Our Team
Compassionate Therapists Committed to Your Well-Being
With diverse specialties and a shared commitment to your well-being, we ensure you’re matched with the right therapist to help you on your journey.
Meet Our Team
THERAPISTS
Owner & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Special Interest: Passionate about helping people build secure and healthy relationships, navigate life’s challenges, and foster personal growth.
Adults, couples, and families.
Special Interests: Couples therapy, depression, anxiety, life transitions, parenting, and incorporating faith into therapy when requested.
Children, adolescents, and adults on an individual basis, as well as in a couple or family unit.
Special Interests: Working with individuals, and parents of children, diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, depression/anxiety due to a general medical condition, and incorporating faith into therapy (when requested).
Teens, women, couples, and individuals.
Special Interest: Trauma and enjoys work
ing with women who are struggling with issues in their lives and incorporating faith into therapy (when requested), anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, bipolar, trauma, adjustment and parenting issues.
School aged children, adolescents, family, and young adults.
Special Interests: Anxiety, depression, guilt and shame, grief and loss, identity development, college and student issues, self-esteem, PTSD and trauma, and family/relationship challenges.
Couples, individual, and family therapy for adolescents and adults.
Special Interest: Working with youth who have emotional and behavioral difficulties such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma recovery, parent-child conflict(s), adoptions concerns, transitional/adjustment issues, and school and juvenile correction issues.
Teens, adults, and couples who are experiencing mental health and behavioral struggles.
Special Interest: Working with clients who experience addiction and also anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia and who may have parenting and family challenges.
Adolescents and adults.
Special Interest: Anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and the emotional impacts of family transitions, including divorce and separation.
Adults, couples, families, and teens.
Special Interest: Addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and adjustment to life stressors.
Couples and adult individuals.
Special Interests: Grief, post traumatic stress, relational trauma, anxiety, depression, and spiritual abuse.
Adolescent, teen, and adult individuals.
Special Interests: Working with those interested in incorporating Expressive Arts and Creativity, Sand Tray, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness in therapy.
Adults 18+.
Special Interests: Intellectual disabilities, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mood disorders.
Individuals, couples, families, and all age groups.
Special Interests: Works with individuals through a systemic lens by looking at a family in its entirety.
Individuals, couples, families.
Special Interests: Working with individuals managing significant stress, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and those diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. Especially enjoys working with couples.
Individuals, couples, families, and all age groups.
Special Interests: Anxiety, depression, family and relationships challenges.
Teens, adults, and couples.
Special Interests: Anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, perinatal mental health/infertility, and incorporating faith into therapy when requested.
Adolescents 14+ and young adults.
Special Interests: Anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self-esteem struggles. Also specializes in supporting individuals and families through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood transitions.
Individuals and couples.
Special Interests: Renewing hope, joy, and freedom in the midst of whatever challenging season people are facing.
Individuals.
Special Interests: Help individuals re-author their life stories, identify unhelpful thinking patterns, and foster lasting, positive change.
Young adults, individuals, and couples.
Special Interests: Navigating emotional difficulties and complex mental health needs including borderline personality disorder, trauma and PTSD, depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, grief and loss, identity development, self-worth, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.
Individuals and couples.
Special Interests: Creates a warm space where you can feel truly seen and heard. With curiosity and genuine hope, she collaborates with you at your own pace, helping you uncover new possibilities for connection and growth.
Teens, Adults, Couples, and Athletes.
Special Interests: Assisting in managing
anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and major life changes like parenting
adjustments, career changes, empty-nesting, and integrating faith into therapy when requested.
All ages.
Special Interests: With a strengths-based and
culturally responsive approach, Robin is dedicated to creating a safe and collaborative
space for clients to explore their experiences and work toward meaningful change.
ADMINISTRATORS
Elizabeth Benson, M.A., LMFT
Elizabeth additionally works with individuals of all genders and supports diverse relationship structures. She welcomes people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. Elizabeth offers both in-person and telehealth sessions to support clients in ways that best fit their needs.
Brett Nikula, LMFT
Brett Nikula, M.A., LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the owner of Solace Counseling Associates. He provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families across Solace’s Delano, Rockford, and Buffalo locations. Brett earned his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and brings over a decade of experience to his work in the mental health field.
