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meet the teamWe believe the foundation of effective therapy lies in the strength of the therapeutic relationship.
Our team of dedicated professionals is not just highly qualified in their fields; they're passionate about making a difference in the lives of those they work with. Get to know the people behind our practice who are committed to guiding you on your journey to wellness.
Our values in practice
Compassion and UnderstandingEvery interaction is grounded in empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges you face.
Commitment to ExcellenceContinuous learning and adherence to evidence-based practices ensure you receive the best care.
Diversity and InclusionWe celebrate and respect the diverse backgrounds and identities of both our clients and our team.
CollaborationHealing is a partnership, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Halen Bower, MA
she/her Treats
Children, adolescents, and adults
Provides
In-office and telehealth
Specialties
OCD, Anxiety, Play Therapy, Trauma-informed Yoga and Mindfulness.
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Halen completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is working under supervision to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Halen approaches therapy from a person-centered and play-based lens, incorporating cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, yoga, and laughter. Halen is passionate about creating a welcoming space where clients and families can show up authentically and work together towards goals and healing.
Halen has also been teaching yoga and mindfulness for fourteen years. This skill set has given her many therapeutic tools to help guide children, adolescents, and adults in movement, mindfulness, and relaxation to help reduce stress, gain greater body and mind awareness, and support nervous system regulation.
In her free time, Halen enjoys cooking, traveling, yoga, and being out in nature. She also values spending quality time with friends, family, and her little dog Sugar.
Javier Osuna Siles, MA
he/him Treats
Children, adolescents, and adults
Provides
In-office, out-of-office, in-home, and telehealth
Specialties
OCD, Phobias, Hypochondriasis, GAD, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia, Depression
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Habla español
Javier Osuna obtained his Master's degree in General Health Psychology from the International University of Valencia (Spain) in 2020. He has also attended numerous conventions and specialization courses.
He has extensive experience in treating OCD and related disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP). In his work, he prioritizes building a connection, understanding and supporting the client.
He is passionate about everything related to Psychology, especially working to improve people's quality of life. His curiosity and eagerness to learn drive him to improve in his work every day.
In his free time, Javier enjoys participating in sports of all kinds, enjoying nature through hiking and camping, and he loves traveling to experience new cultures.
Marie Monson, MA, LPCC
she/her Treats
Adolescents and adults
Provides
In-office, virtual, and out-of-office sessions
Specialties
Radically Open DBT Program Leader, OCD, Anxiety, Perfectionism, Social Anxiety, Depression
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Marie completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She is passionate about helping others and emphasizes a focus on self-compassion and non-judgmental awareness. She has training in both standard DBT and Radically-Open DBT, which is her passion.
Before starting at OCDMN, where she helped implement an RO-DBT class, which became just the third of its kind in the state.
Prior to pursuing her Master’s, Marie worked as a freelance journalist and as a paralegal in plaintiff law, where she advocated for individuals who are hurting physically and mentally. She has also volunteered with Crisis Text Line to help support those suffering with high distress.
Marie loves to travel and explore the outdoors, and on weekends you can find her hiking or sitting in the grass reading while her cat Mango explores the backyard. In the winter you'll find her re-watching The Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
Haley Petersen, MA
she/her Treats
Adolescents 14+ and adults
Provides
In-office, out-of-office, in-home, and telehealth
Specialties
OCD, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, GAD, Agoraphobia, Body Dysmorphic Disorder
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Haley Petersen completed her MA in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2024 and her BA in English Literature from Macalester College in 2019. Haley is working under supervision to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Haley has dedicated several years to specialized training and clinical experience in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD and related disorders. She is trained in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Haley is passionate about providing collaborative, evidence-based care tailored to each client’s unique lived experience. She values bringing humor, creativity, and authenticity into therapy sessions and works to create a space where clients feel safe, supported, and understood.
In her personal time, Haley enjoys reading, writing, baking, and being outdoors.
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Hannah Ose earned her BA in Psychology and BS in Therapeutic Recreation from Winona State University in 2019. She is currently an MSW student with a focus in clinical trauma-informed care at Winona State University, set to graduate in 2026.
Hannah is a passionate and empathetic Recreation Therapist, using her love of leisure to help clients of all ages reach their goals. She strives to authentically connect with the people she serves and support them in their path to build acceptance and confidence.
Hannah has lived experience with OCD and anxiety, and is driven to provide clients with evidence-based Recreation Therapy interventions that will support the maintenance and building of skills learned in other therapy modalities.
In her free time, Hannah loves being in nature, spending time with her partner, snuggling her sweet dog, singing, traveling, dancing, and doing anything creative.
Erin Venker, MA, LPCC
she/her Founder and Clinical DirectorTreats
Children, adolescents, and adults
Provides
In-office, out-of-office, in-home, and telehealth
Specialties
OCD, Phobias, Hypochondriasis, GAD, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia
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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 the clinic, Erin loves unleashing her creativity through art, cozying up with her lovable dogs and mischievous cat, and indulging in British TV marathons.
Our Assessment Team
Dr. Melissa Treff
she/her Assessment Specialist, Licensed PsychologistProvides
Autism, ADHD, and OCD assessments for ages 6 and up
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Hi there, I’m Dr. Melissa Treff. I’m deeply passionate about helping people better understand and improve their mental well-being.
Through personalized psychological assessments, I aim to provide clear insights that are both practical and meaningful to you. With years of experience, I take a compassionate, client-centered approach in working with you.
Together, we’ll explore your emotional health, cognitive strengths, and overall mental state. Whether you're looking for guidance on personal growth, want to improve your workplace dynamics, or need recommendations for better performance at school, I’m here to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and support your journey toward positive change.
Dr. Sarah Cherwien Hoel
she/her Assessment Specialist, Licensed PsychologistProvides
Autism, ADHD, and OCD assessments for ages 6 and up
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Dr. Sarah Cherwien Hoel graduated with her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology in 2008 and Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology in 2012, both from the University of St. Thomas. She currently teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas and supervises masters and doctoral level students and clinicians.
Dr. Cherwien Hoel believes in the value of a personalized, comprehensive assessment. Her assessment approach is relational and collaborative. She partners with each individual to help foster new insights and identify pathways to success.
Dr. Kristen Stevens
she/her Assessment Specialist, Licensed PsychologistProvides
Autism, ADHD, and OCD assessments for ages 6 and up
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As a therapist who works with clients experiencing OCD and other neurodivergent/neurospicy/neuromagical abilities, I find it's difficult to advocate for yourself if you don't know what's going on or what you need. Knowledge-of-self is a great first step to discovering how to advocate for your needs in a neurotypical society. Through psychological assessments for Autism, OCD, and ADHD, a person may gain knowledge of themselves and their needs to be better equipped to advocate for themself in work, school, and social environments. This is a safe space for LGBTQ+, including nonbinary, genderqueer, and genderfluid folks. Schedule an appointment today - let's work together.
Jamie Lubov, MA
she/her Learning and Educational SpecialistProvides
Comprehensive academic evaluations, consultations, special education advocacy support, trainings for educators, and workshops for families
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Jamie Lubov is a compassionate educator with over 12 years of experience specializing in learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum support, OCD, and social-emotional development. She conducts academic evaluations and provides actionable recommendations for IEPs, helping families and educators truly understand the student’s experience and create meaningful, supportive opportunities. Jamie is dedicated to empowering families to navigate the special education process with confidence and helping educators develop strategies that make a real impact.
Outside of work, Jamie is a single mama to her son and two playful cats. She enjoys dancing, crafting, spending time with family, and attending plays. She believes in making every experience meaningful, both personally and professionally.
Our Operations Support
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With over 15 years of experience in executive administration and operations management, Sheri serves as the Director of Operations at OCD and Anxiety Center of Minnesota. Her background includes supporting C-Suite executives, leading cross-functional projects, and implementing strategic initiatives that enhance organizational efficiency and client satisfaction.
Sheri brings experience in process improvement, presenting and implementing solutions, and driving organizational growth. She is dedicated to supporting the practice's mission of providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals seeking help for OCD and anxiety disorders.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Sheri enjoys hanging out with family and friends, outdoor activities, cooking, arts, and community involvement.
OCD & Anxiety Center of Minnesota
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OCD & Anxiety Center of Minnesota •
We specialize in evidence-based treatments for OCD, tailored to the needs of each individual.
Our compassionate team is dedicated to supporting you through your journey toward recovery.
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Recognizing OCD in oneself or a loved one is the first step toward healing.
If you or someone you know is struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, know that help is available. Together, we can work towards a life not defined by OCD.
