Orka Team
Therapist
Alexis Bennett, MSW, LICSW
Life is hard. We live in a complex world that can be stressful and overwhelming. Most of us were never taught the tools to manage emotional and mental challenges, which can lead to anxiety and depression. The good news is that you are not alone! Let Alexis help you uncover what’s keeping you from living your best life.
Alexis has the privilege of working with teens, parents and families in a variety of settings. She enjoys working with teen and young adults who have difficulty managing relationships, school performance decline, increased fighting with parents/siblings, anxiety & depression. Stress can be brought to light in a variety of ways, oftentimes challenging, with confusion as to where it’s coming from and why they feel the way they do. Let Alexis help your teen/young adult uncover what’s bothering them and build a plan for managing the many stressors that come their way in a supportive and productive environment. She also has extensive experience working with young adults with special needs and their family support system.
Alexis has a unique ability to relate to her clients on a personal level. She views therapy as a collaborative process that can lead to growth. Her style includes humor (you often laugh together), warmth, and provides a safe space for her clients to feel welcomed, heard and validated. Alexis wants to help young people find new ways of approaching - and healthier ways of coping with - problems during times of life that are full of ups and downs. Whether it be challenges at home, sibling rivalry, friendship making and keeping, fitting in, or learning how to communicate best, Alexis is a soft spot to land each week. Let her help carry the weight!
Alexis Bennett is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with ten years of experience in the mental health field. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from St Catherine University in 2012 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA in Communication Studies.
When not in session, Alexis enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids and golden retriever, Luna. You can find her on a run with friends, in a hockey rink cheering her son and daughter on, or reading a book curled up on the couch.
“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship”
-Louisa May Alcott
Therapist
Leah Pillsbury, MSW, LICSW
Life throws a lot our way and sometimes it can be hard to know how to handle it all. Talking with someone can provide a supportive environment to learn how to manage emotional and stressful challenges. Leah’s goal for her clients is to help them achieve their goals and live their best life! Leah has a unique ability to relate to her clients on a personal level and views therapy as a collaborative process that leads to growth. Her style includes authenticity, humor, warmth, and provides a safe space for clients to feel welcomed, heard and validated.
Leah has extensive experience and enjoys working with adolescents and young adults who are struggling with life transitions, managing relationships, school concerns, grief and loss, anxiety and depression. She believes in the healing value of being heard and understood. She is here to support you with compassion and expertise.
Leah also has extensive experience working with individuals who have cancer and/or a chronic illness. Common issues for the newly diagnosed patient include feelings of distress, anxiety, fear and grief. Caregivers can experience those as well but are often overlooked in the shadow of the patient’s medical treatment. Your journey is unique, and Leah wants to listen.
Leah is a therapist with over 18 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Westmont College and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
When she is not doing therapy, Leah enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, extended family and friends.
“We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” – Brené Brown
Therapist
Anne Weerasinghe, MSW, LICSW
Anne believes in the power of a therapeutic relationship completely free of judgment. Oftentimes, we filter what we say to our friends or family for fear of how it may impact our relationships. Anne strives to create that safe space where you can speak your mind without filter or judgment. Anne utilizes a strengths-based perspective, while meeting clients with compassion, honesty, curiosity, acceptance, and humor. There is nothing you can say that would make Anne think of you as a bad person, or someone unworthy of happiness.
Throughout Anne’s career, she has had the privilege of working in the field of medical social work, working with people of all ages facing life-changing health conditions, and their families. With a medical diagnosis can come new or existing anxiety, depression, and grief and loss. She has walked side by side with families undergoing this unexpected journey to provide comfort, adjustment to illness, psychoeducation, and meaning-making to process the complicated emotions that often accompany a life that was not envisioned for you or your loved one. Anne can provide a safe space to grieve your lost dreams while helping you cope and find meaning in new ones.
In addition to her medical social work experience, Anne has spent the last two years working in elementary education, possibly the two most stressful years for students in decades. Anne provided counseling for children who experienced anxiety and depression as they were forced to adjust to the ever changing expectations, learning environments, and social isolation that proved more challenging than many of us could have imagined.
Anne utilizes a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques to meet the individual needs of her clients and has additional training in Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) for those struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Anne is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 12+ years of experience. She received her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine’s University in 2009 and her Bachelors of Science Degree in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
In her free time, Anne loves traveling and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and a house full of pets.
Therapist
Melissa Seidel MSW, LICSW
Melissa Seidel is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who has over 10 years of experience providing mental health services for children, adolescents and families in a variety of settings, including: in-home, inpatient, partial-hospitalization, outpatient clinics and schools. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The University of Northwestern - St. Paul and her Master’s degree in Social Work from St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas.
Melissa comes from a strengths-based perspective and uses compassion, authenticity, creativity, and humor in her work. In your session, you can expect Melissa to hold space for whatever you are needing in that moment. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive environment in which her client can use to heal and grow.
Melissa uses a variety of therapeutic techniques depending on what works best with the client she is working with. Her therapeutic approach integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques, psycho-education, psychodynamic and solution-focused strategies. She also utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness.
Melissa is in the process of becoming certified in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International (PSI). She has a passion for working with pregnant and postpartum clients and is honored to walk through this life change with clients.
Melissa also commonly works with adolescents, teenagers and adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma-related issues, transitions and life changes, gender and sexuality identity issues, grief and loss, communication difficulties, relationship concerns and more. The awkward middle school age to young adulthood is her jam!
When not working, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, cheering on the Minnesota Wild, traveling and listening to music.
“Trust: In these wild and new unknowns, your story is still taking shape.” - Morgan Harper Nichols
Therapist
Heidi Carsello, MSW, LICSW
As your therapist Heidi will be there to listen and help you explore your feelings. She will build upon your strengths in helping you to identify options. She will assist you in discovering what is within your control and provide support as you take steps forward, as well as when/if there is a backward slide. Heidi will help in determining how you got here, however, your focus will be on where you go from here.
It is her belief that the key to success in therapy is found within the relationship between the therapist and client. One of her best qualities is her ability to connect with people. Heidi seems to make friends wherever she goes. People describe her as warm, approachable, and non-judgmental, with a unique ability to make people feel special, valued, and heard.
Heidi holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University and a Master’s in Social Work from University of St. Thomas/College of St. Catherine. Heidi has extensive experience as a school social worker in Minneapolis Public Schools, which comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in mental health intervention, human growth and behavior, family dynamics, and community resources that she will bring into her therapeutic practice. She has worked with students with a vast range of needs and ability levels, diverse backgrounds, and socioeconomic classes. Heidi’s areas of strength include working with anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+, trauma, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and teacher burnout.
Heidi strives to find a work-life balance. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She soaks up as much sunshine as possible by running, gardening, being at the lake, or throwing the ball to her dog. She is a crafter and a hobby interior designer-always looking for ways to make their spaces welcoming, homey, and having her house full of loved ones. She meditates daily and makes every effort to live in each moment. She has an attitude of gratitude and knows it isn’t happy people who are grateful, it’s grateful people who are happy.
I believe in not sweating the small stuff. As Michel J Fox says, “There’s no point in worrying because if something [bad] does happen, then you have lived it twice.”
Psychologist
Marla Martin, PsyD, LP
Dr. Martin earned her M.A. in counseling psychology from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA and her PsyD in counseling psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She completed training at the University of Minnesota Medical School Pediatric Psychology Department and completed her clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Allina Health where she trained in the Child & Adolescent department providing individual therapy and psychological testing.
She enjoys working with clients with a wide range of presenting issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, adoptions concerns, and ADHD. Dr. Martin takes a nurturing and strength-based approach in the evaluation and treatment of developmental, emotional, and psychological disorders. Psychological and neuropsychological evaluations help empower clients to better understand their strengths and challenges. Dr. Martin values incorporating evidence-based practices and cultural consideration when developing recommendations for client specific ongoing care.
