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Dina opened Insight Counseling with the intent of creating exactly the type of space where she could go to experience compassionate healing, growth, and enhanced health; a place where all people are warmly welcomed, and staff are interested in and committed to their care. Insight Counseling is that place.

Educated and trained in the most effective evidence-based therapies, Dina uses the therapeutic modality that best fits the unique situation of her client. Dina is EMDR Certified and trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Grief and Loss, and Couple Counseling. She will be starting Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level One training this summer.

Dina values the holistic approach to therapy and incorporates mindfulness-based practices into her work with clients. Currently, Dina’s clinical practice is devoted to couples, drawing primarily from Gottman Method, Johnson’s EFT, Imago, Esther Perel, and Terry Real. She is also co-facilitating a couple retreat with Michael Clabaugh in November 2024, which promises to be an incredible experience. Please visit The Connecting Couple for more details.

Dina is a Board-approved supervisor and loves teaching, training and supporting the next generation of therapists. For many years now, Insight has hosted graduate clinical interns from myriad universities. We are proud of the robust clinical internship program we’ve created. Our practitioners share so much of their respective knowledge, experience, and love for clinical practice with our interns. And many of our clinical interns have stayed to practice with Insight.

In order to be most present and connected with her Self and our beautiful team, Dina’s self-compassion practices include yoga and meditation, reading, cooking and baking, running with her dog Hakon and husband Michael, knitting, and connecting deeply with family, friends, and nature.

Specialty training: Advanced & Enhanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International; EMDR through the EMDR Institute; Compassionate Bereavement Care® through the MISS Foundation; Couples Therapy through The Gottman Institute; Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) through the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences. 

Alex comes to Insight with a passion for recognizing the importance of connection and honoring each person’s life story. Working as a hairstylist for over 17 years, she witnessed the resilience people showed during times of stress and the beauty of healing through human connection.

Alex earned her MSW at The College of St. Scholastica and a degree in Art Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In practice, she strives to develop a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship with her clients. Her clinical focus is in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Grief Therapy. She has a great curiosity in many therapy approaches and believes in finding the right therapies for each individual.

Alex is a longstanding member of the Twin Ports LGBTQ2 community and is dedicated to helping others feel comfortable within their own identity. Alex is excited to work with adults from all backgrounds and identities to establish a caring space for people to feel comfortable and genuinely listened to.

In her free time, Alex enjoys making connections socially through performing, meeting new folx and nourishing her friendships. Individually she enjoys artwork, moving the body and eating delicious food. She believes sense of humor is essential to healing and getting through this life journey.

Specialty training: IFS Level 1 Internal Family Systems; Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Diane is a competent, versatile psychotherapist with a master’s degree in clinical social work from a Loyola University, Chicago. Her integrative, client-centered work serves to normalize one’s experience, with a solution-based, rather than problem-focused approach. She specializes in providing a supportive and nurturing space for emotional healing. She excels at helping clients become familiar with the negative stories they tell themselves, and learn to embrace a more positive, compassionate self-concept. Diane has years of experience working with individuals who struggle with anxiety and depression, women’s issues, stress management, spiritual issues, emotional trauma, couples concerns, conflict resolution and working through the inevitable losses that come as we age.

Diane is also a board-approved, social work supervisor and is trained in the use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy to assist clients with a history of emotional trauma. Diane’s techniques incorporate a variety of evidence-based and creative methods, including exploring Jungian concepts, music, art, bibliotherapy, Women’s Spirituality “Women Who Run With The Wolves”, IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed, creative visualization, journaling and mindfulness exercises that serve to reduce stress, anxiety and worry. In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, her experience includes grief support and medical social work at Essentia Health, Duluth. Her joys include being in nature, experiencing live music and theatre, playing with her dog and cat, singing show tunes and spending time with her family. She also relaxes by painting with acrylics “…still very much a beginner!”

Specialty training: EMDR, EMDRIA-approved and Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Kate has been a mental health provider in the region for over 12 years, with extensive experience working with trauma, survivors of sexual assault, PTSD and women’s health, in individual and group settings. Kate also has a special interest in supporting women who are experiencing prenatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

Using a variety of treatment modalities, including EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and CBT, Kate creates individualized treatment plans geared toward healing and change, with a belief that real change happens when a person feels safe, supported, encouraged, and validated.

Her philosophy supports self-exploration from a holistic viewpoint, using strategies from mindfulness, somatic awareness and self-compassion.

Kate is also a yoga instructor with advanced training in Prenatal and Trauma informed yoga. A mother of three, Kate enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor pursuits, yoga and puzzles.

Specialty training: EMDR through the EMDR Institute; Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International; and Maternal Mental Health from the Postpartum Stress Center.

