Eagan Office
Beth McDonald, MA, LPC, LPCC, Clinical Director
My approach to therapy is warm and accepting—I know that going to therapy can feel intimidating and feel that it’s important for you to feel safe as you heal. My areas of specialty as a therapist are trauma, narcissistic abuse, depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief, parenting, and spiritual/religious abuse. As an artist, I love to incorporate art, journaling, music, writing and other creative tools into the treatment plan.
I am trained in EMDR and use it as a protocol to help clients reduce or eliminate the effects of trauma. I work with individuals, couples, families, and adolescents as well as lead groups on anxiety and depression.
I am also a Board-Certified Clinical Supervisor and have a psychodynamic approach to supervision. As well as adhering to the ethical guidelines of supervision, I like to create a supportive space that helps supervisees become competent and confident therapists.
I received a BFA in Fine Art from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and my Masters in Clinical Counseling from the Adler Graduate School in Richfield. After graduating, I moved to Georgia for 11 years and recently moved back home to Minnesota. My hobbies include painting, cut-paper collage, and travel.
JENNY BEALL, MA, LPCC, THERAPIST & FOUNDER
I have a heart for those who have been wounded by relationships and difficult life situations. My passion is to walk with people through their pain and help them find hope and freedom from their past. I graduated from Bethel University with a Masters in Counseling Psychology and completed additional Marriage and Family Therapy coursework through Adler Graduate School. My style is very practical and insight-oriented and I like helping individuals and families think about situations in new ways to get un-stuck. I am a real person in the counseling office and use humor to help you feel comfortable and enjoy the process. My Therapy puppy, Pip, attends some sessions with me for those who wish to incorporate Animal Assisted Therapy.
I enjoy working with a variety of clients and have extensive experience working with divorce family issues, kids and teens, ADHD, adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, people pleasing, and healthy boundary setting. I have a special interest in helping individuals who are in relationship with toxic people such as spouses or children of people with personality disorders.
I provide parent coaching and particularly ascribe to behavioral methods and the model developed in “Parenting with Love and Logic” as it teaches children to be responsible for their own behavior and empowers their parents as coaches and allies rather than adversaries. I am a certified Prepare/Enrich couple and group facilitator. I also have a special interest in healing the wounds of sexual addictions and have received training through the American Association of Christian Counselors. I love to meet the needs of the hurting and help them continue to grow into the people they were made to be.
I am licensed and able to provide services and clinical supervision for residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Arizona.
EMILY SCHMIDT, MA, LPCC, COUNSELOR
I am a mental health professional who values helping clients find freedom and joy in their everyday lives. I have specialized training in working with stage of life adjustments, spiritual healing and development, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from North Central University and a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. I have worked with individuals recovering from substance abuse and family members seeking support and education concerning loved ones battling addiction. Much of what propelled my interest into addictions studies, and then later into my master’s program, is the desire to see people live in freedom and reach their goals.
Stylistically, I counsel from an accepting, warm, and client- lead perspective. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization-Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a highly effective approach for addressing trauma. I am also trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) which can be helpful for those struggling with emotional regulation, relationships, and coping with change. I am a fan of Reality therapy and am a therapist who can really tell-it-like-it-is for those looking to be challenged. I believe that individuals often hold the tools they need to overcome, but sometimes benefit from the counseling process to tune and uncover those tools. For those who desire, I am happy to integrative faith-based interventions as part of the counseling process.
ERIN URBAN, MA, THERAPIST
The center of my practice is focused on building empowerment, balance, self-esteem and self-awareness. I offer a warm and empathic environment for those facing difficult life transitions, relational challenges, past and present traumas, underlying issues of illness and stress, and any other issues preventing individuals from realizing the freedom and happiness of their true nature.
I integrate a mindfulness approach to help build awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and beliefs to develop insight and uncover new choices. I also incorporate additional therapeutic techniques to fit your individual needs, as well as temper the counseling process with creativity and humor, along with practical solutions and concrete goals.
I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University. In addition, I enjoy building upon my education and skills through volunteerism and draw upon my personal development as a cancer survivor. I would be honored to walk with you through your life challenges and growth.
SHERI PETERSEN, MA, COUNSELOR
I completed my Masters Program at Colorado Christian University and I work with adults, and couples. I have a special passion for working with couples and partners facing toxic relationships. My desire, as a counselor, is to help clients sort through thoughts and emotions and find hope. I believe each person is significant, and at times this truth is lost. With jumbled thoughts, we can lose sight of our worth and this can lead to despair.
Together I want to help discover strengths and resources that can carry you through this time. I desire to build the confidence to face all of life’s hardships, because you’re worth the hard work of restoration!
Jenny Johnson, MA, LPCC, Counselor
Whatever is troubling you to seek counseling does not define you. As individuals we are quick to identify ourselves by what is wrong (i.e. I am depressed or I am terrible at relationships or I am a bad parent), but we are not our symptoms. We are so much more. There are so many wonderful things about you and your story, things I look forward to discovering. Together we will talk about you! I am hopeful you will share stories from your past like how you fit in your family, what you wanted to be when you grew up, or how you were as a child. In our laid back and gentle conversations we will weave back and forth between your present and your past. With a mix of humor, continued encouragement, and care you will find different ways of solving today’s problems and discover new things about yourself.
I am a Licensed Clinical Counselor in Minnesota. Many of the tools acquired while attaining a master’s degree from Adler Graduate School have built on my Christian foundation of love and compassion and a desire to speak life and restoration into others. I enjoy working with teens and adults. Over the last five and a half years of practice, grief/loss has become one of my specialties however I simply have a heart for discouraged individuals no matter the cause.