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Registered Dietician, Sarah Travis
Food is our source of energy for life. We all know healthy eating makes us feel better, but sometimes it seems like a chore to plan and execute meals daily. Let Sarah help! Sarah Travis is a caring and skilled Registered Dietitian driven to positively impact children and families through teaching healthy food habits.
When her mother was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, Sarah’s family went on a quest for a healthier life. This is what fueled Sarah’s love for eating and cooking “real food.” As a child she remembers salad bars being her favorite and filling her plate with cherry tomatoes and bacon bits. Sarah is passionate about family meals and incorporating kids into the kitchen to learn. Good food choices can become a reflex, not a struggle, with a little intention and a lot of JOY in the kitchen!
With a Bachelors of Nutrition from University of Minnesota, Sarah has been a Registered Dietitian since 2006. She has had the privilege of working with families in the community primarily focusing on nutrition concerns from pregnancy through childhood. She has experience treating high risk children as well as pregnant and postpartum mommas. From breastfeeding education and support, introducing first foods, cooking for a toddler or tackling picky eaters Sarah would love to make a family food goal with you! She is excited to offer individualized hands-on cooking sessions and virtual nutrition consulting.
Sarah has personal life experience planning and executing balanced and tasty meals for a busy family of six. When not chatting about food, Sarah joyfully serves with women’s and children's ministry at her church; and depending on the season, you will often find her with her husband at a baseball field, hockey rink, soccer field or gymnastic meet cheering on one of their kids.
Parent Coach
Megan Thorp, MA, Certified Parent Coach
If you are a parent you know that parenting is not easy! It brings up many challenges and we often don't have the right tools in our toolbox to face those challenges. As a parent coach, Megan's desire is to come alongside parents and help them gain confidence and equip them to lead their family. She will help you create an environment in your home where everyone feels valued and connected, and skills for you to build a relationship with your kids that will last long after they leave your home. She strongly believes that you are the expert of your child and she would love to walk with you as you bring more peace and joy into your home.
Megan has her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Bethel University and is a Certified Parent Coach through Connected Families. She loves to spend time with her husband and 3 kids and build community connections at the church where she works part time at.
Spiritual Director, Patty Lee
Patty has been employed as a hospital and hospice chaplain serving patients, families and staff for over twenty years. She was first drawn to chaplaincy through her love of people and life stories. She has found opportunities in chaplaincy and spiritual direction to create sacred space for deep listening, thoughtful and courageous conversation and the healing that is possible through thinking aloud with another. Patty brings her own grounded spirituality to her work as a spiritual director, along with genuine warmth, compassion and care for people. She also offers an open heart and a non-judgmental presence.
Patty often uses the term “spiritual companion” to describe her role of walking alongside her clients as they seek to explore their relationship with God. Her understanding of spirituality is expansive as she meets her clients where they are on their journey. She is warm and welcoming and uses her skills to create a safe place for clients to share their stories and feel heard and understood.
When she meets with her clients, Patty often imagines that she is holding a flat, African basket on her lap. Her clients pour their stories, hopes, fears and concerns into her basket, and then she and her clients together sift through what is in the basket, seeking new ways to understand, learn, and grow.
As a health care chaplain, Patty has worked in palliative care and hospice, oncology, intensive care units and emergency departments. Her areas of experience include grief and loss, living with chronic illness, death and dying and life transitions. Patty has skills working with individuals to make sense, meaning and purpose in these challenging experiences. She has the ability to create brief therapeutic relationships as well as supportive relationships that may last months or years.
Patty completed Spiritual Direction training at the Center for Spiritual Guidance in St. Paul. She has a Masters of Arts in Theology from Luther Seminary, Masters Degrees of Social Work and Public Health from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augsburg University.
When Patty isn’t working, she spends time outdoors in nature with her family running, cross country skiing, hiking, biking, camping and traveling. She loves spending time with friends and extended family around the dinner table in good conversation. And she will never turn down an offer of chocolate or a good cup of coffee.
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