About me
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and have been working with people who have a problematic relationship with substances for my entire career. At the beginning, I worked closely with my mentor, Mark Willebring, MD, and we developed the Alltyr Model of Care at Alltyr Clinic. More recently, I teamed up with Paula (Desanto) Brandt and Jeffrey Sawyer, MD, to co-found Expanse MN, a mental health clinic with locations in Minneapolis and Spring Lake Park. In 2021, I was honored by my colleagues when I was named Counselor of the Year by the Minnesota Association for Resources in Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH).
In addition to my clinical work, I have taught courses at the University of Minnesota since 2015, including Applied Psychopharmacology and Person-centered practices/Harm Reduction for clinical counselors. I regularly give talks on topics like harm reduction, medications for addiction treatment, psychedelic-assisted therapies, and working with families and loved ones. I am also a BBHT-approved Clinical Supervisor and enjoy working with new clinicians.
My Approach
I draw on approaches from psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment theory, harm reduction, and cognitive behavioral therapy to inform my work. In addition to my graduate training at the University of Minnesota’s Integrated Behavioral Health program, I completed the 2-year long MN Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program. The fact is, addiction usually takes years to emerge. This is why brief, time-limited models like rehab so often fail in the long run. Good therapy takes time, and so does achieving long-term recovery.
Ready to Talk More?
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more please click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation: