Meet our Clinicians:
Pamela Graber, MA, LMFT, CEO
I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating a wide range of mental health challenges. My approach focuses on identifying goals, developing personalized plans, and helping clients access their own strengths to find meaningful and lasting solutions. When relationships are strained, the impact is often felt by everyone involved. Whether you're seeking to build a stronger connection or repair deep emotional wounds, I offer a safe, supportive environment to explore the roots of conflict and foster healthier, more compassionate ways of relating to one another.
In my work with individuals, I support those who have experienced trauma or are struggling with anxiety, PTSD, or substance use disorders. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a well-researched, evidence-based approach that helps reduce anxiety efficiently. EMDR can be highly effective in addressing grief, shame, guilt, performance challenges, and low self-esteem, while also supporting recovery from trauma and addiction.
Debra Trost, MSW, LICSW, LADC
Debra graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2004 with a Masters of Social Work and received her Licensure in Alcohol & Drug Counseling from Metropolitan State University in 2008. She has experience working with all mental health concerns, but has extensive training in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, chemical dependency and chronic pain. She has training in DBT, CBT, prolonged exposure and is Certified in EMDR therapy. Debra has worked with adults in many settings including inpatient, outpatient, residential and hospitals. Her therapeutic approach is patient-centered, treating all patients with respect, compassion and dignity. Debra believes her purpose is to help patients reach their personal goals and overall well-being.
Gabe Ottman, MA, LMFT
Gabe holds a Master’s Degree Master’s Degree in therapy from St Mary’s University and is a licensed marriage and family therapist . Gabe works with children, adolescents/teens, adults, and families facing a variety of different challenges, including relational issues, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, life adjustments, and self-esteem.
Gabe prioritizing building a working alliance with clients, helping them discover their true superpowers and how to leverage them to live their best life. Gabe isn’t afraid to be creative, or use humor in his approach to therapy and will challenge you to work to achieve your goals .
Deb Ludwig, MSW, LICSW
With a solid background in working with adolescents and their families, I specialize in supporting individuals through a range of challenges, particularly those related to neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. My approach combines evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and brief solution-focused therapy. By focusing on strengths and creating a supportive environment, I help clients process difficulties, recognize their unique abilities, and implement effective changes to achieve their personal goals and enhance their well-being.
Michelle Sveiven Smith, MSW, LICSW
I work with teens, adults, couples, and families facing a variety of challenges including anxiety, trauma, life adjustments, grief and loss, and self-esteem. I believe that better relationships lead to better therapeutic outcomes, so I prioritize building the therapeutic relationship necessary for healing and change to occur and creating a safe place for you to be your true self. I will collaborate with you to identify goals, create a plan, and identify and access your innate strengths to heal and grow. With training rooted in systems theory, I will help you explore how your relationship may be helping or hurting your mental health and will work with you to recognize and repair harmful patterns to help you build stronger, healthier relationships. I will not make changes for you, but I will walk beside you to support you in stepping out of your comfort zone to embark on the journey towards healing.
I work with individuals who struggle with anxiety, grief and loss, depression, and who have experienced trauma. I am trained in ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), which is an evidence-based approach that aims to reduce or eliminate physical and emotional reactions associated with distressing memories or images and changes the way images are stored in the brain. Images are tied to emotions and bodily sensations, which cause symptoms. If we can change the images, we eliminate the symptoms.
"In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety." – Abraham Maslow
Marlena Sauer, MA, LMFT
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing services for children, adolescents, individuals, and families. I have worked with clients in a variety of settings, which has helped strengthen my therapeutic background. My work with children emphasizes education and play therapy and working with the parents or guardians to promote change in the child's environments that will best help them. My work with adolescents and adults emphasize strengths and empowerment to adapt healthy coping skills in working towards optimal mental health.
I have always enjoyed learning and throughout my professional career I have taken time to build upon specialty skills that I can bring into the therapeutic process. I have been trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and work with clients of all ages who have faced a trauma. I am also a certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator and can provide customized relationship and parenting assessments through PREPARE/ENRICH. Additionally, I am a board approved supervisor for the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy and the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and have found a passion in helping pre-licensed therapists find their own therapeutic path.
Alex Aune, MA, LPC
Alex is passionate about empowering young adults as they face the challenges of establishing boundaries and identifying patterns in their lives and relationships that they wish to transform. She also works with adolescents starting at age 13, helping them navigate difficulties with peers, school, and family dynamics. To enhance the effectiveness and enjoyment of her sessions, she often incorporates engaging activities.
Her mission is to help clients discover their own insights and cultivate a strong sense of self-worth, enabling them to lead more fulfilling lives. Alex specializes in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress, and relationships. Her therapeutic approach integrates techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.
Jason Rodrigues has extensive experience in the mental health and substance use field and is known for his passion, compassion, and genuine desire to help individuals move from discouragement to a place of hope and encouragement. He works with those struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, grief, and loss, as well as providing couples counseling. Jason's approach, while not for everyone, is refreshingly informal, straightforward, and designed to challenge you, offering real, transformative progress for those ready to engage.
Jason Rodrigues, MA
Allison is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a passion to serve individuals and couples. She uses her curiosity, transparency, authenticity and humor to build relationships with others and believes each person is the expert of their lives.
Areas of interest include, grief and loss, anxiety, adjustment and life transitions, PTSD, substance use and insomnia. She uses many approaches, including a humanistic lens, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, and family systems therapy.
Allison has training in specialized areas for treatment of particular issues:
Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level One and Level Two and Treating Affairs and Trauma)
Basic and Advanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, grief, depression and other concerns
Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for the treatment of PTSD
Cognitive Behavioral Theory for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Coming soon: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for the treatment of PTSD
Allison Affolter, MA, LMFT
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I enjoy working with children, early adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In my work, I am committed to creating a welcoming space where you can feel truly seen, heard, and safe to explore whatever you're carrying. My approach to therapy is collaborative, down-to-earth, and tailored to meet your unique needs. I bring humor, curiosity, and empathy into each session, and I see therapy as a partnership—one where your experiences, insights, strengths, passions, and goals guide the process. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, or just feeling stuck, we'll work together to make sense of your experience and find what feels right and meaningful. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You just have to start.
And because therapy is human work, here’s something human about me: I’m a cat person through and through. I find cats to be perfect reminders of how important it is to honor boundaries, be patient, and the need for both connection and independence. (And yes, my cat might occasionally photobomb a teletherapy session, usually at the most emotionally profound moments.)
Thao Nguyen, MA, LMFT
Mary has a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She provides respectful, empathetic, and collaborative psychotherapy with individuals, couples, children, and families. Mary’s clinical experience includes supporting clients through challenges such as anxiety, depression, family and relationship conflict, and major life transitions. She strives to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard and empowered.
She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and client-centered principles to tailor treatment to each person’s unique needs and goals. Mary believes in honoring the strengths each client brings to the therapy process and works collaboratively to help facilitate meaningful growth and healing.