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 has been practicing since 1996. She has specialized training in Narrative and Solution-Focused therapy. She works with adolescents, young adults, adults and families, as well as college and graduate students. Jessica works with a wide range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and serious-persistent mental illness. Jessie also sees people wanting help with grief, chemical health, sexual compulsivity, couples therapy, weight issues and adoption issues. She has experience working with both gay and straight individuals and couples.

		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, LPCC John is a Licensed Professional Clinical 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, PsyD Hana is a Korean-American Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who loves working with families, children, adolescents, couples, adults, and older adults. She has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, community mental health centers, in-home therapy, nursing care, and school settings. She offers bilingual and a wide range of culturally appropriate services. 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 experience working with people dealing with anxiety, depression, relational conflict, adoption issues, grief/loss, and identity concerns. She has special interest and experience with infant/perinatal loss. She is an American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program fellow.

		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 with adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children, using a narrative perspective as well as hypnosis and motivational interviewing. 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.

		Paul Ellison, MEd, PsyD Paul is a postdoctoral clinician that has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and families. As a Special Education teacher and School Psychologist, he has specific expertise concerning academic, emotional and behavioral issues. Paul has specialized training in Narrative and Solution Focused Therapy. He has clinical experience treating patients with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as dealing with marriage and family situations. Over the last 28 years, Paul has coached a variety of sports and has had the opportunity to work with state champions, All Americans and professional athletes. He believes in working together with clients to find unique solutions.

		Gayle Sherman Crandell, MA LPCC Gayle is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and provides organizational consultation for Kenwood Center. She is an ADEC certified Thanatologist, and has worked with people living with, and affect by life-threatening illness, loss, trauma, and grief for over 25 years as a therapist, educator, professional trainer, critical incident responder, development director and program director. Prior to her position at Kenwood Center, she worked with Center for Grief, Loss and Transition for 10 years as a therapist, trainer and non-profit administrator. Gayle's approach is deeply impacted by her travel to Hong Kong, Bali, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Western Europe, Kauai, and Alaska, and having lived on both coasts before landing in the middle of the country (which she loves!) She is a political news "junkie", loves to garden without gloves, and cocoon at home with really good coffee. She lives in Golden Valley with her spouse, children, father, cat and dogs.

		Sarah Gravelle, MS, LMFT Sarah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working collaboratively with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as people important in their lives. Sarah works with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, past trauma/abuse, sexual issues, parenting, family/couple communication, and a variety of life change adjustments. She has experience working with both gay and straight individuals and couples. Sarah enjoys combining Narrative Therapy with a variety of theoretical approaches to best meet each client's goals. Sarah's previous experience over the last twelve years includes not only work as a therapist, but considerable experiences in professional roles in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She also has considerable experience coaching youth volleyball and enjoys spending time with her family including her infant son, as well as her pets.

		Michael O'Brien, LP Michael is a therapist and expert with 30 years of experience seeing individuals, couples and families. He has special experience with shame, sexual addiction and victimization and how these issues can effect families and relationships.

		Jane Carlson, Kenwood Center and Narrative Books Administrative Staff Jane Carlson (Building Manager) works as the Narrative Books, LLC and Kenwood Client Intake Coordinator. She completes new client intakes, insurance verification, book orders, workshop registration, and other administrative tasks. Jane plays a pivotal role in keeping the Kenwood office running smoothly.

		Maureen Laufenberg, Clinic Coordination and Clinical Intern Maureen Laufenberg is completing an MA in Counseling Psychology at the University of Minnesota while working in Clinic Coordination and completing a clinical internship. Maureen has worked in sexual assault prevention along with serving on two executive boards at the U of M and conducting research in the Industrial/Organizational and Social Psychology Departments. Maureen also works as a tutor/mentor and enjoys exploring the Twin Cities with her husband, Brad, and Lola (see below). Maureen's dog, Lola (black lab/beagle), has become a regular member of the office team and immensely enjoys the company of all Kenwood clients.

		Kristen Elliott, Kenwood Center Intern Kristen is currently completing a Bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of Minnesota. She is involved in toddler tantrum research at the University and also volunteers at the Sexual Violence Center in North Minneapolis where she takes crisis calls, works as an advocate and co-facilitates a support group for youth. She assists with administrative tasks and client intake phone calls as she begins her training in Narrative Therapy.