I’m Kristen Lund. I’m the founder of the Art of Validation and Change. I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and groups, and have been doing so for more than 25 years. I earned my master’s degree in social work at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and then went on to become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I am in the process of getting our clinic state and nationally certified. I have been intensively trained in DBT, as well as in Accelerated Art Therapy (A.R.T.) and in the DBT treatment for PTSD (called DBT PE). The theoretical basis for my work comes from training and experience in using the following: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure, Family Systems Theory, Mindfulness-based Psychotherapy, and Psychodynamic Theory, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.) Somatic Experiencing (S.E.). I work with adults and adolescents. With adults, some of my favorites are helping people find and keep intimate relationships, find one’s true vocation, raise their self-esteem, and restore hope and enthusiasm. With Adolescents, I enjoy and admire their enthusiasm, intensity, and honesty, and I continuously marvel at their resiliency. As a therapist with everyone, I work with people deeply to find and process unresolved issues which are hampering their progress. I will also be practical, though. I will problem-solve and help people build emotional skills if they need it. As a therapist my goals are to achieve the following: Relieve anxiety, Lift depression, Increase self-esteem, Heal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, Guide you through grief, loss and transition , Problem solve A.D.H.D./A.D.D. related issues, Resolve work and school issues, Increase acceptance, empathy and understanding for yourself and others, Feel a greater connection to yourself and others Improve family relationships, friendships and romantic relationships, Guide you through parenting problems, Get clear about what you want, Coach you to achieve your goals

I have my Masters degree in Social Work from Augsburg University, with an emphasis in Multicultural Clinical Practice. I have my LICSW and have worked at the AVC for over 4 years, the mental health field for 12 years. I have experience with a variety of concerns, including serious mental illness, homelessness, substance use, trauma, major life stressors, grief, and chronic health conditions. I view it as a privilege to be able to walk alongside people in their recovery journey and believe we each have inherent resilience and capacity for change.

My interests include working with adults of all ages who are affected by anxiety, depression, perfectionism, mood disorders, relational conflict, and life transitions. I have training and experience using CBT, DBT, strengths-based therapy, and solution-focused therapy. My techniques are informed by the individual I’m working with and evidence-based practice, and I will include you as a partner in determining what is helpful for you. I am also a co-facilitator of the DBT skills training group at the Art of Validation and Change on Thursday evenings from 5 PM to 7 PM. I provide individual DBT therapy as well as evidence-based psychotherapy and individual skills training.

What you can expect from me is a non-judgmental, supportive, and empathic approach. I seek to meet people where they are at and work on what is most important to them, which means that I will avoid prescribing solutions or setting goals for you. I will collaborate with you on learning new skills and enhancing existing ones. At one time or another, each of us needs help, and taking the first step to seek this out takes strength and courage.

My name is Charisse Smith. I am a pre-licensed professional. My clients report feeling comfortable and safe in our time together and enjoy my direct yet gentle, playful, and empathetic approach. I enjoy working with teenagers and adults and have four years of experience working with folks who are living with severe mental illness, specifically with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. I love partnering with folks who have experienced trauma – I believe that you deserve freedom from the patterns you may feel stuck in that are a result of your lived experiences. This is a safe space for folks to continue their healing.

My goal is to validate your lived experiences while partnering with you as you work towards your goals. By utilizing somatic experiencing we will regularly go back to what’s happening in your body. This allows us to understand the ways that your body has tried to keep you safe, and work towards responding to stressors instead of reacting to them.

I use the following interventions based on your specific needs: DBT, CBT, attachment-based, somatic experiencing, and trauma-focused. My practice aims to be culturally competent. You deserve to live a life that you find meaningful and fulfilling and I’m proud of you for taking this first step.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker . I graduated from Augsburg University of Minnesota, with my Master’s of Social Work in 2019. I work with adults of all ages. I have training and experience using various evidenced based practices including: dialectical behavioral therapy(DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), solution focused therapy and strength based therapy. I also have 11 years of experience working in the mental health field. I have had the honor of working with people experiencing a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, homelessness, substance use, relationship problems, chronic health conditions, life transitions and stress. I have also facilitated a DBT group and provided Individual DBT. I believe each person is unique, thus I use a Person centered Approach in all my work. I meet my clients where they are at; and empower them to drive and direct their sessions and goals. I emphasize identifying and building on your strengths as well as addressing the problem. It is my hope that we can work together collaboratively to create a trusting relationship and a safe space for you to work through challenges, develop self empowerment, and work towards change as you identify and define it. I feel it is an honor and a privilege to sit with individuals, while they share their story with me. I provide a non judgemental, authentic and supportive, safe space for those I work with.

My name is Alissa, and I am a licensed graduate social worker. My approach aligns with the belief that folks are much more than their symptoms and that each individual has inherent dignity and worth. I provide a customized unique approach with each person to best help them reach their goals.

I work with teens and adults who are struggling to find purpose, are working through a difficult transition, and those who feel like their emotions are controlling them. I have a published literature review on body positivity and the influence on self-image; I utilize self-compassion and somatic techniques to increase empathetic and validating inner self talk.

