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Laura Abrass, MSW, LICSW is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker at Natalis Counseling and Psychology Solutions at the University Avenue location in St. Paul. Her practice includes providing therapeutic services to young children, parents and families using evidence-based interventions for young children and their families. She specializes in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She has experience working with families who have experienced early childhood trauma, adoptive/foster families, parent-child conflict, family stressors/transitions and child behavior concerns. Prior to outpatient mental health, Laura provided therapeutic services to children and families involved in the adoption and foster care communities as well as families involved in child protection services within community and home settings. Laura supported families with crisis management, skill development, parenting concerns/challenges, and navigating childhood/family trauma, stressors, and transitions.

Education & Professional Activities
Laura received her B.S. in Child Psychology and her Master of Clinical Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. She has been a practicing clinical social worker and therapist since 2017 in a variety of settings (community, home, residential, and outpatient). Laura is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidenced-based intervention for children ages 3.5- 7 and their parents focusing on regulating difficult child behaviors and improve parent-child relationship.

Laura practices at the Natalis University location.

Specialties
Clinical work with children 3.5-7 years old, and their families.
Parent-Child Relationships
Parenting interventions, skills and support
Anxiety
Depression
Difficult child behaviors

Therapeutic Modalities
Child-Parent Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Solutions Focused
Client-centered
Play-based therapy

Carolyn Sanchez Hulstrand is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker currently working under the supervision of Jennifer Joseph, PsyD, LP. Carolyn identifies as biracial and bilingual, with roots in Mexico and the United States; she speaks Spanish and English fluently. Carolyn’s interest in mental health initiated during her time working in schools as a special education paraprofessional, closely supporting students and their families with their social and emotional needs.

Carolyn received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline University and completed her graduate degree in 2020 through the University of Minnesota. Carolyn has experience with clients from early childhood to young adulthood struggling with problems stemming from trauma, mood disorders and neurological disorders. Carolyn takes a systems approach to treatment, meaning that she sees individuals as part of larger systems that affect their mental health and wellbeing. Carolyn believes that recovery is non-linear and looks different for each individual. Her method includes collaborating with clients to best achieve their recovery vision. Carolyn draws from a wide range of evidence-based interventions, including dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. In her work with parents, Carolyn draws from the Circle of Security program and the Collaborative Problem Solving treatment model by Dr. Ross Greene.

Carolyn sees clients at the Natalis University location.

Maddison is a mental health therapist working with adolescents and adults at the Natalis St. Paul Clinic. Maddison has experience working with clients individually and in group therapy settings. She believes that each individual has their own unique strengths that allows them to reach their goals when provided with a safe, supportive and accepting space.

Education & Training
Maddison received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She then received a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology through the Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology program at the University of Minnesota – Twin cities, along with a Graduate Minor in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices. Maddison is a LPCC candidate.

Specialties
Anxiety, Depression, & Other Mood Disorders
Trauma & Related Disorders
Life Transition & Adjustment Issues
Relationship, Intimacy, & Communication Concerns
LGBTQ+ Health & Satisfaction
Grief & Loss
Mindfulness & Alternative Wellness Practices
Women’s Issues
Stress Management & Relaxation
Parenting Support & Education
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Workplace Difficulties & Career Counseling
Issues Regarding Self-Image & Self-Worth

Rita (she/her, they/them) is the Associate Director of Training at Natalis. In addition to a love of training developing practitioners, Rita has a range of experience working with clients individually and in group settings. She has this to say about her experience and practice style:

I value all of the work I do, and all types of people are welcome in my space. I have an emphasis in practice working with people from marginalized/oppressed communities (e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities to name a few), sex positivity, poly/open relationship orientations, grief/loss/transition, college student mental health, neurodiversity, white accountability, and earth-based spiritual traditions. I especially enjoy working with individuals who are new to and/or unsure if counseling is the best option for their well-being.

I believe in equity, justice, and honoring individuals, communities, and nature. The world is a big place, and our personal paths are often shaped by family, friends, community, institutions and experiences; sometimes it is these exact experiences that bring someone to counseling. Being mindful of and addressing oppressive, discriminatory, and colonized ways of being are key personal and professional responsibilities I hold. I consider it an honor to do the work of counseling, and my style is very collaborative– you have valuable wisdom and experience to share. A core element of my style is that our work should always feel safe while recognizing it might not always feel comfortable as we grow.

Education & Professional Activities
Rita is a Licensed Psychologist in Minnesota and holds both a Master’s degree and PhD from the Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology program at the University of Minnesota. In addition to her training through an APA accredited doctoral program, Rita completed an APA accredited predoctoral internship with Student Counseling Services at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sandidge’s post-doctoral fellowship focused on sexual health and gender under the supervision of Tera Jansen, PsyD, LP, CST. Rita has additional experience in forensic settings with a wide variety of age ranges and counseling concerns, and has been providing mental health services for over a decade. Rita is trained in clinical supervision and holds an adjunct faculty position at a local university.

Specialties
Career Counseling & Assessment
Grief/loss/transition
Poly, open, consensual non-monogamous relationships
Sexual orientation and identity
Kink and BDSM
Gender identity and expression
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma including historical, generational, and institutional trauma
Sexual abuse/trauma
Life transitions
white accountability
Neurodiversity
College student mental health
Exploring therapy as a useful resource
Stress management and coping
Sexual health