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Meet the Team
CLINICAL DIRECTOR, LCSW (ND), LICSW (MN)
Emily Jones
Emily Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the driving force behind Creative Spirit Counseling. Her journey in social work started during her tenure as an active duty Army spouse, guiding her through diverse roles from child protection to mental health services, and ultimately to discovering her passion for therapeutic work with teenagers.
In 2019, Emily established her own practice (Creative Spirit Counseling!) committed to creative and integrative therapeutic approaches such as EMDR, TF-CBT, CBT, and mindfulness practices. Beyond her professional life, Emily takes great pleasure in quality time with her husband and teenagers, caring for a dynamic array of pets, and engaging in hobbies like crocheting, baking, and indulging her love for musical theater.
As the Clinical Director of Creative Spirit, Emily is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care to her clients, maintaining a commitment to excellence even with her limited availability.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Nikki Wolf
Nikki Wolf is the Operations Manager at Creative Spirit Counseling, stepping into the role in 2021 to streamline administration and operations as the practice expanded. With a rich background in behavioral healthcare, including direct client interaction and program management, she now oversees recruitment, human resources, credentialing, billing, and intake processes to keep everything running seamlessly. Outside the office, Nikki loves cooking, attending concerts, and spending quality time with her husband and their two dogs.
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Megan Reister
Megan Reister is the office administrator at Creative Spirit Counseling and holds a MA in forensic psychology. She facilitates scheduling, communication, and some day-to-day office operations, supporting both clients and providers while creating a calm, organized, and welcoming environment. Outside of work, Megan enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her family and two cats.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, LCSW (ND), LICSW (MN)
Emily Carleton
Emily Carleton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Originally from Southern Minnesota, she earned her Master's in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. With extensive experience working with youth ages 5-18, Emily specializes in supporting individuals with autism, behavioral disorders, and high school students facing motivation and conflict resolution challenges. She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing space for personal growth and mental wellness.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, Ph.D, LPCC, NCC
Lynae Hemming
Lynae Hemming is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. With her academic journey rooted in North Dakota State University, where she obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling, Lynae has grown into a versatile professional within the mental health field. Her work extends beyond therapy into teaching and research.
Dedicated to adult therapy, Lynae is an advocate for the LGBTQIA community and a fervent supporter of social justice. Drawing significant influence from Dr. Brené Brown, she is a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, specializing in managing shame, fostering shame resilience, and cultivating self-compassion. Her approach is highly personalized, reflecting her belief in the uniqueness of each therapeutic journey and the potential for creative, integrative practices in treatment.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, LPCC
Tyrza Hoines
Tyrza Hoines is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) from central North Dakota, who passionately advocates for improved mental health support.
She employs an integrative counseling approach, incorporating narrative, strengths-based, and existentialist techniques. Tyrza's clinical experience includes working with diverse groups including adults, college students, adolescents, veterans, and the homeless in various settings such as hospitals and withdrawal management centers.
Tyrza holds a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Dakota State University, where she also studied human development, family science, women and gender studies, and Spanish.
Besides her professional life, Tyrza loves traveling, watching movies, photography, and spending quality time with her fiancé and golden retriever.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, LCSW (ND), LICSW (MN)
Kaitlyn Jacobsen
Kaitlyn Jacobsen comes from West Fargo, ND, with an academic background from the University of Minnesota Moorhead and the University of North Dakota. Her travels abroad ignited a passion for cultural diversity, enhancing her 8-year career across various agencies where she provides both clinical and non-clinical services.
Kaitlyn is dedicated to empowering clients in their healing journeys, particularly adolescents and young adults. She emphasizes a collaborative and non-traditional therapy environment that feels safe, expressive, and growth-oriented.
Kaitlyn is committed to creative and engaging therapy, ensuring a space where clients can freely express themselves and explore their healing potential. Her approach is all about making therapy a dynamic and enjoyable experience.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, LMSW (ND), LGSW (MN)
Ariana Krecklau
Ariana earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker in ND and Licensed Generalist Social Worker in MN. She has a heart for working with children, teens, and young adults, especially those navigating complex trauma, attachment concerns, anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges. In sessions, she utilizes various modalities, including Brainspotting, DBT, and TF-CBT, while incorporating various art and play therapy techniques.
She practices with a holistic approach and believes the most important part of therapy is building a safe, attuned, and supportive relationship with each client. Ariana is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and ally. She is especially passionate about uplifting and supporting biracial individuals in sharing their voices and stories.
Outside of her work, Ariana cherishes time with her husband and two children and enjoys attending community events.
COUPLES AND FAMILY THERAPIST, MFT, LAMFT
Emma Preston
I have my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and am currently a pre-licensed psychotherapist working under supervision. While I am trained to work with individuals, couples, and families, I am particularly passionate about working with couples, families, and other groups of people. I primarily draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Gottman Therapy, Systems Focused, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I am specifically trained in Gottman Level 1, Prepare-Enrich, and am currently working on a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy certification.
I see it as one of the highest honors to walk with you through some of the most difficult experiences of life, as well as the mundane issues that inevitably arise along the way. My goal is to help you see the pieces within your unique situation that are needed for healing and a brighter future. I will work to help you reconcile these pieces into a larger systemic context and will strive to do my best to help you intimately know the abundant worth that is inside you. Taking the step to pursue therapy is an act of courage. This process takes effort, but you deserve the deep healing that comes through this process.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, being outside, reading books, making music, and surrounding myself with people, places, and things that make life beautiful.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST, LCSW
Hannah Ritteman
Hannah Ritteman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Dakota, has a Psychology BS from North Dakota State University and a clinical MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR, focusing on adults and older adolescents. Hannah advocates for holistic wellness, intertwining mind, body, and spirit with a therapy style marked by acceptance and warmth. She's an LGBTQIA+ ally and social justice advocate, specializing in trauma, identity exploration, and issues like anxiety and depression. Hannah's sessions promise a safe space for genuine expression, including laughter and tears, on the path to healing.