His clinical interests include relationship distress, marital conflict, parenting challenges, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Brett works with both individuals and couples, helping them navigate relational dynamics, improve communication, and rebuild trust. He uses a collaborative, client-centered approach that integrates evidence-based practices and emphasizes emotional safety and connection.
Outside of his clinical work, Brett enjoys golfing, skiing, and traveling with his family. He is committed to making Solace Counseling Associates a place where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
Deb Peterson, M.A., LPCC
Janell Riley, M.A., LPCC
I believe we all strive for a similar goal; to find happiness in our lives and maintain healthy relationships with those we love. Sometimes that isn’t as easy as it sounds and requires some outside help to get there. Life is hard and it can be even harder to reach out for help; I am happy and proud that you’re here, striving to strengthen relationships and work on yourself. Let’s go through this together and help you meet your goals to live a happy and healthy life!
My passion lies in helping you find peace, comfort, and healthy solutions amid difficult circumstances. My goal is tailored to you specifically with the focus on helping you untangle confusing and difficult emotions, identify unhealthy behaviors, and working with you to equip and empower you to modify what is within your control so you can live a happier and healthier life. I encourage you to reach out if it sounds like I would be a good match as a therapist.
Deanne Shaw, M.A., LMFT
Deanne is experienced in assisting couples and families work through challenges in their lives including crisis management, relationship issues, mental illness, abuse and/or grief and loss. Her education and therapeutic approach utilize family systems theory, with a strong focus on psychoeducation, experiential, solution-focused and narrative concepts. Deanne also has a Bachelor of Fine Art and loves to bring creativity into therapeutic sessions when appropriate. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Deanne incorporates faith into therapy (when requested). She offers Telehealth services. In addition, Deanne is a Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family approved supervisor.
Becky Eberhard, M.A. (in progress), Counseling Intern
*Working under Supervisor, Brett Nikula, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Vicki Swenson, Mental Health Practitioner
certified Mental Performance Coach. Prior to her counseling career, Vicki spent over 20 years working in public education.
Vicki is especially compassionate toward teens exploring their identity, self-esteem, and life transitions. She also supports adults and couples facing relationship challenges and growth, athletes managing performance and mental health, and mid-life adults experiencing shifting roles, career changes, grief, and searching for new purpose.
Vicki trusts that even during times of uncertainty or overwhelm, healing and growth can still occur.
Her approach is warm, collaborative, and rooted in evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and strengths-based methods. These are customized to fit each individual’s unique needs and story.
Vicki is dedicated to assisting clients in developing resilience, regaining hope, and progressing toward a life that feels more connected, meaningful,
and fulfilling.
Vicki is working under the supervision of Brett Nikula, LMFT.
Marissia Triemert, MSW, LGSW
Marissia is passionate about supporting young adults (ages 18–35), couples, and families navigating emotional difficulties, life transitions, and complex mental health needs. Her special interests include borderline personality disorder, trauma and PTSD, depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, grief and loss, identity development, self-worth, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.
Her approach is warm, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed. She incorporates a range of evidence-based practices including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to support healing and growth. Marissia brings compassion and curiosity to the therapeutic space and believes in helping clients build a life worth living—one step at a time.
Marissia is working under the supervision of McKayla Olson, LICSW.
Bridget Johnshoy Narum, M.A., LPCC
She believes it is important to be heard and validated while on the journey to wellness. She incorporates faith into therapy (when requested). Professional member of American Counseling Association and the Minnesota Association of Christian Counselors.
Beth Biskup, M.A., LPCC
Beth specializes in working with adolescents and adults, providing counseling for those facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and the emotional impacts of family transitions, including divorce and separation. She is committed to collaborating with clients to identify their unique goals and empowering them to work towards lasting change.
With a compassionate and empathic style, Beth provides a space where clients can explore their personal stories and achieve meaningful progress. She works with a client-centered and solution focused approach, incorporating faith-based counseling, when requested, for those who wish to incorporate spirituality into their therapeutic process.
Ashley Friesen, M.A., LPCC, LADC
Her interest is in working with adults, couples, families, and teens experiencing addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and adjustment to life stressors. She practices out of a client-centered and trauma informed lens and incorporates faith into therapy when requested.
