Meet Our Professionals
Andrea Wells MSW, LICSW
Andrea is the founder and Clinical Director of Superior Counseling LLC. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota, she has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of areas of mental health. She sees therapy as a collaborative progression every step of the way, from the initial intake to discharge. Together, we look at the client’s strengths and place emphasis on what we know is already working. We tailor treatment for each client based on their individual needs.
Andrea is trained in TF-CBT, CBT, EMDR, Play Therapy, Sand Tray, Alpha-Stim, and Love and Logic parenting curriculum. Her studies and continued education have focused on trauma and play therapy. She is trained to assess children under the age of 5, and holds a Child Specialist Certification, providing EMDR with children. She also is able to provide clinical supervision for those individuals who are working towards being fully licensed.
Education: Andrea Wells received her Bachelor Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work, with an emphasis in mental health, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Personal Interests: Andrea enjoys the outdoors and sunshine. Her family plays a big role in her life, as well as her pets. She has three dogs and one cat she enjoys dearly. In her free time, she appreciates running, going to the beach, making jewelry, scrapbooking, and spending time learning about and working with essential oils.
E-mail: Andrea@SuperiorCounseling.org
Shelly Symons MSW, LICSW
Shelly Symons LLC
Shelly is a licensed psychotherapist contracted with Superior Counseling LLC. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of MN Duluth with focus in sociology, psychology, and cultural studies. After graduating, she joined AmeriCorps where she worked with homeless and runaway youth and their families through a community mental health agency. This is where she discovered her passion for working with youth who have experienced chronic family stress and trauma. After completing her service term, she returned to UMD and received a Master of Social Work degree. She has since obtained her Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) status in 2015.
Shelly has served children and families in various roles for 10+ years. These have included domestic violence advocacy, respite care for children in transitional housing, day treatment, skills training (CTSS), and psychotherapy. She enjoys working with children of all ages from early childhood through adolescence and who experience an array of symptoms and life circumstances. She most often treats children with trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, early childhood interventions (play therapy, parenting modalities, and DC0-5 diagnostic manual for assessing children age 5 and under), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Managing and Adapting Practice, and Alpha-Stim/Cranial Electrotherapy.
Shelly’s approach to therapy is based on creating a validating and accepting atmosphere that is free of shame or judgment. She uses a client-centered approach to treatment planning which means that her role is to help the client (or family) set their own goals, find their motivation, and then identify the steps to help them reach their goals. She also believes in an environmental (person-in-environment) approach for recovery. Because of this, she thinks it is important to give caregivers and other providers the tools to support children in between sessions and help the child generalize what they are learning into their everyday life.
E-mail: Shelly@SuperiorCounseling.org
Alyssa Huttel, MSed
Alyssa Huttel LLC
Alyssa joined Superior Counseling LLC with over eight (8) years of experience in the community health field, working with children, adolescents, and adults. Alyssa completed her undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin Superior, earning a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Alyssa is on track to be fully licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) by the end of 2021.
As a mental health therapist, Alyssa has extensive experience working with clients with trauma, depression, anxiety, autism, and other behavioral disorders. Alyssa prides herself on utilizing an integrated and client-centered therapy approach. Alyssa incorporates techniques from CBT, DBT, Solution Focused, play therapy, and narrative therapy. She has received further training in Autism and Trauma, ABA therapy, and early childhood interventions (play therapy, family education, and Floortime). Alyssa is also trained to assess children under the age of five (5).
In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her husband and their golden retriever, Hudson. She enjoys being outside, biking, wake-surfing, and relaxing at her family cabin.
E-mail: Alyssa@superiorcounseling.org
Megan Hedrington MSW, LICSW
Megan Hedrington LLC
Megan Hedrington, with Megan Hedrington LLC, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota and has 12 + years of experience in a multitude of setting surrounding children, adults, and family’s mental health needs. She has a background working in residential settings, in-home services, jail, school based mental health, and medical settings. Megan enjoys working with both children and adults that are experiencing mental health symptoms that impacts their success of day-to-day functioning. As a mental health provider, Megan recognizes the importance of providing trauma informed care while integrating patient centered therapeutic interventions.
Megan graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse with Sociology and Criminal Justice. She continued her education at the Collage of St. Scholastica where Megan obtained her Masters in Clinical Social Work.
In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors and loves anything that includes sunshine and water.
Thank you.
York Marlowe, LPCC
He/His
Country Road Therapy LLC
York is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin with about six years of experience in the mental health field. He is focused on helping clients overcome a variety of issues including stress, depression, and trauma. He sees the process of therapy as a joint effort between client and therapist and all treatment interventions are chosen based on the client’s individual needs and interests. He concentrates on assuring all clients feel comfortable and respected throughout the process of treatment.
