Couples Counseling Minnetonka | Relationship Therapy

Gene Nisja, MA, LMFT

If anxiety and depression are holding you back from reaching your full potential, you are not alone. I understand how that happens to people and ways to move you to a better place. I have counseled others for more than 25 years in a variety of settings and can use what I have learned to help you replace nonproductive behaviors and propel you into reaching your full potential. If you are in a position of leading others, I am in a unique position to provide support to help you maximize your leadership role. I am on the leadership team in a hospital setting and I recently earned a Bronze Certification in Lean Process. I can assist you in understanding how to remove waste and assist your business in operating more efficiently. I can leverage my experience as a therapist and a leader. I use cognitive behavioral techniques to treat anxiety and depression. I approach therapy with humility and gratitude as a foundation of my approach.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology (2001), St. Mary's University of Minnesot

Experience:

Gene Nisja has over 30 years experience in the mental health field.

Specialties:

• Individual therapy
• Couples therapy
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Specific Phobia
• School Avoidance
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Scott Guldseth, PhD, LP

Hi. There is no perfect day to start therapy. There is only the day you are ready. When stressors in our lives become overwhelming or confusing they challenge our ability to maintain the balance for which we strive. Just as each person’s struggle is patented to them, whether in their social, personal, recreation or business life, so too I strive to make my connection with them.

I have worked with people suffering from depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, relationship issues, sexual issues, personality disorders, and many more. I embrace building rapport with my clients in a way that allows us to engage in a collaboration of unique, innovative and effective techniques to overcome the challenges, problems and/or difficulties they are facing.

While I have grounded myself in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I use all my clinical experiences, resources and flexibility to meet my clients where they are in their journey. I take pride in listening to my clients and trying to provide them thoughtful tools they can use long after our sessions are complete. This might include mindfulness work, existential questions, focus and performance exercises, and often includes movie quotes and clips, books and readings, and laughter.

Education:

Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Dakota

Experience:

18+ years of outpatient clinical and forensic psychology using individual, family and group modalities. 10+ years of clinical supervision of other providers for licensure.

Specialties:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-Compulsive Issues
• Sexual Addictions
• Relationship Issues
• Increasing Behavioral Performance

Kelly Gerzsenyi, MA, Post-Master's Fellow

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” - Brene Brown

I’m so glad you are here, and I’d be honored to be part of your journey. Life has a lot of challenges, and you don’t have to conquer them alone. You can create and live the life you want, and I will work with you to build the steppingstones to make it happen.

As a therapist, I work to create a supportive, non-judgmental, safe space where my clients can achieve the growth and healing, they are longing for. I help my clients not only talk about and gain insight into various issues but do things differently to create the change they want to see.

As a therapist, I incorporate evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. I emphasize improving overall wellness and health as I believe the different aspects of health (i.e., physical, mental health) are all connected. I also focus on mindfulness, as I believe awareness and presence are the foundation for change.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from University of Minnesota

Experience:

5+ years of experience in community mental health settings including in-home and outpatient clinics.

Specialties:

• Behavior Problems
• Emotional Regulation
• Attachment Work
• Anger Management
• Cognitive Behavioral
• Systems Perspective
• Trauma-Informed
• Holistic
• Anxiety Issues
• Depression
• Codependency
• Life Transitions
• Mindfulness

​Melissa Kokales, MA, LPCC

The fast-paced world in which we live makes it challenging to find time for ourselves. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable and safe prioritizing “you.” This is a time for you to share your story and identify and nurture what is most important to you. I will be there to empower and support you in this process. I have extensive training in acceptance and commitment therapy and love integrating mindfulness techniques in session as well as helping you find ways to incorporate them into your day-to-day life. I am honored to walk alongside clients as they encounter both joy and adversity in their lives. I believe these moments offer opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

My approach to therapy draws from acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive- behavioral therapy, relational- cultural therapy, positive psychology, and attachment theory. Each client is unique, and I modify my approach based on your needs and preferences.

Education:

Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Minnesota

Experience:

I have clinical experience with individuals ages 6-70. I have worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, school/ work stressors, life transitions, people with disabilities, and parents of children with diverse needs. I have 12 years of experience in managerial/ leadership roles, and I am familiar with the stressors that accompany meeting employee and company expectations.

Specialties:

• Values exploration
• Mindfulness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Work/school stressors
• Working with individuals of varying needs and abilities
• Adjustment and life transitions
• Grief
• Family dynamics and relationships

Claire Wilkins, MA, Post-Master's Fellow

Life can often throw us into moments of uncertainty and confusion. My mission is to guide you through these challenging times, empowering you with the tools to navigate life's complexities with grace and resilience. In collaboration with my clients, I integrate mindfulness practices, emotion regulation skills, and other coping resources to provide personalized care for each client's unique needs. I am dedicated to fostering a safe and compassionate environment where you can explore your struggles openly and without fear of judgment.

Whether you're an individual seeking personal growth, a family striving for harmony, or a couple aiming to strengthen your bond, I am here to support and facilitate your journey toward positive change and greater well-being.

Education:

M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy from University of St. Thomas 

B.S. in Psychology from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Experience:

As a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist I have worked with individuals, ages 18-65, couples, and families to help them navigate challenging times. Drawing from my expertise in relationship dynamics, I tailor my approach to suit client’s unique needs, integrating techniques from evidence-based therapies to create meaningful and lasting change. I hold certifications in Level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Treating Affairs and Trauma, both through the Gottman Institute.

Specialties:

• Communication & Conflict Resolution
• Couples
• Infidelity
• Premarital
• Major Life Adjustments
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotion Regulation
• Confidence & Self-esteem
• Career Difficulties 
• Family Relationships
• Aging Adults
• Men's Issues

Maya Alvarado, MA, Post-Master's Fellow

Are you someone that struggles with feeling understood and connected to others? Does it feel difficult at times to balance your identity with the social pressures and expectations you see online? 

Therapy can help. My name is Maya, and I am a Master’s level clinician who is pursuing a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology. I am passionate about helping my clients learn how to establish a sense of self that they can feel confident in. 

Starting therapy can be scary and uncomfortable, I’m here to support you wherever you are in your journey. My approach is collaborative; I will work with you to establish goals that meet your needs. The majority of my practice focuses on increasing self-acceptance, building meaningful and supportive relationships, and developing effective communication skills. From there, we can work together to learn more about your needs, your past, and how they both interact to inspire change.    

Education:

Currently pursuing PsyD in Counseling Psychology from University of St. Thomas 

MA in Counseling Psychology from University of St. Thomas  

BA in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Experience:

I have a variety of experience working with children of all ages in both private and community mental health settings.

Specialties:

• Adolescents ages 12-17 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Self-esteem 
• Body image 
• Emotional Regulation 
• Identity issues 
• Social skills 
• Family dynamics 

Michelle Meadows, MS, MT-BC, RYT, Post-Master's Fellow

My work as a therapist is grounded in the belief that healing happens through compassion, connection, creativity, and coming back home to the body. I primarily use somatic, embodied, and bottom-up approaches to support trauma healing and a wide range of emotional and physical symptom presentations. Rather than viewing distress through a pathologizing lens, I see symptoms as meaningful responses shaped by lived experience—and as doorways toward deeper understanding and healing.

I work largely from an Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspective, with a strong focus on inner child healing, reparenting, and helping clients access their innate capacity for Self-leadership. While I integrate top-down insight when it’s supportive, my approach emphasizes nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and experiential healing. As a board-certified music therapist, I also deeply value creative expression as an essential part of the human experience and a powerful avenue for emotional processing, integration, and repair.

I am trained in Brainspotting, Foundations of Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and will begin EMDR training in the spring. I am also a registered yoga teacher and believe that somatic awareness, mindfulness, meditation, and creative practices are crucial components of trauma healing and in discovering the Self as described in IFS.

My intention is to offer a space where you are met as a whole human being—one where healing unfolds at your own pace through self-compassion, curiosity, and respect for the wisdom of your system. 

Education:

Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University 

Music Therapy Board Certification through the University of Iowa

Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts / Performing Arts from the University of Northern Iowa

Experience:

5 years of experience working as a board-certified music therapist in hospice and St. Paul Public Schools, 1 yr internship experience working with kids and adolescents at Relate Counseling Center in Minnetonka.

Board-Certified Music Therapist, Yoga Teacher, MBSR & ART Practitioner

Specialties:

• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
• Young Adults
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression

Alia Rocha, MA, Post-Master's Fellow

My approach is eclectic, tailoring therapeutic methods to your unique needs, preferences, and goals. Together we’ll explore what works best for you, blending insight, reflection, and practical tools to foster meaningful change. Whether we're drawing from a psychodynamic foundation to help you uncover the roots of recurring patterns and hidden threads from your past that inform your present, or seeking the clarity and structure of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and gently reframe unhelpful thought patterns, we'll be working side-by-side to infuse your life with wellness and self-awareness.
I believe therapy is a partnership. Your experiences, values, and resilience are the starting points. My role is to walk with you, offering insight, support, and honest challenge.

Education:

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Family Institute at Northwestern University

BA in Psychology from Arizona State University

Experience:

I have experience in working with adults 18+ that are coping with serious mental illness (SMI) in a community mental health setting. My professional journey has given me the privilege of supporting clients through challenges such as anxiety, panic, depression, grief, relationship and attachment concerns, and emotional regulation difficulties.

Specialties:

• Anxiety and Panic Disorder
• Depression
• Trauma
• Hallucinations
• Emotional Regulation
• Communication and Conflict Resolution
• Mindfulness

Nicolette Cairns, MA, Post-Master's Fellow

I see the therapeutic process as an opportunity to learn and grow together. Through first recognizing your reasons for seeking therapy and acknowledging your therapeutic goals, we can decide together if the focus needs to be on the past, in the present, or moving forward into the future. Then through finding patterns, using evidence-based approaches, and creative interventions we can get into the flow of things to find yourself and your own version of calm.

In my work with children, teens, and young adults there is a particular focus on autonomy. We work together to recognize strengths, acknowledge behavior patterns emerging, and develop a skillset to handle problems independently going forward.

Education:

MA in Counseling & Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

BA in Psychology from Minnesota State University Moorhead

Experience:

Over the past ten years I have worked in day treatment, school-based mental health services, and outpatient therapy.

Specialties:

 

• Attachment
• ADHD
• Behavioral issues (children and adolescents)
• Emotional regulation
• Mood disorders
• School issues / special education
• Trauma