About Our Practice & Approach to Therapy

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PHILOSOPHY

TEAM

PHILOSOPHY

TRAINING AND APPROACH TO COUNSELING: 

Our approach is informed primarily by psychodynamic principles. We emphasize creating a safe, supportive environment in which you can explore your own experience and gain insights into your underlying feelings and thoughts. Together we will uncover deeply held assumptions that may have been useful at one time, but currently reinforce ways of coping in the world that are no longer effective or relevant. With a therapist’s guidance you can learn a range of problem-solving options that may be new, or that may have previously felt out of reach or uncomfortable due to an internal conflict.

Over time, old patterns of thinking and behavior become more easily recognizable. Therapy can help you perceive the consequences of your patterns, understand the meanings of your patterns, and manage your anxieties about change in order to open up exciting new possible ways of being in the world. We help you play with, practice, and live with the courage to function more independently and confidently in all aspects of life.

Contrary to misconceptions that therapy is forever “dredging up” old history and focusing on the past, our effective approach to therapy liberates you from your past. We study what has influenced you from your past in order to develop what the psychoanalyst, Melanie Klein, calls, “a mind of one’s own.” Therapy releases you from a history of reflexively responding to echoes from your past as though they were still present. We help you use this mind to live consciously in the present.

Depending upon your needs, we may also draw upon other approaches to psychotherapy (see below) when we feel that doing so will be helpful and appropriate to your circumstances.

Interested in learning more? Our “questions about therapy” section provides an overview of psychotherapy in general, and insight into our perspective and approach to psychotherapy.

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OUR WORK WITH CLIENTS IS BASED UP ON THE INTEGRATION OF A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY, PRIMARILY:


• Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Therapy (“Depth psychology”)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Existential Psychology
• Systems Theory
• Western & Eastern Philosophical Traditions
• Mindfulness Practice
• Play Therapy
• Choice Theory / Reality Therapy
• Rogerian Psychotherapy
• Recent discoveries in human development, attachment, emotional functioning and affective neuroscience

OUR TEAM

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Allie Wood
Adults, Couples

Suzana Mallard
Adults

Matthew Paymar
Adults

Christine Whitt
Adults

Laura Olson
Adults, Teens, Couples

Adam Cullen
Adults

Dylan Thaemert
Adults (St. Paul Location)

Ari Webster
Adults, Teens

Joseph Van Dorf
Adults

MATTHEW PAYMAR

ABOUT  ME: 

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota ( LPCC #cc00275 ), and California (LPCC #9600), and hold a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota. In addition, I have received advanced post-graduate training as a Psychotherapist Fellow at the Hamm Memorial Clinic in St. Paul. I am now the Clinical Director of a private practice in Uptown Minneapolis at Core Psychotherapy.

I have experience working with diverse populations of adults, adolescents, children, couples and families. In New York I both worked as an overnight suicide hotline counselor, as well as a caseworker for homeless adults and others recovering from mental illnesses. There, I helped them regain their self-confidence, recover their lives and re-enter society.

Today I work with many professional writers, artists, academics, other therapists, students, and entrepreneurs. My special interest is in the use of intensive insight-oriented therapy to raise awareness of internal conflicts that interfere with an individual’s efforts to make the changes they desire in life. Such therapy is particularly well-suited to people who feel “stuck” and are struggling with life transitions, identity crises, existential questions, and who have a genuine desire to pursue personal and professional growth.

I work with clients suffering from depression, manic-depression (bi-polar disorder), anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief, shame, adjustment, somatic, personality disorders. These categories can help to orient one’s thought, but oftentimes my clients may be better described as having become disoriented in a life that requires some changes.

RESUME

To read more about my background and experience, please see my resume.

BACKGROUND

I was born and raised in Minnesota. I studied at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, took some time off to travel around the world, returned to live in Boston and New York, and eventually found my way back to the Twin Cities to pursue my interest in the theory and practice of psychotherapy.

Adam cullen

ABOUT  ME: 

I am an LPCC candidate in the counseling psychology program at the University of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis. I view psychotherapy as a partnership where together we explore your unique thoughts, feelings, habits and struggles; finding solutions together that work for you.

