Meet the Team

Heather received her master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Heather is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Minnesota. Heather has completed training and has clinical experience in DC 0-5, Circles of Security, Theraplay©, and Trust Based Relationship Intervention ®. Additionally, Heather has completed training and has clinical experience in implementing various trauma-focused interventions and play therapy informed interventions. Heather is a board approved clinical supervisor with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.  

Heather has experience collaborating with various surrounding counties and local entities providing monthly support groups for foster and adoptive parents and their families utilizing Trust Based Relationship Intervention® ensuring she is providing support that is attachment-based, trauma-informed, and designed to the meet the complex needs of vulnerable children by utilizing empowering principles to address physical needs, connecting principles for attachment needs, and correcting principles to disarm fear-based behaviors that are often a result of trauma and/or a rupture in attachment. Heather has devoted her entire adult life to servicing children and families. Prior to her clinical practice, Heather worked in an academic setting in both preschool and kindergarten classrooms, in an intensive day treatment program as a paraprofessional assisting children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and provided in-home services as a parent educator working on family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and caregiver- child attachment. Since transitioning into her clinical practice, Heather has worked in various clinical mental health settings to include agency based in-home therapy aimed at increasing the daily functioning of children and families living with mental health concerns, numerous day treatment settings with individuals experiencing heightened mental health concerns requiring a higher level of care, and providing therapeutic services in an outpatient private practice setting to children and families. Heather has experience working with many populations including early childhood, elementary aged children, adolescents, adults, and families. Heather's training and expertise focus on therapeutic issues around attachment/attachment disruptions, trauma, adoption, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, family dynamics, self-regulation, and emotional learning.

Heather integrates experiential and play based interventions, techniques, and modalities into treatment. Heather values interpersonal relationships and the importance they play in individuals’ lives. Heather believes in utilizing a strength-based approach when working with children and families while concurrently providing and modeling healthy interpersonal relationships. Heather strives to provide hope and healing for children and families by walking alongside them as they navigate their personal journey. Diligently striving to help others feel heard and valued.

Trish has spent the past two and a half decades working with diverse individuals, families, groups and communities, both in the United States and overseas. She believes all people deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and equality and should be granted equal access to human and civil rights. Trish provides a welcoming and safe space for people of any gender, orientation, race, religion, culture and background. She honors each individual’s story and needs. Trish is working toward her clinical licensure in social work under the supervision of Heather Teichroew, LPC and Jenni Mchugh, LICSW. She practices therapy with individuals in person, on-line and in natural settings comforting to the client. Trish offers trauma-informed, whole- hearted listening, client-centered therapy and focuses on building trusting and safe relationships to allow clients to achieve personal goals related to their reasons for seeking counseling. She offers a holistic, strengths-based approach and nurtures clients to practice curiosity, openness, care and self-compassion. 

Trish works with clients to feel empowered and equipped with healthy coping strategies and skills and to feel safe, capable and supported in navigating their life. Trish focuses on the individual’s unique and personal story, needs and goals. She incorporates mind-body integrative approaches and somatic exploration processes to support client’s deeper understanding and clarity of their life experiences. In addition to her work as a therapist, Trish teaches mindfulness trainings in the schools and throughout the community and facilitates workshops, trainings and retreats to inspire holistic health, self-awareness, compassion and healing. She is also a meditation teacher and trauma-informed yoga instructor.

Shaylee earned her MSW in Clinical Social Work from Winona State University.  Shaylee is currently offering Nature-Based Therapy services where the sessions primarily take place outdoors year-round.  She collaborates with the natural environment to allow room for stress reduction and healing in the therapy process.  She has training and experience in Body-Based Therapy (Somatic Therapy), Attachment-Based Therapy, Mindfulness Techniques, Play Therapy and Experiential Therapies (art, music, wilderness, movement, etc.) with a focus on understanding and connecting with our nervous system responses to stress and trauma.  Shaylee enjoys working with all ages of clients individually from young children to older adults.  She meets individuals where they are at in developing a therapeutic relationship within the healing process.  She approaches therapy from a trauma-informed lens, providing a safe environment on the therapeutic journey.  Shaylee enjoys incorporating art and creativity into sessions and focusing on skills that resonate with each individual.  Shaylee takes a gentle and collaborative approach to connecting with individuals in therapy.  She feels grateful to be able to share these experiences with individuals within the healing process.  She is an LGBTQIA2S+ ally.  

Emily is currently an administrative assistant and clinical intern at Nurturing Connections. She is working towards her masters' degree in Social Work from Winona State University under the supervision of Heather Teichroew, LPCC and Shaylee Walsh, MSW, LGSW. Emily received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Winona State University in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and a minor in reading instruction. After witnessing how trauma and behavioral challenges impacted children in the classroom, Emily developed a passion for children's mental health and family relationships. Emily has many years of experience working with children, adolescents, and teens in a variety of settings. She has training and education in trauma informed clinical practice and is dedicated to creating a safe, empathetic, and collaborative environment by using trauma-informed and attachment-based interventions that address the whole person. 

Aaron is one of Nurturing Connection’s Clinical Mental Health Counselor interns. Currently, Aaron is enrolled at Divine Mercy University in their School of Counseling and is excited to do his practicum and internship here at Nurturing Connections. Originally from a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Aaron has 12 years of experience working with college students and young adults in different mentoring capacities. He is excited to help those seeking counseling to live a flourishing life through the therapeutic alliance built between the counselor and the client. Aaron loves spending his free time boating, hiking, and biking with his wife and four young kids. 

Holly has been a Mental Health Billing Specialist since July of 2019. She studied Medical Insurance Billing & Coding and Office Administration at Ross Medical where she obtained her CBCS certification. 

Holly takes great joy in helping to ensure each provider and client are all set on the back end so they can focus on what is most important during each session. 

In her free time, Holly enjoys spending her time outdoors. Kayaking, hiking, rock hounding, and camping are some of her favorite activities.