Nexus-FACTS Family Healing

Shelley brings a trauma-informed and strengths-based perspective to the challenging dynamics within family systems. Her passion is to use the latest evidence-based practices to serve families in struggle. She is trained in DBT, EMDR, and polyvagal techniques and brings years of collaborative problem-solving experience to the families she serves. Shelly holds a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Bethel University.

Lindsay provides in-home services for children and families and collaborates with schools, daycares, and other systems on their behalf—to help ensure the best support possible. Lindsay is passionate about helping to provide early interventions that enhance the parent-child relationship. Lindsay received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2012 and her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work through St. Kates University/University of St. Thomas in 2017. In her free time, Lindsay loves spending time with her children, going to the lake, and enjoying the great outdoors.

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.

Nora provides in-home Systemic Family Therapy (SFT) to at-risk youth in Dakota and Scott county. Previously, she provided school-based mental health services to middle school students and their families in ISD 197. Nora is passionate about mental health and she enjoys using holistic health modalities, including mindfulness meditation. Nora has experience facilitating a variety of groups, including an Educational Series for Assaultive Behavior for men with disabilities, a drop-in group for women with various issues, a co-occurring disorders group for women, a women’s Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills group for co-occurring disorders, and a Relationship Violence Intervention program for court-mandated men. She has also provided incarcerated women who are pregnant with education and group-based support to help nurture healthy mother-child relationships and increase their parenting confidence. Nora received her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from St. Catherine University and University of St. Thomas in 2017.

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.

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.

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 FACT’s mental health day-treatment classroom. 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.

Julie started her career at Nexus-FACTS in 2014, providing intensive, in-home family therapy. 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.

Kaitlin provides outpatient therapy services in our early childhood program as well as mental health consultations for CAP Agency- HeadStart. 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.

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.

Sonya provides therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families and believes everyone is doing the best that they can with the skills available to them. She strives to provide a safe, comfortable, non-judgmental space to work through challenges and struggles together. Sonya has been providing mental health services for kids and families for the past 12 years. She attended University of St. Thomas where she received a master’s degree in Social Work. In her free time, she enjoys time with her family, exercise, and reading.

Prior to working with Nexus-FACTS, Yajaira worked as family advocate in a childcare center for six years. She has 10 years of local experience working with children and families in a variety of settings. Yajaira received her BA from Northeastern Illinois University and her master’s degree in Social Work from Dominican University in Illinois.

Danielle is a part of the early childhood team at Nexus-FACTS but she sees clients across the lifespan at the clinic. She is passionate about the ability of the arts to heal and believes that people come to therapy not because something is wrong with them, but because something happened to them. As an active artist (in music, writing, and drama), Danielle knows how powerful artistic modalities can be. Her approach is often unconventional, and she especially enjoys working with difficult cases of complex trauma. She can also provide therapy in Spanish, French, and German. Danielle received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy.

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.

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).

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.

Monica has experience with at-risk youth of all ages who are diagnosed with behavioral and mental health concerns. She is passionate about the continuous intervention growth developing for youth so they can reach their fullest potential. "Our children are our future" is a quote that inspires Monica as she helps children and families in their journey to resilience. Monica graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2014 majoring in Child Psychology and minoring in Family Social Science. She is currently pursuing her master’s at Adler Graduate School for Marriage and Family Therapy.

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.

Anna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. She has over 10 years of experience supporting young people and their families in community, day-treatment, and outpatient settings. Anna has special interest in developmental differences, families with high levels of conflict, and intergenerational trauma. She currently provides outpatient therapy at FACTS focused on helping individuals and families notice their emotional and communication patterns, increase positive connections, and develop empowering stories to support growth through difficult times.