Compassionate care.
Meet the Team
About Us
Solutions Counseling Services was established in 2003, proudly serving in Breckenridge, Minnesota for nearly 20 years. In 2019, Solutions Counseling Services grew by merging with another counseling agency and became Birchwood Therapeutic Services. Since then, we have expanded into other communities – Fargo ND and Grand Forks ND.
We stand apart from other therapy practices because we value holistic and innovative approaches that have shown true success. Research has shown traditional talk therapy may not been as effective for some individuals. Therefore, the providers at Birchwood Therapeutic Services continually strive to bring groundbreaking therapeutic approaches to our clients.
Our mission is to help our clients find their voice while on their path to healing.
Our Staff
Breckenridge Office
Pamela Thompson, LICSW
She loves reading, landscaping, family time and taking classes to improve her ability to help her clients.
Ashley Thompson, M.Ed., LPCC – SUP
Ashley believes we all have a story but that does not have to define who we become.
Kallie Marsh, M.Ed., LPCC
Kallie believes in using an empathetic and holistic approach that empowers individuals and families to find solutions to their problems and reach their self-determined goals.
Allie Skjonsberg, LICSW
I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy as life throws a lot at every single person and it’s nice to have a neutral person to talk to and process life with.
Marissa Perry, M.Ed., LPC
I am passionate about connection and client empowerment. I use individualized tools, techniques, and an integrative therapy approach to meet your individual needs and to help you find self-worth and balance within your daily life.
Sheyenne Hokit, LPC
I have a passion for helping my clients become the best they can be and empower them to go above that.
Nicky Besette, LGSW
I know therapy can be scary or intimidating but I will be here to help you in finding a healthier, happier you! Building a healthy and trusting relationship with my clients is important to me. I look forward to meeting you and I am excited you are here!
Bridget Forst, LGSW
I believe we all have internal strengths and resiliency we can build upon. Sometimes this involves taking a deeper dive within ourselves to cultivate those strengths. Therapy can be a powerful way to help organize, make sense of, and reshape those certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can often make life feel difficult.
Fargo South Office
Ashley Thompson, M.Ed., LPCC – SUP
Ashley believes we all have a story but that does not have to define who we become.
Jamie Newberger, M.Ed., LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
I am passionate about working with individuals who are healing from painful situations in life, and who feel stuck in old patterns that just aren’t working anymore. Whether you are having difficulty communicating your needs or emotions, facing hard choices, or lacking direction, change is possible. You don’t have to continue feeling stuck or overwhelmed, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Stephanie Schafer, M.Ed., LPCC-SUP, NCC
I take an inviting approach to counseling, and collaborate with my clients in their healing. I believe people to be resilient, and know that we all get “stuck” sometimes. I work with my clients to identify their strengths and resources to get “unstuck” and move toward thriving in their lives.
Heidi Leckner, LPCC
In my counseling work I utilize a humanistic approach, which is the belief that each human is not only unique, but also has the innate ability to overcome life’s hardships and pursue growth. When you are in counseling with me, I will hear you. Most importantly, I will provide you with support and validation while I assist you with your journey of self-improvement and healing.
Reid Segal, M.S., LAPC, NCC
Reid decided she wanted to be a counselor at 12 years old when she met with her own counselor for the first time. She has seen the benefits of therapy from both sides of the couch and is passionate about offering a welcoming and unintimidating therapy environment where she collaborates with her clients as an equal.
Denise Hellekson, LPCC, LISW
Denise believes one of the greatest investments we can make in life is the investment in ourselves, and one of the wisest choices we can make is reaching out for assistance when we need support along the way.
Natasha McDonnell, LSW
Natasha believes that every journey is unique and that every individual should have equal opportunities to experience their life with as much confidence, determination, and self-love as possible while understanding the barriers and road blocks that life may give us along the way. She will use a collaborative approach to help you find solutions that will work for you as an individual.
Fargo West Office
Cheyanne Hart, LCSW
I strive to empower youth in finding their strengths and utilizing them with the help of their caregivers. I also enjoy working with families and individuals to improve overall functioning through a strengths based, client centered practice.
Austen McFarren, MS, LPCC
Austen’s clients describe him as gentle, patient, genuine, non-judgmental, warm, flexible, sarcastic, and witty. Austen’s clinical foundation is in humanistic approaches, while also utilizing tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy.
Denise Hellekson, LPCC, LISW
Denise believes one of the greatest investments we can make in life is the investment in ourselves, and one of the wisest choices we can make is reaching out for assistance when we need support along the way.
Kaitlin Hetland, LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
I work with people to help them highlight and build on their strengths and focus on what is truly important to them. I can work with you to help when you are dealing with overwhelm, difficult change, worry, sadness, past hurts, family and relationship problems, and other hard things.
Kyle Sundberg, LAPC
In my counseling, I use an Acceptance and Commitment based approach (ACT). ACT incorporates traditional therapies with mindfulness-based skills, while acknowledging that your existing strengths and values are important in moving towards your goals. I also believe that the therapeutic relationship that develops in counseling is an important part of the healing process. I look forward to providing you with an environment in which you feel safe to grow.
Jennifer Schillinger, MS, EMBA
Jennifer believes in warmly embracing who we are, while gently moving towards authentic personal, professional, relational, and communal wholeness. She loves helping clients find meaning, and identifying how their strengths can be leveraged to meet their goals.
East Grand Forks Office
DeNae Haagenson, M.Ed., LPCC
A Minnesota native, DeNae has raised her family here and is active in her community.
Grand Forks Office
Amanda Weston, LPC (MN), LAPC (ND), NCC
Counseling provides a safe space for hope to grow. I believe that every person is the author of their own story and healing can happen as we navigate the writing and rewriting of our story. It is a privilege for me to support you along your journey.
Jennifer Schillinger, MS, EMBA
Jennifer believes in warmly embracing who we are, while gently moving towards authentic personal, professional, relational, and communal wholeness. She loves helping clients find meaning, and identifying how their strengths can be leveraged to meet their goals.
Natasha McDonnell, LSW
Natasha believes that every journey is unique and that every individual should have equal opportunities to experience their life with as much confidence, determination, and self-love as possible while understanding the barriers and road blocks that life may give us along the way. She will use a collaborative approach to help you find solutions that will work for you as an individual.
Telehealth Providers
Amy McIntosh, M.S., M.Ed., LPC (MN), LAPC (ND)
It is my firm belief that there is nothing wrong with you, instead I'd ask you: what has happened to you? Many of our struggles in this life are due to circumstances out of our control. In our work together, I hope to support you in seeing how many gifts you have, and how you can wake up feeling joy, peace, and genuine appreciation for yourself and those around you. I look forward to meeting you!