Alisa is a licensed mental health professional at Centering Therapy MN.  Alisa is committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space for people. Alisa believes people can benefit from spaces of reflection and support.

Health Care Journeys

An unexpected healthcare experience is difficult for the person directly impacted as well as the caregivers, family and friends. Centering Therapy MN provides supportive counseling as individuals go through unanticipated or overwhelming health care experiences. 

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing the following:

• Grief counseling
  • Certified Grief Educator through completing a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert David Kessler
  • Committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief
• General psychotherapy
  • Compassionate, strength-based approach
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive behavioral therapies
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy
  • Positively focused brain-based therapies

Background:

• Became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2015 after retiring from a 28-year career as an educator, K through university, in the California public schools and CSU system, inspired by the needs of former students with mental health issues.
• Became a certified grief educator after being part of David Kessler’s Tender Hearts group following the loss by suicide of my younger daughter in 2021.
• Experienced serving clients and families with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction.
• In addition to having a private practice I work two days a week providing psychiatric evaluations and therapeutic support for patients in crisis in a Hospital Emergency Room.

Education

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy

University of San Francisco, December, 2009

Master of Arts in Education, Reading and Literacy

Sonoma State University, June, 2001

California Teaching Credential, Multiple Subject

Dominican University, January, 1988

Bachelor of Arts, Art History, Cum Laude

New York University, June, 1974

Stefan is a psychotherapist, social worker, certified grief specialist, group facilitator, entrepreneur, content creator, husband, and pet-lover.

After spending the early part of his social service career as a youth worker supporting youth struggling with addictions, homelessness, poverty, and family breakdown, Stefan chose to further pursue a career as a psychotherapist, working primarily with adults in individual, couple’s, and group format since 2018. He co-founded Tilted Windmills Healing Centre alongside his wife, Athena Cooper, a visual artist and therapeutic arts practitioner.

Stefan has a particular interest in promoting healing in clients dealing with grief, loss and trauma, including physical or mobility issues, chronic pain, gender and sexuality issues, medical traumas, or who are navigating their way through domestic and family violence situations.

Himself a wounded healer who has personally experienced the longterm benefits of psychotherapy, Stefan is a passionate advocate for mental health and resilience.

In addition to his clinical work, Stefan is a sought-after speaker who has presented nationally on men’s mental health, male victims of domestic and sexual violence, and he is an advocate for the mental health needs of gender and sexual minorities.

I’m so glad you’re taking this step toward making yourself a priority in your life.

I strive to empower adults whose lives are impacted by feelings of helplessness and heartache due to life changes. When we lose a loved one, a job, a house, a pet, or when a relationship heads in an unexpected direction, we can feel lost. Counselling can be the first step toward moving away from heartache and finding peace in such difficult times. It is the most natural thing in the world to want to connect with others, and when this is challenged it can be intensely painful. I am honoured to walk beside you in support.

Whether I am the best choice for you or another counsellor meets your needs, counselling is for you. This is why I prize your feedback within each session, so each session can be tailored to your needs. I use Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) every session, giving clients an opportunity to voice what is important to them in their counselling.

• Grief & loss

• Life changes

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Self-esteem

• Relationship issues (romantic, family, friends, etc.)

• Communication and boundary setting

• Attachment