Post Adoption Services

Sally Phillips, PhD, LP

Biography

I am a licensed psychologist with a long-standing interest in clinical work with all members of the adoption constellation. I work with adolescents and adults, with a special interest in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with adult adoptees. I conduct pre-adoption psychological evaluations. My website is https://kvernsn.wixstudio.com/sagepsychology

Sally Philips

Ariel Pavelka, LMFT

Biography

As a marriage and family therapist, I am thrilled to be part of a field focused on people and relationships. I enjoy working with children and families, and I am passionate about creating healthy, vibrant and hopeful communities. Areas of specialty include working with trauma, attachment, adoption, foster care, kinship care and parent guidance.

I believe all families can create change with their own strengths and resources, and I look forward to helping individuals recognize their contributions to their families, workplaces and communities.

Ariel Pavelka

Elliott Manago-Lawler, LICSW, PMH-C

She/Her/Hers
Biography

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.

Elliott Manago-Lawler

Ashley Millner, MA, LPCC

Biography

My name is Ashley Millner and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Greater Minnesota Family Services within Lyon and Lincoln counties of Minnesota. My current position is Early Childhood Therapist. I currently work with client’s birth to Kindergarten and their families to strive for changes within the family system that promote healthy relationships and mental health.

Address:
Greater Minnesota Family Services
2320 E. Highway 12
Suite 2
Willmar, MN 56201

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Patty Miller, LPCC

Biography

Patty Miller, LPCC is a one of the first therapists in Minnesota to work in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for children. She is employed at Northwood Children’s Services –PRTF in Duluth, MN. Patty has over 25 years of experience working with children and families. She also has a MA in Management and is a former CEO of a Children’s Advocacy Center. Patty has provided foster care to over 100 children and has advanced professional training in EMDR, Grief and Loss, Temperament Assessments and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Patty Miller

Brianne Miller, MSW, LICSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

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

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Gretchan Menze, MSW, LICSW

She/Her/Hers
Biography

Gretchan is currently a lead Children's Mental Health social worker in a county setting. Previously, Gretchan worked as a post-permanency social worker, providing voluntary case management services and support to families that recently experienced an adoption or transfer of custody. Gretchan is also trained in Circle of Security and has experience working in a hospital setting.

Address:
Sherburne County
13880 Business Center Drive NW
Elk River, MN 55330

Gretchan Menze

Charlotte McDonald, MSW, LICSW

Biography

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.

Charlotte McDonald

Michele Lovehaug, MSW, LICSW

Biography

Michele Lovehaug received her bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College in 1997 in both social work and Spanish. She went on to complete her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Minnesota in 1999. Ms. Lovehaug is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in both North Dakota and Minnesota. She is also a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.

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