Mental Health Therapists at Up North Therapy

Ashley’s focus has been to expand and strengthen mental health services along the North Shore, with a commitment to meeting clients where they are at in their journey. She has over 15 years of experience as a mental health therapist, working with individuals across all ages and stages of life. Ashley has specialized training in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and she brings a supportive, client-centered approach to her work, including art therapy techniques. She is passionate about providing accessible, compassionate care to the communities of Silver Bay and Grand Marais, helping individuals and families build resilience, find balance, and grow through life’s challenges. Living on the North Shore, Ashley enjoys being part of the close-knit community she serves. Outside of her work, she loves spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and appreciating the beauty of Lake Superior in every season.

Drea is an Art Therapist based in the Duluth location, specializing in art therapy as a means to enhance mental wellness. She holds a master’s degree in art therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and is currently completing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Capella University. Drea works with a diverse range of clients, including those seeking mental health services to utilize creative expression as a tool for healing. Her approach includes techniques from play therapy, DBT, and ecopsychology. With experience serving kids, young adults, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community, Drea offers both individual and family therapy. She often emphasizes, 'You don’t have to be creative to make art, and you don’t have to make art to be creative,' reflecting her belief in the accessibility of North Shore therapy through art.

Lydia Walker-Thoennes is a licensed LPCC therapist with a Master’s degree in clinical counseling and art therapy. As a certified DCo-5 therapist, she offers mental health services to individuals of all ages through all stages of life. Lydia is trained in various therapeutic modalities, including EMDR, Brain spotting, art therapy, play therapy, and movement therapy. She provides individual, family, and group therapy, specializing in assisting victims of trauma. Lydia incorporates multimodal therapy techniques in her practice to foster holistic growth—addressing mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and social well-being. For those seeking North Shore therapy, Lydia's approach is designed to bring balance to her clients' lives.

Ayla Ranta is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern and graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Superior. With a background in nursing, Ayla brings a compassionate, holistic approach to her work, emphasizing the integration of mind, body, and spirit. She is especially passionate about providing mental health services to adults who have experienced trauma and works from an integrative, depth-oriented perspective. Ayla draws from a range of therapeutic modalities, including Carl Jung’s teachings, Transpersonal Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and Person-Centered Therapy. Additionally, she is exploring the incorporation of art therapy, Eco-Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing into her future practice, particularly in the context of North Shore therapy.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota Duluth and completed her Master’s degree in Co-Occurring Counseling at the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. Melissa supports adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and substance-related concerns through comprehensive mental health services. She has specialized training in co-occurring mental health and behavioral health challenges and works from a holistic, person-centered framework. Her approach integrates various techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, strengths-based therapy, solution-focused strategies, and even art therapy to foster healing. Melissa also incorporates skills for emotional regulation, relapse prevention, healthy coping, communication, and goal setting. She values collaboration and partners with clients to build practical tools that support long-term growth and overall well-being. Located in the North Shore, Melissa is committed to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to move toward meaningful change.

Karyl DeWitt is a counseling intern pursuing dual licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She specializes in providing mental health services to couples and individuals navigating relationship distress, betrayal, communication breakdowns, and life transitions. Karyl's clinical focus is grounded in helping people restore emotional safety, rebuild trust, and create healthier, more connected relationships. She integrates evidence-based approaches, including the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with elements of art therapy to support clients creatively. This integrative framework allows her to help clients understand the emotional patterns that drive their relationships and develop practical skills for lasting change. Karyl is especially passionate about assisting couples in moving beyond conflict cycles toward deeper emotional connection, secure attachment, and meaningful communication. Clients often experience her as compassionate and grounded, creating a safe space for vulnerability while also providing structure, clarity, and direction. In addition to her clinical training, Karyl holds a master’s degree in management and brings nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership and community-based systems, particularly in North Shore therapy practices. This background gives her a unique appreciation for how stress, trauma, and life demands affect individuals and families. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, empowering clients to identify their strengths, clarify their goals, and move toward the relationships and lives they wish to build.

Deb is a clinical therapist licensed in MN and FL, providing mental health services to clients aged 5-85. She addresses the diverse challenges that life brings at different stages through both in-person and teletherapy options. With 35 years of teaching experience, Deb has a special interest in working with kids and teens, individuals who have experienced trauma, and veterans. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes a partnership between client and therapist to achieve the client’s therapy goals and personal needs. Deb incorporates a variety of techniques, including art therapy, active listening, guided meditation, affirmations, sand tray, play therapy, creative experiences, poetry, DBT, CBT, EMDR, and psycho-education into her sessions. Valuing diversity, she is open to working with all ages, abilities, issues, and cultures in therapy. As a lifelong learner, Deb enjoys taking classes to continue growing as a therapist. Recently, she moved to Grand Marais to explore all that the North Shore offers, including its beautiful outdoor settings.

Anne is a preschool teacher who graduated with an Elementary Education Degree and an Early Childhood Masters Degree, currently working at the Duluth location. She is also pursuing her master's in Clinical Mental Health at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Anne looks forward to working with a variety of ages, and she enjoys building relationships, enhancing emotional regulation skills, and providing art therapy as part of her mental health services to help her students and clients become expert problem solvers. She is excited to contribute to North Shore therapy initiatives.