About Us

Feel Better Quicker!! Melinda specializes in Evidenced Based Neuroscience Therapies for treating addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma and confidence related issues. Melinda takes a Humanistic approach focusing on the “whole” person. All of her programs include Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual tools for achieving and maintaining optimal health and well being. Melinda works specifically with high functioning / high achieving individuals such as Law Enforcement, Health Care Professionals, Firefighters, CEO’s and Executives. Melinda is kind, compassionate and truly cares about her clients. 

I was born and raised on the East Side of St. Paul, and I currently work full time as a firefighter/paramedic for Maplewood Fire Department.  In addition to fire suppression/prevention/education and emergency medical response, my duties there also include serving as a community paramedic, as a member of our Mental Health Outreach Team, and as a tactical medic for the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.  I started my career in the fire service in 2008, and I became a paramedic in 2010.  I have Master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and in Public and Non-Profit Administration.  I have extensive training and experience in providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefings, and I am very passionate about promoting and advocating for mental health and wellness for all people.  As a first responder myself, I have a particular interest in working with public safety personnel.  My therapeutic approach is client-centered, and my interventions are grounded in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.  I believe in empowering my clients to find strength from within to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from being whole, and I strive to provide a safe space for them to heal, learn, and grow.  As your mental health counselor, I will be present, I will listen, and I will walk with you on your journey to self-discovery and wellness. 

Hey! I’m Charlie, and I’d be humbled to play a small part in your journey. I’m a passionate, caring, and charismatic Navy SEAL veteran dedicated to positively impacting your life. I was raised in Minnesota, splitting my time between the Twin Cities and Iron Range. While enlisted, I spent time in Afghanistan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, and Germany. I cherished my time as a Navy SEAL (my childhood dream), but it came with many hardships. Those experiences led me to serve others in a new way—mental health and substance abuse recovery. I specialize in Twelve-Step Facilitation and Behavioral Therapy, with unique expertise in accomplishing goals, building discipline, overcoming fear/anxiety, performing under stress, and forging mental toughness. I consider and treat every mental health condition holistically (physically, mentally, and spiritually). If I’m not at the gym, work, or school, I’m with my kids. Don’t let the tattoos and scars fool you—I’m more of a lover than a fighter! Let’s work together to get you where you want to be!

I am in my second year as a graduate student, studying for my Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling: Advanced Practice at Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. I am embarking on my second career as a mental health professional after over a decade of service in law enforcement with the San Francisco Police Department. Working patrol was my first love and being a defensive tactics and physical training instructor at the San Francisco Police Academy was a great honor that led me to following this path into working with folks in a new capacity. Prior to my career in law enforcement, I was a Division I soccer player and served as an environmental volunteer in Madagascar with the Peace Corps. I am looking forward to working with first responders, older adults, the queer community, and all folks dealing with addiction issues.