Counseling

The Little Earth Counseling Program is focused on providing responsive, trauma-informed, relationship-based care for Little Earth residents of all ages. Our Youth, Teen, and Integrative Adult and Family Counselors provide mental health services in one-on-one, family or group sessions and programming offered by the Youth Empowerment Program and Adult and Family Empowerment Program. Children, teens, adults, and families can access counseling services in whatever capacity they feel most comfortable, which is a critical step in breaking down barriers to mental health services and promoting community resilience.

Our program empowers residents to promote their own well-being by accessing the mechanism of healing that they personally find to be the most valuable. We offer a wide variety of opportunities for healing and allow residents to choose which options best meet their needs. We have found this structure to be profoundly trauma-informed; by placing counselors directly into the programs that residents attend, we are literally meeting the residents of Little Earth where they are at.


  • Adult and Family Therapist

    Meet Suzy, our optimistic, Two Spirit, and nonbinary Adult and Family Therapist. They are a descendent of the Southern Cheyenne. and have been working in the community since 2023. Suzy is from Oklahoma and Texas, has lived in California, and found their way to Minnesota! Suzy received their undergraduate degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, with a degree in Psychology, and minor in Biology. Currently, they are a doctoral candidate at Palo Alto University working to receive their degree in Clinical Psychology, with a specialty in working with Queer populations. They love doing their nails and snuggling with their cat, Harley.


  • Youth and Family Art Therapist

    Meet Lainey, our passionate and kind Youth and Family Art Therapist from Omaha, Nebraska.  She has plans to complete her Art Therapy and Counseling graduate degree in March 2025 from Adler University. Lainey has been working in the community since 2022, and loves it. She enjoys taking her art therapy golden retriever, Scout, on long walks. Additionally, Lainey loves doing various crafts like embroidery and painting, and thrifting!


  • Counseling Director

    Meet Daniel, our driven and outgoing Counseling Director. Daniel grew up in Minnesota and went to school at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities to receive his Bachelor's degree in Developmental Psychology. Starting in 2020, he worked as a preschool teacher at Baby Space for two a half years. Since then, Daniel has stepped into the Director role of the program. He has formed many meaningful and positive relationships with the kids, adults, and staff. Daniel loves to spend time with his fiancé, Rachel, his two dogs, and add to his Jordan 1 collection!


  • Counseling Program Coordinator

    Meet Kenna, our compassionate Counseling Program Coordinator. After attending Minnesota State University, Mankato where she received her undergrad in Public Health, she started her career at Little Earth.  Kenna tends to the Apothecary and continues to educate herself about herbal remedies. She has formed great relationships with the youth and elders and loves being involved in the weekly community events. When she is not working, Kenna loves to workout, read, and take care of her leopard gecko!

  • Youth Counseling

    All the counselors are dedicated to providing trauma-informed, relationship-based care to the children of Little Earth. The Youth Counselor conducts one-on-one counseling sessions with children and families at Little Earth, breaking down traditional barriers to accessing mental health services.

  • Teen Counseling

    Our team works closely with teenage residents to promote identity building and lifelong well-being. The Teen Specialist visits surrounding middle schools and high schools to strengthen relationships and serve as an advocate and resource for teens.

  • Integrative Adult and Family Counseling

    Our therapists provide individual adult and family-centered mental health services is a variety of different ways. The Integrative Adult and Family Therapy teams offers one-on-one and family sessions. Together they bring art therapy, play therapy, as well as plant medicine, energy healing, and other holistic approaches to mental health care.