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Lingyan Yu, M.A.

Mental Health Practitioner and Doctoral Practicum Trainee

Lingyan is PhD student in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota, and Lingyan is at Natalis as a doctoral psychology trainee. Lingyan received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis.

Lingyan has an integrated approach to treatment and believes clients will not be served fully unless they are taken as a whole person plus their past experience and current environment. Lingyan value identifying strengths, locating resources, and building cognitive-behavioral skills with clients, and particularly enjoys working with adolescents and young adults. Lingyan sees emerging adulthood as an important life stage of transition, stress, and development, and a critical period for risk detection and early interventions. Lingyan’s goal is to promote the internal and external resilience of clients to help resolve or reduce the burden of mental health and maladaptive behavioral patterns early in life. Lingyan has experience working with clients with depression, anxiety, identity-based stress, safety concerns, and psychotic symptoms.

Lingyan is practicing under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Johnson, PsyD, LP, LMFT and sees clients at the University Avenue location.

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Lindsey Merritt, MA

Mental Health Practitioner and Doctoral Psychology Intern

Lindsey Merritt, M.A. (she/her) is a mental health practitioner and Doctoral Psychology Intern from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota who is practicing under the supervision of Rita Sandidge, Ph.D., LP.

Lindsey has previously worked with clients experiencing complex trauma, dissociative disorders, domestic abuse, human trafficking victims, hoarding disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and co-occurring mental health and substance-use disorders.

Lindsey believes it is important to meet people where they are in their healing journey and empower people to stand in their dignity and act in a way that honors their values. She practices from a multiculturally feminist theoretical perspective that is relationally oriented. She finds it imperative to consider intersecting identities and power imbalances to better understand how people experience the world and what they are up against. As an Adaptive Internal Relational (AIR) certified provider, she practices from a framework that integrates developmental neurology into the treatment of complex mental health presentations. She also welcomes all types of people to her practice and has emphasized a focus on working with those from historically marginalized and intentionally exploited communities (e.g. LGBTQIA, BIPOC, women, people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, etc.). She believes healing is possible when people are seen and believed, and their lived experiences are valued and validated. She strives to help people learn more about their most resourced selves and who they were truly meant to be in the world.

Education & Professional Activities
Lindsey is presently enrolled at Saint Mary’s University of MN seeking a PsyD. She also received her MA from Saint Mary’s University of MN. Unversity of Saint Thomas (B.A. Psychology), and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (B.S. in Marketing Communications; Minor in Spanish). Her professional association memberships include: PSI CHI International Honor Society in Psychology, Association for Women in Psychology, the Minnesota Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association (Division 35 – Society for the Psychology of Women; Division 56 – Trauma Psychology)

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Lexi Martinez, LADC

Mental Health Practitioner and Practicum Trainee

Lexi is a graduate student and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, working towards my master’s degree in Integrated Behavioral Health with a Youth Specialization minor from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Minnesota State University- Mankato. Lexi is currently placed at the Child and Teen Medical Center in Blaine, which is partnered with Natalis, as a mental health counseling practicum trainee.

Lexi has experience with a wide range of clients and working with the community. She has worked in residential facilities, special education schools, inpatient psych units, and co-occurring residential placements. Lexi’s background and passions primarily focus on children, adolescents, and their families. She is interested in working with individuals and their families that are experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, social challenges, parenting concerns, school issues, oppositional/defiant difficulties, toileting problems, relationships issues, life changes, bullying, and ADHD concerns.

Lexi described her therapeutic style as the following: during my sessions it is essential that I learn from, collaborate, and create relationships with my clients. I utilize evidence-based practices like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy, solution focused methods, mindfulness, psychoeducation, systemic and humanistic approaches. I take time to understand the client’s experiences and view them as unique individuals with differing needs. I provide a space of genuineness, safety, and support for my clients to explore their thoughts and emotions.

Lexi is working under the licensed supervision of Dr. Jennifer Joseph PsyD, LP.

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Justina Tillman

Mental Health Practitioner and Practicum Trainee

Justina is currently pursuing a Doctor of Psychology for Counseling Psychology at St. Mary’s University and working for Natalis at their St. Paul location as a mental health practitioner and advanced practicum trainee. Justina provides services under the licensed supervision of Kimberly Stewart, Ph.D., LAMFT.

Justina has noted this about her therapeutic approach: My goal with my clients is to provide a cultural, humble, compassionate, judgement-free/non-judgmental, safe, and warm environment that is conducive to cultivating a strong therapeutic alliance. I strive to provide guidance and therapeutic support as we collaboratively and interactively navigate through their individual journey to healing. In addition to assisting with achieving their short-term and long-term goals that will meet their unique and special needs. I aim to provide insight into client’s past and current challenges to shift behaviors that hinder their ability to live the life they desire and maintain mental health. I will offer evidence-based therapeutic in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, person centered therapy, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and strategies that will assist in equipping clients in improving any social, occupational, relational, and/ or interpersonal distress, life stressors, social and emotional development of young people and adults to optimized quality of life, feelings of wellness, and functioning.

Justina is interested in the following counseling concerns: Stress management, Anxiety, Anger management, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, coping with STD diagnosis, Self-esteem, Issues adjusting to transitions, Racial Identity, and Racial issues.