I have experience working with individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD and Bipolar Disorders (amongst others) in aiding individuals to reach their goals and cultivate positive relationships within their inner circle and community. My specialties include working with queer and nonbinary folks, those who are struggling with interpersonal skills and setting boundaries, and those who struggle with complex thoughts and habits surrounding eating and self-image.

I am also a co-facilitator of the DBT skills training group at the Art of Validation and Change on Thursday evenings from 5 PM to 7 PM. I provide individual DBT therapy as well as evidence-based psychotherapy and individual skills training. When developing a therapeutic relationship, I will work with you as partners to create an environment where we can explore your goals. I utilize Strengths-Based, Cultural Humility, and Client Centered Approaches to employ the belief that you are the expert within your own life and hold the skills and capability to foster your ideal life worth living.

My name is Erica Delles and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota. I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years in a variety of roles ranging from child therapeutic support to parent educator. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families from a wide variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds who were dealing with issues including anxiety, depression, domestic violence, mood disorders, relational conflicts, families experiencing transition, and trauma. Most of my clients in the recent years have identified as being from an at-risk population and the BIPOC community living in the Twin Cities. I have seen and recognize the negative impacts that oppression and systems of injustice have on clients.

At the Art of Validation and Change, I serve both children (as young as 5 years old) teenagers and adults. I am also the co-facilitator of the Adolescent DBT group on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8pm. I provide individual DBT therapy as well as evidence-based psychotherapy and individual skills training.

In my work with clients, I am client-centered, relational, and trauma-informed. I am also trained in DBT. I work to build a trusting relationship with my clients and ensure they feel safe. My practice is most informed by attachment, developmental, and systems theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, internal family systems, DBT, and solution-focused behavioral therapy. What I utilize during sessions is based on the individual, what they are open to and what fits the work best. I believe the therapy relationship is one where I walk along with you to meet your goals. I value diversity and understand there is always more to learn about culture and life experiences. You are your own best expert. I am a compassionate and empathetic person and utilize this when working with clients. You can expect me to be respectful and non-judgmental and that I genuinely want to help you. I’d be honored to be your partner during this time of life.

My name is Emily Moews (Em-uh-Lee Maze) and my pronouns are she/her. I have my MSW (Master of Social Work) from Augsburg University with a focus on Multicultural Clinical Practice, and I am a therapist here at the Art of Validation and Change. I have been working for almost a decade in the school systems (AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, substitute teacher, and currently in my fifth year as a school social worker), with children and youth as well as struggling parents and colleagues.

I have worked with children, adolescents and adults living with all different types of diagnoses: depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. I take an individualized approach to each client and will be utilizing an eclectic approach. In addition I am a co-facilitator of the Adolescent DBT skills training group at the Art of Validation and Change on Tuesday evenings from 6PM to 8 PM. I also provide individual DBT therapy, especially for adolescents.

I am also passionate about helping people break cycles and empowering them to navigate unjust systems. I strive to be a culturally competent practitioner, not only with the BIPOC community, but with all marginalized identities that a person lives with.
I know life can be incredibly hard and unfair. I hope to partner with you and help you walk (or crawl or wheel or however else your body allows you to move through the world) through the tough times and celebrate the good times, even if the good times feel far and few between.
I work with people ages 10 and up

Greetings, my name is Eli Nadeau (they/them). I am in my second year at the University of Minnesota Master of Social Work Program, with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health. As a white settler human, I’m lucky to be a guest in the Twin Cities, where my life, labor, and learning depend on the Misi-Ziibi (Mississippi River) and the Relatives of this Land.

As an intern with the Art of Validation and Change, I co-facilitate 2 DBT groups and individually work with adults and adolescents. My previous training is in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic methods, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place to learn Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – this is a great team.

I currently provide mental health services for adults with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illness at residential and intensive outpatient treatment centers in St. Paul and at an Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) facility in Minneapolis. I have a BA in anthropology and an MFA in creative writing, and I am completing a PhD in political theory at The New School for Social Research (NYC). When not doing therapy or
studying, I may be found riding the bus, reading books, drawing rats, and making mischief. I am excited to work with you and welcome the chance to learn how our collaboration can support your being in the world.

My name is Caitlin Sunde (she/her). I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and am a current MSW student at Augsburg University. I have over 15 years of experience working as a case manager, which allowed me to understand a variety of concerns, including serious mental health issues, chronic health conditions, housing and financial instability, trauma, and systemic racial inequities. My interests include working with adults (18+) who are impacted by anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders and other forms of emotional dysregulation, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and chronic pain. I have training in DBT, CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic approaches. Much of my education and experience have focused on anti-oppressive practices, and I hope to approach each person’s lived experience with humility.

My passion is to work with adults and adolescents in their deepest need and walk with them towards healing, change, and growth. I will partner with you in determining the best treatment approaches for your needs. I firmly believe that each person is the expert of their own experiences and I will aim to be an attentive, empathic listener as we explore the landscape of your life. Life often contains pain and difficulties but these experiences do not have to have the final word on your life! Together we can interpret the impact of these experiences and cultivate skills to encounter these hardships in another way. It is my fervent hope and belief that you can learn to thrive in the midst of difficulties and challenges.

If you are interested or have questions, please call or email.