Nexus-FACTS Family Healing

Maya earned a Master of Clinical Social Work (MSW) degree from the St. Thomas / St. Catherine University School of Social Work in 2011. Earlier in 2001, she earned a Bachelor of Art degree in Sociology / Anthropology, with a minor in African American Studies, from St. Olaf University. Prior to entering the mental health field, she held roles throughout the social service and education fields. Maya has previously worked as a mentor, program consultant, mental health intern, therapeutic pre-school teacher, counselor for the developmentally disabled, domestic abuse advocate and a homelessness prevention advocate.

Maya has learned that health is the product of balance and that the voices of too many remains unheard or misunderstood. Her approach to therapy includes a holistic view and is anchored in systems theory. She commonly leverages the strengths of families and their support systems such as spirituality, culture, exercise, nutrition and community support to help individuals rebuild and sustain balance within their lives.

Tess received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Syracuse University with a certificate of advanced studies in child therapy. As a systems-based therapist and thinker, Tess likes to work from the framework of understanding how clients are influenced by the systems (family, social, political, etc.) that they are a part of and how this impacts their mental health.

Prior to working at Nexus-FACTS, Tess provided in-home services through CTSS and ITFC programs, as well as school based services.

Rachel has been with Nexus-FACTS since February of 2016. As part of our Early Childhood team, she works with families—both in the community as well as from our Mendota Heights office. Rachel received her undergraduate degree in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota in 2012, and her master’s in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014, and she is currently pursuing certification in Maternal Mental Health, and is part of the current Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) training cohort through the State of Minnesota.

Mikah joined Nexus-FACTS as an intern in September 2020 and is training in the SFT program providing in-home services to adolescents in Hennepin County. Mikah is working on a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and will graduate in May 2021. In 2014, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Bethel University. Between undergraduate and graduate careers, she spent time doing skills work with autistic preschoolers. Mikah is passionate about including the whole family system in individual client progress, and places an emphasis on the integration between mind and body to create and sustain change.

Julie started her career at Nexus-FACTS in 2014, providing Intensive Home-Based Services. She’s trained in trauma-focused cognitive, behavioral therapy, and she currently provides trauma therapy at our juvenile service center for adolescents and their families. Julie graduated from Adler Graduate School in December 2013 and has been a licensed professional clinical counselor since October 2017.

David currently works as an outpatient therapist, in addition to providing in-home Systemic Family Therapy (SFT) to families with at-risk youth in Hennepin County. He has worked as an SFT Therapist since 2013, and first began providing in-home mental health services to families throughout the Twin Cities in 2008. David is passionate about working with families and is effective at helping parents increase their skills to better manage problem child behaviors. David received his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University in 2011. David is also an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard with 4 overseas deployments.

Colleen joined the Nexus-FACTS team in 2018 as an Early Childhood Therapist. She provides services to families in their homes and also works in Nexus-FACT’s PASS Day Treatment program. Colleen received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 2012 and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University Northwest in 2015.

Lauren joined Nexus-FACTS in 2016, providing early childhood mental health services, and she leads our morning PASS Day Treatment Program. In addition to working with children and families, Lauren collaborates with schools and daycares and provides outpatient services as well. Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and her master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine's University.

Valerie joined Nexus-FACTS in 2018 as an Early Childhood Mental Health Therapist. She provides in-home therapeutic services to children and their caregivers and offers consultation support to Head Start classrooms. Prior to Nexus-FACTS, Valerie spent six years providing early childhood mental health and case management services to families. She received her master’s in Social Work from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Sara has a passion for working with parents and young children to help provide interventions that support positive parent/child relationships that support the children’s mental health and well-being. Sara is a clinical supervisor and is trained in Trauma Informed Child Parent Psychotherapy, Circle Security and Conscious Discipline. She has experience providing in-home and outpatient services to families and also serves as a reflective practice/infant mental health consultant. Sarah has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is endorsed at Level III in infant and early childhood mental health through the Infant and Early Childhood Division of MACMH (MACMH-IEC). 

Lisa is a native of Southern California and has lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 2010. In 2012, Lisa started as a Spanish speaking In-Home Family Therapist at Nexus-FACTS. Her bi-cultural background and focus on acculturation and trauma has led her to work with many Hispanic families. Lisa received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology at California State University, Dominguez Hills and received a Master of Clinical Psychology degree from Argosy University in 2012.

