Northland Counseling Center-Aitkin

12/30/2025

Northland is proud to recognize and celebrate several of our staff members who have reached a remarkable career milestone!

Their dedication, talent, and commitment has shaped our workplace and made a lasting impact on the people we serve.
We would like to recognize the following employees who have been with Northland for the past 5 years!

What an amazing accomplishment!
We thank you for your years of service & appreciate how you continue to help Northland strive to meet our agency’s mission, vision and values!

Thank you, for your years of service!

5 Years of Service:
✨Alyson Lopez, MA, LPCC – Northland Counseling Center (GR)
✨Amy O’Rourk, LPN - Northland Recovery Center (GR)
✨Cheryl Hannasch, Support Staff – Northland Recovery Center (GR)
✨David Benson, CSP - Beacon Hill (GR)
✨Dessa Bergan, MSW, LICSW, MH Therapist – Northland Counseling Center (I-Falls)
✨Jillian Ristau, MS, LPCC, MH Therapist – Northland Counseling Center (GR-Remote)
✨Kenny Westover, Direct Support Staff – CRS (I-Falls)
✨Lanie Schafer, Care Coordinator – Northland Counseling Center (GR)
✨Mary Dudley, Support Staff - Kiesler Wellness Center (GR)
✨Pat Stejskal, RN, Psychiatric Nurse - Northland Counseling Center (GR)
✨Sharon Kostiuk, RN, BHH - Northland Counseling Center (I-Falls)
✨Spencer Danley, Direct Support Staff - CRS (GR)
✨Wendy Dougherty, LPN, Care Coordinator – Northland Counseling Center (I-Falls)

12/30/2025

Northland is proud to recognize and celebrate several of our staff members who have reached a remarkable career milestone!

Their dedication, talent, and commitment has shaped our workplace and made a lasting impact on the people we serve.
We would like to recognize the following employees who have been with Northland for the past 10 years!

What an amazing accomplishment!

We thank you for your years of service & appreciate how you continue to help Northland strive to meet our agency’s mission, vision and values!

Thank you, for your years of service!

10 Years of Service
✨Alicia Villeneuve, ARMHS – Kiesler Wellness Center (GR)
✨Amy Gowell, Support Staff - Northland Recovery Center (GR)
✨Angela Christian, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, Medication Manager – Northland Counseling (GR – Remote)
✨Anna Mann, MS, LPCC, MH Therapist - Northland Counseling Center (I-Falls)
✨Brea Wallaker, MSW, LICSW, MH Therapist/Clinical Manager - Northland Counseling Center (GR)
✨Carol Shimek, Direct Support Staff - CRS (GR)
✨Chris Jenkins, CEO - Admin Building (GR)
✨Chris Pollard, ARMHS - Kiesler Wellness Center (GR)
✨Chris Wolfe, Direct Support Staff - CRS (GR)
✨Danielle Huotari, Case Manager - Northland Counseling Center (GR)
✨Debbie Jonson, Support Staff – Northland Counseling Center (I-Falls)
✨Jeff Clifton, Direct Support Staff - CRS (GR)
✨Joni Golden, Support Staff – Northland Recovery Center (GR)
✨Krislyn Watson, Director of Finance – Admin Building (GR)
✨Megan Hilback, MS, Co-Housing Director – Aurora Heights (GR)
✨Melanie Troumbly, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, Medication Manager – Northland Counseling Center (GR)
✨Tammy Gradine, MA, LPCC, MH Therapist – Northland Counseling Center (I-Falls)

12/25/2025

Northland offices will be closed on 12/24, 12/25 & 1/1!

If you are in need of assistance you can:
Mental Health Emergency:
Call: 988
Itasca County: 218-256-2659

Services:
Itasca, Hibbing and Aitkin: 218-326-1274
I-Falls: 218-283-3406

12/19/2025

Northland offices will be closed on 12/24, 12/25 & 1/1!