My approach focuses on understanding the deeper patterns and experiences that influence how you see yourself and move through the world. We will examine closely the situation into which you were born. And consider what you had to adapt yourself to in order to survive. With this thorough understanding of the past, we can then find ways to make changes in the present. Only by having empathy for what shaped us are we able to make lasting changes in those parts of ourselves that are no longer helping us.

As a Queer therapist, I care deeply about helping other Queer folks thrive, including providing gender-affirming care -- but I also work with people from all walks of life. No matter who you are, if you’ve ever felt like an outsider, I’m here to create a space where you feel seen and supported.

I also have experience with those encountering grief/loss, self-esteem issues, and relationship difficulties. In a world that is growing increasingly complex and uncertain, I aim to provide a space outside of the noise where your concerns are treated with respect, attention and care.

BACKGROUND:

I earned my undergraduate degree in music therapy from Augsburg University in 2021. My background in music therapy informs my work, emphasizing creativity, self-expression, and connection.

Before becoming a psychotherapist, I worked in community mental health, supporting individuals with complex needs, as well as the developmentally disabled community—experiences that shaped my values and approach to therapy.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing guitar, collecting vinyl, hiking, and reading. I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered on their journey.

Suzana Mallard

ABOUT  ME: 

As a psychologist and internationally trained psychoanalyst, I am deeply committed to addressing mental health issues, with a particular focus on the psychological impacts of marginalization, migration, and diasporic identities. Psychoanalytic work resembles a poetic journey into one's own shadow, exploring the darker, lesser-known parts of our internal world. In my practice, I provide a culturally transcendent space where individuals can safely uncover and confront their innermost selves. This process not only alleviates psychological pain but also fosters an environment where individuals can articulate their suffering, begin to understand and reconcile inner conflicts and traumas, and build the trust necessary to embrace change.

I believe psychoanalysis is a profound journey of self-discovery that addresses discomfort and subjective suffering manifested as anxiety, symptoms, and inhibitions. This exploration is a commitment—an invitation—to delve deep into the essence of who we are. It challenges us to reassess our identities, desires, sexual drives, fantasies, and life choices, leading to significant shifts in how we engage with the world.

My philosophy is rooted in the belief that effective psychological treatment requires compassionate and informed mental health care, coupled with a profound appreciation of each individual’s unique cultural and personal narrative. This philosophy enriches both my clinical practice and research.

BACKGROUND

Born into a multilingual family and having navigated multiple cultures myself, I bring a personal touch to my professional endeavors. With over 18 years of international experience, I have developed a keen insight into the nuances of intercultural psychology. I hold a Ph.D. in Psychosociology of Communities and Social Ecology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Currently based in Minneapolis, I serve diverse communities, offering both individual therapy and group sessions aimed at addressing psychological vulnerabilities related to displacement and marginalization.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests focus on the intersection of migration, diasporic identities, marginalization, and their psychological effects. I am actively involved in academic research, teaching, and consulting, specifically in designing educational programs for mental health in underserved contexts.

Laura Olson

ABOUT  ME: 

As we grow up embedded in families and society, we often wall off parts of ourselves that we or others find ugly and unacceptable. I strive to create a safe and warm space from which we can uncover and tend to those parts. I work with people who are looking for ease from anxiety, relief from depression and sadness, and freedom from symptoms and patterns rooted in trauma or loss.

Primarily I work from a psychodynamic, depth-oriented perspective that includes attention to attachment and relationship patterns. Deep listening and empathy are at the heart of creating a meaningful therapeutic relationship for healing. Within sessions I also draw from the wisdom of mindfulness, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT). I am also certified as a music therapist (MT-BC).

Within each of us there is a healed and healing self we can call upon in times of suffering. Sometimes this part of ourselves has been buried under layers of fear and pain. Finding and trusting this self is the work of therapy.

BACKGROUND

I have a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from the University of Iowa. I have experience working with people who have experienced trauma and loss, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, end-of-life issues, neurodegenerative diseases, and developmental disabilities. I hold a special interest in working with individuals and families as they navigate fertility, birth, loss, and parenthood.

In my time away from work, you can find me with my nose in a book, baking bread, listening to choral music, and biking the cities.

