About Us
Jes Podpeskar, LICSW
Chelsey Harju, LICSW
Hi there! I'm Chelsey. I've been a therapist in the Twin Ports for over 16 years. I worked at Merritt Intensive Day Treatment for 5 years and spent the next 11 at Amberwing Center for Youth and Family Wellness. For the past 8 years, I've worked with the Miller Dwan Foundation to deliver mental health training to local school districts. I work with kids ages 6-25 specializing in anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, school avoidance, trauma and emotional dysregulation.
I'm a mom and I know how impossible parenting can feel sometimes. But I also remember the challenges of being a child, a teen, a young adult; the emotional highs and lows, the frustration in not being able to make your own decisions, the pressure that comes from friends, teachers, coaches and parents. My goal is to be the therapist that I would have felt comfortable with when I was a kid. One of my favorite things to do this is through art.
I use a mixture of therapeutic models but primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) and am certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) by the Linehan Board of Certification.
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In my free time, I love spending time with my husband and 2 kids, DIY projects, traveling and being around water. I have a little chihuahua named Johann. If I weren't a therapist, I think I would be an interior designer or own a custom playhouse company.
Hi! Jes here! If we were sitting down in person (or through a screen), the first thing I would likely ask you, is if you wanted a water or hot cocoa and if you were interested in a snack - being comfortable in my space and with me are most important. The next thing I would likely ask you (or your parents) is if there is anything specific on your mind for our session. I want to always make sure I am meeting you where you’re at for each session. Following that, we would jump into our session using different treatment modalities. I typically use: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), components of play therapy and more - let us chat about what might be a good fit for you!
Meeting with kids, adolescents and their families is my passion. Since graduating with my master’s degree in 2015, this is the clientele I have worked with. Previously, I was a school social worker and then a psychotherapist at Amberwing in the teen program. I currently work with ages 6-19 and look forward to meeting with you!
Other roles I play in life are mom, wife, friend, auntie and party planner. I love to spend time with my husband, two daughters and our new puppy who keeps us busy! I plan our daughters' birthday parties about 9 months in advance and start Christmas shopping for the next year the day after Christmas! Planning and organizing are my self-care! I watch holiday movies year-round and winter is my favorite season! That's enough about me for now though, let's chat soon!
Johann
Jagger
Our Space
Come see us at 4140 Richard Avenue in Hermantown, next to Sam's Club. We will meet you in the lobby on the main floor.