EDUCATION:
Master’s degree in Clinical Applications of Psychology, Kingston University, London, UK, Sep 2017
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, May 2014

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Claire Erikson

Mental Health Practitioner and Practicum Trainee

Claire is a graduate student, working towards her master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is currently at Natalis in the role of Mental Health Practitioner and Practicum Trainee.

Claire believes in a collaborative counseling space in which clients and counselor work together toward developing treatment plans and achieving therapeutic goals. Claire finds it particularly important to create a supportive, safe, and warm environment in which clients feel comfortable exploring their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in the therapy setting. Claire practices an integrative approach drawing inspiration primarily from person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy orientations.

Claire’s clinical interests include working with young adult and adult clients experiencing neurodiversity, OCD, phobias, anxiety, depression, trauma, and those that identify as LGBTQIA+. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls in 2019.

She is working under the licensed supervision of Dr. Hans Erickson, MSEd, LPCC. and sees clients at the University Avenue location.

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Cicely Simone, MA

Mental Health Practitioner

Cicely is currently working in the role of Mental Health Practitioner providing counseling services. She completed her Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St Mary’s University. She also completed degrees in the Fine Arts and Biology from Metropolitan State University in 2005 and 2017.

Cicely is interested in working with teens (16+) and adults up to age 65 who are experiencing anxiety, depression, persistent mental illness and trauma. She is also interested in discussing career exploration, stress management, work/life balance and the use of creative expression as a means for healing. She works from the Person-Centered approach by creating a trusted space that allows the client to begin to know themselves through self-esteem development and meaningful decision making.

She enjoys crafting, gardening, searching for vintage treasures and spending time with her family and cat. Cicely will be seeing clients in clinic and through telehealth at the University Avenue location. She is working under the licensed supervision of Ann Becher-Ingwalson, Psy. D., LADC, LPCC, DBTC.

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Carlina Palmer

Mental Health Practitioner and Practicum Trainee

Carlina (they/them) is a mental health practitioner completing their master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of St. Thomas.

Carlina uses a person-centered approach and brings to therapy a sense of curiosity, empathy, and acceptance. They know that therapy can be challenging and sometimes scary, but they also believe that it can be a space of safety, self-exploration, healing, and humor. As a queer, nonbinary person, they hope to provide a sense of understanding to LGBTQIA+ clients even if your reasons for seeking support are unrelated to sexuality or gender identity.

Prior to pursuing therapy, Carlina spent many years in public health roles, primarily working in HIV. They believe in a holistic approach to health and healing and view therapy as a collaborative process built on trust between client and therapist. Carlina has a wide range of clinical interests and is most interested in working with older adolescents, young adults, and adults to help them explore their inherent complexity as a human living in the world.

Carlina received a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from UMD in 2013. They are practicing under the clinical supervision of Adeline Taylor, MS, LMFT, and see clients at Natalis’ University Avenue location and at a local elementary school.

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Britt Van Buskirk, MA

Mental Health Practitioner and Doctoral Psychology Intern

Britt Van Buskirk, MA (she/her, they/them) is a Mental Health Practitioner and Doctoral Psychology Intern working under the supervision of Robin McLeod, PhD, LP.

Britt approaches therapy from a position of curiosity and the belief that everybody has the unconditional right to heal. She believes this healing may look different for each person and works with clients to find and walk that path together. She takes a relational, client-centered approach to therapy and psychological assessment and works to get a full view of the individual, relational, and societal factors impacting the lived experience. She collaborates with clients to build understanding of context and experience to find a path toward greater fulfillment, partially through identification of core values and how they play out in day-to-day life.

Britt works with adults (18+) and especially enjoys concerns related to work/the workplace with a special interest in the restaurant industry. She also enjoys putting together the puzzle pieces through person-centered psychological assessment. While Britt is at Natalis for generalist training, she is also interested in sexual health and relationships. Throughout her graduate training, Britt has worked in the areas of leadership assessment, college counseling, and community-based clinics. She has mainly worked with young adults and enjoys working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Regardless of the setting, she strives to co-create a space of safety and nonjudgment for all.

Britt sees clients at the Woodbury and University Avenue locations, and she is supervised by Robin McLeod, Ph.D., L.P., and Rita Sandidge, Ph.D., L.P.

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Alyson Bartley

Mental Health Practitioner & Practicum Trainee

Alyson is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling Education with a focus in Clinical Mental Health. Alyson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American Military University in 2021 during active-duty time in the United States Air Force.

During sessions, Alyson aims to promote a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in order for clients to feel comfortable enough to explore their past/present experiences, emotions, and thoughts. Alyson enjoys asking time to learn and understand each individual’s unique backgrounds and experiences. Alyson has a client centered and solution focused approach throughout sessions in order to gain a better understanding of clients. Depending on the client, Alyson might pull from other theoretical approaches as well if something else might be a better fit for the client.

Alyson is interested in individual therapy with children, adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, trauma, life transitions and adjustments, and with individuals looking for coping skills or stress management skills. She is also interested in working with individuals that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals that are currently serving or did serve in the military (active duty, national guard, reserves, veterans).

Alyson is practicing under the licensed supervision of Adeline Taylor, MS, LMFT and sees clients at the University Avenue location.

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