Adoption and Child Welfare History

Kari J. Peters brings over 25 years of experience working with children and families facing severe mental health challenges. She holds a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kari currently serves as a Children’s Mental Health Case Manager, providing coordinated and individualized support to children with severe emotional disorders. Prior to her role as a CMH case manager, she delivered in-home family therapy, supporting families through early intervention and preventative mental health services.

Areas that I specialize in include: working with all types of families; adoptive, foster, and kinship, adult/youth adoptees, transracial parenting, communication/conflict, life transitions, childhood trauma, child development, as well as depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health diagnosis.

Elliott is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and holds a Master’s degree from Augsburg College and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Elliott has had the privilege of working with children, youth, individuals and families of diverse backgrounds who are experiencing behavioral and mental health needs, disruptions in attachment and family relationships, trauma, as well as those experiencing the negative impacts of systemic and structural bias and racism.

Address:
Itasca County Health and Human Services
1209 SE 2nd Ave
Grand Rapids, MN 55744

I am currently working as a Mental Health Practitioner at CARE Counseling. Prior to that, I worked at at St. David's primarily with kids and their families who have been a part of the foster care system. I have provided Intensive Treatment to Foster Care (ITFC), and Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO). I prioritize building strong relationships in order to support clients to be vibrant members of their communities. I recognize that our experiences in the world create our lens in which we view things.

My work as a therapist is grounded in being intentional and recognizing the privilege I have in helping others find healing as they share their experiences with me. I value relationship and connection as important contributions to my therapy work, especially with young children and their caregivers. The services I provide are grounded in attachment, relationship, and development, all while using a trauma lens which means I explore with you (and your child) what your experiences have been and how they impact you today.

I primarily work with birth to age 18 children and families through the School Linked Mental Health program in Southwest Minnesota. I provide therapy through a variety of methods with the most commonly utilized treatments being TI-CPP, EMDR, CBT, and IFS.

Address:
Greater Minnesota Family Services
2320 E Hwy 12 Ste 2
Willmar, MN 56101

In my practice I provide therapy to children, teens, adults and families. I have worked with children of all ages dealing with a variety of issues including, anxiety and depression, adjustment issues, developmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorders), attachment disorders and issues of trauma and abuse. I have worked for many years with children and families involved in the foster care and adoption systems.

Char earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University in 2011. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the MN Board of Social Work and has certificates in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Permanency and Adoption. Char has 14 years experience working within the child welfare system, and is well-versed in safety and support planning with families, infant and early childhood mental health, child development, foster care and adoption issues, and attachment.

I work in a mental health clinic focused on children and their families. My main focus in working with the child is meeting them where they are at in development and learning about their experience. I also strive to bring in the parents and family to share the experience together.

Address:
Fraser
2030 Rahn Way
Eagan, MN 55122