Foster Parents/Family

Deirdre McKiernan, LICSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

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.

Deirdre McKiernan

Rebecca Matheson, MA

She/Her/Hers
Biography

Rebecca has specialized training in perinatal mental health and focuses on attachment theory and Circle of Security Parenting in helping new parents grow and create the life they desire. She uses a trauma-informed approach to sensitively work with individuals impacted by postpartum depression and anxiety, unexpected perinatal outcomes, intrusive thoughts, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As an adoptive parent, Rebecca is passionate about adoption and adoption advocacy.

Rebecca Matheson

Melissa Macklin, LICSW

Biography

My name is Melissa and I have been working with children and families for over 15 years. I enjoy working with the whole family system and seeing changes happen to make the family function better. I value being able to go with the child and family on a healing journey whether that is finding answers or just having a safe space to ask questions. I have always enjoyed working with children of all ages.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending my time with my own family and friends. I enjoy being outside, talking my dog for walks, reading, watching movies, traveling and going camping.

Melissa Macklin

Shelby Lies, MS, LPCC

She/Her/Hers
Biography

I am dedicated to working with individuals and families by supporting hope and growth through a family systems perspective and trauma informed care. As a counselor, I focus on wellness and what we can do to help you feel hopeful as we begin to change your story. My work stems from an attachment, developmental, and systems lens and how they impact functioning throughout one’s life. I find encouragement in working together to build from your personal strengths and resilience to help you heal and feel more connected to your environment and relationships.

Shelby Lies

Brandon Jensen, MS, LMFT-S, PACC

Biography

Brandon is committed to the restoration and improvement of familial relationships and committed to generational change in families. Brandon feels very strongly about working with individuals and families whatever their current situation may be and working with them to establish positive changes that will positively affect generations to come in their families.

Brandon Jensen

Maggie Ives, MSW, LICSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with experience working in a variety of settings including children’s day treatment, outpatient therapy, and adolescent residential treatment for eating disorders. I strive to be a warm, validating, compassionate therapist who meets all clients where they are at. I believe that you are the expert of your own life and my goal is to provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for you to explore your emotions and heal.

Maggie Ives

Jackee Heslop-Ochoa, LGSW, Prov. LICSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

I am a county social work supervisor who specializes in ongoing Child Protection. I work in both individual and group settings to support workers in the community and parents interacting with the Child Welfare system. Each family system brings with their own strengths and areas to grow; it’s my work to walk alongside workers and families through their Child Protection journey. Ensuring that it is a respectful and uplifting experience.

Jackee Heslop-Ochoa

Teresa Halmar, MA, LPCC

Biography

Clinician is an intensive treatment in foster care therapist spending part of time with foster families and part of time in office with children, teens, and adults. Clinician engages with a variety of issues including some specialization in the areas of adoption, trauma, TF-CBT, ARC, and ADHD.

Address:
Ellie Mental Health
652 Bielenberg Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125

Logo for PACC

Amber Haley-Grant, LPCC

She/Her/Hers
Biography

The focus of my practice is working with children 1-18 years of age in foster care or that have been adopted and/or trauma focused treatment with children and their families. I am trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), the ARC model (Attachment, Regulation and Competency), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), sand tray therapy and Polyvagal theory and am currently in training for Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).

Amber Haley-Grant

Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC

Biography

Tarah Groettum holds a Master of Science in Education (MSEd), with a clinical counseling focus. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), Permanency and Adoption Competency Certified (PACC), and Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), Tarah brings a wealth of specialized training to her practice. She is also fully trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Tarah Groettum