Mary specializes in working with children, teens, young adults and parents. She is unapologetically optimistic about young people and truly believes that there is unlimited potential with individuals when it is properly discovered and nurtured.

Mary is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. She has experience at Amberwing and with DBT and can help transition individuals after treatment to ensure positive long-term results. Mary works from a strengths-based perspective and believes that the relationship with the client is the most important part of the journey to healing. 

Mary also has experience working with children and families as they face a diagnosis of cancer or other life-changing medical or physical ailments. From initial diagnosis to the transition of treatments to long-term survival, Mary helps individuals and families cope with the feelings and emotions and help them work through these events.

Specialty training: Advanced & Enhanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International; Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) through the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences; Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk (RRSR) through the American Association of Suicidology and Compassionate Bereavement Care® through the MISS Foundation. {Verified by Psychology Today.}

Dr. Brittany Hamm is a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) licensed in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. She prescribes and monitors psychotropic medications. Board certified in the areas of primary care and psychiatric-mental health care, she works with individuals across the lifespan. Brittany’s area of expertise is supporting clients through a holistic model, where physical health, lifestyle behaviors and mental health concerns are considered collectively. She places great emphasis on listening to a client’s unique experience to promote shared decision making and develop treatment plans together.

Brittany received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, and worked as an RN for many years in the community health setting prior to furthering her education. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, where she earned dual certification as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

Outside of her practice, she spends time with her family, playing hard and exploring the great outdoors whenever possible.

Note: Dr. Hamm will not be prescribing controlled substances.

Layne is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) with a degree from The College of St. Scholastica's Master's of Clinical Social Work program. Layne also possesses a BA in social work from the College of St. Benedict and an MBA from Bethel University.

Layne’s passion is in collaborating with couples and individual adult clients to transform the suffering encountered along life’s journey into renewed meaning and purpose. She strives to create a sacred space within the therapeutic relationship that is both safe and free of judgement. Layne tailors the use of various evidence-based theoretical approaches to partner with clients in achieving their goals for therapy. She also welcomes and values the use of faith-based perspectives in therapeutic work. Layne's primary interest is in healing following attachment traumas, such as: infidelity, abuse, and neglect.

Layne grew up in northeastern Minnesota. She is a wife and mother of two. Layne enjoys reading, wake surfing, entertaining, connecting with loved ones, inline skating, and cheering on her kids from the sidelines at their various activities.

Specialty training: Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International; Gottman Method Couple Therapy by The Gottman Institute.

Diane is an MSW student at the College of Saint Scholastica and will graduate in May 2025. She also holds an Ed.D in Education, is a national board-certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC), and completed a certificate from the College of Executive Coaching in positive psychology-based health and well-being coaching. After 30 years in higher education, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a therapist and is transitioning into clinical social work.

Diane is passionate about supporting individuals through various life transitions, whether that be career changes, health and wellness, aging, life shifts, or retirement. Diane combines a deep understanding of personal growth and physical and emotional well-being, creating a safe space for people to navigate pivotal moments.

Diane finds grounding in yoga (she is a certified yoga instructor), travel, cooking, being outdoors with friends, hanging out with family, and life-long learning.

Heidi has over 21 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Heidi is passionate about helping everyone she sees grow into the highest, healthiest, best possible version of themselves by fostering compassionate self-care and a positive, reality-based, self-concept. Heidi believes that most often, a client’s presenting problem was once a solution, a survival skill, that is no longer helpful and can be unlearned and replaced. Heidi assists clients in recognizing the negative stories they tell themselves, so they can practice re-writing their stories and embrace a more positive, compassionate sense of themselves and the world.

Heidi incorporates a holistic, relationship-centered, shame/judgment-free approach to connect adolescents and adults with their unique healing journey. She is certified at the Master level in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), is a Circle of Security parent educator, and a Reiki Master. Heidi works from a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective with aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Narrative Therapy.

Heidi has experience working with individuals who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, co-dependent relationships, spiritual concerns, and those experiencing life changes and adjustments. Heidi enjoys hiking, reading, spending time with her children, friends, and dogs. Her self-compassion practices include connecting with nature, energy work, spirituality, meditation and yoga.

Specialty training: Master ART Practitioner through ART International; Circle of Security through Circle of Security International; Reiki Master.

Dr. Debra Viner is a Licensed Psychologist who has over 35 years of working with people in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric unit hospitalization, partial hospitalization, and outpatient therapy. Debra has a client centered and systems/environmental approach to therapy with an ability to use her training and experience in the following types of therapeutic modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Insight Oriented Therapy, EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, mindfulness strategies, as well as a number of other interventions that are used as needed.

