Archive

Rebecca Blake, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

Children, pre-teens, and teens often struggle in ways that are hard to understand. I pride myself in helping those children, and their families, to uncover the hurts, heal the pains, and build tools to live a life that offers more joy and better ability to handle struggle and pain. It’s hard for adults to always understand what an adolescent or child is trying to communicate. I can help bridge that gap. My passion drives my work which is why I only work with this age group. I provide a safe space where you feel heard and supported. I am a guide to help navigate thoughts, emotions, and experiences while building coping skills.

I use play with children to help them express their emotions and viewpoints. I use play because it is children’s primary language. Other techniques that I use in sessions include regulation, sensory objects, art, and books. For adolescents I use a more talk therapy approach with art techniques. As well, I help support and guide parent’s through stressors.

I have experience working with young adults, teens, elementary, and preschool-aged children. My experience in early childhood day treatment, elementary schools, and therapy has led me to understand adolescents and children’s ever changing needs. If you are looking for support for you, your child or teen I encourage you to reach out, all are welcomed!

Licensure & Education
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
Saint Catherine University: Master of Social Work
University of River Falls Wisconsin: Bachelors of Social Work

Jennifer sees clients at the Natalis Woodbury location.

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Melanie Xiong, MA

Integrated Behavioral Therapist

Melanie Xiong completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Child Development. She continued her education at the University of St. Thomas earning her Master’s degree in Counseling, specializing in child and adolescent mental health. Melanie is currently working towards her hours for LPC/LPCC licensure. Melanie has previous experience working in an intensive outpatient program and an adolescent residential program in the Twin Cities.

Melanie enjoys working with children and adolescents who experience depression, anxiety, trauma, relational conflicts, and troubles adjusting to new experiences. She enjoys helping others learn how to cope with their symptoms by providing healthy skills, build their self-esteem, and process traumatic events. Melanie strives to understand and creates a safe space for clients and their family members to express themselves openly and to feel heard. She values building healthy therapeutic relationships with clients to encourage self empowerment. Melanie’s approaches to therapy include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT), problem solving through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) as well as Person-Centered Therapy.

Melanie was born and raised in Minnesota. She loves playing, watching, and talking about sports such as volleyball and football (she is a huge MN Vikings fan), enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family.

Melanie sees clients at the Central + Priority Pediatrics clinic in Woodbury.

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Brittney Serbus, MSW, LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

Brittney Serbus is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker currently working under the supervision of Jennifer Joseph, PsyD, LP, and Marit Appledoorn, LICSW, RPT-S. Brittney’s primary experience is working with children and adolescents with a variety of concerns including Depression, Anxiety, Behavioral Concerns, and ADHD. Additionally, she has extensive experience working with children with a history of trauma as well as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Brittney utilizes play therapy techniques in her work with both kids and teens. She believes that all behavior is communication and that, for kids, paly is the language and toys are the words. Brittney enjoys combining therapeutic work with paly activities and strives to create a collaborative therapeutic relationship with both clients and their families. Brittney works from a person-in-environment and systems perspective, considering the impact of both nature, genetics and brain chemistry, as well as nurture, the client’s environment and surroundings, when addressing symptoms, mental health, and well-being.

Brittney received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Trauma-Informed Care from the University of Northern Iowa. In her spare time, Brittney enjoys reading, gardening, baking, needle work, and anything outdoors. Brittney recognizes how hard and scary it can be for families to ask for help and she looks forward to guiding both parents and kids through the therapeutic process.

Brittney currently sees clients at the Woodbury Location and is supervised by Jennifer Joseph, PsyD, LP and Marit Appledoorn, LICSW, RPT-S.

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Renata Tinoco–Stephens, MA

Mental Health Practitioner and Doctoral Psychology Intern

Renata is a mental health practitioner and a doctoral psychology intern at Natalis Psychology under the supervision of Robin McLeod, PhD, L.P.

Renata believes that each individual frames their life from their experiences. Such experiences can cause distress, sometimes making life unbearable. She invites clients in the direction of the unconscious mental process to create healing and promote change. With wholeheartedness and non-judgmental support, she offers a deep journey in search of keys to unveil the answers that lie within. She helps clients to find insight, and cope with the underlying causes of emotional and psychological symptoms. She supposes that it is through telling one’s unique story that one can re-write it. Renata speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish which has given her the experience working with culturally diverse individuals, including immigrants and refugees.

Renata earned a bachelor’s degree in Language and Arts from Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. She has been trained in Lacanian psychoanalysis at the Brazilian School of Psychoanalysis, and at the Lacanian Psychoanalysis Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Renata earned her Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where she is also a doctorate candidate.

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MAGGIE ELINSON, MPS, LADC

Mental Health Therapist

Maggie Elinson is an LPCC candidate and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who serves children and their families, adolescents, and young adults with a variety of mental health and chemical health diagnoses.

When thinking about the arc of therapy, Maggie wants each person that works with her to feel respected and empowered by the therapeutic process and acknowledged for both their strengths and growing opportunities. Therapy is a collaborative effort in which we grow and change together. Maggie’s approach towards working with clients involves taking a reflective look at the relationship between the individual and their environment, recognizing the numerous ways in which an individual’s surroundings can impact holistic well-being. It is one of Maggie’s goals to always meet her clients where they are at without making assumptions or generalizations; everyone has a unique experience that deserves to be valued and heard. Maggie will welcome you into the counseling space with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere that encourages open and honest disclosure. Involving creativity and experiential forms of therapy is a passion of Maggie’s; she would love to learn more about what inspires you.

