Meet Our Providers

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.”

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.”

Victoria Sundell, MSW, LICSW

Here is Victoria Sundell in her own words:

Grief and Loss
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy certified (DBT)
Solution Focused Therapy
DC 0-5 Early Developmental Training
Areas of interest in OCD and Anxiety
Population: Ages 4 years and older

“In my therapeutic practice, I strive to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment to support individuals in their journey to change and grow. My work stems from a strengths-based perspective while using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) along with other approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and Growth Mindset.
I have been working in the Behavioral/Mental Health field since 1999. My areas of focus include: anxiety, stress management, depression, trauma, interpersonal issues, peer problems, mood, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and self-harm. I have experience working with individuals from age 4 to adult. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and staying active.”

Rick Valento, MSEd., LPCC

Here is Rick Valento in his own words:

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TFCBT)
Solution Focused Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Behavior Modification
Grief and Loss
Couples Counseling
Population: Ages 7 years and older

“I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2010. During this time, I have been providing services in the Duluth area to individuals and families ages 7 and up who have been experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties. I have extensive training in treating trauma related disorders as well as working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, mood, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties. I am passionate about helping clients meet their goals incorporating strengths-based approaches, while utilizing evidenced based treatment models. In my free time I enjoy traveling and spending time in the outdoors.”

Laurie Orbeck, MSW, LICSW

Here is Laurie Orbeck in her own words:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT)
Solution Focused Therapy
Relational Life Therapy/ Couples Counseling
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Informed (DBT)
Grief and Loss
Play Therapy
Population: Ages 6 years and older

“I have been working in Social Services for 30 years and began working as a behavioral/mental health therapist in 2005. My practice has included providing care to people from ages 4 to 104 and I also work with families and couples. My training has included many different areas including; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, and play therapy techniques to name a few. My focus is eclectic and strengths based and has included work on a range of issues, including; anxiety, depression, grief and loss, health challenges, trauma, co-occurring disorders, and managing serious and persistent mental illness.

When I am not working, I am most often with my children and our dogs. I enjoy hosting exchange students, traveling, and being outdoors in warmer weather and curling all winter. ”

Meet with our providers by scheduling an appointment today!