As providers, we bring a lot of compassion and a little creativity to each session. Our goal is to meet each client where they are, draw them into the process, and guide them along the journey to better mental health.
Erin Venker, MA, LPCC
- Treats children, adolescents, and adults
- Provides in-office, out-of-office, in-home, and telehealth
- Specializes in OCD, Phobias, Panic Disorder, Hypochondriasis, GAD, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia, Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Erin Venker earned her master’s degree in Professional Clinical Counseling from St. Thomas University in 2017 and her BA in Studio Art from Saint Olaf College in 2010.
Erin has received extensive training in exposure and response prevention therapy from multiple well-known experts in the field, and has several years of experience treating OCD and related disorders. Having OCD herself, Erin has a unique ability to connect with her clients. She uses creativity and an open sense of humor, while providing highly collaborative and evidenced-based treatment that focuses on clients to help them reach their individual treatment goals.
Outside of the clinic, Erin enjoys doing art, being with friends and family, eating tasty food, collecting plants, running with her dog, and drinking coffee with her cat.
Jayme Kolbo, MA, LPCC
- Treats adolescents and adults
- Provides in-office, out-of-office, in-home, and telehealth
- Specializes in treating: OCD, Specific Phobias, Panic Disorder, Health Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, Hoarding Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (hair-pulling, skin-picking)
Jayme Kolbo earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University in 2017 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2012. Jayme has received training in exposure and response prevention therapy through supervision, consultation groups, and trainings from experts in the field. She strives to provide a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and safe environment for every client and firmly believes in practicing the exposure lifestyle in her own life to better relate to and help clients. She has a background in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and incorporates distress tolerance skills, validation, and mindfulness practice into ERP.
Jayme lives in Saint Paul with her dog. Outside of her practice, Jayme enjoys exploring state parks and trails, spoiling her dog, spending time with friends and family, reading, traveling, working on her home, and trying new restaurants, breweries, and other adventures.
Emily Risinger, MS, LPCC
- Treats adults
- Provides in-office, in-home, in-the-community and telehealth
- Specializes in treating: OCD, BFRBs, Phobias, Tourette’s Syndrome, Panic, Maternal Mental Health, Social Anxiety
Emily graduated with her B.S. in Psychology from St. Cloud State University in 2010. In 2013 she studied for her Masters in Art Therapy with a concentration in Counseling from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI. Sessions are focused first and foremost on exposures. Treatment also includes identifying cognitive distortions, thought defusion strategies, mindfulness, ritual prevention and relapse prevention planning. If you would like to include a partner or family member in your treatment process, Emily provides information on helpful techniques in supporting a loved one. Training will also include how to implement validation, reduce and eliminate accommodations and reassurance.
Emily lives in South St. Paul lives with her two kids, husband, two dogs and two cats and enjoys making bad art that is earth friendly, concocting failed science experiments, public radio, history lessons, gardening, nature walks and clever humor. She is always up for learning new things and new perspectives and she hopes you can teach her something too!
Emily is the author and creator of Braving Uncertainty: An Exposure Coloring Book for Those Living with OCD or Related Disorders. Find your copy here!