CBT

Highlight therapy: CBT

MA, LMFT

Allison Merriman,

Psychotherapist,

pronouns: she/her

Independent Contractor

As a contractor, this provider may set separate or additional policies outside of those set by Mindful Way Counseling, LLC.
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Populations:

Practice Areas:

Therapy Types:

About This Provider:

Allison’s approach is warm, collaborative, client-centered, and grounded in connection with a bit of humor along the way. She believes that effective therapy starts with trust and she works to create a space where clients feel safe, seen, and supported. Allison will follow a client’s lead when it comes to goals for therapy and she will always be honest with clients – offering ideas, reflections, and gentle challenges – as they work together. Allison supports each client in a way that fits their unique story and goals, drawing from a variety of therapeutic approaches. She pays close attention to how the mind and body work together because what we feel emotionally often shows up physically, too. Trauma can live in the body long after the events have passed. Our nervous systems carry stories from our experiences, even when we cannot put them into words. So, Allison incorporates body awareness into therapy and helps clients tune into their bodies’ signals and reactions. Allison welcomes and affirms people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences – including all races, cultures, bodies, sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures. Everyone deserves a space where they feel respected and understood. Allison is also a Board Approved supervisor.
Allison typically works 4 days per week. Allison is also a board approved supervisor.

Payment & Insurance Information:

For Private Pay Clients: Provider is a Fully Licensed clinician and charges the “Fully Licensed” Fee.

Information about fees can be found here. 

We do not participate with or bill to Hennepin Health, Tricare, or Medicare Plans, even if a plan is associated with a company we are in network with, or if you have a secondary insurance with a company we are in network with. 

Independently licensed providers work with very limited number of EAPs, and insurance participation does not guarantee specific EAP network coverage. **Supervised clinicians cannot accept any EAP benefits.**

Always check with your insurance to be sure that we are in network.  ** For supervised providers, all insurances are billed at full insurance rates under the supervisor’s name and license, and reimbursed at the insurance contracted rates**

Do you have questions about how insurance coverage works? Check out our FAQs and Understanding Insurance 101 guide. 

Experience: ​

Masters in Counseling Psychology with Family Psychology Concentration, University of St. Thomas
Bachelors in Psychology, Gustavus Adolphus College
Allison has worked in the mental health field for 20 years with a strong focus on trauma healing. Her work experience includes providing therapy services in community corrections, children’s shelters, residential treatment, DBT programs, and outpatient mental health in medical clinics and private practice settings.

MSW, LGSW

Mai Lao,

Psychotherapist,

pronouns: she/her

Independent Contractor

As a contractor, this provider may set separate or additional policies outside of those set by Mindful Way Counseling, LLC.
Request an Intake

Populations:

Practice Areas:

Therapy Types:

About This Provider:

Mai provides a warm, supportive, and nonjudgemental environment, where clients can feel safe to explore the important areas of their life and their therapy goals. Mai’s curious, yet grounded nature brings a sense of calm and ease to the therapy space. She works to provide a culturally sensitive approach for all clients, where clients can be heard and understood. With empathy, Mai hopes to support clients from all walks of life, including clients who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), including those in the Hmong community, and LGBTQIA+ clients.
Mai typically works with clients 1 day a week. Mai has a Master’s Degree, and an LGSW license, and is working under the supervision of Andrea Patten, LICSW while she ultimately works toward her independent clinical licensure (LICSW).

Payment & Insurance Information:

For Private Pay Clients: Provider is a supervised clinician and charges the “Pre-Licensed” Fee.

Information about fees can be found here. 

We do not participate with or bill to Hennepin Health, Tricare, or Medicare Plans, even if a plan is associated with a company we are in network with, or if you have a secondary insurance with a company we are in network with. 

Independently licensed providers work with very limited number of EAPs, and insurance participation does not guarantee specific EAP network coverage. **Supervised clinicians cannot accept any EAP benefits.**

Always check with your insurance to be sure that we are in network.  ** For supervised providers, all insurances are billed at full insurance rates under the supervisor’s name and license, and reimbursed at the insurance contracted rates**

Do you have questions about how insurance coverage works? Check out our FAQs and Understanding Insurance 101 guide. 

Experience: ​

Masters in Clinical Social Work, St. Catherine University
Bachelors in Social Work, The College of St. Scholastica
Mai completed multiple internships, including completing her Master’s clinical internship at Mindful Way Counseling. Additionally, she completed a prior internship at a skilled nursing facility, supporting residents in long and short term care, as a liaison between residents and families for their care, concerns, and discharge goals. In the past, she has worked leading a teen girls leadership program focusing on academic support for college preparation, resume building, and leadership skills.

