Kenwood Center



Therapy	Workshops	Books

Staff

The multidisciplinary Kenwood Center team includes licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers and professional counselors. The staff works from a Narrative Therapy base to develop insight into the stories of the client’s life. Therapists also draw from their varied educational backgrounds, experiences and research on the best ideas of current theories and practices in the field. Methodologies include: Social Constructionism, Collaborative, Solution-focused, Motivation Enhancement, Restorative Justice, Spiritually-sensitive, Mindfulness Meditation, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Gottman Marital Therapy, and more. Clients have access to all our therapists on staff as well as outside professionals, our clinical library and bookstore, videotapes, audiotapes and DVD’s. The therapists at Kenwood Center are dedicated to continual co-research and improvement with clients and colleagues.

At Kenwood Therapy Center, a therapist will ask questions about your life and concerns to facilitate a meaningful conversation of re-authoring your life according to your intentions, purposes, values, beliefs, hopes, dreams, visions, and commitments to ways of living. Therapists want to creatively consult some of the personal and professional stories, resources and ideas you may or may not have fully considered in the hope that they might provide new possibilities and ways to address the concerns that brought you to the center. You are also invited to creatively express yourself through writing, words, art, music, movement, logic, etc. In addition, therapists are trained in and may suggest other helpful, collaborative and research informed therapy approaches and ideas.

		Walter H. Bera, PhD, LP, LMFT, LADC Walter is Center Director and Founder with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He holds Minnesota Licensure as a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Walter has authored articles, books, videos and curricula and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor as well as an adjunct faculty member at a number of area universities. He is a Karate Sensei, Kali/JKD and Mindfulness Meditation practitioner.

		Jessica Brown, PsyD, LP Jessica is a Licensed Psychologist and researcher with specialized training in Narrative and solution-focused therapy for adolescents, adults and families. Jessica has a variety of clinical interests including grief, chemical health, sexual compulsivity, couples therapy and weight issues. She is interested in qualitative research and therapy outcome research.

		Angie Gwiazdon, MSE, LMFT Angie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked in a variety of different settings including, private practice, residential treatment, day treatment programs, and schools providing on-site mental health. Angie utilizes narrative, postmodern approaches along with hypnosis and Neuro Linguistic Programming. She has worked with a wide variety of problems including depression, anxiety, abuse issues, addiction, post traumatic stress, parenting issues, and couple and family communication; and enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Upon request, she will gladly bring her hound dog Belle to share the couch with you!

		John L. Simensen, MHA, MA, LPC John is a Licensed Professional Counselor who enjoys working with adults, adolescents, couples and families facing a variety of issues in their lives and relationships. John is particularly interested in postmodern counseling approaches and has specialized training in narrative therapy and hypnosis. His training in improvisational theatre and mindfulness complements and supports his clinical training. John has extensive experience working with men and families dealing with domestic abuse and its effects on their lives. John’s background includes 17 years as a Senior Vice President and corporate officer with Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis which enables him to use his clinical training with organizations and executives seeking growth and change and to assist men and families with life transitions.

		John Stillman, MSW, LICSW John is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who works with children, adolescents, adults and families from a collaborative, competency-based and Narrative approach. John has intensive training at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic and is a member of the first International Diplomat Program in Narrative Therapy. He has done local and international workshops, as well as taught at various area Universities.

		Hana Ra Adams, MA, LMFT Hana is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who loves working with families, children, adolescents, couples, adults, and older adults. She can help with an array of behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues working with people collaboratively to create new solutions and stories for their lives. She has trained and worked in variety of settings including hospitals, community mental health centers, in-home therapy, nursing care and non-profits. She offers bilingual (Korean) and a wider range of culturally appropriate services. Hana has expertise with psychological assessments ranging from personality tests to neurocognitive assessments. She is an American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program fellow and is completing her doctorate in clinical psychology.

		Ben von Ende, MSW, LICSW Ben is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker whose past experience has included work in outpatient mental health clinics, nonprofit agencies, forensic facilities and school-based settings. He has worked extensively helping people with a wide variety of problems including anxiety, trauma, physical and sexual abuse, compulsive behavior, and couple and family communication and conflict. He enjoys working creatively and collaboratively with children, adolescents, adults and families.

		Jamie Klemenhagen, MA, LMFT Jamie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working collaboratively from a narrative perspective with adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children. She has experience and interest in working in the areas of life adjustment, stress, anxiety, depression,grief/loss, conflict, parenting, couples, developing identity, and improving communication.

		Heather K. Klein, PhD, LP Heather is a licensed psychologist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, families, groups, and couples who are experiencing a variety of developmental, emotional, and behavioral issues. She has acquired specialized training in narrative therapy and often incorporates solution-focused and other creative approaches in the therapeutic process. Heather has interests in the areas of research, supervision and training, and teaching. Specific areas of interest include: therapy process and outcome, parenting, human sexuality, adjustment to divorce, intimacy, and crisis intervention.

		Elizabeth Ruskin Shanklin, MSW, LICSW Elizabeth is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who has many years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. Elizabeth has a BA in Painting and takes on a very creative, expressive and artistic therapeutic approach. Elizabeth has experience and interest in the areas of domestic violence, disability and military issues.

		Randi Born, MA, LMFT Randi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has many years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. She has specialized training in narrative therapy, hypnosis, mood disorders (anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar), eating disorders, body image, relationship concerns, chemical dependency, identity and transition issues, and premarital counseling. Randi’s practices are creative, collaborative and research informed.

		Holli M. Trombley, MS, LMFT Holli is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a State Approved MFT Supervisor. She has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, in-home family therapy and community mental health agencies. Holli's interests include working with marginalized populations, the impact of incarceration on families and communities, social justice issues, step-family/blended families, trauma and violence in families, fathering, grief and loss, resiliency and the human/animal bond. She also has experience in teaching and research in these areas.

		Kenwood Center and Narrative Books Administrative Staff Jane Carlson (Building Manager), and Annie Douglas (Intake Coordinator) make up the Kenwood Center and Narrative Books Administrative Team. They complete new client intakes, insurance verification, book orders, workshop registration, and other administrative tasks. Also pictured is Sophie the Pomeranian (Office Dog).