Lisa has extensive experience working with families of children who are coping with aspects of the Anxiety, Depression, impulsivity, and inattention due to ADHD and PTSD. Lisa works with children from age 12 to young adults and has skills working with parents, caregivers, and extended family and siblings. She believes in a supportive network from home, to school, to other community resources who works together to accomplish the best outcomes for children and families. She works 1:1 with the child, open to bringing in parents when appropriate to support the skill development and therapeutic progress for their child. She uses a variety of therapeutic approaches including Mindfulness Based, CBT and therapeutic play. Lisa’s passion for advocacy, supportive relationships, and open communication results in a positive energy and motivation to be creative, to take on challenges and accomplish progress and success with her clients and their families.

Max joined the Nexus-FACTS staff in 2009. Previously, Max practiced family systems work in Washington and Ramsey Counties. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and his master’s from St. Mary’s in Family Counseling. In his free time, Max spends time traveling with his family enjoying the outdoors. Max is also the founder and director of Armenian Youth Initiative, a non-profit that provides humanitarian assistance and services to at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Armenia. Max has visited Armenia 12 times since 1991.

Youa graduated from the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine’s University with a Clinical Social Work degree. Youa provides home-based, school-based, and outpatient therapeutic services. She utilizes various therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, Solution Focused, Mindfulness Therapy, and more. Youa also provides holistic and strengths-based approach to providing guidance and support for emotional and behavioral challenges, trauma, life changes/adjustments, and developmental concerns.

Sue has practiced as an individual and family therapist for 18 years.  Sue has seen the positive changes that can come when individuals and families learn some new and different ways of relating to each other and treating each other.  Sue is a family systems thinker helping families examine their strengths and the best course of action to take for their family healing.

Corrine works with all ages of children and adults. Prior to working at Nexus-FACTS, she worked with children and their families in day treatment and as an in-home crisis therapist. Corrine has specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Corrine received her BA in Social Work from Gordon College in Massachusetts, and then her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Minnesota.

Pat has a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and is licensed in Minnesota as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She has worked over 25 years with children, teens, adults, families, and couples in a variety of settings which include residential, day treatment, home-based and outpatient mental health.

Pat believes that in the general course of life things happen that are difficult and that at some point most of us will feel overwhelmed and look for support. She is passionate about the opportunity to be a partner in the work to get to a better place. At FACTS Pat works with individuals, couples and families, and also provides Collaborative Divorce Coaching and Child Specialist parenting assistance to guide families through an out-of-court, respectful, child centered divorce or separation process.

Shoshana received her Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Stout, and her Master of Counseling Psychology degree from the University of St. Thomas on the LPCC track. Prior to joining FACTS, Shoshana has worked in various roles within early childhood, adolescent, and adult community outpatient and transitional housing for the homeless population. She has significant experience working in addiction, severe mental illness, and DBT. Shoshana currently works with at-risk youth and their families doing systemic family therapy in the home and community. She has particular interest supporting individuals, families, and communities heal trauma and suffering through relationship and expanding ability to gain resources.

Kaitlin provides Outpatient Mental Health Therapy in our Early Childhood Therapy program as well as mental health consultations for CAP Agency-Head Start. She is also the lead clinician for our PASS Day Treatment program. Kaitlin is passionate about working alongside caregivers and young children to help provide interventions that strengthen the caregiver-child relationship. Kaitlin uses directive and non-directive play therapy interventions and other relationship-based interventions to support the client and the family’s goals. Kaitlin is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and is an attested clinical supervisor in the state of Minnesota. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas. Kaitlin is currently enrolled in the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program at the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development.

Rachel joined Nexus-FACTS in May of 2020 as an Early Childhood therapist. Rachel provides both in-home and outpatient services to children and their families. In addition, she works as a consistent staff in our PASS Day Treatment Program. Rachel collaborates with schools, daycares, and other systems to provide wrap-around support for her clients. Rachel earned her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Winona State University and her master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. 

Stephanie is in her final year of graduate school for clinical social work at St. Thomas. She has a huge passion for day treatment and loves helping children with their big emotions. She has a high interest in trauma-work with children and focuses on providing a safe space for all her clients. She hopes to one day specialize in trauma and play therapy. She believes all humans strive for connection, and enjoys helping families develop deeper connections with one another.

Luke has a passion for helping children and—especially—for helping their parents navigate the difficulties of raising children with challenging behavior. Luke has been practicing for over 25 years in a variety of mental health positions, including as an in-home therapist, outpatient therapist, school social worker, and clinical supervisor. He has served mainly school aged children and their families—especially adolescent-aged clients.