Debra has training and experience in bariatric pre and post surgery counseling, oncology support counseling, psychological testing, and has worked in the Domestic Abuse Prevention Program, also known as DAIP. She works with individuals and adult families. Debra strongly believes that people know how to manage themselves and heal, and therapy is a supportive anchor while doing so. Debra has always lived in the area, enjoying the wealth of beauty that is offered in the north country. She especially enjoys horses, her children and grandchildren, boating, travel and crafts.

Specialty training: Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International and EMDR through the EMDR Institute.

Holly graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a Master of Science in Education—Counseling, Clinical Mental Health degree. Previously, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The College of St. Scholastica in exercise physiology. Through her counseling work, she primarily works with children (6+ years old), teenagers, and young adults.

Holly fosters a welcoming, safe and supportive environment to assist individuals through their journey toward mental wellness. She is passionate about creating a space in which individuals are able to feel heard and work toward self-made goals.

Holly utilizes an integrative approach in her therapeutic modalities to best fit the needs of the individual. She finds that meeting the individual where they are at in their journey and tailoring her techniques to each individual’s unique strengths, allows one to feel empowered and make changes to live their most positive and authentic life. Soon, Holly will also be trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).

Specialty training: Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Ashley specializes in relational trauma responsive care. She supports individuals, couples, and families at Insight.

Ashley is trained and educated in some of the most effective evidence based therapy approaches, some of which are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Relational Cultural Therapy (RCT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy for couples (EFT) and mindfulness based approaches. Ashley approaches her clients care from a holistic lens to best treat the mind, body, and soul. Ashley has earned an Associates of Science in Law Enforcement from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Deviance from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, and a Masters of Social Work with a clinical approach from The College of St. Scholastica.

Specialty training: EMDR through EMDR Consulting.

Michael holds a master’s degree in philosophy and religion from Harvard and a Master of Social Work from The College of St. Scholastica. He has found a passion in clinical work once realizing that psychotherapeutic change is biological change: psychotherapy rewires the brain. Psychotherapists are evidence-based healers.

Michael works with adolescents to older adults in areas of anxiety, depression, obsession-compulsion, and trauma. About half of his caseload is couples, another area of work he enjoys.

Michael is Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) trained; Level 1 ASCH Certified in clinical hypnosis; certified in advanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART); he practices from the modalities of Internal Family Systems (IFS); Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He also draws from narrative therapy, attachment theory, mindfulness and the wisdom traditions.

Michael enjoys nordic skiing, curling, cycling, and running. He grounds himself through meditation, cooking, and hiking with his dog Häkon.

Specialty training: IFS Level 1 Internal Family Systems; Level 1 ASCH Certified in Clinical Hypnosis; Advanced & Enhanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International; Couples Therapy through The Gottman Institute.

Zack has a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from The College of Saint Scholastica. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Wisconsin Superior. Zack has many years of experience working with youth and young adults in various other settings.

Zack prioritizes a relationship-focused, shame-free approach to therapy; relationships to others and to ourselves are the largest single impact on our mental well being. Drawing on client's strengths and resilience, Zack will build a strong therapeutic relationship.

Zack looks forward to advocating for any client he works with and developing a plan that works for them allowing them to succeed through their own actions. Zack works well with teens, young adults, and adults. He has a passion for this line of work and brings an empathetic temperament, a bright smile, and an easy to work with attitude to helping people help themselves.

Specialty training: Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Abby is part of Walden University's Master of Social Work Program. Beginning this fall, Abby will be transitioning into a graduate clinical intern at Insight as well. She has a background in mental health and is one of the friendly faces you will see at the front desk. Abby helps with calls, scheduling, and checking clients in. During her free time, Abby enjoys reading, playing games, and rollerblading.

Justine earned her MSW at The College of St. Scholastica and she holds a bachelor’s degree in science with a criminal justice concentration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. While working in a residential facility, Justine realized that her skills would be better served within the field of mental health. Justine’s clinical focus incorporates relational cultural theory. She is trained in Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

In practice, Justine strives to provide a safe, trusting space for each individual she works with. She wants the individuals she works with to feel that they have a voice and safe space to express themselves. Justine enjoys working with adolescents and adults that experience Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Day to Day Stress.

Justine is a member and ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. Her hope is that others that are exploring their sexuality, orientation, and expression have a space in which they can do so without judgment or shame.

In her free time, you can find Justine and her wife enjoying their home with two dogs, navigating hiking trails, or finding potentially new hobbies (it’s always changing).

Specialty training: NASW-MN Certified Supervisor; Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Judy is a graduate of The College of St. Scholastica. She is deeply committed to helping individuals and couples on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Life is an intriguing puzzle, and Judy is excited to partner with people as they navigate the complexities of human existence and uncover their best selves.

