connect with clients and help to integrate their individual, societal, and cultural selves. My framework is oriented in social justice and gender- and sexuality-affirming care. 

Outside of work, I enjoy doing cross stitch and macrame, going for hikes, and discovering new music.

Professional interests: My profession areas of interest include: mood disorders, anxiety, suicidality, identity exploration, and those impacted by the corrections system.

Predoctoral Interns

Sierra Paup, M.S.

Sierra Paup, M.S.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Psychology Intern
Clinical Psychology, Washington State University

About MeMy goal in therapy is to create a collaborative space in which complex issues like identity, trauma, uncertainty, distress, and other personal concerns can be productively explored. I utilize therapy skills from a wide variety of theoretical backgrounds to tailor my clients’ therapy experiences to what works best for them personally and to maintain flexibility. The people I work with in therapy are resilient, capable, and are very often managing their presenting concerns admirably on their own, but I’ve found that having a supportive source of reflection, perspective, and novel strategies can make a world of difference.

My personal hobbies include painting, graphic design, a variety of nerdy activities like board games and Dungeons and Dragons, tending to my needy Siberian cats, and exploring restaurants with my wife and sister. I’m new to Minneapolis, so you may spot me driving around looking confused!

Professional Interests: I was originally trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and I have since incorporated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and feminist and multicultural therapy techniques into my practice. I have strong interests in anxiety and depression, identity development, interpersonal relationship concerns, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and working with those from gender & sexual minority and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Donna Phonsane, B.A.

Donna Phonsane, B.A.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Psychology Intern
Counseling Psychology, New Mexico State University

About meI believe my role as a therapist starts with creating a safe, open, and non-judgmental space for clients to use for exploration. I trust that clients are the experts of their own stories and whether exploring identity, relationships, career, or other topics I’m always excited to get to hear a piece of an individual’s story and take a small part in exploring where it goes next! I take a strengths-based approach and hold roots in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but try my best to tailor my work based on the client’s needs. I also have an interest and passion for working with students of diverse cultural backgrounds and identities.

When I’m not working I love playing video games, doing arts and crafts, attending theatre shows, and eating sweets!

Professional interestsMindfulness, self-compassion, managing stress and anxiety, identity exploration (with a special interest in multiracial identity development), LGBTQ+ mental health, multiracial mental health, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) mental health, grief and bereavement, and body image.

Katharine (Kate) Picard, MA

Katharine (Kate) Picard, MA

Pronouns: she/her
Psychology Intern
Counseling Psychology, University of St. Thomas

About meIn my work with clients I seek to create a collaborative and non-judgmental environment where no concern is too little or too big to explore. I believe that that therapy has the power address both specific, tangible concerns as well as more diffuse identity development and existential understanding. I view my relationships with my clients as a partnership where I come along clients in their journey of self-discovery. In my work the client is always in control of where our work progresses, and the pace they feel comfortable with. In my work I also prioritize equipping students with coping skills so they walk away from our time together more confident that they are able to handle life’s challenges.

Professional interestsSome of my counseling interests include interpersonal conflict, adjustment concerns, self- compassion, body image, the impact of substance use on mental health, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and how self-talk influences behavior.

 

Advanced Practicum Trainees

theo_catanzaro

Theo Catanzaro, M.A.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Advanced Practicum Student

About Me: My work has a strong emphasis on collaboration and flexibility, where the student and I will work together to develop a plan for how to best achieve their goals in therapy. It is important to me that the student fully understands and is involved in every decision that is made. My theoretical modality involves helping students explore how their thoughts, expectations, and perceptions are related to their feelings and behaviors. In our work, we will also explore how culture, socialization, relationships, experiences of privilege and/or marginalization, and many other factors affect our well-being. Outside of work, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, basketball, chess tournaments, and football (just watch). I also love going to the dog park and playing board games with friends!

Professional Interests: My professional interests include eating concerns, body image, self-injury, and suicidal thoughts. I also have interests in self-esteem,  masculinity, perfectionism, academic and social anxiety.

cody_flynn

Cody Flynn, M.A.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Advanced Practicum Student

About Me: I am currently a doctoral student at the University of St. Thomas in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) program. I chose the University of Minnesota for my practicum as my time here was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and my passion for working with college students. Growing up in a military family has inspired me to work with those who may not come from conventional or typical backgrounds, recognizing that this often comes with unique advantages and disadvantages. Moving constantly myself, I feel confident in helping those going through major life transitions whether it’s due to family changes, school, or work life. I tend to lean towards cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused techniques, utilizing holistic approaches that are adapted to the individual’s needs. When I’m not at work you can find me with friends and family, walking my dog Socks, or cheering on my favorite football team (Go Ravens!).

Professional Interests: I really enjoy working with life adjustments and trauma for all age groups. My dissertation will revolve around human development and resilience, specifically with military children and their personal experience in the military lifestyle.

Practicum Trainees

Amelia Blankenau

Amelia Blankenau, B.A.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
B.A. Psychology, Occidental College

About Me: I am a PhD student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Minnesota. I received my B.A. in Psychology from Occidental College with a minor in Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies. Outside of work, I enjoy boxing fitness classes, watching reality tv, and spending time with my cats.

Professional Interests: I have a strong interest in working with students of color, queer students, and transracial adoptees. My clinical interests include presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, academic concerns (e.g., procrastination; perfectionism), interpersonal relationship concerns, adjustment difficulties, emotional processing, identity exploration, grief/loss, and trauma. I seek to understand all issues within the context of systems of power and oppression and aim to create an affirming and inclusive therapeutic space conducive to healing. My research interests include transracial adoption, intersectionality, and racial disparities in health.

Alicia Selvey

Alicia Selvey, M.A.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota

About Me: I’m currently a student in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program here at the University; however, I have past clinical experience working with clients ages 5-21 seeking therapy for concerns such as trauma, depression and anxiety, grief, and adjustment issues. My main goal in the therapeutic setting is to create and sustain a welcoming and warm environment in which clients are empowered to discuss their thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged. Although I tend to incorporate modalities such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, I will personalize my approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Let’s chat about what you need from your therapy experience!

In my personal time (rare as that is in grad school!), I foster and volunteer with a local animal rescue. I like to play with my two dogs, Samson and Sheru, or watch TV with my partner. I’m also an avid reader, so I’m always happy to talk about books. 

Professional Interests: Interpersonal trauma, sexual violence, revictimization, gender identity, self-compassion, social justice.

Administrative Staff

Laurie Gray

Records Manager

Rose Xiong

Information and Scheduling

Sam Everetts

Information and Scheduling

Stephanie Rosenthal

Office Supervisor

Xe Chang

Outreach Graduate Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers