Welcoming April 20: Daniel Hoyt, PhD

Therapy is an act of courage, and Daniel believes it works best when it feels like a genuine partnership. He views his role as not to handing clients a script for their lives, but to help them discover their own voice within it.

Daniel works with adolescents, young adults, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, identity exploration, and the quieter struggles that do not always have a name. In therapy, he collaborates with clients to address both immediate concerns and the deeper patterns beneath them — not to dwell in the past, but to understand how it shapes the present and support intentional movement forward.

His clinical approach integrates Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), somatic and trauma-informed practices, mindfulness-based interventions, and Motivational Interviewing. What unifies these approaches is Daniel’s belief that meaningful change happens through small, consistent steps. He refers to these as “tiny promises” — manageable commitments clients make to themselves that build lasting momentum over time. He also conceptualizes therapy as building “Team You,” a collaborative process in which success is defined by the client’s own values rather than external expectations.

Daniel brings an unconventional and valuable background to clinical work. Prior to becoming a therapist, he spent more than fifteen years as a learning scientist and organizational consultant, studying how people learn, change, and grow. This experience continues to shape his therapeutic style: he is practical, meets clients where they are, and closely attends to what is and is not working in their lives.

Having lived and worked internationally and across diverse communities, Daniel welcomes clients of all ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and religious backgrounds. Affirming, respectful care is not an add-on in his practice — it is foundational.

Daniel welcomes individuals who are ready to explore what growth might look like for them, even if they are unsure where to begin, and invites them to start with a conversation.

Welcoming in May: Janelle Mellgren Holm

Janelle brings 26 years of experience in elementary and middle school education — as a teacher and administrator across multiple districts — to her work as a counseling intern. Her years spent connecting with students, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds deepened her awareness of the emotional and developmental needs that go beyond academics, and ultimately drew her toward a career in counseling.

She is completing her internship under supervision while finishing her Master's in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary's University. She also holds a Master's in Reading Education and an Education Specialist degree from the University of St. Thomas, and a Bachelor's in Education from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

Janelle believes wholeheartedly that her clients are the experts in their own lives. She takes a strengths-based, developmental approach grounded in existential and Adlerian frameworks, with a focus on meaning, purpose, belonging, and contribution. She sees her role as creating a space where safety and genuine curiosity make room for growth and self-discovery. Janelle has a particular love for working with children, adolescents, families, and adults navigating life transitions — walking alongside them as they find their footing and their place in the world. When she's not in session, Janelle enjoys traveling, gardening, and hiking local trails.

Welcoming in September: Julia Rose

Julia (she/her) is a pre-licensed LPCC candidate at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She brings warmth, curiosity, and collaboration into her work, offering a nonjudgmental space where clients can make sense of what they’re facing, reconnect with who they are, and move toward a life that feels more satisfying. Her integrative approach draws from person-centered, existential, and relational-cultural therapies, with a focus on connection, self-compassion, and authenticity. Julia is passionate about working with people navigating anxiety, perfectionism, relationship concerns, life transitions, self-esteem difficulties, or those simply seeking deeper self-understanding and support through life’s challenges. She approaches therapy through a social justice-oriented lens, honoring each client’s lived experience and the broader systems that shape their life. She believes therapy is a powerful space to reconnect with oneself, and is committed to helping others feel seen, understood, and empowered in their growth and healing journey