Michael Borowiak, MSW, LICSW
Therapist, Consultant, and Owner at Traverse Counseling & Consulting, GBC

Michael has been in private practice since 1997. He specializes in helping individuals and families out of stressful and challenging dynamics, such as divorce, trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety and significant medical conditions. Michael has an MSW (Masters of Social Work) and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). He is trained in family systems therapy, chemical dependency and child and adolescent therapy, with an undergraduate degree in psychology. Michael has been working with couples, families and children his entire career. Michael enjoys running, adventures, and spending time with his wife and family.

Michael's message to you: If you are looking for practical solutions to finding wellness for you and your family, this is the place to come. You will experience life-giving support and positive challenges that will empower you to reach the wellness you desire.

Michael's Why Statement: To journey with others with presence, passion and purpose, so that growth is catalyzed.

Additional Specialties: Reunification, Co-Parenting, Trauma, and Addiction Counseling, Parent Coaching, Parent Consulting, Mediation, Presentations, Significant Medical Conditions, Training and Consulting with Schools,

Education: M.S.W., Augsburg College - Systems Theory, Family Practice, B.S., St. John's University - Psychology

Licensure: LICSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Additional Coursework: St. Mary's University - Play Therapy, Argosy University - Psychological Testing and Interpretation, Child Inclusive Mediation, Rule 114 Qualified Neutral Mediator

Professional Activities & Memberships: AFCC (Assoc. of Family & Conciliation Court), Board of Directors YMCA Camp Menogyn, '98 - '04, Chemical Health Specialist, Hopkins High School, '00 - '04, Drug Free Community Coalition Coordinator - Hopkins School District

Clients say:

 "I couldn't be more grateful for Michael and his knowledge. He really changed the trajectory of our family. I will forever be grateful for him and his expertise."

MA, LMFT, Therapist, and Owner at Traverse Counseling & Consulting

Mathew has a background in youth and family ministry and is also a trainer and associate with Peer Ministry Leadership training faith communities all over the nation in "Good Samaritan Leadership".

Mathew is passionate about relationships and has a desire to help couples redesign their relationship so it suits both partners, improve communication and understanding for parents and children, and support parents in reasserting their parental authority when feeling as though they have lost control of their family.

Mathew also writes a blog, Relationships that Heal for professional and non-professional helpers and caregivers.

Matt says that he is passionate about his work because, “We heal ourselves through our relationships, we become ourselves in relationships, we are who we are because of those we love and are loved by. I can think of no greater honor than to assist families, couples, parents and children in working to repair, heal build and rebuild relationships.”

Matt's Why Statement: To co-create safe space for human beings to explore their pain and suffering so that they may come to know a sense of compassion for themselves and be able to extend that to others.

Additional Specialties: Video Gaming Addiction, Discernment Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Reunification, Co-Parenting, Parent Coaching

Education: B.A. University of MN, M.A. Marriage & Family Therapy at St. Mary's University

License, Certifications & Awards: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MN License Number 2560, PREPARE/ENRICH certified Facilitator, Discernment Counselor, Approved Supervisor for Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Professional Activities & Memberships: AAMFT (National Association of Marriage & Family Therapy), MAMFT (Minnesota Association of Marriage & Family Therapy), DRI Alliance, Tonka Cares, AFCC (Assoc. of Family & Conciliation Court), NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals), One Voice Coalition (Hopkins Drug Free Coalition), Minnetonka Digital Citizenship Committee

Clients say:

"Matt models transparency and vulnerability for his clients and I'm thankful for that."

MA, LAMFT - Licensed Associate  Marriage and Family Therapist

Callie believes relationships anchor us in life and influence how we interact in our world. We understand ourselves through the relationships we nurture. Rooted in family systems, Callie joins individuals, couples, and families that are experiencing distress and walks alongside them in their journey toward peace and resolution. Callie believes in the dialect that every person is doing the best they can and still wants to make improvements in their lives. Her goal and value is to provide a safe and explorative environment while joining you on your journey to the best version of you. She incorporates a collaborative approach, because at the heart of your journey, you know your story best. Callie believes that the experience of therapy can provide us with a unique opportunity to experience ourselves in a new light. Callie enhances the therapeutic experience through mindfulness, promoting an appreciation for and relationship with the unpredictability of life.

Callie’s view of therapy: “We are all on our own personal journeys. At times, those journeys get tough. Life throws out different detours, mountains to climb, and bridges to cross. Sometimes, you need someone to step alongside you on this journey to figure out how to manage it all. My hope is that in our work together, our collaboration builds a sense of relief, support, and empowerment for you to continue along your journey on our own accord. You are not alone.”

Callie has extensive experience working in outpatient settings and school systems with children, adolescents, and their families. She is passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families experiencing life transitions, self-exploration, self-image and identity development, relational discourse, divorce, generalized anxiety, disordered eating patterns, and trauma in relationships

Callie's Why Statement: To join in relationship and empower people through challenges and hardship so that hope, healing and growth can prosper.