Maggie is a multiculturally conscious provider and is welcoming to those of diverse cultural, gender, and sexual-orientation identity backgrounds. Maggie has specific experience in working with folks who are seeking therapy for support around body image, feeding/eating, substance use, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Maggie can also be helpful to those who are going through life and role transitions, are experiencing relational distress, pursuing identity development, and navigating the educational system.

Education & Training
Maggie received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Minnesota- Morris. She then received a Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health with a minor in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Minnesota– Twin Cities. Maggie is an LPCC candidate.

Maggie is working under the licensed supervision of Dr. Jennifer Joseph PsyD, LP and sees clients at the Woodbury location.

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Nanette (Nan) Brown, MA, LP

Licensed Psychologist

Nan has been providing psychotherapy as a licensed psychologist for nearly 30 years. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota and received her elementary education teaching license from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis.

Nan enjoys working with adults with a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, relationship conflict, work and career stress, life transitions, traumatic experiences, and ADHD. She is compassionate, empathetic and committed to creating a safe space for clients to heal. Nan believes that building an authentic therapeutic relationship is one of the first steps in moving toward healing. She approaches each client as a person with unique experiences and circumstances and works collaboratively with them to achieve their goals in therapy. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sensorimotor Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy. She incorporates aspects of these therapeutic models to provide psychotherapy that is individualized and designed to fit each client’s unique needs and circumstances. Nan believes that everyone has the resources and inner strength to heal and overcome adverse experiences. She welcomes the opportunity to work with her clients in therapy and considers it an honor and privilege to contribute to their healing journey.

Nan sees clients at the Natalis Woodury location.

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Robin Peternell, MA, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Robin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with close to a decade of experience working with a wide range of clients and diagnoses in home, school, and outpatient clinic settings. She received her Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology, with minors in Family Violence Prevention and Youth Studies, from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University-Twin Cities.

Robin serves children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and the LGBTQ+ community and has experience with providing treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, marital/couple issues, ADHD, family conflict, mood disorders, autism, life transitions, and other behavioral difficulties. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), art therapy, and play therapy. When working with children and adolescents, Robin involves parents or guardians in the process to bridge understanding in the child’s unique presentation and assist in parenting challenges. She likes to bring cultural awareness, compassion, and a playful attitude to the therapy room to allow clients to connect and create change in their lives.

Robin practices at the Natalis Woodbury location.

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Jennifer Joseph, PsyD, LP

Licensed Psychologist

Jennifer Joseph, PsyD, LP is a licensed psychologist in the state of Minnesota and acts as the Supervisory Pediatric Clinical Psychologist at Natalis Psychology. She provides psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, and their families. She enjoys working with children and teens ages 2 -18 at the Natalis Woodbury location. Dr. Joseph also provides clinical training, consultation, and supervision for clinical staff. Dr. Joseph has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. She received clinical training in private practice settings, community mental health, day treatment and school settings. Dr. Joseph comes to Natalis Psychology after acting as CEO, Supervising Psychologist and Co-Owner of a behavioral health clinic for over 10 years.

Dr. Joseph’s interests and experiences include working with children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and mood challenges such as ADHD, depression, autism spectrum disorders, emotional or behavioral challenges, and managing life changes. She also enjoys working with a range of anxiety disorders including separation anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, school avoidance, social anxiety and general anxiety. Dr. Joseph uses evidence-based practices in her work and tailors her approach to each individual. She uses problem solving, cognitive behavioral, play based and collaborative approaches in helping children and families find healthy solutions to life’s challenges. Dr. Joseph believes that parents are an integral part of the therapy process with children and encourages collaboration with other providers as well, including schools. Additionally, Dr. Joseph has specialized experience and training in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children and teens, diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the functional assessment and treatment of challenging and disruptive behaviors in children.

Dr. Joseph meets the competency and other requirements of supervision in MN for Doctoral level applicants seeking licensure with the MN Board of Psychology; Approved supervisor for the MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (LPC/LPCC); and is a Qualified Mental Health Professional for Clinical Supervision for Minnesota Health Care Programs and Clinical Trainees approved by MN Department Human Services. She is also a MN DHS approved provider for completing and supervising Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Evaluations for the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Interventions benefit for ASD treatment.

Dr. Joseph obtained her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University -Twin Cities in 2006. She also holds her Masters of Science in Education (MSE) in School Psychology, from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a Psychology Major, child and family emphasis, from Macalester College, St. Paul MN. She has conducted numerous community and school-based presentations on topics such as: Behavioral Strategies for Children with Neurodevelopmental Challenges; Cultivating a Growth Mindset; Parenting in a Pandemic; Compassionate Parenting; and Proactive Strategies in Treating ADHD.

Dr. Joseph practices at the Natalis Woodbury location.

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Lydia Christianson, MS, BCBA

Lydia Christianson, MS, BCBA is a doctoral psychology intern working under the supervision of both Dr. Robin McLeod and Dr. Greg Picker. Lydia’s primary experience is working with children and adolescents with a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral concerns. Additionally, she has extensive experience in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental disabilities. Her theoretical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral with mindfulness and skills incorporated throughout. Lydia also likes to use humor throughout the therapeutic process to help her patients and their families feel more at ease. Lydia has experiences in conducting psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery, ADHD diagnostic clarification, personality, and cognitive assessments.

Lydia received her Master’s of Science in special education and applied behavior analysis from the University of North Dakota. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. In her spare time, Lydia loves anything baking. This includes both baking herself as well as watching baking shows. She also enjoys spending time on her parent’s farm and in the outdoors as much as Minnesota weather allows her to!

Lydia sees clients at our Woodbury location. She is supervised by Dr. Robin McLeod, PhD, LP.

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