Exciting Changes at Relate: Meet New Executive Director Joan Twiton

We’re proud to announce that Relate Counseling Center has appointed Joan Twiton as our new Executive Director.  

Joan comes to Relate Counseling Center with over two decades of healthcare management experience, including six years as CEO of Fordland Clinic, a federally qualified health center located in southwest Missouri. 

During her tenure at Fordland Clinic, Joan played a key role in the growth of the organization from a single-site independent rural health clinic to a multi-site FQHC. She brings with her a focus on results-driven organizational development and operational success that aligns perfectly with Relate Counseling Centers’ mission. 

Joan holds a bachelor’s degree from Augsburg University and a master’s degree in public administration from Missouri State University. Her passion for Relate Counseling Centers’ mission and her focus on results-driven organizational development and operational success makes her a clear choice for the next Executive Director of Relate Counseling Center. 

Please join us in welcoming Joan to the Relate Counseling Center family. We look forward to her starting on May 30th!

Sincerely,

Margy Herbert, Board Chair

Relate Communications May 15th, 2023

Posted In: Mental Health

“…And Then the Pandemic Hit” Parenting Group

For parents, the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging.

This new support group from Relate Counseling Center will give parents who are burnt-out from caretaking during the pandemic an opportunity to connect and process the difficulties of the past two years. Group facilitators will provide topics each week (ranging from managing work responsibilities and parenting duties, to navigating pandemic-related grief and anxiety) for participants to discuss and process.

Register for the group here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/221505696393159

• Group will meet every Wednesday at 7 pm from July 13 – August 17
• Group will be held in person at Relate’s Minnetonka office, but may be held virtually if there is participant interest
• The cost to participate is $10/session
• Group facilitators are Practicum Therapists Camryn Heckel, BA (checkel@relatemn.org) and Ally Unger, BA (aunger@relatemn.org)
• For questions or more information, please contact Aaron Rusnak, MSW, LICSW at arusnak@relatemn.org

Relate Communications June 2nd, 2022

Posted In: Mental Health

Middle School Process Group

Meets Tuesdays at 6 pm for 8 weeks starting March 15. Middle School is wild. But having a safe space to walk through the challenges
of academics, social drama, friendships and relationships, up and down emotions, and family stuff can help. Relate Counseling Center is offering an 8-week process group for middle schoolers to connect with one another and make sense of the wild world.

• Group will be held in person at Relate’s Minnetonka office
• The cost to participate is $75/session
• Insurance can be utilized to cover the cost of participation
• Group facilitators are Practicum Therapists Cole Nelson, BA
• (cnelson@relatemn.org) and Connor Grogan, BA (cgrogan@relatemn.org) Please email either facilitator by March 11 to register
• For questions or more information, please contact Aaron Rusnak, MSW, LICSW at arusnak@relatemn.org

Relate Communications March 7th, 2022

Posted In: Mental Health

High School Process Groups

Being a teen can feel overwhelming. But having a safe space to walk through the challenges of school, relationships, up-and-down emotions, and family stuff can help. Relate Counseling Center is offering two groups for high school students — one for guys and one for girls — starting in March and continuing through the end of the school year.

Guys Group

Will restart in Fall 2022

Girls Group

Beginning March 3rd, meets each Thursday at 6:15 pm Facilitated by Harjas Gill, BA, Practicum Therapist & Marwa Ibrahim, BS, Practicum Therapist

Location of the girls group is TBD (either in person or via Zoom). The cost to participate is $75/session; group can be billed to insurance. Click on links below to register online by March 1st:

• Girls group: https://form.jotform.com/220275550200138 

Contact Aaron Rusnak, MSW, LICSW at arusnak@relatemn.org for more information.

Relate Communications February 1st, 2022

Posted In: Mental Health

New Virtual Group – Managing Mom Guilt

Relate is proud to present a 6-week course for moms of young children. If you are a mother with children under the age of 6, you are welcome to attend this virtual processing group where we will use strategies informed by Cognitive Behavioral Theory and mindfulness practice to support your growth as a mother. This confidential group will be led by a pre-licensed therapist under direct supervision. There is no cost to participate, but the group is limited to six participants so don’t wait to register!  Group will meet every Monday at 1 pm, March 7 – April 11.

Week 1 – Maternal Mental Wellness

Week 2 – Identifying Thought Traps

Week 3 – Reflecting on Thought Traps

Week 4 – Freedom from Thought Traps

Week 5 – Self Care and Motherhood

Week 6 – Wrap up and Reflections

To register or for more information, please email Samantha Stroik, M.A., Doctoral Practicum Therapist, at sstroik@relatemn.org.

Relate Communications January 24th, 2022

Posted In: Mental Health

Teen Process Group

Being a teen can feel overwhelming! But having a safe space to walk through the challenges of school, relationships, up and down emotions, and family stuff can help. Relate Counseling Center is offering groups for middle schoolers and high schoolers starting in the Fall and continuing throughout the school year. Groups will be held weekly, meeting during after school hours, and will last the school year. Cost of the group can be billed to insurance. There will be separate groups for middle school girls, middle school boys, high school girls, and high school boys. If you would like more information, please contact Aaron Rusnak, MSW, LICSW at 952-932-7277 or arusnak@relatemn.org.

Relate Communications September 16th, 2021

Posted In: Mental Health