Elsa Ehley, MSW, LGSW (she/her)

Office-Based Therapist
Eden Prairie

Elsa is an office-based therapist who specializes in working with children and families. Elsa received her BSW from St. Olaf College and her MSW in Clinical Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. Elsa is passionate about psychoeducation and person-centered care and utilizes CBT, DBT, play therapy, and mindfulness in her sessions. Outside of work, Elsa can be found running, trying NYT recipes, and spending time with loved ones.

Therapeutic Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Play Therapy

Specialties:Children, Families, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, ADHD

Certifications/Trainings:DC 0-5

Relate Communications January 10th, 2025

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Thalia Drori Ramirez (she/her)

Office-Based Practicum Therapist

Minnetonka Office

Therapeutic Modalities: Utilizing techniques from CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative, Mindfulness-Based and Mind/Body modalities, Art Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy

Relate Communications January 10th, 2025

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Lauren Doescher (she/her)

Office-Based Practicum Therapist

Eden Prairie Office

Lauren offers office-based therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. She is completing her Master’s in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health at the University of Minnesota and is currently supervised by a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker at Relate. Lauren believes in creating warm, supportive therapeutic relationships to meet clients where they are and create meaningful, lasting change. She supports clients through play, cognitive-behavioral techniques, an attachment focus, and trauma-informed care. Lauren identifies as a white, cisgender, queer woman and is looking forward to providing a supportive, judgment-free space for all clients. Lauren can be found hanging out with her foster cats, baking, or reading a good book when not in sessions.

Therapeutic Modalities: CBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Attachment Theory

Specialties: Children 0-5, behavioral/emotional concerns, families, trauma

Certifications/Trainings: DC 0-5

Relate Communications January 10th, 2025

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Najma Elmi (she/her)

Office-Based Practicum Therapist

Eden Prairie Office

Najma Elmi (she/her) is a Somali-American therapist pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. With over 12 years in healthcare and 5 years in mental health, she specializes in supporting individuals, couples, and families with challenges like anxiety, depression, PTSD, family dynamics, and communication issues. Najma also has experience working with autistic children and their families. Based in Minnesota, Najma is passionate about empowering her clients to build stronger connections and lead more fulfilling lives.

Therapeutic Modalities: She integrates approaches such as the Gottman Theory, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Narrative Therapy, CBT, and Emotionally Focused Therapy to create a culturally responsive and collaborative space for healing.

Specialties: Couples and families, Individuals navigating anxiety, depression, and PTSD, Autistic children and their families, BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples Blended families Grief and loss, communication and relational challenges

Certifications/Trainings: CBT, EIDBI, DBT, Trauma-Informed

Relate Communications January 10th, 2025

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Iliya Hoffert (he/him)

Office-Based Practicum Therapist

Minnetonka Office

Iliya is a former teacher of children and adolescents currently pursuing his master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Iliya’s therapeutic approach is focused on upholding the dignity of his clients and based on the belief that nobody is past the point of no return. He uses compassion, humor, and trust to help adolescents and adults work through their own individual difficulties such as trauma, relationships, anxiety, depression, systemic factors, and other stressors that cause people to feel stuck. Outside of work, Iliya enjoys playing games, making and listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

Therapeutic Modalities: Acceptance and Commitment, Focusing-Oriented, Person-Centered, Trauma Informed, Meaning Making

Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Relationship Difficulties, Life Transitions

Relate Communications January 10th, 2025

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Kamal Jama (He/Him/His)

Office-Based Practicum Therapist

Minnetonka Office

Kamal Jama has experience working with a variety of mental health disorders. He has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and is currently enrolled in a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. He believes in providing person-centered intervention. He enjoys working with people from all walks of life and learning from others as a student of the world. He believes both the provider and clinician are on a journey through life and can help each other on that journey. During his free time he enjoys spending time with friends and family and staying active. He enjoys reading and traveling.

Therapeutic Modalities: CBT, DBT, person-centered, and humanistic therapy

Specialties: BIPOC, couples, families, addiction

Relate Communications August 28th, 2024

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