If you are in need of assistance you can:
Mental Health Emergency:
Call: 988
Itasca County: 218-256-2659

Services:
Itasca, Hibbing and Aitkin: 218-326-1274
I-Falls: 218-283-3406

Online: www.northlandcounseling.org/online-intakes/
Here you can fill out our intake paperwork and one of our intake staff will be in touch!

*Please use the mental health emergency numbers for emergency or go to nearest ER or call 911!

We wish you a happy & safe holiday season!

12/18/2025

Did you know that giving blood takes less than an hour from start to finish—and while 62% of people are eligible to give, only 3% do?

January is National Blood Donor Month! Give blood and you could be helping a friend, family, or neighbor.

What?
Northland Counseling Center Blood Drive
Thursday, January 15, 2026
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Where?
Bus Parked in Parking Lot of the Kiesler Wellness Center
Map & Directions
Blood Donation is by Appointment

SCHEDULE DONATION
Or contact Heidi Larson at (218) 812-8603 to sign up!

Double your donation, double the lives saved! You’re the right type if you are O+, O-, A-, or B-. Select the “DRBC” tab on the schedule to book your appointment as a double red cell donation. Learn more about double red cell eligibility.

12/12/2025

📦As of December 15th the Aitkin office is moving to:
36090 400th Ave., Aitkin

All services will continue as scheduled ✅

12/12/2025

As I hope you have seen, we would like to recognize our staff and the great work they do with the folks we work with. This is how ‘Moments of Hope’ came to be. If you know of a client or another staff who could share a Moment of Hope story here is the link: https://northlandcounseling.org/moments-of-hope/

Please take a few minutes to read the following story for December’s Moment of Hope.

Staff who are recognized will receive a small gift to acknowledge the HOPE they have given.
Here is our December Story:

Staff Recognized: Janet Miller

From: Anonymous

I wanted to take a moment to thank Janet Miller for her effort in keeping a former KWC member’s memory alive by coordinating Michael’s Elves. Michael’s elves is a program where families needing some extra magic through the holiday gives some ideas on what their children want for Christmas and community members can “adopt” their elf off of the tree at Kiesler Wellness Center. Janet has coordinated Michael’s Elves for 6 years. Thank you Janet for spreading hope!

*permission is granted to use name &/or story*

12/12/2025

The November Northland Value Awards go to:

During the month of November staff in the following programs were up for nominations:
🔹PSS (housing, NRC, KWC)
🔹Valley Pine Staff
🔹CRS Homes/CRS Managers

The following staff have won the November Northland Value Awards and will receive a small award!

The awards go to:

PSS – Grand Rapids
🔹George Wood
“George is the first person to drop everything and help out, wherever and whoever needs it. He is truly an asset to NCC/NRC and every day is better when George is here!”

Valley Pine Staff – I’Falls
🔹Chris Townson
“Chris has a special way of building trust and creating positive relationships that make a real difference. No matter how busy things get, Chris always takes the time to listen, show kindness, and make sure everyone feels heard.”

CRS Homes-Grand Rapids
🔹Aaron Dyer
“Aaron has taught me how to have the best relationships with clients by being the example and always being a phone call away.”

CRS Homes-I’falls
🔹Mollie Welsh
“She appears to enjoy keeping busy while on shift, whether she’s whipping up sweet treats in the kitchen, planning fun outings for clients, or having friendly chats with them about their nightly routines. She’s deeply caring, shows compassion in everything she does, and always carries herself with integrity.”

CRS Manager
🔹Connie Frizell
“She consistently demonstrates compassion and integrity, creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone she serves.”

Thank you for demonstrating our values!

12/12/2025

12/12/2025

Would like to say THANK YOU to ’s Grill + Bar (Grand Rapids, MN) for doing a heavy order for our staff party! Thank you for making this happen and it was delicious!

12/12/2025

We would like to extend a HUGE Congratulations to Dale D. for attending and graduating his Certified Peer Support Training. His journey to becoming a PSS is truly inspirational and shows how growth and change occurs all in the right time. Congratulations Dale! 🎓