Ellie Mental Health - Mankato, MN

10/23/2025

Please see this helpful document from Nicollet County with a list of various local food resources.

UPDATE: 3pm Tuesday, October 21:

Nicollet County has gathered a list of local food resources for residents who may be impacted by the shutdown or delays in benefits. This list includes area food shelves, community meal programs, and other local assistance options. Click here: http://bit.ly/47vXlpE

Resources continue to evolve and change; Nicollet County will share updates as they become available.

UPDATE: 2pm Thursday, October 16:
Since our initial post, we have been informed that the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families has been working to find solutions that would allow SNAP applications to be processed through the end of October. Their efforts, along with county partnerships, have led to a temporary solution for October benefits.

What that means:
The system block that was scheduled to take effect today has not been implemented.

Please note:
This update only applies to October SNAP and MFIP benefits. November benefits remain at risk and will not be issued if the federal shutdown continues and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families does not receive new guidance from the USDA.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families continues to explore additional options to support recipients, and is testing potential solutions that could allow benefits to continue in November if the shutdown persists.

Nicollet County will share additional updates as more information becomes available.

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, some programs administered through Nicollet County are affected.

Programs affected:
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): New applications cannot be approved as of October 16, 2025, until the shutdown is resolved.
• MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program): Applications and benefits can be processed through October 28, 2025.

Note: Applications can still be turned in and processed, though approval will be delayed until the shutdown resolves.

Programs not affected (state-funded):
Applications and November benefits will continue to be processed for:
DWP (Diversionary Work Program), MSA (Minnesota Supplemental Aid), GA (General Assistance), Housing Support, and RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance).

Additional information:
• CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program): Not impacted
• Medical Assistance (MA): Fully funded through the first quarter of 2026; no changes to applications or coverage.

This situation remains fluid; please watch for updates regarding impacts to services provided by Nicollet County.

For the latest information about program impacts, visit the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families federal shutdown information page: http://bit.ly/42FI0Bh

10/21/2025

We're thrilled to announce that we are now Sagent Behavioral Health! Follow us here: Sagent Behavioral Health for future updates.

Our new name and brand brings together trusted brands (along with Ellie Mental Health), like Nystrom & Associates, Psychiatric Associates, LifeWorks, Sandhill, and Vantage Point under one unified mission. With 84 locations across 5 states and over 1,600 clinicians, we're all united by our shared commitment to making mental health care more accessible and person-centered.

Our name, Sagent (SAY-GENT), combines "Sage" (wisdom) with "Agent" (agents of change) - because healing requires insight and action. Our flowing journey mark symbolizes the twists and turns we navigate together, because while your mental health journey may not be a straight line, we're with you to make sure that line is trending up. Our invitation is simple: Start here.

Your care continues exactly as it always has - same providers, same locations, same commitment to empowering you to be the best version of yourself. As we transition to Sagent, you'll start to see our new look, but our focus on you stays the same.

10/16/2025

🎉✨ Celebrating 2 Years of Megan Kjolsing, MS, LPCC at Ellie Mental Health Mankato! ✨🎉

We’re so grateful to celebrate Megan Kjolsing for her two incredible years with our Ellie Mankato team! 💚 Megan is the definition of dedicated, driven, and always striving for growth — both professionally and personally.

Her commitment to her clients, her team, and her own continued development shines through in everything she does. 🌱💪 Whether she’s supporting others through life’s challenges or expanding her clinical skills, Megan brings passion, compassion, and excellence to every session.

Please join us in celebrating Megan and all the impact she’s made over the past two years — and here’s to many more! 🥳👏

10/14/2025

✨ Exciting News from Ellie Mental Health Mankato! ✨

We currently have FOUR child-focused therapists (yes — therapists who specialize in working with kids!) and… 🥁 NO WAITLIST! That’s right — you heard that correctly! 🙌

Now is a great time to start therapy and give your child extra support as they navigate school, emotions, friendships, and life’s ups and downs. 💚

Getting set up is easy:
🌐 Visit our website: https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/mankato-mn/

📞 Call the number listed to speak directly with our Client Access Team
🖋️ Or fill out the online form, and our team will reach out to you!

Let’s make mental health support for your child simple, accessible, and full of hope 💫

10/03/2025

🌟 Now Offering Virtual Trauma Therapy – No Waitlist! 🌟

Meet Chelsea Mangen, MA, LMFT – a compassionate and experienced therapist with over 10+ years of helping individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges. Chelsea is currently accepting virtual clients ages 18–60, M–F, and is credentialed with all major insurance panels.

