Mental Health Therapies
Meet our therapists!
Our multilingual and culturally diverse therapists are available to meet you or your family’s unique needs. We offer therapies for all ages, including individual, couple, family or group therapy sessions at our community-based clinics in North and South Minneapolis.
Outpatient Therapists
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Maria Davidsmeier
MSW, LICSWAbout Me:
“By creating a safe space for you and your family in therapy, we can address difficult topics and help you learn how to cope more effectively.”
Specialties/Experienced in:
A wide variety of emotional and behavioral issues, including those related to depression, anxiety, identity, family conflict/relationships and significant life changes. Maria is experienced in evidence-based therapies, including Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
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Kendall Doom
MSW, LICSWAbout Me:
“I believe that by joining together in a therapeutic relationship we can work together toward healing in ways that are meaningful to you. I believe in working holistically and validating the role of identity and our larger systems in pursuit of mental health and wellness.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Kendall utilizes a variety of approaches but specializes in trauma-based therapy including EMDR. She has experience in utilizing as well as teaching mindfulness and meditation and will incorporate both in to your work as you are interested. In addition, she has experience utilizing CBT, DBT and family systems approaches including MST.
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Regina Esliker
M.A., LPCAbout Me:
“I work collaboratively with clients to help them process debilitating emotional issues, and gain a greater knowledge of themselves.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults through individual, family and group therapy. Works with individuals with serious and chronic symptoms of an emotional, behavioral, or substance use disorder. Trained in a motivational interview, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT).
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Shawn Hayward
MSW, LICSWAbout Me:
“I believe in partnering with you to explore the challenges in your life. I believe that exploring and reflecting on the events of our lives empowers us to make the changes we want to see in our lives. We all hold the power to direct our lives, and with support and encouragement we develop the ability to find and follow our unique path.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Couples Therapy, Communication Skills Strategies, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy.
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Sara Kelly
MSW, LGSWAbout Me:
“Existing in this world is hard, especially if you’re shouldering the burden alone. Through personal exploration and a deep, honest evaluation of your surrounding environments, you can foster a sense of clarity and become better equipped to face the obstacles that life hands out. There’s no time like the present to begin rewriting your story.”
Specialties/Experienced in:
Sara specializes in working with LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse individuals, and has clinical experience with managing hardships related to substance use, depression, anxiety, trauma, sex and sexuality, and relationship conflict. Sara utilizes an integrative, trauma-informed, strengths-based therapeutic approach that incorporates aspects of narrative, relational, client-centered, and psychodynamic therapies.
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Amanda Moua
MSW, LICSWAbout Me:
“We develop a relationship, and utilize you and your families strengths to work through stressors and barriers that are impacting your life.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Working collaboratively with individuals and families to help manage depression, stress, anxiety, family conflict, life transitions, trauma, and abuse or neglect. She enjoys working with children who are experiencing social, emotional and behavioral problems in school, home and environment. She believes in building a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients and building on the inherent strengths of her clients to help them manage and cope more effectively.
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Angela Shepherd
MSW, LGSWAbout Me:
“Everyone experiences challenges throughout their lifetime, however, each of us experiences and cope with these challenges in different ways. As part of the therapeutic process, we will work collaboratively to explore your strengths, identify your treatment goals, and tailor our work together based upon your individual client needs. You will have a safe space to build on your strengths and develop a greater capacity not only to cope but thrive in the mist of life’s challenges.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Works with children, adolescents, adults, with wide variety of concerns including those related to depression, anxiety, identity, family conflict/relationships, grief and loss, trauma, and significant life changes. Angela has a number of years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families involved in systems such as child welfare and juvenile justice. She also has experience working children in the school setting with a variety of emotional, relational, and behavioral difficulties. Angela uses a strength-based approach that is person–centered, relational, experiential, and considers the individual’s cultural context.
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Sofia Silva
M.A.About Me:
“Mind and body are inextricably intertwined. One always influences the other. Together we will work on connecting your mind with your body. The result is the ability to better manage stress and develop your self-awareness.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
I enjoy working with both individuals and groups experiences with a focus on body mindfulness and stress management. I am passionate about working with the Latinos communities, and providing supportive tools that promote positive and holistic wellness.
I also specialize and am certified in SomaYoga, a somatics-based yoga that uses neuromuscular retraining to re-pattern stress responses in the body. I am a certified psychologist in my home country of Chile.
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Ae Vang
MSW, LICSWAbout Me:
“The journey of life can take unexpected turns and create hardships, stressors and difficulties that can be hard to navigate alone. Even good changes can be hard. We will work together to create a non-judgmental, safe and supportive atmosphere to openly explore and navigate these life experiences. I also recognize the impact that trauma can have in our lives and will work with you to process this and find new healthy ways of coping.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Works with children, adolescents, and adults. Diverse individual and family therapy including work with those experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, difficult life changes, grief, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, attachment issues, domestic violence, abuse, and trauma. Trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Theraplay, and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET).
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Tia Vang
M.A., LAMFTAbout Me:
“I take a strengths-based and systemic approach to therapy. This means I look at not only internal factors but relational, generational, and environmental factors that impact mental health. Additionally, my training in motivational interviewing helps me identify empowering factors that influence positive change. My holistic approach is enriched by my experiences with diverse individuals and families in varying contexts. I value cultural considerations in the treatment process and am open to spiritual as well.”
Specialties/Experienced In:
Has extensive experience working with families involved with child-protection, ten years doing in-home therapy, and working in different roles in the school and community. Enjoys working with parents and very young children and has experience working with elementary aged and teenage children diagnosed with depression, anxiety, autism, and/or children needing behavioral support.
DSWAP Therapists
We all hold the power to direct our lives, and with support and encouragement, we develop the ability to find and follow our unique path.
Shawn Hayward, DSWAP Supervisor and Outpatient Therapist