In our sessions scripture and prayer can be integral components should you desire. Whatever your faith background please know you will be treated with compassion, respect and covered in encouragement. My prayer is for God to use me as a bridge to get you from where you are to where you want to be. I look forward to meeting you!
Juana Mendez, Counselor
I enjoy working with adults, children and families who are stuck in unhelpful relationship patterns or need to heal from past hurts. My style is relational, practical and insight-oriented. I am compassionate and encouraging, but can also help you think of things in a new way to help you make the changes you need to make.
My experience has been mostly working with trauma, parenting challenges, relationship issues, and substance use recovery. I also use play therapy to help kids work through life adjustments and past trauma. I previously worked as a childcare center director, and love seeing children and their parents connect and grow! In my personal life, I have experience in missionary work and readjustment as well.
If I sound like a fit for you, I hope you will contact the office. I look forward to hearing your story and developing your strengths to make change and find healing.
Abigail Moline, MS, Counselor
The heart of my practice revolves around walking with clients through difficult life transitions, finding strength in moments where we feel burdened and broken, as well as working through past traumatic experiences to find internal peace and freedom. My relationship with Christ is where my passion originates from, I aim to practice that same love and acceptance through my work. If desired, I’d be happy to incorporate faith throughout the therapeutic process, such as with the integration of prayer and scripture.
Combined with discovering our own God-given strengths and resources, I aim to assist in equipping you with the tools to confront and manage life’s difficulties as they evolve. I enjoy using mindfulness, developing awareness of patterns of thoughts and how that translates to behavior and emotions, as well as integrating a strengths-based approach. I believe that we’re all equipped with natural strengths and tools waiting to be discovered and refined.
I earned my Master’s degree of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Phoenix. I was raised in Minnesota and spent 15 years in Arizona before returning to my home state. I have experience working with clients healing from trauma, codependency, depression, anxiety, assisting family members seeking support with a loved one combating addiction or other life-debilitating situations, and assisting with spiritual issues (healing, development, and oppression.) As a painter and creative writer, I also enjoy integrating creativity throughout the counseling process, if desired. No matter what walk of life, I look forward to assisting through your journey of healing and self-discovery.
Gina Ashley, Counseling Intern
I am currently a graduate student pursuing my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Crown College and under the supervision of Jenny Beall. I have experience working with teens, individuals, adoptive families, and couples. I believe that your identity and background hold great influence and are a vital part of understanding who you are and how you relate to the world around you.
I am passionate about helping others find hope and healing within a warm and accepting space. People from all spaces and lifestyles are welcome. My personal style is laid-back mixed with humor and encouragement. Together, we can determine the right approach for you in our sessions.
Your life and story are important and hold so much value. It is brave to reach out for someone to walk alongside you through the many ups and downs this life has to offer. You are not alone, and I look forward to journeying with you while striving for growth and restoration.
Cassie Johnson, Counseling Intern
I am serving as an intern at Threads of Hope while completing my master’s degree in Clinical Counseling at Bethel University. The circumstances that we humans must deal with are often difficult and stretch us to our limits. I am passionate about restoration, renewal and healing. My hope is that through counseling, I can help others see their value and the unique and necessary role they play in their families, workplaces, faith environments and communities, even during hard times. My own journey has been significantly shaped by my Christian faith and I believe that as we learn and grow, we have a responsibility to reach back and help others grow through empathy, validation and empowerment.
My approach includes emphasis on holistic wellness by working to enhance cognitive, emotional, spiritual and physical health with the understanding that all of these aspects of the self work together and contribute to personal functioning. I use creative approaches including art, play and humor to uncover areas to target for change and to modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors while soothing distressing emotions. If you so choose, I am comfortable and equipped to incorporate spiritual practices and values into counseling.
I have had professional experience working with people through the lifespan and during a variety of life seasons. Though I am new to counseling I have held roles in teaching, childcare, elder care, prison ministry, coaching and writing. Personally, I am married and raising four adolescents. Marriage and parenting have taught me more about myself and others than any other job I have held.
David Brickner, Counseling Intern
I am currently a graduate student completing my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Bethel University. Life can be difficult and I have a passion for walking alongside those in the difficult circumstances.
I am excited to work with couples who are facing a challenging season in their relationship. I want to help you untangle the wires that often get crossed in relationships. This means helping you learn how to improve your communication with one another, work through hurts and forgiveness, all while appreciating the unique story each person brings to the relationship. In addition, I am passionate about working with individuals struggling with issues surrounding sexuality, including sex and pornography addiction.
I am also eager to work with young adults. Late teens and early twenties are such important ages as you step into adult identities. Whether it’s decisions around college, career, relationships, social circles, and more, there is so much that happens at that age and it can become overwhelming.
Christian faith, including prayer and scripture, can be integrated into our sessions if you desire to do so. I believe that all people are created in the image of God and I am committed to treating each person with dignity and respect.
Amanda Puzic, Intake Coordinator
I’ve been a client service representative for almost 20 years at an animal hospital and moving to Threads of Hope is an exciting new opportunity for me. Seeking help for mental health can be a nerve-racking thing and I pray I can help make the scheduling process as easy as possible for you. I just want to bring joy to people as much as I can and will strive to do that with every interaction.
I spend a lot of time with my husband and little boy and our 3 cats. I love to scrapbook, read, play piano and sing, especially at church. Life can be really hard but I’m learning it’s a daily process of relying on Jesus. Only with His help can I overcome my weaknesses.
LISA MANDELL, BILLING MANAGER & BOOKKEEPER
I am the offsite billing manager and bookkeeper. I manage most of the contact with your insurance company to ensure that our therapists get paid and your insurance covers everything they are supposed to. I am a retired biologist and former business owner. In my free time I enjoy quilting, reading, doing bible studies, cooking new dishes, and playing with my adorable grandchildren.