Education: M.A. in Counseling Psychology (University of St. Thomas) and B.A. in Psychology (Bethel University)

Licensure: Licensed Associate of Marriage and Family Therapy, License Number 3795

Callie has additional training in Foundational Dialectical Behavior Therapy through Behavioral Tech (2018) and in Basic to Advanced Strategies for Working with Domestic Abuse (2018)

Professional Memberships: American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy; Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Find Callie on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/callie-albaugh-saint-louis-park-mn/448764?sid=5d1bbabc72937&name=Callie+albaugh&ref=1&tr=ResultsProfileBtn

MA, LAMFT, JD, Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

After nearly 30 years as a practicing attorney, Chris began his training as a therapist at Bethel University, where he received a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Chris enjoys working with couples who want to develop deeper, more fulfilling relationships; resolving issues of parenting conflict, trust, infidelity, communication, emotional burnout, intimacy, sex, and work/life balance.  Chris also loves working with attorneys and other professionals who are struggling with burnout, compassion fatigue and other work-related issues. He is committed to helping his clients experience a life they truly want to live by creating a healthy balance between the demands of career and their personal lives.

For most of us, change doesn’t come easily and often involves the pain and discomfort of learning new skills and ways of dealing with life’s inevitable challenges.  Life sometimes offers us painful circumstances as an invitation to growth. Working together we can help you overcome these challenges to create the changes that will lead to better results, outlook and relationships in your life.  I am focused on helping my clients get “unstuck” from old habits and patterns so they can begin to grow and experience life in new and healthier ways.  Chris welcomes the opportunity to work with you and creating the well-balanced life you deserve.

Chris' Why Statement: To guide and inspire others to grow, heal and thrive so that they may live their life to the fullest.

Additional Practice Areas: Family Mediation, Marriage, Discernment, Dissolution Counseling, Relational Therapy, Integrating Spirituality into therapy, Co-Parenting, , Conflicted Families, Individual and Family Therapy for Adults and teens

Education: M.A. Bethel Seminary, Marriage and Family Therapy, B.A., University of Minnesota, English and American Literature, Juris Doctor, William Mitchell College of Law, MN Attorney 0194013

Certifications: Qualified Neutral, Rule 114

Professional activities & memberships: AFCC (Assoc. of Family & Conciliation Court), Central Minnesota Legal Services, Christian Legal Society

Also Trained In: Six-week DBT course, DBT & EMDR Specialists

Clients say:

"I felt connected to Chris immediately. He is very genuine and I really believe he cares about his clients' best interests."

BA - Client Care Assistant and Supervised Parenting Provider

Alexis is an ambitious grad-student pursuing her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Bethel Seminary. She is thrilled to be providing client-care in the evenings and supervised parenting when needed. After working as a paraprofessional following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Alexis gained a passion for working with children and a desire to look deeper within a family's system to uncover relational dynamics, and search for the "why" behind behaviors. Looking through a system lens, Alexis sees the problem as a symptom rather than a pathology. She is looking forward to learning and growing into her positions. Alexis is delighted to be able to bring knowledge from her studies into her roles here at Traverse.

In her future practice, Alexis aspires to specialize in behavioral intervention, childhood trauma, and ambiguous loss. She also has an interest in working with individuals in hospice and providing support to family members.

Education: B. A. Bethel University; Currently Pursuing an M. A. at Bethel Seminary in Marriage and Family Therapy (Expected Graduation 2022). "

Office & Outreach Manager

Carolyn has many years of experience in both office management and marketing. She has a passion for helping others and creating an atmosphere of warmth and dignity for all. She divides her time between managing our front office, client care, and providing information and resources about our services to the professional community.

Carolyn says that she does this work because: “Being part of the Traverse team is such a privilege. I get to share compassion and hope with our clients, witness lives being transformed, be part of a genuinely caring team of people, and share the good news about the work that we do with the community. Being part of something that is making such a difference in the lives of others gives me a great sense of fulfillment.”

Carolyn's Why Statement: To support others with care, kindness and grace so that they feel valued, and hope and possibilities are created.

MA, Client Care Coordinator

Melissa comes to us with diverse experience-from teaching college Spanish to working in Higher Education Administration to previous work at a Medical Clinic and a stint traveling and working in Guatemala, she brings a diverse and varied background of working closely with people from all walks of life and circumstances. Melissa thoroughly enjoys the interaction that she is privileged to have with our clients each day, and she delights in doing everything she can to keep our office organized and our schedules scheduled, our phones answered and our emails responded to in a timely fashion.

Melissa says: "I can think of nothing more fulfilling than knowing I am part of a team that empowers and supports individuals and families in their quest for life-giving and healthful relationships and lives. To know that coming to work every day means that I can make even a small difference by supporting this amazing group of therapists is incredibly fulfilling."

Melissa's Why Statement: To be an authentic, purposeful and joyful presence in the world, so that we can all live in the light and she delights in managing our phones, emails, schedules, and billing in an organized, professional manner.