Diagnostic Assessment

A diagnostic assessment is a service provided by a qualified medical or psychiatric provider to determine whether medication may help with mental health symptom. This may include reviewing your symptoms and medications, discussing benefits and possible side effects, adjusting medications when needed, and monitoring your progress overtime.

Psychological Evaluation

Psychological evaluations are in-depth assessments conducted by a psychologist that typically include tests of intellectual functioning, personality characteristics, and mental health symptoms. A psychological evaluation answers a question in order to get someone the help they need. Psychological evaluations happen over the span of several appointments and involve written questions or an interview. Sometimes psychological evaluations are requested by other professionals or court services. First Street Center has psychologists who assess children, adolescents, and adults.

Individual psychotherapy is a process in which a person works with a mental health professional to learn new ways to cope with life’s problems. Sometimes this involves gaining greater self-understanding, getting needed support, relieving distress, improving self-esteem, or changing ineffective behaviors. First Street Center has a staff of qualified psychotherapists and psychologists who work with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or two therapists work with a small group toward the education or treatment of a particular mental health or behavioral issue. Examples may include anger management, the treatment of domestic violence, depression coping skills group, parenting education, or social skills training.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Known as DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an educational and therapeutic intervention to help people who have difficulty coping with emotions. Participants make a commitment to attend regular groups for a specified amount of time to learn new skills. Treatment includes individual DBT therapy, group skills training, skills coaching and crisis management.

Anger Management Group
This group teaches people to recognize the signs and levels of anger, and how to de-escalate and cope with various thoughts and impulses.

Treatment for Domestic Violence
This group is a structured therapy group to help those that have reacted in an unsafe or unkind way toward others. Participants work through steps and do written assignments to learn new skills.

Mental Health Connections
Mental Health Connections (MHC) is a coping skills-based group offered weekly at First Street Center for adults wanting to learn more about their mental health while connecting with others. Each group session is structured, starting with an opening activity, then psychoeducation taught by a facilitator, and lastly, time to practice the coping skill(s). The goal is to teach participants research behind the coping skills and practice them in a group setting to encourage integration into everyday life.

Adult ASD Group
This group provides a supportive environment for individuals with high-functioning autism. It focuses on learning healthy ways to manage social discomfort and improve relationship interactions.

At First Street Center we have medical professionals who provide advanced mental health diagnostic services and prescribe medication for mental health conditions.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a specialty in treating mental health symptoms and disorders. An advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse with advanced education and training, which allows them to perform advanced mental health assessments and prescribe mental health medications. These experts conduct a thorough physical and mental health history and then make recommendations for treatment that may include the prescribing and monitoring of medication to relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood swings, or disorganized thinking. Our psychiatry team treats children, adolescents, and adults.

(Through Carver County Contracted Crisis Services)

Sometimes a person will experience an acute mental health trauma or crisis which may be helped by psychotropic medications or by consultation with a psychiatric mental health professional. Carver County Crisis Services reserves time in our schedule for this purpose. All referrals for a Rapid Access to Psychiatry service must be made by the Crisis team. (See Crisis Services under the service area of this site).

Diane is licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Psychiatric Prescribing Nurse.

She provides medication management services to both general adult populations and people with developmental disabilities.

Diane is experienced in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings. Throughout her career she has worked with those who live with developmental challenges and also those who experience serious and persistent mental illness. She also practices the principles of inclusion and person-centered thinking.

Florence is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with about 24 years of nursing experience. Her focus for the last 5 years has been mental health, treating clients ages 5 and above with various disorders such as PTSD, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, bipolar, and schizophrenia. 

Florence's passion for nursing stemmed from a desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. To achieve this goal, she furthered her education after her first degree and obtained her RN education from Champaign, Illinois, and later went back to obtain her bachelor's and master's degree from Walden University in Minnesota state.

Florence takes pride in being an understanding and caring provider who treats each client with dignity and respect. Her nursing experience and psychiatric training enable her to provide holistic and evidence-based care to her clients. She takes the time to listen and work with the clients to develop an individualized and appropriate treatment plan that meets the needs of her clients. 

Alyssa is a Licensed Practical Nurse who assists our prescribers and supports clients of all ages. Alyssa has been with us since May 2024. Prior to this, she worked as a nurse in family practice and neurology. Mental health is important to Alyssa, and it is also a professional area of interest. Alyssa is invested in helping patients with their own mental health.

Amber is a Licensed Practical nurse who has been an LPN since 2005, working in behavioral health since 2011. Amber assists our prescribers and supports clients of all ages.

Amber values integrity, empathy, respect, and advocacy and believes that these aspects are at the heart of nursing. Amber strives to be a trusted source of comfort, hope, and healing for those navigating the intricacies of mental health.

Connie is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who provides individual therapy to clients aged 5 and older. Connie specializes in treating those who experience borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, disorders of childhood, and autism spectrum disorders. Connie also helps those who experience trauma, hoarding behaviors, and domestic and sexual abuse.

Sharon is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who provides individual therapy for clients aged 5 and older.

Sharon specializes in treating borderline personality disorder, serious and persistent mental illness, depression, anxiety, and disorders of childhood. Sharon also helps those who experience trauma, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and women’s issues.

Scott W. is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who provides individual therapy for clients aged 12 and older. Scott is a Clinically Certified Domestic Abuse Counselor and implements 3 groups for men and women that work to resolve relational violence.

Scott specializes in treating those with anger management and control issues. He also helps those who experience depression, anxiety, and developmental problems. Scott is skilled at couples and family therapy as well.

Katherine J. is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who provides individual therapy for clients aged 5 and older. She specializes in treating those struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, relationship issues, self-esteem challenges, trauma, and substance use.

Katherine believes that seeking therapy is a significant step toward healing and growth. Her goal is to co-create a nonjudgmental, safe space with clients, enabling them to share openly and honestly. Katherine uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindful self-compassion and also incorporates dialectical behavior therapy (D.B.T.) concepts into her work. DBT is a psychotherapy approach that helps people develop skills for coping with life's challenges. Katherine has a special interest and training in Interpersonal Neurobiology.

Dr. Michelle P. is a Licensed Psychologist who provides individual therapy for clients aged 10 and older. Michelle provides psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.

Dr. Michelle P. specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief/loss, life transitions, post-traumatic stress disorder, and serious and persistent mental illnesses. Michelle utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Insight Oriented Therapy, and supportive therapy.

Dr. Erin M. is a licensed psychologist who works with clients who are aged 12 and older. She provides individual, couples, and family therapy to clients experiencing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, life transitions, post-traumatic stress, and serious and persistent mental illness. Dr. Erin utilizes Cognitive Behavior therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Process Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (E.M.D.R.).

Her therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and tailored to each client's unique needs, strengths, and goals. She is committed to creating an inclusive, affirming environment that values diversity and thoughtfully considers the impact of cultural, social, and systemic factors on mental health and well-being.

In addition to therapy, Erin provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for adolescents and adults to assist with diagnostic clarification and treatment planning.

The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy has approved Aimee as a Supervisor of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors

Aimee provides therapy for those 7 years old and up. Aimee specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and adults who struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Diane provides the clinical direction and supervision of the Outpatient Clinic. She also provides therapy for a limited number of clients, including individual therapy for adolescents and adults.

Diane offers therapy for a wide range of adult and children’s issues. She specializes in treating those who experience sexual, emotional, or physical abuse, as well as low-risk sexual offenders. Diane is competent in treating mood disorders, adjustment disorders, and developmental issues in children. She also helps those who are coping with parenting stress, couple’s problems, grief and loss, oppositional children, ADHD, anger mismanagement, autism, and serious and persistent mental illness.