Staff

The multidisciplinary Kenwood Center team includes licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers and professional counselors. The staff works from a Narrative Therapy base to develop insight into the stories of the client’s life. Therapists also draw from their varied educational backgrounds, experiences and research on the best ideas of current theories and practices in the field. Methodologies include: Social Constructionism, Collaborative, Solution-focused, Motivation Enhancement, Restorative Justice, Spiritually-sensitive, Mindfulness Meditation, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Gottman Marital Therapy, and more. Clients have access to all our therapists on staff as well as outside professionals, our clinical library and bookstore, videotapes, audiotapes and DVD’s. The therapists at Kenwood Center are dedicated to continual co-research and improvement with clients and colleagues.

At Kenwood Therapy Center, a therapist will ask questions about your life and concerns to facilitate a meaningful conversation of re-authoring your life according to your intentions, purposes, values, beliefs, hopes, dreams, visions, and commitments to ways of living. Therapists want to creatively consult some of the personal and professional stories, resources and ideas you may or may not have fully considered in the hope that they might provide new possibilities and ways to address the concerns that brought you to the center. You are also invited to creatively express yourself through writing, words, art, music, movement, logic, etc. In addition, therapists are trained in and may suggest other helpful, collaborative and research informed therapy approaches and ideas.

Walter H. Bera, PhD, LP, LMFT, LADC
Walter is Center Director and Founder with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He holds Minnesota Licensure as a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Walter has authored articles, books, videos and curricula and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor as well as an adjunct faculty member at a number of area universities. He is a Karate Sensei, Kali/JKD and Mindfulness Meditation practitioner.
     
 

Jessica Brown, PsyD, LP
Jessica is a Licensed Psychologist and researcher with specialized training in Narrative and solution-focused therapy for adolescents, adults and families. Jessica has a variety of clinical interests including grief, chemical health, sexual compulsivity, couples therapy and weight issues. She is interested in qualitative research and therapy outcome research.

     
  Angie Gwiazdon, MSE, LMFT
Angie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked in a variety of different settings including, private practice, residential treatment, day treatment programs, and schools providing on-site mental health. She has wide experience in working with children, adolescents and families dealing with an array of emotional and behavioral issues.
     
  Lolita King, PhD, LP
Lolita is a Licensed Psychologist who has worked in a variety of settings including day treatment programs, college counseling centers, public schools and non-profit community mental health agencies. She has wide experience in working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples dealing with a spectrum of emotional, chemical health, and behavioral issues. She is also experienced in working with disadvantaged populations, multicultural mental health issues and cultural identity issues.
     
  John Stillman, MSW, LICSW
John is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who works with children, adolescents, adults and families from a collaborative, competency-based and Narrative approach. John has intensive training at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic and is a member of the first International Diplomat Program in Narrative Therapy. He has done local and international workshops, as well as taught at various area Universities.
     
  Melissa Flores Fioravanti, MA, LMFT
Melissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a narrative and collaborative approach. Melissa has experience working with Spanish-speaking clients, offering bi-lingual and culturally appropriate services.
     
 

 

Ben von Ende, MSW, LICSW

Ben is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker whose past experience has included work in outpatient mental health clinics, nonprofit agencies, forensic facilities and school-based settings.  He has worked extensively helping people with a wide variety of problems including anxiety, trauma,  physical and sexual abuse, compulsive behavior,  and couple and family communication and conflict.  He enjoys working creatively and collaboratively with children, adolescents, adults and families.

 

     
 

Jamie Klemenhagen, MA, LMFT

Jamie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working collaboratively from a narrative perspective with adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children. She has experience and interest in working in the areas of life adjustment, stress, anxiety, depression,grief/loss, conflict, parenting, couples, developing identity, and improving communication.

     
 

Heather K. Klein, PhD, LP
Heather is a licensed psychologist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, families, groups, and couples who are experiencing a variety of developmental, emotional, and behavioral issues. She has acquired specialized training in narrative therapy and often incorporates solution-focused and other creative approaches in the therapeutic process. Heather has interests in the areas of research, supervision and training, and teaching. Specific areas of interest include: therapy process and outcome, parenting, human sexuality, adjustment to divorce, intimacy, and crisis intervention.

     
 

Elizabeth Ruskin Shanklin, MSW, LICSW
Elizabeth is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who has many years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. Elizabeth has a BA in Painting and takes on a very creative, expressive and artistic therapeutic approach.  Elizabeth has experience and interest in the areas of domestic violence, disability and military issues. 

     
 

Randi Born, MA, LMFT

Randi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has many years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. She has specialized training in narrative therapy, hypnosis, mood disorders (anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar), eating disorders, body image, relationship concerns, chemical dependency, identity and transition issues, and premarital counseling.  Randi’s practices are creative, collaborative and research informed

     
 

Holli M. Trombley, MS, LMFT
Holli is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a State Approved MFT Supervisor. She has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, in-home family therapy and community mental health agencies. Holli's interests include working with marginalized populations, the impact of incarceration on families and communities, social justice issues, step-family/blended families, trauma and violence in families, fathering, grief and loss, resiliency and the human/animal bond. She also has experience in teaching and research in these areas.

     
 

Kenwood Center and Narrative Books Administrative Staff

Jane Carlson (Building Manager), and Jamie Dudycha (Intake Coordinator) make up the Kenwood Center and Narrative Books Administrative Team. They complete new client intakes, insurance verification, book orders, workshop registration, and other administrative tasks.