Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a safe, compassionate, and empowering environment for individuals, couples, and families affected by trauma, addiction, and other challenges that interfere with relationships. We are committed to integrating trauma-informed principles into our therapeutic approach, fostering resilience, healing, and personal growth. Through collaboration, understanding, and evidence-based practices, we aim to support our clients in reclaiming their narratives, enhancing their well-being, and building healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Our Vision

Our vision is to foster a world where authentic connections thrive and where individuals, couples, and families embrace growth and healing in their relationships. We envision a safe and nurturing environment that empowers individuals to communicate openly, resolve conflicts with compassion, and cultivate deeper understanding. Through our commitment to holistic, evidence-based approaches, we aspire to transform the narratives of love, creating resilient bonds that enrich lives and strengthen communities.

How we work with you to solve problems

We believe that therapy is a collaborative endeavor between the therapist, the client, and the client’s family, partners, and friends. Your therapist will use their knowledge and skills to facilitate growth that will have a long-lasting impact on your life and the world around you.

We use Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy theory to help solve problems. Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy theories utilize a systemic, non-pathologizing lens to deconstruct problems that you may be experiencing. Your therapist will look more broadly at the patterns, dynamics, and relationships within your life that maintain the problems you experience. Like throwing a pebble into one end of a pond, ripples can be felt on the other side; small changes in one area of your life will influence others. Together in therapy, we will move through some of the most difficult times in your life and identify solutions that will help you meet your goals.

We believe in the power of connection and the human capacity for resilience. We strive to build connections and resiliency in your life by creating a safe space to heal from emotional pain and overcome your struggles. Together we will work towards the person that you want to be.

We are honored to have the privilege to witness how courageous and strong the human mind and spirit can be.

about the Director, Elsa Kraus

About Elsa (she/her/hers): I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin with my parents and older brother. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where I met my loving husband and best friend. We moved to Portland, OR, where I received a Masters degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Lewis and Clark Graduate School in 2016.

I have been working with families since 2010 and have been clinically helping individuals, couples, and families along their journeys since 2013. I lead with empathy, compassion, openness, collaboration, and humility. I believe we all have a wealth of strengths that help us to get through difficult times.  We will uncover and reinforce those strengths to live a life filled with more hope, joy, and passion. 
I have worked in a state-funded problem gambling program, a residential treatment center for drug and alcohol abuse, and community counseling clinics where I provided services for many struggles that people experience, including: traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, addictions, communication issues, and parenting difficulties. I have also worked with families that have children who are gender diverse. I have specialized training to help people heal from traumatic stress resulting from experiencing and or perpetuating abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, financial), substance use, marginalization, discrimination, and oppression. I am trained in Narrative Exposure Therapy, an evidenced-based treatment which helps facilitate healing from traumatic stress and issues associated with traumatic stress, including depression and anxiety. I have also completed the basic training for an evidenced-based treatment for couples called Emotionally-focused Couples Therapy.   

I pursue my clinical interests on an international level, working closely with a counselor training institute in Fort Portal, Uganda. I have provided clinical services, clinical trainings, and classes in Uganda, and have received training from my Ugandan colleagues over the past 4 years. I have also taught classes in at UW-Stout in the Family Social Science program and co-taught classes as UMN-Twin Cities Family Social Science program.

I am passionate about strengthening relationships to create long-lasting change, and enjoy supporting organizations in developing systems that support well being. As a co-founder and consultant for Minnesota Trauma Recovery Institute, a non-profit organization committed to provided services and systems change for families involved in the criminal justice system, I analyzed how micro- and macro-level systems impact people at every level of the organization, and participate in facilitating discussion on how to develop an organization prioritizing well-being for everyone involved inside and adjacent to the organization. I also collaborated closely with developing a international non-profit organization called It Takes a Village, and also worked on advancing a branch of the organization called It Takes a Village: Uganda.

about the Therapist, Monique

About Monique (she/her/hers): I am mental health therapist certified in chemical dependency, and a life coach with 5 years experience coaching. My primary focuses are depression, anxiety, and relationship issues, in addition to substance abuse. My style is present-focused, solution-focused, and client-centered. I enjoy helping people and watching them grow, and strive to cheer you on in your path of development. I believe that humans are resilient. I believe the therapeutic relationship is one between equals who are growing and in the process of transforming together.

I am a therapist who appreciates and encourages my clients to come as they are, because I believe that this state of authenticity is where true healing begins. I love to create a warm, inviting space for healing, and I am passionate about teaching individuals how to deeply connect with themselves in order to strengthen their relationships with the self and others. I utilize evidence-based practices to help clients manage challenging life circumstances, reduce anxiety and stress, and accept their past so that it doesn’t continue to influence their future.

I believe in the importance of using creative expression as a source of healing and enrichment. Additionally, I have witnessed how powerful movement can be to help clients move through areas of their life where they are stuck or unfulfilled. In my coaching practice I have used components of “Flow Theory,” a method of Positive Psychology, to help clients find meaning, clarity and personal freedom within. By implementing things such as dance, meditation, movement and conversation, clients learn how to discover their inner strength and power to overcome challenges.

about the Therapist, Miranda

About Miranda (she/her/hers): I am a second-year masters student at University of Wisconsin-Stout, currently training as a clinical intern under the supervision of Elsa Kraus. I have a BA in literature and creative writing from Luther College and a BFA in graphic design from the University of Minnesota. I’ve spent nearly two decades as a writer, designer, and art director—all of which have informed my work as a therapist.

My practice is grounded in systems theory and relational models. Together, we will view your experiences in the context of everyone and everything that has shaped your life. I use a trauma-informed approach and emphasize mind/body integration using somatic techniques proven to reduce symptoms of complex stress-related disorders. I believe we are all creative beings who are capable and deserving of pleasure, and will often incorporate art and play therapy models as a supplement to traditional talk therapy.  

I work with individuals, couples and families on issues related (but not limited) to: disordered eating, body image, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, childhood/family-of-origin issues, trauma, neurodivergence, life transitions, burnout, sexuality, and identity exploration. I especially enjoy working with teens, young adults, and new relationships.

As my client, you can expect to be greeted with genuine interest, warmth, and joy. Establishing an environment of mutual trust and respect is paramount, and I will approach your unique experiences from a non-judgmental and culturally-sensitive stance.

I am honored to do this work, and am excited to meet you!