Our mission is to empower people to improve their lives
Assessments
2430 Nicollet Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Give us a Call
612-871-7443
Send us an Email
info@parktx.com
Opening Hours
Mon - Friday: 7AM - 4PM

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Category: Professional Staff

Melanie Ikola, MA LMFT

Melanie attended St. Mary’s University and graduated with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Minnesota.  Melanie completed an internship with Park Avenue Center and worked as a school-linked Family Therapist with FACTS prior to returning to Park Avenue as a full-time Intake Counselor and Outpatient Therapist.  Her professional goals are to continue to develop as a culturally responsive and trauma informed therapist.  Melanie considers her greatest strength and skills to be compassion, building relationships, managing big emotions, creativity, and remaining open-minded.  She was inspired to work in this field and at Park because she is passionate about helping underserved clients overcome barriers and strive for positive change.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her pets, and restoring her 100 year old house.

Sebastian Hearne, ADC-T

Sebastian is currently studying at North Central University and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Alcohol and Drug Counseling.  Sebastian started at Park Avenue as a Part-Time Float Counselor but was soon promoted to a Co-Occurring Counselor position.  Prior to joining Park Avenue Center, Sebastian interned with the Hazelden Betty Ford Center and Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge.  Sebastian also volunteers with Family Means and is a board member for Next Gen.  He feels it’s important to give back to the community and support mental health and well-being.  His professional goals are to receive his full LADC licensure in 2018 and work towards his LPCC or LICSW license.  When asked what inspires him to work in this field, Sebastian states that “I feel called to help people turn from the grip of their addictions and provide them with the opportunity for hope in a fresh start through acceptance, support, and grace.”

Katie Pilquist, BS, LADC

Katie graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls with a Bachelor of Science.  After an internship at Park Avenue Center, Katie obtained her LADC license and was hired to work as a full-time counselor.  Katie was inspired to work in this field because of the variety of individuals she gets to meet and a passion for being able to see people change their lives.   She chose to work at Park due to the wide variety of backgrounds and experiences the clients have.  She considers her strengths to be her open-mindedness and client-centered focus.

Dieudonne (Dee) Asambang, MA, LADC

Dee attended the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY where he obtained a Masters in Addiction Counseling and a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Prior to joining Park, Dee worked as a Program Counselor for 6 years with Meridian Services and as an Education Assistant with Intermediate District 287 for 5 years.  Dee chose this career path because he enjoys talking to people and helping them through painful periods in their life.  He is passionate about helping those in need and doing his part to keep individuals and society safe.  Outside of work, he volunteers as a media and sound tech with his church and enjoys studying music and film.

Mike Veldhuis, MA, LPCC, LADC

Mike attended the University of St. Thomas where he obtained his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. His professional goals are to earn his LPCC licensure and gain experience with a large and diverse client population. Prior to joining Park, he worked as a Psychiatric Associate with Fairview and as a Youth Care Professional with Nexus Glen Lake. Mike considers some of his greatest strengths/skills to be his experience providing Existential, Narrative, and Psychodynamic therapies. He chose to work in this field because he is passionate about promoting self-awareness and change for people searching for ways to improve their lives. In his free time, Mike enjoys playing and watching baseball and football, reading books on world history, and creative writing.

Kallie Reilly, BS, LADC

Kallie attended St. Cloud State University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Dependency and Community Psychology.  Prior to joining Park Avenue Center, Kallie worked as an Addiction Counselor at Hazelden for 2.5 years while serving as the primary handler for the therapy dog.  One professional goal of Kallie’s includes continued growth in her career. She joined Park Avenue Center to help her in reaching this goal through experience working with a different client population.   Kallie enjoys running, baking and crocheting during her free time.

Tea Babic, AS, ADC-T

Tea obtained her Associates of Science in Addiction Counseling from MCTC.  Prior to joining Park Avenue Center as a Chemical Health Assessor, Tea completed her internship hours at Vinland specializing in working with those suffering from TBI.  Tea has plans to now obtain her Bachelor’s degree and to pursue her social work licensure.  Tea chose this line of work and Park Avenue Center because she is truly passionate about helping others and wants to make a difference in the life of those who are struggling with addiction.  While Tea is not working or studying, she enjoys watching and researching unsolved mysteries and conspiracy theories.

Matt Ellis, BA, LADC

Matt graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and obtained an Addiction Counseling diploma from Minneapolis Community Technical College. Matt began his career with Park Avenue Center as an intern with the Chemical Health Assessor department and, upon finishing his internship, officially joined the team. Matt developed a passion for the chemical dependency field while working with individuals in active alcoholic housing. Many of these clients were chronically homeless and underserved in the community and he sought a way to help them. In his role as a Chemical Health Assessor, Matt provides support and finds proper treatment opportunities for clients based on their individual needs. Outside of work, Matt enjoys playing the ukulele, watching Alabama football, going to music concerts, and traveling.

Sunni Myers, MS, LADC

Sunni earned a Master’s in Child Development and Family Relations from East Carolina University and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wisconsin – Stout.  Prior to joining Park Avenue Center for her MICD internship, Sunni worked at Marathon County Special Education as an Elementary Education Special Education Teacher.  Once finished with her internship, she joined the team as an Intake Float Counselor, before moving into her current role.  Sunni is working toward obtaining her LPCC and when she has free time enjoys traveling, playing board games and spending time with family.

Kaity Giefer, MA, LADC

Kaity earned her Masters from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in Addictions Counseling.  Before joining Park Avenue Center, Kaity interned at Hazelden, working with adolescents with co-occurring disorders.  Kaity chose to work in this field after witnessing how each integral member of a treatment team worked together to provide treatment to a family member.  Kaity wants to help in making treatment more accessible to those in need. She someday plans to continue her education to become an LPCC or LICSW.