Summer Counseling is LGBTQIA+ celebrating and accepting, and has counselors who are experienced working with people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Summer Counseling is dedicated to being actively anti-racist and is constantly striving for cultural awareness and support in counseling. 

Summer Counseling's mission is to provide ethical mental health services and to participate in social justice advocacy with and for our community. This includes not just accepting, but celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and other minority communities along with advocating for mental health services to be more accessible to all. Summer Counseling is dedicated to supporting the passions of our employees and being an inclusive, fair, and welcoming clinic. We believe that through supporting your therapist's voice, your voice as a client is also heard.

Summer Counseling is  located on the Woodbury/Oakdale border, and serves various other communities, including Afton, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Stillwater, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, St. Paul, Cottage Grove, Newport, Inver Grove Heights, Maplewood, Hastings, and White Bear Lake. 

Our Therapists 

We have significant experience treating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, communication challenges, family dynamics, children of divorce, trauma, abuse, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Sensory Processing Challenges, Developmental Delays, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Grief, Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm, Medical and Health Issues.

Hello and good day!

I’m a mental health practitioner here at Summer Counseling in the CTSS program. Before this I was a positive support specialist and before that I was a chemistry teacher… and before that I taught English and history. I’m excited to work with teenage male-identifying clients to help with communication, emotional regulation, social skills, and more-while having the most fun possible!

When I’m not working, I like to play music, draw/paint, do some sports, snowmobile, read, watch documentaries, play video games, explore places, and talk to people. I also have 2 cats and I brush their teeth every night, and I have the scratches to prove it sometimes!

I am supervised by Emily Patrick, LICSW # 23646

Hello! I have a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Louis University, and I'm happy to join Summer Counseling as a CTSS practitioner. I love use my Occupational Therapy background to incorporate sensory activities for children and teens during skills work. I love animals, reading, and traveling with my family in my free time. I can't wait to meet you!

Hi my name is Belle. I provide CTSS as a Mental Health Practitioner. Before starting at Summer counseling, I worked with kids ages 2-7 who have autism as a Behavioral Practitioner providing ABA therapy. I have a BA in Criminology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth and I am currently in graduate school working on a masters degree in Social Work. In my free time I enjoy going on long walks with my dogs, watching movies with friends and attempting to cook.

I am supervised by Emily Patrick, LICSW # 23646

Bio Coming Soon...

I am supervised by Emily Patrick, LICSW # 23646

Hi! My name is Olivia and I am a Mental Health Practitioner in the CTSS program. I enjoy working with children and teens ages 6 and older on emotional regulation and communication skill building using creative, fun, and engaging activities. I graduated from North Dakota State University with a BA in social work and human development and family science. In my free time, I enjoy walking my dogs, knitting, and spending time with friends and family.

I am supervised by Emily Patrick, LICSW # 23646

Hello! I am a CTSS provider here at Summer Counseling. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with my BSW and am in a masters program for Social Work right now! I am excited to find ways to make skills training as fun as possible. In my free time I love to spend time in nature, go on hikes, read, and hang out with my family and friends. I’m looking forward to meeting you!

I am supervised by Emily Patrick, LICSW # 23646

Art therapy joins the magic of non-verbal communication with traditional talk therapy. I bring my passion for art and healing to help find solutions to life’s ups and downs. Anyone can benefit from creative expression, regardless of skill or ability. Art therapy allows for effective communication of feelings and experiences that are difficult to put into words.

Tiny is a lifelong artist and creator. His passions include creating and burning giant, kinetic effigies at art festivals, fire dancing and fabricating art vehicles. He welcomes all ages, identities & expressions and has more than twenty years of recovery experience.

Tiny is under the supervision of Jennifer Kokes, LPCC #1277.

Hi, my name is Keliana Thompson, and I'm excited to be joining the team as a counseling intern. I am currently completing my Post-Master's Certificate in Clinical Counseling and working toward my Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential.

My background is in supporting individuals and families with mental health and substance use challenges, and this internship is my first opportunity to work solely with children and teens. I'm especially looking forward to helping my clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to express themselves, and I'm excited to learn and grow alongside them throughout this process. My counseling style is warm, collaborative, and rooted in trauma-informed, holistic care. I believe that healing can be uncomfortable and difficult, but I strive to walk alongside my clients as they find and build their confidence and resilience.

Outside of counseling, I enjoy gardening, spending time with animals, and exploring ways to connect mind, body, and spirit. I'm grateful for the chance to learn and grow through this experience and to support children and families in meaningful ways. I am supervised by Jennifer Kokes, LPCC # 1277

I'm an art therapist who believes creativity can unlock parts of the mind and spirit that words alone can't reach. Art therapy is more than making something on paper-it's a full-body, sensory experience that helps people connect with their emotions, build new skills, and discover strengths they didn't know they had. I love working with neurodivergent and autistic individuals, as well as kids and teens with challenging behaviors, because I know that healing and growth don't look the same for everyone. My approach is holistic, rooted in equity and dignity, and grounded in the belief that every person deserves a safe and meaningful way to express themselves. Through art-making, I help clients find their own voice, their own rhythm, and their own path forward. I am under the supervision of Jennifer Kokes, LPCC #1277

Hi! I’m Rakiya (She/Her), and I’m in the final year of my Master of Social Work program with a Clinical Social Work specialization. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. My passion lies in supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges using a compassionate, collaborative, and strengths-based approach.

Hi, my name is Sam Montgomery, and I've recently joined Summer Counseling as a counseling intern as I finish my Master’s degree in Counseling at Adler Graduate School. Upon graduation, I will be working toward becoming a fully Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

I have always been drawn to understanding and supporting others, inspired from a young age by growing up in creative and alternative learning environments. I am especially interested in working with clients who have experienced unique life circumstances, helping them and their families navigate the challenges that can arise from those experiences.

I enjoy working with individuals and families as they process grief and loss, manage and develop emotional regulation, heal from trauma, and face other personal challenges. I am passionate about supporting clients on their mental health path by helping them build healthy coping mechanisms and communication skills that can create meaningful change in their lives, relationships, and communities.

In my free time, I enjoy nature walks, programming, cooking, drawing, and exercising. I am currently welcoming new clients and look forward to connecting with you. I am supervised by Jennifer Kokes, LPCC #1277.

-Samuel Montgomery

samuel.montgomery@mail.alfredadler.edu