Patient Portal 218-727-3888
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
Home > Meet Our Providers
Get to know the clinicians behind your care.
Psychiatry Team:
Dr Kim Johnsnon

Welcoming New Patients

Kim Johnson, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Here is Kim Johnson in her own words:

“I am a Board Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner since 2011, with both my graduate and undergraduate backgrounds coming from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. I initially started my nursing career in the medical field and quickly learned that mental health was my passion. I have been working in behavioral health for over a decade now and my experience is with clients across the age spectrum. My client care centers around a collaborative and individualized treatment model. I believe in fostering growth through a comprehensive treatment approach that is guided by your needs and strengths. When I am not in the clinic, I enjoy spending time in the outdoors of Northern Minnesota.”
  • Available to clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Dr Melissa Maki

Welcoming New Patients

Dr. Melissa Maki, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Here is Melissa Maki in her own words:

“I have earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from the College of St. Scholastica and have been a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner since 2003. Prior to that, I have had 9 years of experience working as a RN. I had the opportunity to work at Bridge House (crisis mental health facility). It was there that I grew fascinated with psychiatry and decided to pursue graduate school and ultimately, doctoral education. I believe in treating my patients the way I would want my own family to be treated. Through this lens, I am able to empathize and understand my patients. Together we define individual treatment goals. The patient’s goals along with utilizing evidence based practice helps me to determine the best treatment for my patients. My patients’ treatment plans often include more than just prescription medications. They may include psychotherapy and a variety of other treatment options to help them reach their goals.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and our dog. I like to travel but I also like to stay home and relax.”
  • Available to clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Therapy Team:
Emily Lundgren

Welcoming New Patients

Emily Lundgren, MSW, LGSW

Here is Emily Lundgren in her own words:

“I am a licensed professional in the state of Minnesota. As a therapist, I enjoy working with individuals dealing with chronic pain, physical health challenges and disabilities, perinatal mental health concerns, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and women’s health issues. I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches including strengths-based, client-centered, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral informed therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and humanistic and narrative approaches. Starting a therapy journey can be scary, and I am considerate of creating a safe space where change can happen. In my free time, I enjoy being in nature, being with animals of all kinds, birding, fishing, traveling, photography, visiting state and national parks, and spending time with my spouse, son, and daughter.”

  • Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Informed
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Population Ages: 10 years and older
  • Available to clients in Minnesota
  • Not accepting Medica, United Healthcare, or UMR commercial insurance plans

Rachel Linder

Welcoming New Patients

Rachel (Rehbein) Linder, MS, NCC, LPC, LPCC

Here is Rachel (Rehbein) Linder in her own words:

“I’m a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of Minnesota and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Wisconsin. I have been working in the field since 2012 and my past experience includes working in a residential facility, an inpatient hospital setting, and in various outpatient settings. I specialize in work with LGBTQIA+ issues, including working with transgender and nonbinary individuals. I also specialize in chronic PTSD and treatment of childhood trauma. I enjoy working with ages across the lifespan, but am particularly fond of working with children. I’m trained in DBT, CBT, Clinical Hypnosis, Mindfulness, and many other therapeutic modalities. I am also trained in many different expressive therapies, such as Sandplay therapy, Play therapy, and Art therapy, and love to use creativity to enhance the therapy experience for my clients. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and hold a national certification in Trauma Focused CBT. I am client centered, and strive to use all of my training and specializations to individualize the therapeutic experience for all of the clients I see. I am a mother of a 14 year old boy, a stepmother to a 3 year old boy, and a loving partner. Family is very important to me, and I enjoy being in nature and going on trips with my family. In my free time, I love to hike, walk my dog, paint, draw, and foster my creativity.”

  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Grief Therapy
  • Strengths Based Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Family Therapy/Parent Training
  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Clinical Hypnosis
  • Child Centered Play Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Sand Play Therapy
  • Mindfulness Based Practices
  • Group Therapy
  • Person Centered Therapy
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Population Ages: 4 years and older
  • Available to clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Debbie Davis

Welcoming New Patients

Debbie Davis, MS, Ed, LPCC

Here is Debbie Davis in her own words:

“I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. I received my Master’s at UWS-Superior and have over 30 years experience. In my practice, I want to provide a safe and supportive space where individuals can be open in their efforts to make the changes they are seeking. Together we will look at your strengths and goals and focus on what you want to work on in therapy. I have strength in working with grief and loss. My other areas of focus are anxiety, stress management, depression, self-esteem and transitional changes in life. My approaches in therapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered, Mindfulness, Solution-focused and Narrative. Outside of therapy, I enjoy hiking, walking, hanging at my cabin, reading, spending time with my family and doing stained glass. I also love spending time with my Golden Retriever, Emma, a certified therapy dog and her sister Mollie. ”
  • Grief and Loss (ages 16 years and older)
  • Mindfulness based practices
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Strengths based Therapy
  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Solutions Focused Therapy
  • Person Centered Therapy
  • Population Ages: 18 years and older
  • Available to clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Sam Sakry

Welcoming New Patients

Sam Sakry, MSW, LICSW

Here is Sam Sakry in her own words:

“I offer counseling services to individuals, couples, and families, with a focus on trauma-informed care for disadvantaged and underserved populations. With a rich background in social work, mental health, and human sexuality. I have experience working in community-based and correctional settings in the Twin Ports area, addressing issues such as domestic violence, sex trafficking, mental health, and support groups. My therapeutic approach is rooted in affirming and empowering clients through a judgement-free, trusting relationship. I utilize various treatment modalities, including hard reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Viewing therapy through a trauma-focused lens, I aim to help adults develop skills and coping strategies to better manage emotions tied to common stressors or traumatic events.”
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Strengths-Based Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Couples Therapy
  • Population ages: 12 years and older
  • Available to clients in Minnesota 
Elliott Kunerth

Welcoming New Patients

Click here for video bio!

Elliott Kunerth, MSW, LICSW

Here is Elliott Kunerth in his own words:

“I provide a range of counseling services to adolescents and adults seeking therapeutic support in navigating life challenges. Through a trusted relationship, I help clients build and implement effective coping skills to manage mental health symptoms, obtain support through difficult life transitions, and find empowerment through personal transformation. As a trauma-focused therapist, I support clients in processing and recovering from traumatic experiences through a person-centered and culturally responsive lens. Using evidence-based practices, I offer a warm and supportive approach to therapy that caters to your individual needs and treatment goals. I have a background in psychology and human sexuality, and significant experience working with diverse populations and underserved communities. Since receiving my Master of Social Work degree in 2023, I have provided psychological services to individuals, couples and families in both outpatient and forensic based settings. I am particularly passionate about the LGBTQIA+ community and have devoted much of my life to social advocacy and education. As a clinician, I specialize in gender-affirming care for the transgender community and have provided numerous support letters for clients in transition. Outside of my working profession, I enjoy abstract painting, Zelda games, and spending time with family.”
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Informed
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Guided Meditation
  • Strengths based Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Couples Therapy
  • Harm Reduction
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Person Centered Therapy
  • Population Ages: 12 years and older
    • Evening Therapy Appointments
Office Staff:
Kassie Nelson

Kassie Nelson, Practice Manager

Here is Kassie Nelson in her own words:

“As the Practice Manager of Northern Waters Clinic, I strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for anyone that enters the office. My goal is to ensure that all of our clients have a smooth experience obtaining mental health care. I thoroughly enjoy working with so many wonderful staff and patients. I am a recent graduate in healthcare administration and am working towards obtaining my masters degree. When I am not in the office I enjoy cooking and baking, reading, and spending time with my family.”
Katrina Sandstrom

Katrina Sandstrom, Office Support Staff

Here is Katrina Sandstrom in her own words:

“As the office support staff at Northern Waters Clinic, my goal is to build rapport with our clients. I want all of our clients to know they are going to be taken care of. I am here to assist the office manager, clinicians, and our clients, so that our office can run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I have a few years of medical office experience and really enjoy this field. I was born and raised right here in Duluth, I love it here (besides our cold and long winters)! I enjoy time with my kids and anything outdoors.”

Meet with our providers by scheduling an appointment today!