Dylan THaemert

ABOUT  ME: 

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC #02459). As a therapist, my goal is to help you to (re)discover the inner resources necessary to live a fulfilling life in the face of whatever challenges you are experiencing today. Whether a painful inner experience like depression or anxiety or a devastating life circumstance like loss or trauma, I aim to partner with you to author a new story in which your preferred outcomes are honored and those painful experiences are integrated into your life in a way that allows you to move forward with confidence.

The therapeutic relationship is very important to me. I will take the time to listen to you intently. I will strive to know you and the full context in which you locate yourself. My work is guided by Psychodynamic Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, pronounced like the verb), Narrative Therapy, multicultural models, and an attachment-based framework. These modes of therapy incorporate mindfulness, metaphor, your values, and committed action to help you gain a greater sense of flexibility in your life. Together, we’ll look closely at how existing stories or beliefs about yourself and the world in general may be hindering progress toward your most cherished goals and look for ways to disrupt those narratives and replace them with ideas that are more functional and enriching.

BACKGROUND

I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in English in 2010. After several years in a career in digital marketing, I felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Nebraska Omaha, in my hometown. While there, my clinical experience included working with community members with a wide array of concerns at the UNO Community Clinic and working in a men’s state prison helping groups and individuals undertake major life changes and prepare for success upon release.

When I am not working with clients, I enjoy listening to music, spending time outside, and exploring the wonderful art and food that the Twin Cities has to offer. If you have questions about working with me, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to have a conversation with you to determine if working with me would be a good fit for you.

Joseph Van Dorf

ABOUT  ME: 

I hold a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Minnesota (LPCC #cc04571) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC #1736771). I view psychotherapy as an invitation into a collaborative relationship that can facilitate a life-long process of personal growth and self-discovery.

For many people, painful symptoms or difficult relationship patterns create the initial impulse to seek therapy, and at the beginning the desire for relief is a powerful motivator to keep returning. The primary insight of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, though, is that symptoms are meaningful communications from unconscious parts of ourselves calling out for a different kind of attention. In time, the focus begins to shift toward developing a new relationship with these parts, fostering curiosity and compassion for your inner experiences and for the necessary adaptations you have made throughout life to ensure your needs were met and you remained safe.

As we look together at the roots of your difficulties, insights will develop into the ways that old solutions have been perpetuated in the present and new possibilities for more satisfying ways of being will begin to emerge.

My work is informed by contemporary psychoanalytic theory and existential-humanistic therapy approaches. I work with adults in individual therapy from a variety of backgrounds and identities. In my experience, many kinds of people find benefit from my therapeutic approach. In particular, I specialize in working with people who are experiencing difficulties in intimacy and connection within their relationships, with men, and with members of the LGBTQ+ community. I have also found that artists, writers, musicians, performers, and other creative types are often well-suited to my approach.

BACKGROUND

I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in English literature from Bethel University. Prior to beginning my career as a psychotherapist, I spent over a decade working in residential and community-based settings with adults experiencing long-term mental health needs and as a systems administrator and data analyst for a mental health non-profit. I came to Core Psychotherapy while in graduate school to complete my master’s practicum experience. In 2022 I received my master’s in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas, and afterward I began working here at Core full time. When I am not at work, I enjoy reading, cooking, spending time in nature, and trying to help plants grow.

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. “Through the shelter of each other, people survive.”

ARi Webster

ABOUT  ME: 

I provide a non-judgmental space to honor our past, process our feelings, look at our relationship patterns and gain new understandings. My practice is trauma informed and I value the importance of recognizing systemic realties that affect our mental health and lived experiences. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and strive to provide a genuine, calm, and warm environment to contain our work.

I am an LPCC candidate in counseling from the University of Minnesota and hold a license as an Alcohol and Drug counselor. I work with those looking to gain insight and make positive changes during life transitions, processing trauma experiences, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, issues surrounding alcohol and substance use, and those wanting to explore life’s existential questions.

My approach is holistic with a foundation in psychodynamic, strengths-based approaches, mindfulness, the mind body connection, and feminist perspectives. Together we will explore your life experiences, examine personal and systemic stressors, and pursue changes to an ever developing sense of self.

