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Southwestern Mental Health Center Staff

Southwestern Mental Health Center has a multi-disciplinary staff made up of licensed psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health therapists, mental health practitioners, professionals and paraprofessionals. Consulting psychiatrists and nurse practitioners are also available at each office for psychiatric evaluation and medication management needs.

Staff by Location

Luverne

Luverne Office

216 E. Luverne Street
PO Box 686
Luverne, MN 56156
507-283-9511
507-283-9514, fax

Nicole Christenson, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with preschool aged children, children on the autism spectrum and individuals with developmental delays.

William Fuller, MD
Contracted Consulting Psychiatrist
Works in the Luverne, Pipestone, and Worthington offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry

Grace LaFollette, RN, CNP
Contracted Clinical Nurse Practitioner
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, medication management in hospital and office setting.

Mary C. Gehrke, MA, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in individual and family therapy, school-based services, community services, couples therapy, and critical incident stress debriefing.

Anne Marie Goraj, MA
Intensive Family Based Therapist
Works in Luverne and Pipestone offices of SWMHC

Larry Green, Ed.D., LP
Licensed Psychologist
Adult Day Treatment Coordinator, Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in adult age group, adult therapy, psychological testing, adolescent therapy, grief and loss, stress management, EAP counseling, disability assessments for Social Security, critical incident stress debriefing, and counsels military family member and veterans and families.

Scott K. Johnson, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Executive Director of SWMHC
Specializes in individual, family, marital and group assessment and therapy, adult SPMI issues, grief and loss, critical incident stress management.

Marya Manfred
Certified Peer Specialist

Christine Mann, BSW, LADC
Adult Community Support
IDDT Specialist
ARMHS Rehabilitation Worker
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Lisa Nafziger, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Homebased Counselor
Targeted Case Manager

Stacy Schepel, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in children, adolescents, adults and families. Provides outpatient therapy, school-based services and home-based therapy. Areas of interest include ADHD, opposition, group therapy, depression, parent-child conflict, anxiety and parenting skills.

Philip Voigt, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Outpatient Therapist
Works in the Luverne, Worthington, and Pipestone offices of SWMHC
Specializes in adult and older adult age groups; adult therapy, behavior modification, chronic illness, EAP counseling, family therapy, geriatric counseling, grief and loss, group therapy, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, critical incident stress debriefing, and sexual dysfunction issues. Sensitive to client spiritual/religion concerns. Will see school aged children, adolescents and developmentally disabled clients with mental health concerns.

Worthington

Worthington Office

1024 7th Avenue
PO Box 175
Worthington, MN 56187
507-376-4141
507-376-4494, fax

Nicole Christenson, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with preschool aged children, children on the autism spectrum and individuals with developmental delays.

William Fuller, MD
Contracted Consulting Psychiatrist
Works in the Luverne, Pipestone, and Worthington offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry

Grace LaFollette, RN, CNP
Contracted Clinical Nurse Practitioner
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, medication management in hospital and office setting.

Heather Bajema, Psy.D., LP
Licensed Psychologist
Specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, group, and family therapy settings. Specific issues identified but not limited to are: eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse, victimization, suicidology, and conduct problems. Provides psychological evaluations for children and adults, provides EAP counseling.

Brad Bonnett, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Works in Jackson and Worthington offices of SWMHC
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in providing systems-based mental health therapy with special interest in grief/loss, forgiveness and reconciliation, Christian and spiritual concerns, parenting, adoption, premarital and marital, PTSD/trauma, First Responders.

Jessica DeSchepper, MA
Intensive Family Based Professional

Lyle Gadda, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services
Adult Day Treatment

Tonya Grothe-Bumgardner, MS, LMFT, LPCC, NCC, RPT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist
Specializes in depression, anxiety, anger management, couples counseling in outpatient family and individual therapy sessions. Conducts outpatient play therapy sessions, and provides mental health services to adults, adolescents, and children struggling with inappropriate sexual behavior. Also provides EAP counseling and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Mark Harswick, MA
Mental Health Practitioner

Paul Horn, MSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services

Jane Jacobs, BS
Mental Health Practitioner

Lindsay Jenniges, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
School-Based Children's Therapeutic Services and Supports
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in school-age children and young adults.

Emily Learing, MA
Intensive Family Based Professional

Shelley Leopold, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Day Treatment, Community Support Program, Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services

Amy Otto, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, Community Support Program

Jeni Rae Peters, MA, LPCC
Intensive Family Based Manager

Patricia Philiph-Jones, MA, LP
Licensed Psychologist
Works in Worthington and Jackson offices of SWMHC
Outpatient Therapist, works primarily with the Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill Individuals Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group (DBT), Women's Skills Group & Men's Skills Group. Specializes in ADHD, child, adolescent, adult and older adult age groups; adolescent therapy, adult therapy, behavior modification, child therapy, chronic illness, EAP counseling, family therapy, geriatric counseling, grief and loss, psychological testing and sexual abuse.

Pat Sanders
Mental Health Practitioner

Pipestone

Pipestone Office

1016 8th Avenue SW
PO Box 85
Pipestone, MN 56164
507-825-5888
507-825-5880, fax

Nicole Christenson, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with preschool aged children, children on the autism spectrum and individuals with developmental delays.

William Fuller, MD
Contracted Consulting Psychiatrist
Works in the Luverne, Pipestone, and Worthington offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry

Grace LaFollette, RN, CNP
Contracted Clinical Nurse Practitioner
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, medication management in hospital and office setting.

Jeremy Adler, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services

Craig Boeddeker
Family Community Support Mentor

Amy Fry, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Outpatient Therapist
Home Based Counselor
Specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults in general outpatient therapy. Working on obtaining LMFT and Registered Play Therapy (RPT) designation.

