Counseling

Our team is well trained to address concerns that include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Addiction recovery
• Trauma recovery
• Low self-esteem
• Loneliness
• Grief and Loss
• Relational distress
• Life transitions
• Cultural identity

We team up with you to strengthen and enhance your innate qualities and experiences of:

• Resiliency
• Compassion
• Mindfulness
• Healing
• Belonging
• Peace

Allison Richards, PhD, LP
Allison is a Licensed Psychologist (LP) and the Clinical Director at Mount Olivet Counseling Center. She works from a relational, trauma-informed framework where she seeks to develop a strong and safe therapeutic relationship with each client. She believes in the healing power of providing clients the space to truly be seen and heard. She supports clients in discovering their own intrinsic strengths and tools for coping with life’s stressors, and seeks to empower clients to make changes that will allow them to lead more fulfilling lives. Past clients have described her as gentle, compassionate, approachable, and insightful. She received her MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota and her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa, and has been working in the field for over 15 years. Allison works with individual adults (18+) with issues related (but not limited to) loss, complicated grief, trauma, family of origin/relationship issues, transitions, depression, and anxiety.

 

Sara Watne, MA, LPCC
Sara is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and a certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from Bethel University. She has provided mental health services to a diverse clientele since 2003. At Mount Olivet she provides counseling to children beginning at age 10, adolescents and adults as well as group facilitation. Sara utilizes Accelerated Resolution Therapy, sand tray therapy, and traditional talk therapy informed by the wisdom of the 12-step recovery approach. Overall, Sara supports her clients’ abilities to find strength, growth, health and fulfillment by gaining understanding of themselves as individuals and in relation to those around them. Areas of interest include grief, trauma recovery, parenting support, mood and anxiety disorders and relationship issues.

Nikki Knudson-Dalal, MA, LMFT, LADC
Nikki has been working and volunteering in the mental health/social service field since 1993. Her clinical experience includes working with couples and families in substance abuse clinics, group homes with adults with developmental disabilities, correctional settings, supportive housing for long term homeless, and providing group facilitation/education on chemical health. As a marriage and family therapist and alcohol and drug counselor, she is able to integrate her knowledge of substance abuse and addiction issues and how it affects relationships and the family. She uses a combination of, Strength Based, Client-Centered and Solution-Focused approaches. She assists clients in coming up with their own solutions and ideas for personal insight, change and growth.  She also aims to create a safe and comfortable environment, where clients can freely discuss the topics/issues in their lives that they see as important and valuable.  Nikki’s areas of special focus are in, but not limited to the following: Chemical Dependency/Addiction/Recovery (Individuals, Couples and Families), Self-Esteem/Self-Confidence, Relationship Issues, Depression/Anxiety, and LGBTQ/Same Sex Relationships.

 

Ron Groat, MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. Ron Groat has a private psychiatry practice in Minnetonka providing psychiatry for adults and older adolescents. He provides medication assessment and consultation for existing clients of Mount Olivet Counseling and coordinates care with Mount Olivet therapists and other health care providers.

Molly Pach, Office Manager
Molly is the Office Manager for the Counseling Center. She schedules appointments and provides administrative support for the therapists, and strives to create a welcoming and authentic environment for clients. Molly works part-time Monday through Friday.

At Mount Olivet Counseling Center, we highly value our client relationships, quality of care, and accessibility of services. Our standard fees per session are currently $65 for members of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church and $135 for non-members.

We do not bill insurance directly and provide private-pay services only; however, our fees may be reimbursable by your insurance provider or qualify towards your insurance deductible. Generally, you may also use money from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to cover the cost of counseling sessions. It is important to clarify these details with your provider.

First Years without Them
Come find healing in the first years following the death of a loved one. Sara Watne, MA, LPCC leads this support group which utilizes contemplative practices, poetry, film clips and discussion to encourage participants along their path of mourning and reconciliation. This class will take place at the Mpls Campus in Room 191. To register click on the sessions below. Please note that this event must have at least three people registered in order to proceed. If less than three people are registered, this event will be cancelled. 
Fall Session: Thursdays, September 12 through October 31, from 3-4:30pm, $100 for eight week session Register here

For more information Contact Molly at 612.927.7335 x 110 or mpach@mtolivetcounseling.org  

Helpful Books to Read about Marriage & Relationships

Why Marriages Succeed or Fail; And How You Can Make Yours Last, by John Gottman, PhD (1994)

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman, PhD (1999).

Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style can Help you Defuse Conflict and build a secure Relationship by Stan Tatkin, PsyD (2011)

After the Affair: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful, by Janis Spring, PhD (2012)

Affairs: A Guide to Working through the Repercussion of Infidelity, by Emily Brown LCSW (1999)

Take Back Your Marriage; Sticking Together in a World That Pulls us Apart by William Doherty, PhD (2001)

The Five Love Languages; How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, by Gary Chapman, Ph.D (1995)

Marriage in Motion, The Natural Ebb and Flow of Lasting Relationships, by Richard Schwartz, MD and Jacqueline Olds, M.D. (2000)

Facts about Depression

Facts about Anxiety

Eating Disorder Resources

Parenting Resources

Divorce/Co-Parenting Resources

Guidelines for Co-Parenting When Separated or Divorced

Couples Counseling Resources – please see tab above for further information

Books on Grief and Loss:

For adults:
This Thing Called Grief: New Understandings of Loss by Thomas M. Ellis
It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool too) by Nora McInerny Purmor (she’s also done a nice TED talk on grief)
Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones by Alan D. Wolfelt

For kids:
Ida, Always by Caron Levis
The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles
Children also Grieve: Talking about Death and Healing by Linda Goldman
I Miss You, a First Look at Death by Pat Thomas
Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
When Your Grandparent Dies, a Child’s Guide to Good Grief by Victoria Ryan
I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaula
Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by Audrey Penn
When Dinosaurs Die, a Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Krasny Brown and Mark Brown

Resources for Parents with Teenagers:
Web Resources

Why You Should Talk to Your Child

Talk to Your Kids About Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs

Books:

Just Say Know: Talking with Kids About Drugs and Alcohol by Cynthia Kuhn

The Addiction Inoculation, Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence by Jessica Lahney

Books:
Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention By: Terence Gorski
Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through his Son’s Addiction By: David Sheff
Adult Children of Alcoholics By: Dr. Janet Woititz
Trauma and the 12 Steps By: Jamie Marich
A Woman’s Way Through the 12 Steps By: Stephanie Covington
Loved One in Treatment? Now What? By: Lisa Fredrickson
Life Recovery Bible By: Stephen Anteburn
The Essential Guidebook to Mindfulness in Recovery By: John Bruna
This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life By: Annie Grace

Books for Kids:
Hot Dogs Anonymous By: Sarah Bridges

Podcasts:
Let’s Talk Addiction and Recovery– Hazelden Betty Ford Clinic
Real Recovery Talk– Tom Conrad
Families Navigating Addiction and Recovery– Jeff Jones

Websites:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Smart Recovery
AA meetings and information for Minneapolis
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Al-anon… Family support for individuals struggling with chemical health

Hazelden Foundation

Mount Olivet provides an ideal setting and expert support for Christian weddings. The beautiful Main Sanctuary and lovely Serley Chapel at our Minneapolis Campus, as well as the Chapel at our West Campus, are designed to accommodate most wedding requirements. The Mount Olivet pastors and wedding coordinator offer special care to each and every wedding couple. We believe that entering into marriage and planning the wedding ceremony deserve the best and most careful preparation.

Marriage Preparation Workshop

2025 Dates:
January 25, 9:30am-3:30pm, in person at Minneapolis Campus. Cost: $150, plus $35 scoring fee for the Prepare Inventory. Lunch included. Register by January 10.
April 26, 9:30am-3:30pm, via Zoom. Cost: $150, plus $35 scoring fee for the Prepare Inventory. Lunch included. Register by April 11.

Facilitated by: Shannon Himango, MA, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

As part of planning for your life together, we invite you to participate in a very important, practical and relevant marriage preparation workshop.  This fun and engaging 4 hour workshop, along with the completing the Prepare Questionnaire and talking through the results with a Pastor or Prepare facilitator, is designed to enrich your relationship as a married couple; focusing on important topics like positive communication skills, healthy conflict resolution, financial management; and spirituality. You will have ample time to discuss the topics and materials together as a couple as well as with the other participants. These are all areas we hope will be helpful to you as you mark this momentous occasion, and begin your married life together!

Some feedback from past participants:
“I think the communication section was great.  Helpful ideas and ways to approach difficult conversations.”
“I believe I will be able to use these practical skills, especially about how to approach conflict.”
“I feel armed with info about avoiding potential pitfalls before they might arise.”
“I enjoyed learning about the many types of intimacy that can be important for couples to deepen their relationship.’

To register click on the dates above or contact Molly Pach by email or at 612.927.7335, ext. 10.

At Mount Olivet Counseling Center, contributing to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our clients is among our most basic and highest values. We have established a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, and we have continued to modify our practices considering MN Department of Health and CDC guidelines so that you can visit our counseling center with trust, ease, and peace. Please see below for the latest details.

COVID Vaccination Requirement
All staff at Mount Olivet Counseling Center are required to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. Any staff members or volunteers who receives a religious or medical exemption from vaccination will be required to submit a weekly negative COVID test to the HR department at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.

Physical Distancing
When possible, physical distancing of 6 feet or more will be maintained.

Masks
All unvaccinated clients are required to wear masks in indoor, public spaces. Staff, and vaccinated clients are not required to wear masks in public spaces but they are encouraged to do so whenever community spread of COVID is high.

Isolation Protocol and Notifications
If any staff members test positive for COVID, they will follow current CDC guidelines for isolation.
If any clients tests positive for COVID within 2 days of an in-person visit, they should contact our office to notify us of the exposure so we can take appropriate precautions to prevent further spread, according to CDC guidelines.

Thank you
We look forward to serving you at Mount Olivet Counseling Center. In the meantime, please reach out to us with any questions about scheduling or planning an upcoming retreat.

Warmly,
Sherri Herman, MA, LPCC
Clinical Director