about us

I have always envisioned myself helping others and found that as much as he valued other’s visions, it was never fully satisfying for me. I have a perspective of both macro and microsystems theory, which drives me to make both system and policy changes as well as empowering others to picture their own possibilities and pursue positive change for themselves. I believe my skillset and passion allows me to create a refreshed sense of responsibility to the communities I serve, while also developing more effective and healthy partnerships with entities within our communities. Ultimately, we as providers need to continually be better in meeting the increasing demands on us all!

 

I am a biracial Native American (Arikara) and African American, proud father, son, brother, uncle, friend and therapist. I grew up in rural north central ND and was born into an environment of generational trauma of mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, split household and suicide. This journey led me to be raised in foster care since age three. However, I was fortunate to remain with same family and happily call them my family today.

 

I played a variety of sports growing up and enjoyed the liberal arts including choir and band. I went on to play collegiate football and basketball, and graduated with a Social Work degree from the University of Mary, in Bismarck, ND. After that I spent some time working on the railroad. It was that experience that directed me towards systems theory and its application and relations in all systems from the individual to micro-, meso-, exo- to macrosystems.

 

So, I attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work in St. Paul, MN, and earned a Master’s Degree. My graduate placement was at the White Earth American Indian Reservation. There, I provided community, school and residential-based therapy (i.e. family, individual and group therapy), diagnostic assessments and clinical consultation. I also served on the Minnesota American Indian Mental Health Advisory Board as the Mental Manager for the White Earth Mental Health Program.

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I earned my LICSW (MN) and LCSW (ND) while employed with Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals in Moorhead, MN. There, I provided Early Childhood Mental Health Services with Head Start. I have training in:

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• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Incredible Years, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

• Trauma Informed Child Parent Psychotherapy (TI-CPP)

 

I also use motivational interviewing, the medicine wheel in therapy when appropriate and other cultural practices such as prayer, smudging incorporating of medicine men and women.

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My children are my lifeline! I love to listen to music, cook, attend children’s functions, travel, attend sporting events (GO BISON!), spend time at home and enjoy thought-provoking conversation.