✨ Specialized Training: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) & Brainspotting

Both EMDR and Brainspotting are highly effective, evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD, helping the brain and body process unresolved experiences so individuals can heal, build resilience, and move forward.

Chelsea is known for her humor, warmth, and sensitivity—creating a safe, peaceful space where clients feel supported and understood.

💻 Virtual therapy, no waitlist – start today!
👉 To schedule an appointment, click here: https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/mankato-mn/. From there, you can either call our Client Access Team or complete the online form.

Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys family time, reading, crocheting, learning languages and cultures, movies, and long walks. 🌿

09/29/2025

🌟 We’re Hiring! 🌟

The Ellie Mankato team (now part of Nystrom & Associates) is looking for a passionate Licensed Child & Adolescent Therapist to join us! 💜

As a therapist at Ellie, you’ll thrive in a culture that values authenticity, humor, compassion, creativity, acceptance, and determination—while helping expand access to quality mental health care for kids, teens, and families.

✨ What We Offer:

Competitive compensation ($24k–$90k annually, depending on licensure, experience & caseload)

Flexible FT/PT scheduling & reasonable caseloads

Medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance + 401(k)

Paid time off & holidays

Free internal CEUs

Inclusive, supportive colleagues & a welcoming clinic environment

Pet insurance (because furry family counts too 🐾)

💡 What We’re Looking For:

Licensed provider (LMFT, LPCC, LICSW, LP, etc.)

Experience with children, adolescents, and families

Strong clinical skills in assessment, treatment planning, and therapy

Passion for play-based, creative, and evidence-based interventions

📌 Your Role:

Provide diagnostic assessments, individual & family therapy

Build and maintain your caseload with support from our amazing team

Collaborate with schools, families, and other providers

Use creativity and compassion to help kids and families thrive

👉 Apply today and bring your expertise in child & adolescent mental health to Ellie Mankato!
🔗 Apply Here. https://www.nystromcounseling.com/employment-opportunities/

09/25/2025

✨ Rare Openings Available ✨

We’re excited to share that Megan Kjolsing, MS, LPC currently has a few rare openings in her schedule for adult clients — with no waitlist!

If you’ve been considering starting therapy, now is a great time to connect. Megan specializes in supporting adults in their journey toward growth, healing, and improved well-being.

➡️ To schedule with Megan, please complete the online request form here: https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/mankato-mn/

📞 Or call our Client Access Team at 651-565-1411.

Spots are limited, so reach out today to secure your time!

09/18/2025

Memes can make light of stress, but if what's behind the laugh feels heavy, therapy can help lighten the load.

09/13/2025

✨ Ellie Mental Health, Mankato had the honor of being an exhibitor at the Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) Region 9 Conference: Advocacy in Action on September 12, 2025!

A special shoutout to our Clinic Director, Sara Mennen, MS, LMFT, who serves as a board member for MSSA Region 9 and co-chair of the conference committee. 🙌

We were also proud to have three of our amazing providers on-site to connect, answer questions, and represent Ellie:
➡️ Crystal Morales, MSW, LGSW – Currently accepting adult clients with no waitlist
➡️ Sara Mennen, MS, LMFT -- Clinic Director
➡️ Jamie Mack, MSW, LICSW – Internship Coordinator
➡️ Megan Schultz, BS, LSW – Clinical Social Work Intern

💚 Interested in connecting with Crystal and starting your therapy journey? Click the link below to find our phone number or complete the online form to get started:
👉 https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/mankato-mn/

09/10/2025

Sure, memes are funny-but they're also little reminders that you're not alone in what you're feeling. Hang in there!

09/10/2025

🚨 We’re Hiring in Mankato! 🚨

Ellie Mental Health – Mankato (now part of Nystrom & Associates) is looking for a Licensed Child-Focused Therapist (full or part time) to join our amazing team! 💚

In this role, you’ll work with kids and teens ages 10–18, supporting them through life’s challenges while helping expand access to high-quality mental health care in our community.

At Ellie, we’re proud to be founded by clinicians and driven by our core values of:
✨ Authenticity
✨ Humor
✨ Compassion
✨ Creativity
✨ Acceptance
✨ Determination

Ellie was built on the principle of destigmatizing mental health. Now, with Nystrom & Associates acquiring the Minnesota-based operations of Ellie Mental Health, we’ve joined forces to create one of the largest behavioral health networks in the region—allowing us to reach even more families in need.

👉 Apply today and be part of the movement to bring accessible, client-centered care to Mankato!
🔗 Click here to apply