BACKGROUND

I was born and raised in Minneapolis; I am excited to work with the community I came from. Early in my graduate work, I worked with young children with autism spectrum disorders and their families and enjoy family therapy services. While pursuing my education I have worked in the restaurant industry for the past 15 years. I’m an avid traveler and live to explore. In my spare time, I enjoy riding my bicycle around town, working as a freelance artist, and spending time outside with friends and family.

Christine Whitt

ABOUT  ME: 

It takes courage to seek support for your mental health journey. Often times, the daily discomfort that acts as the catalyst for doing so is rooted in past experiences and relationships that disallow you from showing up as your authentic self in the present. Psychotherapy serves as a tool to look inward and find the source. If you are experiencing relational difficulty, burnout from your work in the service industry, addiction, depression, anxiety, or having a hard time coping with loss or change - we will get to the bottom of it.

My approach to therapy is person-centered and grounded in psychodynamic principles, borrowing from Internal Family Systems, mindfulness and existential theory. I will serve as an empathic witness to your story and together we will consider your well-being through a holistic lens, taking into consideration all that you consume and surround yourself with.

I promise to provide a safe and non-judgemental atmosphere for this journey; I am queer friendly and I will hold space for your culture, identities and values. While our work together may not always be exactly comfortable, the fruits of your labor will prove plentiful.

Life is weird, let’s talk about it.

BACKGROUND

I have a bachelor’s degree in human geography from the University of Minnesota, where I spent my time researching the isms that are built into our lived environments. That knowledge coupled with my 33 year tenure in the restaurant business led me to the realization that one of my favorite parts of this life is understanding the histories of the people therein, because it goes a long way to figuring out what makes them tick. That curiosity drove me to pursue my graduate degree in counseling psychology from The University of St. Thomas, where I have spent the last 2 years learning techniques and theories to foster further exploration. Currently I am an advanced graduate student working towards the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Provisional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) designations.

My perfect day consists of animals, meditation, the natural world, learning, good food and connection to my people. I love to cook, travel, and watch things grow, myself included.

Allie Wood

ABOUT  ME: 

I am an LPCC Pre-Licensure Therapist in counseling psychology from Adler University. My presence as a therapist is empathic and gentle. In addition to being psychoanalytically-informed, I believe in a somatic approach that focuses on feeling safe in your body throughout therapy. Learning to listen to our body's needs and warnings allows us to heal.

If your concern is complex trauma or simply needing help adjusting to life changes, it would be my honor to work with you through the process.

From the time I was a young child I understood that we are connected beings. We impact the world we live in, and likewise, the world we live in impacts us. Alfred Adler describes this process as an individual being both the art and the artist. As we navigate our way through life, often we begin to notice the painful ways our environments and upbringing have impacted us. If this wounding is not honored, it can impact our relationships, health, and sense of self.

I believe this is where therapy can step in and help you find a path towards healing. Intuitively, our bodies have a depth of wisdom that many of us learn to ignore in order to function. Therapy allows you to slow down and, with support, lean into that sense of inner knowledge of yourself and your journey.

BACKGROUND

I am a mom of 5 kids, one of whom has complex medical conditions. The trauma that occurs from caring for a child with a life-threatening illness can live in your body for years. It might show up in painful memories or feeling distant in relationships, or even feeling guilty about simple acts of self-care. My personal experience with medical trauma and gaslighting informs my practice as a therapist. Balancing the anxiety around the care of your child with the need to advocate for their health is a heavy responsibility.

I love working with clients to find ways to honor themselves amid the intensity of caregiving. I see self-care as a caregiver as something that often comes in seasons; during a time when the weight of caregiving is all-consuming, we will establish manageable tools that allow for your brain and heart to relax for a moment. When you have the space and capacity, we can work to unpack stored trauma. If caregiving is among your concerns, my focus is to care for you as a caregiver and honoring the immense work you are doing.

As a child, I grew up in a ministry-focused home. As an adult, I have worked for years to unpack my own spiritual and religious trauma and continue to deconstruct unhealthy faith perspectives. How your faith and spirituality impact your future is a decision that is yours and only yours. What is essential is asking the questions that allow you to find your worth and identity in yourself as a valuable human.