James Horgan, MA, LP
Licensed Psychologist
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in working with children and adolescents, adults with serious and persistent mental illness, sex offenders with special needs, testing, family therapy, and corrections mental health.

Jari Johnson, MA, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in working with children, adolescents and adults in generally outpatient therapy, women's issues, depression, anxiety, grief issues, family therapy and play therapy.

Juli Kautz, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Specializes in outpatient therapy working with families, adults, adolescents and children.

Jane McGeath
Certified Peer Specialist

Kristina Meulebroeck, BS
Family Community Support Mentor

Tony Sorensen, Psy.D., LP
Licensed Psychologist
Specializes in depression, anxiety, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, and Psychological Testing.

Ashley Whipkey, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services

Windom

Windom Office

41385 US Hwy 71
PO Box 353
Windom, MN 56101
507-831-2090
507-831-0185, fax

Nicole Christenson, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with preschool aged children, children on the autism spectrum and individuals with developmental delays.

Grace LaFollette, RN, CNP
Contracted Clinical Nurse Practitioner
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, medication management in hospital and office setting.

Gail Barlow
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Community Support, Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services

Lucia Barron de Mehringer, MA
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, Adult Community Support, CTSS, Children and Adolescent Homebased Services and Provider of Interpreter and Translation Services.

Kerstin Cooley, MSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Works in Windom and Jackson offices of SWMHC

Miranda Schunk, MA
Mental Health Practitioner

Ree Tschetter, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Works in Windom and Jackson offices of SWMHC
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in adolescent and adult age groups; ADHD, adolescent therapy, adult therapy, couples, family therapy, grief and loss, group therapy, physical abuse and substance abuse.

Jolene Wirkus, Psy.D., LP
Licensed Psychologist
Works in Windom and Jackson offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with women impacted by domestic abuse; sexual abuse, anxiety disorders, depression, conduct disordered and oppositional adolescents, Psychological Testing. Coordinating facilitator of Domestic Violence/Abuse Intervention Project group.

Jackson

Jackson Office

401 West Street, Suite 0115
PO Box 27
Jackson, MN 56143
507-847-2423
507-847-2422, fax

Nicole Christenson, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with preschool aged children, children on the autism spectrum and individuals with developmental delays.

Grace LaFollette, RN, CNP
Contracted Clinical Nurse Practitioner
Works in Luverne, Worthington, Pipestone, Jackson & Windom offices of SWMHC
Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, medication management in hospital and office setting.

Cody Bell, BS
Mental Health Practitioner
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services

Brad Bonnett, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Works in Jackson and Worthington offices of SWMHC
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in providing systems-based mental health therapy with special interest in grief/loss, forgiveness and reconciliation, Christian and spiritual concerns, parenting, adoption, premarital and marital, PTSD/trauma, First Responders.

Kerstin Cooley, MSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Works in Windom and Jackson offices of SWMHC

Patricia Philiph-Jones, MA, LP
Licensed Psychologist
Works in Worthington and Jackson offices of SWMHC
Outpatient Therapist, works primarily with the Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill Individuals, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group (DBT), Women's Skills Group & Men's Skills Group. Specializes in ADHD, child, adolescent, adult and older adult age groups; adolescent therapy, adult therapy, behavior modification, child therapy, chronic illness, EAP counseling, family therapy, geriatric counseling, grief and loss, psychological testing and sexual abuse.

Ree Tschetter, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Works in Windom and Jackson offices of SWMHC
Outpatient Therapist
Specializes in adolescent and adult age groups; ADHD, adolescent therapy, adult therapy, couples, family therapy, grief and loss, group therapy, physical abuse and substance abuse.

Jolene Wirkus, Psy.D., LP
Licensed Psychologist
Works in Windom and Jackson offices of SWMHC
Specializes in working with women impacted by domestic abuse; sexual abuse, anxiety disorders, depression, conduct disordered and oppositional adolescents, Psychological Testing. Coordinating facilitator of Domestic Violence/Abuse Intervention Project group.

Other Facilities

Southwinds Assertive Community Treatment

909 4th Avenue, Suite C
Worthington, MN 56187
507-372-2155
507-372-2179, fax

Pam Hovdet, R.N.C.
Mental Health Nurse

Joan Kindt, R.N., P.H.N.
Mental Health Nurse

Brett Lehman, BSW
Mental Health Practitioner

Mary Liepold
Mental Health Practitioner

Julie Linseymeyer, RN, PMHNP-BC
Mental Health Nurse

Cyndi Morrison, BA
Mental Health Practitioner

Jill Toering, BS
Mental Health Practitioner

Debra Van Wettering
Office Manager

Louella Voigt, MSW, LICSW, LMFT
Social Work Specialist Senior/Team Lead

Tami Wesselink, BSW
Employment Specialist

Unity House Intensive Residential Treatment Service

1215 4th Avenue
Worthington, MN 56187
507-372-7671
507-376-5909, fax

Maddie Borah, RN
Registered Nurse

Tonya Grothe-Bumgardner, MS, LMFT, LPCC
Clinical Supervisor

Heather Kirchner, BS, MHPrac
Treatment Director

Shirley Martin, RN, BC, MHPrac
Registered Nurse

Other Staff

Case Coordinators

Certified Peer Specialist

Mental Health Practitioners

Mental Health Rehabilitation Workers

Help Is Available

Our Southwestern Mental Health Center professionals can help. Whether you are seeking care for yourself or your loved one, our caring team provides a wide range of programs tailored to your needs.
Browse our services »

Insurance Information

Most Health Insurance plans, Medical Assistance and other forms of third party payments are accepted. Residents of our five incorporating counties (Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles, Rock and Pipestone) who do not have insurance may be eligible for adjusted fees based on family size and income.