York works with clients of all ages and practices individual, family, and couples’ therapy. His specialized training and experience are primarily in trauma therapy. He holds a certification in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and is adept at EMDR treatment for PTSD, Phobias, and anxiety. Additionally, he is certified in Anger Management Therapy and has training in play therapy, TF-CBT, and Sand Tray Therapy.
In his free time, York loves spending time with his wife and playing with his two cats. His hobbies include hiking, bowling, reading books, and playing video games, and he is an avid chess player. Enjoying a great cup of coffee and a slice of pie on a cold day is one of his favorite treats.
Carolyn Woods MSW, LICSW
Carolyn Woods, LLC
Carolyn Woods with Carolyn Woods, LLC is a contracted Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 25+ years working with children & families. Carolyn received her Associate of Arts Degree from Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. Carolyn went on to complete a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota – Duluth in 2007.
Carolyn has experience working with a variety of clients who may be experiencing mental health issues, parenting concerns, substance abuse, trauma, domestic violence problems, women’s issues and other concerns an individual may have within themselves or their families. She has extensive experience in collaborating with community partners in a large variety of settings to ensure her clients receive the most appropriate care for their circumstances. Carolyn works from a person-centered and ecological perspective where clients are the experts. Carolyn feels that listening is the most important skill a clinician can use. She is also closely tied to tribal families and the unique concerns families may experience, including generational trauma. Carolyn enjoys working with both adolescents and adults. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends outdoors and on the water and working with animal rescue causes. She also enjoys traveling frequently to visit her daughter and grandchildren in beautiful northwest Montana.
E-Mail: Carolyn@superiorcounseling.org
MaKenzie Johnson, LPC
MaKenzie Johnson LLC
MaKenzie contracted with Superior Counseling after spending 12 years as a school counselor. As an educator she saw the need for more mental health professionals in her community for educators and human service professionals. She comes to our practice with a passion for educators and helping adults find work-life balance, creating boundaries, managing the “invisible list” and holding a safe space for clients to work on their personal growth.
MaKenzie also has a passion for Maternal Mental Health and sees the need for services and support for women and men who are experiencing infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or transitioning into parenthood. She is pursuing a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health through the Postpartum Support International to provide services to clients during the multiple phases of maternal health. She offers holistic support through the 9 Steps of Wellness, a systemic approach to help those who have given birth, experienced perinatal loss, or adopted and who are encountering problems to these major life changes.
Outside of work, MaKenzie enjoys hiking the vast trails in Duluth with her husband, daughters and their puppy, Lester. She is an avid reader, podcast listener, and enjoys her “hobby” of going out to dinner with friends and family.
E-Mail: Makenzie@superiorcounseling.org
Kathleen Norkol, APRN,CNP,AGNP-BC,PMHNP
Kathleen (Kathie) Norkol is a dual certified Nurse Practitioner – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified as well as Adult- Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified.
Kathie has been in the healthcare field for over 30 years. Kathie provides medication review/management for mental health conditions and can also assist with limited chronic health issues. Kathie can provide limited therapeutic interventions including CBT and talk therapy. Previous work experience includes outpatient psychiatry, telepsychiatry, ambulatory care, primary care (Internal Medicine) residential crisis mental health with mobile crisis team, and addiction medicine. Kathie treats age 16+ for various mental health conditions not limited to: Addiction, ADHD, Alcohol Use Disorder, Anxiety, Autism, Bipolar, Codependency, Depression, Dissociative Disorder, Drug abuse, Eating Disorders, Intellectual Disability, LGBTQ+, OCD, Personality Disorder, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma and is Medical Cannabis Registered
Education: Kathie earned her master’s degree as an adult nurse practitioner (AGNP- BC) from Walden University and her psychiatric certification (PMHNP-BC) from Winona State University. Kathie has returned recently to Frontier University to complete her Doctorate.
Personal Interests: Kathie enjoys spending time with her family, weightlifting, and getting outdoors as much as possible.Personal Interests: Kathie enjoys spending time with her family, weightlifting, andgetting outdoors as much as possible.
E-Mail: Kathleen@superiorcounseling.org
Sophia Lucas
She/Her/Hers
Sophia Lucas LLC
Sophie is a clinical trainee working towards licensure as an LPCC. Sophie graduated with an undergraduate degree from Winona State University with a Psychology degree. She continued her education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota where Sophie obtained her Masters in Counseling and Psychological Services. Sophie has 9 years of experience in the mental health field and specializes in trauma informed care. Sophie chose to become a mental health professional because she has a passion for helping others and providing helpful tools and strategies to reach a client’s fullest potential. Sophie loves having the ability to provide others with strength-based, humanistic approaches. Sophie wants to continue to educate herself and build a foundation that provides the greatest amount of help and support to others. In her free time she loves spending time with her family, two dogs, traveling, and trying out new coffee shops.