MA, LPCC, LADC

Pa Nodalo,

Psychotherapist,

pronouns: she/her

Independent Contractor

As a contractor, this provider may set separate or additional policies outside of those set by Mindful Way Counseling, LLC.
Request an Intake

Populations:

Practice Areas:

Therapy Types:

About This Provider:

Pa offers transparency, kindness, humor, and empathy to nourish the therapeutic relationship to grow and encourages autonomy to empower clients to feel confident and self-assured. Pa sees her clients holistically and believes in partnering with her clients. She works together with her clients to find the root of the problems, discover unmet needs, and help clients gain tools to flourish in their lives again. Pa enjoys working with a wide variety of clients including those who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA+. Pa incorporates an Integrative approach in therapy to meet the needs of each client. Pa currently sees clients virtually.
Pa typically works with clients 4-5 days a week, offering virtual visits.

Payment & Insurance Information:

For Private Pay Clients: Provider is a Fully Licensed clinician and charges the “Fully Licensed” Fee.

Information about fees can be found here. 

We do not participate with or bill to Hennepin Health, Tricare, or Medicare Plans, even if a plan is associated with a company we are in network with, or if you have a secondary insurance with a company we are in network with. 

Independently licensed providers work with very limited number of EAPs, and insurance participation does not guarantee specific EAP network coverage. **Supervised clinicians cannot accept any EAP benefits.**

Always check with your insurance to be sure that we are in network.  ** For supervised providers, all insurances are billed at full insurance rates under the supervisor’s name and license, and reimbursed at the insurance contracted rates**

Do you have questions about how insurance coverage works? Check out our FAQs and Understanding Insurance 101 guide. 

Experience: ​

Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego
Bachelors in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Metropolitan State University
Pa’s work experience includes establishing stabilization for families, youth, and children in the foster care system, short-term residential crisis counseling for adults who suffered from acute psychiatric challenges, and individual and group therapy for substance use intensive outpatient programs (she is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor). Pa has also provided services to the following populations: homeless, criminal justice involved, severe mental illness, and LGBTQIA+.

Intern

Kaitlin Eto,

Clinical Social Work,

pronouns: she/her

Master's Level Psychotherapy Intern

Now accepting clients for her intern year.
Request an Intake

Populations:

Practice Areas:

Therapy Types:

About This Provider:

Kaitlin takes a warm and empathetic approach to therapy and believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to the process. She strives to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel comfortable being themselves, sharing their stories, and exploring what brings them to therapy. Kaitlin sees clients as the experts in their own lives and growth, and considers it a privilege to learn their stories, and support them along the way. She uses a strengths-based approach and hopes to help clients recognize their own strengths and feel empowered in their ability to navigate life’s challenges. She also believes in the importance of mental maintenance and making the time to slow down, check in with ourselves, and care for our mental and emotional well-being before life feels like too much. Kaitlin aims to meet clients with empathy, authenticity, respect, and genuine care, while making room for laughter and humor when it feels right. She welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences and brings a calm, positive energy to the therapy space. Life gets hard and sometimes you just need someone to walk it with you.
Kaitlin typically works with clients 2.5-3 days a week. Kaitlin is working toward a Master’s Degree and is working under the supervision of Franceska Moua, LICSW.

Payment & Insurance Information:

For Private Pay Clients: Provider is a supervised clinician and charges the “Intern” Fee.

Information about fees can be found here. 

We do not participate with or bill to Hennepin Health, Tricare, or Medicare Plans, even if a plan is associated with a company we are in network with, or if you have a secondary insurance with a company we are in network with. 

Independently licensed providers work with very limited number of EAPs, and insurance participation does not guarantee specific EAP network coverage. **Supervised clinicians cannot accept any EAP benefits.**

Always check with your insurance to be sure that we are in network.  ** For supervised providers, all insurances are billed at full insurance rates under the supervisor’s name and license, and reimbursed at the insurance contracted rates**

Do you have questions about how insurance coverage works? Check out our FAQs and Understanding Insurance 101 guide. 

Experience: ​

In Progress: Masters in Social Work, University of St. Thomas
Bachelors in Psychology, University of Minnesota
Kaitlin has completed a prior internship in the Autism Day Treatment program at St. David’s Therapeutic Center, supporting mental health practitioners in play therapy, using Greenspan Floortime Play Therapy. She gained experience in this child-led play therapy to support regulation, engagement, and communication. She has also spent 15+ years working in the restaurant and service industry.