Judy loved visiting Duluth as a child. She made Duluth her home in 2007 when she returned to college at UMD, pursuing a degree in Public Health Education and Promotion with minors in Philosophy, Psychology, and Sustainability.

Judy brings experience and interest in several areas. Since 2017, she has facilitated men's groups with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, working with men who have been arrested for domestic violence. She is a sex-positive therapist and has an open and affirming approach to working with individuals and couples in non-traditional relationships, including consensual non-monogamous and open relationships. Judy offers support to those dealing with grief, physical disabilities, chronic pain, chronic illness, and medical complexities, often referred to as medical zebras. Judy is dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Therapy. She is also familiar with various holistic/alternative health and healing modalities that have played a vital role in her own wellness journey.

Judy enjoys a perfect cup of Indian Chai, music, singing, and dancing, as well as car trips, long walks, and intimate conversations with close friends.

Alissa recently earned her Master's in Social Work from The College of Saint Scholastica. She earned her undergraduate degree at Pillsbury Bible College in Bible, Counseling, and Youth Ministry. Alissa has worked with youth and women throughout her life. She also enjoys working with moms and those dealing with chronic pain.

Alissa looks forward to creating a supportive and shame-free environment where individuals feel cared for and supported as they explore their struggles in life. Our relationships can feel strained or conflicted, and the impact can reverberate through all other aspects of our lives and produce feelings of disconnection, alienation, sadness, rejection, and confusion. Alissa hopes to help individuals, find a place of reconciliation, resolution, and restoration.

She looks forward to walking alongside you through whatever challenges life has presented. Alissa’s prayer is to help you discover peace and healing while offering yourself grace and compassion. She is humbled and blessed to be trusted by individuals as they work through hurt, fear, sadness, or loneliness.

Alissa has a passion for understanding how gratitude can rewire our brain for resiliency, and she strives to incorporate gratitude into her daily life. Alissa has three little girls with her husband. She enjoys hiking, baking, reading, and decorating.

Note: Alissa practices at both the Duluth and Virginia offices.

Specialty training: Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Cheryl has many years of experience as a mental health therapist. She has practiced in a variety of settings from schools to corrections, medical and non-profit settings. She has worked with individuals, families and children from all backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and cultures. Cheryl has worked with clients with chronic pain and disease issues, as well as those experiencing life changing events and adjustments.

Cheryl teaches people skills for making healthy transitions, and changes that will alter their approach to life. She works on creating new coping skills, support systems, stress reduction and boundaries for family dynamics. Cheryl uses a variety of therapeutic techniques including DBT, mindfulness, CBT, narrative therapy and feminist therapy. Cheryl's clients sometimes find art or music therapy, journaling, worksheets and other techniques help reduce emotional distress. She works with LGBQ+ community. She specializes in those clients with issues concerning aging; medical and emotional issues that affect the final stages of the lifespan. {Verified by Psychology Today.}

Sidney earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University. She is a compassionate therapist dedicated to fostering healing, growth, and self-discovery. She supports individuals ages 12 and older.

Sidney's approach is grounded in evidence-based practices and holistic care, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Creating a safe and inclusive space for all individuals is at the heart of Sidney's practice. She is dedicated to providing a supportive environment where clients of all backgrounds, identities, and orientations feel respected and understood. Sidney is proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and welcomes clients from diverse walks of life with open arms.

As a native of the Northland, Sidney is thrilled to be back in the area serving her community with warmth and understanding. Outside of her counseling practice, Sidney finds joy in spending quality time with friends and family, traveling, staying active, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. She also loves to be outdoors and to be artistic in any modality.

Specialty training: Accelerated Resolution Therapy through ART International.

Jeanne is an MSW student at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating in May of 2025. She currently holds a Master of Arts Degree in Human Development with an emphasis on creativity across the lifespan. Jeanne brings a breadth of experience to Insight. She has been a youth worker, a speech and theater coach, a creative writing instructor at the Loft Literary Center and Pathways Minneapolis, an end-of-life and patient navigator, a dementia consultant and dementia skills educator, an IMPROV artist, and a podcaster. Jeanne’s therapeutic approach focuses on somatic tools to help her clients navigate through everyday life.

She has a special interest in caregivers after loss, gender affirming care, medical trauma, death equity, and nervous system regulation.

Specialty training: Internal Family Systems: LEVEL ONE; TRE® (Tension & Trauma Release) and Polyvagal Theory through Red Beard Somatic Therapy.

Gina is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She has always been passionate about the mental health field and all that it entails. Beginning this fall, Gina will be transitioning into a graduate clinical intern at Insight as well.

You will find Gina at the front desk answering phones, scheduling appointments, or helping with administrative jobs around the office. During her free time she likes to play golf, enjoy the scenery and hikes in Duluth, and read.