Kelle Arend, MA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I enjoy working with diverse families, children and adolescents using a holistic, empathetic, relational and play based approach.
I strongly believe that we each possess inherent goodness, inner wisdom and the tools needed for growth throughout the lifespan. My role is to provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for children and families to re-engage with these strengths and use them to drive purpose and joy in their lives and relationships.
I work together with families as a team, and utilize humor, play, and expressive activities to help process, reflect and rework traumas and stressors, and guide individuals and families towards healing, connection and shared joy.
I help kids and their families with issues including attachment, adoption, Early Childhood Mental Health, divorce concerns, parent/child relationship, co-parenting, difficult life changes and transitions, anxiety and depression, and trauma, behavioral issues, and school and peer challenges.
Child Therapy and Play Therapy:
My specialty and passion is working with children (birth to age 12) and their families who experience all sorts of challenges that arise within life. I often use a dedicated space for play therapy and exploration to help kids feel very safe and comfortable, and eager to come for their sessions.
Training:
I use models that are grounded in developmental, attachment and systems theories and work to create, revive and restore connection within families.
I am currently working toward my Registered Play Therapy Certification; and am trained in Sand Tray, Directive/Nondirective Play Therapy, and Somatic Experiential Play Therapy. These are evidenced-based modalities and the highest standard for working with children.
I have also completed Level One of Theraplay, an evidenced-based child and family therapy model for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust and joyful engagement within the family relationships. I have been trained in the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0-5).
Finally, I am also a Certified Facilitator of Prepare/Enrich, an inventory and assessment tool for premarital and marriage counseling.
Contact Me:
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology: Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy: Saint Mary’s University of MN, Minneapolis, MN
Prepare/Enrich Certification
Somatic Experiential Play Therapy
Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC: 0-5)
Sand Tray Therapy
Theraplay Level One
Insurance Provider For:
BCBS MN, Health Partners, BCBS WI/Anthem, Preferred One, MultiPlan/Aetna, WEA Trust