Robin Imes, Clinical Social Work Intern
She is currently completing her Master of Social Work degree at St. Mary’s University, integrating evidence-informed practices with empathy, curiosity, and respect for each client’s unique story. Robin is passionate about promoting mental wellness, supporting personal growth, and meeting clients where they are at in their healing journey.
Robin enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, art, and getting outside as much as possible.
Robin is working under the supervision of Brett Nikula, LMFT.
Mike Friesen, M.A., LPCC
Jocelyn Schmatz, M.A., LPC
Jocelyn believes in a holistic approach to therapy and the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection. She is committed to creating a safe environment by meeting you wherever you may be at to help you to accomplish your mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. She works with adolescent, teen, and adult individuals.
Her special interests include working with those interested in incorporating Expressive Arts and Creativity, Sand Tray, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness in therapy. She is most passionate about helping those that need help with stress management, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, life transitions, and women’s issues.
Jocelyn works under the supervision of Deb Petersen, B.A., LPCC while working towards her independent license as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Professional member of American Counseling Association, Association for Creativity in Counseling, and Association for Child and Adolescence Counseling. Jocelyn would feel honored to be a part of your journey to help improve health, happiness, healing, and overall life satisfaction.
Christina Schultz, MSW, LICSW
Christina also has experience working with family violence, child protection, family court and criminal court matters. Using a cognitive behavioral framework, Christina joins with the person to chart the path they want to travel. A guiding philosophy during Christina’s practice has been, “Life is what happens when you get busy making plans.” Sometimes, the plans don’t go as you expect. In those times, it is helpful to have an empathetic ear who can support you while you chart out your new path. I would like to be that person for you. Currently, Christina’s practice includes adults 18+.
Taylor Krebsbach, LAMFT
She believes that a supportive and structured environment is essential for growth and collaborates with parents to help achieve therapeutic goals. Using a client-centered and strengths-based approach, she tailors therapy to each individual’s needs. Prioritizing creating a safe and welcoming space where clients feel heard and accepted.
Taylor works under the supervision of Elizabeth Benson, LMFT, while working towards her independent licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Erin Holznagel, LAMFT
By fostering self-awareness, improving relational dynamics, and supporting clients as they develop healthier patterns of thinking and behavior, Erin helps clients gain insight into their unique struggles and develop practical tools for overcoming their challenges. Her special interests include working with individuals managing significant stress, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and those diagnosed with autoimmune diseases.
Erin is working under the supervision of Elizabeth Benson, M.A. LMFT
Emily Fraser, Mental Health Practitioner
I enjoy staying active, spending time with family, and music.
Whether you’re facing personal struggles, relationship difficulties, or life transitions, I am here to support and empower you on your journey toward growth and well-being.
Emily is working under the supervision of Deb Peterson, M.A., LPCC.
Mackenzie Hixson, M.A.
Mackenzie’s approach to therapy is full of curiosity and compassion; she strives to provide a safe, warm, and open space for you to process distressing thoughts, actions, and experiences. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all experience so she is passionate about using a holistic, eclectic, and integrative approach to help equip and educate you to reach the goals you have set for yourself. She combines a variety of evidence-based techniques and interventions tailored for you with an emphasis in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Additionally, she is Gottman Level 1 trained and provides support for couples using this approach.
Mackenzie has a strong conviction that every individual is worthy of love, freedom, and wholeness. She believes we all have infinite value and purpose although our lived experiences may cause us to lose sight of this. Whether you’re feeling stuck in life and want new tools and a fresh perspective or you’re experiencing one of the lowest points in your life, your story matters and it would be an honor for Mackenzie to walk alongside you towards hope and healing. Through therapy, her hope is that you will feel empowered and encouraged to live the life you were created to live.
Mackenzie is working under the supervision of Deb Peterson, M.A., LPCC.
McKayla Olson, LICSW
Her practice consists of using evidenced based theories and interventions such as motivational interviewing, spiritual integration, CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, play therapy, and trauma based therapies when the client is ready. She works with school-aged children, adolescents, young adults, and families.
She is passionate in working with those experiencing anxiety, depression, guilt and shame, grief and loss, identity development, college and student issues, self-esteem, PTSD and trauma, and family/relationship challenges.