Sam Paulson, MSW, LGSW (he, him) @ 763-438-5728

Sam has nearly 10 years of experience in the mental health field, with careers ranging from community and residential mental health to leading mental health groups in a substance use treatment setting. In these settings, Sam has worked with children, adults, and families to help them explore and address life’s challenges.

Sam specializes in a reflective, solution-focused approach in therapy. Other specialties and interests include skills and strategies from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Rogerian Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He prioritizes building relationships and creating an inclusive, non-judgmental therapeutic space. Through these approaches, Sam strives to help individuals gain insight into the connections among their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and environments.

Sam earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Minnesota - Duluth, and his Master’s of Social Work degree through Arizona State University. 

Joan Bullemer, MA, LADC, LPCC (she, her) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor @ 612-267-1949

Joan is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and has worked with individuals, families and couples.  She is trained in Adlerian Psychotherapy and has extensive experience in working individuals with addictions, mood disorders, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss, as well as, individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses. 

Joan’s approach combines therapy focused on change in the “here and now”, trauma-informed, along with explored patterns of behavior developed in early experiences. Joan helps clients address symptoms and problems that interfere with life and create distress. She also assists clients in gaining more insight into themselves. 

Joan’s style is interactive, intuitive, personable, open and empathetic. Joan is a graduate of the Adler Graduate School with a Master’s Degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy, with an emphasis in co-occurring disorders. Prior to that she worked as a licensed social worker where she worked in areas of developmental disabilities, child protection, chemical dependency and mental illness.  In addition, she is certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for the treatment of trauma.  Joan has had training in hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.  She is also a military veteran and has experience in working with veterans and their families.

Mary Brooks, MPS, LADC, LPCC (she, her) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor @ 612-987-6120

Mary serves as both a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). Mary’s clients and colleagues often describe her as authentic; her “real life” style helps clients of diverse backgrounds to connect and feel comfortable. She sees her role as a guide, providing guidance and support as clients reach their goals. Although Mary has extensive experience working with crisis management and other difficult concerns, her humorous style and wit allow for a comfortable environment to succeed.   

Mary’s work most closely resembles person centered, trauma informed, and cognitive behavioral. Mary has years of experience working with diverse and often underserved populations including those within the criminal justice system, members of LGBTQ community, and survivors of trauma and abuse. She has previous work history with those dealing with mental health crisis, law enforcement, and the homelessness. She has additional experience and training in sex therapy and grief therapy and is working toward certification for both. 

Through years of experience as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor she is considered a highly effective clinical supervisor, trainer, and mentor for other professionals.  She also has extensive experience working with families overcoming addiction. Mary holds a Master of Arts Integrated Behavioral Health from the University of Minnesota and a Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling from Portland State University.  Mary works with individuals, couples, and families.

Heather Wilmes, MSW, LICSW (she, her) Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker @ 612-999-0898

Heather is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from St. Catherine & St. Thomas University in Saint Paul, MN.  She believes that the client is the most important part of the therapeutic process and their treatment should reflect their individual goals. She uses an integrative approach that helps identify and target maladaptive behaviors. Heather believes that all clients are capable of change, and through self-empowerment, their goals can be met. 

Heather has worked in the human services field for many years. Her passion began while working for intellectually disabled adults, whom she case managed and developed individual treatment plans for. She recognized that when her clients were empowered, they were capable of making change and living independently. 

As a social worker, Heather has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with opioid dependence and co-occurring disorders. She has worked with women and men who have been sexually exploited. She has experience working with individuals impacted by long-term health conditions and struggling with grief and loss concerns. Heather has experience working with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Gender Dysphoria and anxiety-related disorders.

Heather integrates many modalities into her therapeutic approach. She uses the feminist theory to identify how social roles impact the individual and lead to gender inequality. Heather has helped clients through gender affirmation. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Heather believes in the power of mindfulness and living in the current moment. 

Crystal Ford, MA, LADC, LPCC (she, her) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor @ 651-248-3461

Crystal is a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She believes foremost that therapeutic services should be centered on the client. Simply put, the client’s goals are her first priority. Crystal believes that empathy and understanding are essential to developing a strong therapeutic relationship.

