FOREST LAKE COUNSELING TEAM

Meet Our Therapists & Consultants in Forest Lake, MN

Our team brings decades of experience helping individuals, couples, children, and families navigate life’s challenges. From counseling and trauma support to family mediation, parenting assessments, and court-related services, we are committed to providing compassionate care and practical solutions throughout Forest Lake and surrounding Minnesota communities.

Find the Right Mental Health Support for You

Finding the right professional is one of the most important parts of beginning care. Our Forest Lake team includes licensed therapy, mediation, behavioral-health consulting, wellness support, and experienced office coordination. Each role is clearly identified so you can understand who provides which service.

Start with the profile that best matches your needs, or contact our office and we will help guide you. Explore individual counseling, family counseling, child and teen therapy, or divorce mediation.

Owner and Lead Therapist

MA, LMFT | Marriage and Family Therapist, Evaluator & Mediator

Debra Nelson, MA, LMFT, founded Counseling & Mediation Solutions in 2002 and brings more than 30 years of experience in marriage and family therapy, parenting and relationship development, community mental health, ministry, and Minnesota family-court services.

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, evaluator, educator, and mediator, Debra helps individuals, couples, and families work through relationship concerns, parenting challenges, family conflict, divorce transitions, and major life changes. Her approach combines practical strategies, compassionate care, and a whole-person perspective.

Best fit for: family counseling, parenting and relationship support, divorce mediation, family-court consultation, and integrative therapy.

Appointments and payment: Counseling may be billed to participating insurance plans. Mediation, evaluations, and some consultation services are typically private pay. Please verify benefits before care.

Schedule with Debra or view Debra’s full profile.

Areas of focus

MSW, LGSW, LADC | Behavioral Health Consultant

Nicole Lindberg, MSW, LGSW, LADC, brings more than 25 years of experience across mental health, substance use services, crisis response, intensive residential treatment, community programs, and behavioral-health leadership.

Nicole is the owner of White Pine Clinical Services, LLC and serves as a consultant with Counseling & Mediation Solutions. Her work is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered, with an emphasis on helping people feel heard, respected, and supported while they navigate complex behavioral-health needs.

Areas of expertise: substance use and recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, serious and persistent mental illness, crisis systems, relationship challenges, life transitions, and program consultation.

Consultation and payment: Availability and service arrangements vary by referral and scope. Confirm insurance, self-pay, or contracted-service options before scheduling.

Ask about Nicole’s availability or view Nicole’s full profile.

Nutritional Consultant

Dr. Gary Johnson

DC, DCBCN | Licensed Chiropractor & Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist

Dr. Gary Johnson is a licensed chiropractor, board-certified clinical nutritionist, and certified biofeedback specialist, educator, and supervisor. As a wellness consultant, he helps clients explore how nutrition, stress, sleep, and other lifestyle factors can support overall health.

His services may include wellness education, nutritional guidance, supplement consultation, biofeedback, special-diet support, weight-management education, and stress-reduction strategies. These wellness services complement, but do not replace, psychotherapy, medical care, or psychiatric treatment.

Consultation and payment: Contact the office to confirm availability, scope of service, and private-pay arrangements.

Areas of focus
Office Assistant

Andy Hahnz

Andy brings nearly 20 years of experience in the mental health field to his role as Office Assistant. He helps create a welcoming, respectful experience for clients and supports the day-to-day coordination that keeps the office running smoothly.

His person-centered approach reflects a belief that every person deserves compassion, dignity, and clear support from the first point of contact.

Trusted Mental Health Directories & Resources

Ready to Find the Right Provider?

Insurance: The practice works with many major insurance plans, including Medica, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, UCare, and Medical Assistance. Network participation can differ by provider and plan, so please verify benefits before your first appointment.

Other payment arrangements: Self-pay and health savings account payments may be available. Mediation, evaluations, wellness consultation, and some consulting services are generally private pay.

Call (651) 307-4993 or use our secure contact page to ask about the best provider match, current availability, and payment options.

For independent professional information, visit the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy or the SAMHSA Find Support resource. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 crisis support, call or text 988.