Current Clinical and Psychiatric Staff

Northland Counseling Center's International Falls office offers the community the following friendly, empathetic group of Clinical Staff members with a wide variety of expertise!

Amie J. Black, MA, LAMFT - Education and Training: BA in Human Services with a minor in Family Studies, Metro State University 1999; MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Liberty University, 2008; Practicum at Cambridge Christian Counseling Center 2007; Internship at Nystrom & Associates, Professional Family Based Division 2007-2008. Areas of clinical interest and expertise include: children and adolescents; parenting issues; marital issues; Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Narrative Therapy; spiritual issues; trauma; sexual abuse; Client Centered Therapy.

Joan E. Christensen, M.A., Licensed Psychologist
BA in Psychology, University of Utah 1966; MA in Clinical Psychology, University of Utah 1970; APA Approved Internship in Clinical Psychology, Veterans Administration Hospital, Buffalo, NY & Salt Lake City, UT; Gestalt Training Certificate, Gestalt Institute of Central Florida 1991; Hypnotherapy Certification 1993. Areas of clinical interest and expertise include: behavior therapy, couple's therapy, group therapy, DBT, CBT, serious and persistent mental illness, Gay and Lesbian issues, trauma recovery, and dual diagnosis (mental health and chemical dependency).

Katherine L. Fluke, MA, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Education and Training: BS in Home Economics Education, University of New Mexico 1969; VISTA Volunteer work with community organizing with programs for youth drop out program, welfare rights, housing, health and nutrition programs and other 1970 to 1972. Worked for Advocator Welfare Answering Service program, as a probation aide, and other volunteer work prior to becoming a social worker. 1985 Masters Degree in Counseling at University of Northern Iowa, with emphasis on family issues, followed by licensure as an LMFT and licensed Mental health Counselor in Iowa several years later. Kathie has functioned as a family therapist since licensure with the exception of several years when she was supervising social workers and then other therapists. Specialty area: couple and family issues, parenting, anger, post traumatic stress, abuse issues, DBT, anxiety, depression, OCD. While Kathie used to work a lot with children and adolescents in more recent years she has worked mostly with adults with serious and persistent mental illness. Due to past experiences Kathie likes to work as part of a team when cases involve other human service disciplines and has a fairly good understanding of the complexities of the interactions of the many aspects of client's lives.

Jeffrey T. Hardwig, M.D., Contract Board Certified Psychiatrist
AS, George Washington University 1976; AS, Rainy River Community College; BS in Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth 1981; MD, Mayo Medical School 1985; Resident, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, 1989; Member of American Psychiatric Association, Minnesota Psychiatric Society, American Medical Association, and Minnesota Medical Association.

Willard L.(Bill) Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Education and Training: BA in Psychology, San Jose University 1974; MA and Ph.D. in Mental Retardation Research/Psychology, George Peabody College for Teachers, 1979 &1980; Post-doctoral Internship in Interdisciplinary Training in Developmental Disabilities, Child Development Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University, 1980-1981; Assessment and Therapy Practica, Joliet Prison, 1989-1990; APA Approved Internship in Clinical Psychology, Veteran's Administration Hospital, New Orleans 1991-1992; Respecialization in Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology, 1994. Member of American Psychological Association. Areas of clinical interest and expertise include: males and females of all ages and diagnoses; Developmental Disabilities and Mental Retardation; ADHD/ADD and behavioral problems of children; PTSD and Veteran's issues; DBT; Applied Behavior Analysis/behavior management; Client Centered Therapy; jail and prison populations; Psychological Evaluations; child, family, and marital issues; learning and conditioning; relaxation training; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; anger issues; Native American culture; spirituality issues, co-occuring substance abuse and mental health issues.

Danielle Krasaway MS, NCC
Education and Training: BA in Psychology (2005) and MS in Community Counseling (2008) from Winona State University (WSU), MN; one year Internship at WSU Counseling Center working with college students of all ages. Nationally Certified Counselor and a member of the American Counseling Association; experience with outpatient and residential therapy with teens and adults, casework with children and families, and health/wellness education in a university setting. Areas of clinical interest and expertise include: depression, anxiety, serious & persistent mental illness, employment/educational difficulties, substance abuse/dependence, cultural & sexual identity, health/wellness, grief & loss, Client Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, group therapy, and community outreach education.

Amy Schaffer, MA, Licensed Psychologist
BA in Psychology, University of Minnesota 1991; MA in Counseling Psychology, College of St. Thomas Minneapolis, 2004; Licensed Social Worker, 1995-present; Licensed School Social Worker, 2001-present;; Licensed Professional Counselor, 2005-present. Internship at Fridley Middle School '03-04. Areas of clinical interest and expertise include: children and adults, school counseling, play therapy, anxiety, depression, pain management, cognitive behavioral therapy, client centered therapy, forensics, family and marital issues, chemical dependency and gambling issues, PTSD & sexual abuse issues.

Nicholas L. Starr, Psy.D., M.A.O.B.
Education and Training: BS in Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point 2002; MA and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University - California School of Professional Psychology - Fresno, CA, 2006 & 2008; MA in Organizational Behavior from Alliant International University - Marshall Goldsmith School of Management - Fresno, CA, 2008; Practicum experience (2005-2007) in Clinical Psychology and APA Approved Internship (2007-2008) with community outpatient psychotherapy at the Psychological Services Center, Fresno, CA; Areas of clinical interest and expertise include: group psychotherapy, depth psychotherapy, dream work, hypnotherapy, forensic psychology, intimate partner violence, psychological evaluations, organizational conflict resolution.