She has a long history of working in the social services field with disabled adults and in foster care. Crystal has 5 years of experience working with adults in a mental health and substance use clinic and in a hospital setting to address complex co-occurring disorders. 

She utilizes an integrated approach to connect with her clients. She is a trauma-informed therapist and weaves in a lot of education. She is also well-versed in Cognitive Behavioral, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, and Narrative models of therapy.

She attended Argosy University for her Bachelors and Master’s Degrees. Currently, Crystal offers individual counseling for people who have a variety of disorders including personality disorders, trauma related disorders, and substance use disorders.

Kari Scott, MS, LADC, CAMS-II, LPCC (she, her) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor @ 612-237-4330

As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), and Certified Anger Management Specialist II (CAMS-II), Kari brings an integrated approach to the therapeutic process. Seeking to meet individuals where they are presently at and striving to provide an empathetic, non-judgmental, secure environment for clients to safely explore all aspects of life.   

Kari tends to focus on the here-and-now. Often utilizing meditation and mindfulness-based interventions to assist clients in cultivating awareness, recognition and acceptance of bodily sensations, cognitions, and feelings to more effectively meet life’s challenges in the moment.

Kari brings with her a diverse skill set and over 10 years of experience advocating, counseling, speaking, and teaching in public and private sectors working with a broad range of clientele to promote change and reduce harm. She is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities and experienced working with cultural and gender minorities. Kari has successfully worked with client’s to reduce/resolve adjustment and phase of life issues, addiction, anger/emotional dysregulation, anxiety, attachment, depression, grief/loss, stress, and trauma. Kari brings warmth, perspective, and hope to every session. 

Brownell Hilger, MSW, LICSW (she, her) Licensed Independant Clinical Social Worker, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Co-Owner @ 612-819-6577

Brownie believes that change is possible when providing the right balance of positive encouragement and gentle challenge.  She is an intuitive and empathic listener.  She offers insightful perspectives and the space and energy to help analyze these ideas and make plans. 

She integrates 20+ years as a mental and chemical health professional in a variety of clinical settings.  Brownie brings significant experience as a Clinical Supervisor for a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. 

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), she brings expertise working with adolescents, adults, and families with grief, loss, depression, anxiety, addiction, impulse-control, trauma, personality challenges, transitions and adjustment, and relationship concerns. Brownie brings trauma-informed care to clients and is trained in EMDR.

Brownie really enjoys using her clinical leadership experience to develop and supervise mental health professionals working toward licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).  She provides clinical supervision for our psychotherapists working toward full licensure.

Brownie co-owns Intentional Self with Tara. Together, they bring a love of developing people and small business into their practice leadership.

Tara Lemke Ebenhoch, MA, LMFT, ACC (she, her) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Co-Owner @ 763-228-4752

Tara is passionate about developing others to more fully exist with purpose and intention.  She loves helping clients to get clearer about what they want, make and sustain changes, and intensify their desired impact.  As a therapist, a credentialed coach, and 12+ years of previous experience as an human resources leader, she is uniquely qualified to support a diverse clientele.  Tara contracts currently with a global technology company as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) consultant. She also works a casual position in mental health triage at a busy, local emergency room.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), she provides counseling to adults and families with concerns in their life related to:  anxiety, panic, trauma, transitions, stress, and relationships.  Tara is trained in EMDR, a therapeutic technique that utilizes neuro-scientific research to help the mind heal from trauma and associated thinking and behaviors. Tara is also trained in mindfulness, meditation, and yoga practices.

Tara is certified as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation and brings 9+ years providing professional coaching services.  As a coach, she offers individuals, leaders, and teams a variety of consultation, coaching, training, and workshop services.  She brings perspective, energy, and focus to every session.

Tara co-owns Intentional Self with Brownie. Together, they bring a love of developing people and small business into their practice leadership.

Photography of Brownell Hilger and Tara Lemke Ebenhoch is provided by Ash and James Photography.