Family Counseling Center
For Scheduling Call: (763) 682-5420
Family Counseling Center Staff
Alex Macalena, M.S.
Licensed Psychologist
Mark Pederson, M.S.
Licensed Psychologist
*** Not currently taking new clients**** Alex Macalena, a Licensed Psychologist, graduated with a Masters of Science degree and Post Masters degree (School Psychology/Child Psychology) from Saint John's University in Queens, New York. He has been licensed to practice Psychology in the State of Minnesota since 1983. After working as a Licensed School Psychologist for the Buffalo, Delano, and Rockford school districts, Alex opened Family Counseling Center in 1984. Alex has extensive training and experience helping children, adolescents, and adults. He also enjoys working with couples and families. Some of his special interests include depression, parenting and issues associated with grief and loss.
Mark Pederson, a Licensed Psychologist, received his B.A. degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, and his Masters of Science degree from Saint Cloud State University. Mark joined the Family Counseling Center in 1988. Mark specializes in working with adults, children and adolescents, both individually and as a family unit. He also does ADD/ADHD evaluations, anger management assessments, adoption assessments and gastric by-pass surgery psychological consultations. In addition to private practice, Mark enjoys teaching as an adjunct professor at Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota.
Stacy VanCura, M.S.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Stacy VanCura holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a National Certified Counselor specializing in treating post traumatic stress, anxieties, depression, life adjustments, and complex trauma.
Stacy is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), an AIR Network Provider along with being an ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) therapist.
She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.
Stacy draws from various therapies in order to treat the whole person. She approaches treatment in a collaborative manner in order for healing to take place. A save environment is provided that includes empathy and respect for the client to process and reach resolution and healing. Stacy enjoys integrating spirituality into therapy if the client desires.
David Schmitt MSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
David A. Schmitt, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, graduated with a Masters of Social Work degree from Brigham Young University in 1988. He has been licensed to practice psychotherapy in the State of Minnesota since 1991. David is a goal directed, solution focused, results oriented psychotherapist with a brief-time-limited emphasis. David has over twenty-seven years experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric work, chemical dependency outpatient rehabilitation and outpatient mental health. Much of David’s career has been devoted to the work of mandated domestic/anger issues (this is not domestic prevention programming) in terms of understanding, controlling, and managing the emotion of anger through the use of proven anger management techniques. David sees many clients with a variety of issues, including, but not limited to: depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, and stress related adjustment reaction. Dave joined the Family Counseling Center in 2001.
April Murch, M.A.
Clinic Administrator
April Murch holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Bethel University. She joined Family Counseling Center in 2000. April manages the behind the scenes elements of the practice including working with insurance companies, billing claims, and enabling the office to function effectively and efficiently. Additionally, she assists clients with insurance and billing concerns.
LuAnn
Office Assistant
LuAnn joined the Family Counseling Center in 2006. She handles front desk responsibilities and works to make our clients feel welcome.
Stacia Wakefield, M.S.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Stacia Wakefield, a mental health counselor, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and her Masters of Science degree from Capella University. She joined the Family Counseling Center in 2014. Stacia uses a collaborative and holistic approach in counseling clients of all ages and strives to utilize clients' natural strengths and abilities to overcome life's challenges. She enjoys helping clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and adjusting to life's transitions. Stacia has completed advanced training in hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming.
Stacia is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) as well as being a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Stacia is also trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Lewis Sego, M.A.
Licensed Marital and Family Therapist
Lewis joined Family Counseling Center in 2014, and has experience in working with children, adolescents, couples and families. He holds a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. His emphasis is in bio-psychology and spirituality or the influence of the mind/body/spiritual connection on thought and mood, and resultant impact on relationships.
He counts it a privilege to come along side individuals, couples and families who are struggling with challenges in their relationships. He has experience in working with troubled teenagers and their families.
In working with people suffering from depression and bipolar disorder, Lewis utilizes a collaborative approach and cognitive behavioral therapy. In his work with people with anxiety and panic attacks he uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills training and mindfulness tools. He enjoys working with couples in all stages of their relationship recognizing that we can all benefit from relational skills training. He is certified in Prepare & Enrich program as well as utilizing John Gottman’s marriage research and Emotionally Focused Therapy to provide premarital counseling, and is useful in improving communication with difficulties arising from child rearing, teen challenges, career changes, empty nest and end of life issues. He is trained in attention deficit (ADD/ADHD) diagnosis, evaluation, and therapy.
Nancy
Office Assistant
Nancy joined Family Counseling in 2015. She helps clients at the front desk with their scheduling needs.
AJ (Jess) Nowak, MSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
AJ (Jess) Nowak, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with his Masters of Social Work. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families.
Some of his special interests include working with individuals and families in regards to mental health concerns related to anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, and adjustment issues. He uses a strengths based framework, utilizing a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, solutions-focused therapy, and a client centered approach. This framework allows him to come along side clients and empower them within the context of their personal and interpersonal lives.
Dr. Carrie LeBarron earned her Ph.D. in 2018 and Master of Science degree in Psychology in 2011, both from Walden University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Development from Concordia University-St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. LeBarron has seven years of experience providing psychological assessments for a variety of diagnoses. For the past two years, she has been providing therapeutic services in the corrections environment. Dr. LeBarron is an altruist with a genuine desire to work as a team through life’s challenges and successes. With a person-centered perspective, her therapeutic approach is tailored to each individual. She has experience working with a variety of mental health concerns. She sees patients aged 13 years old and up for therapy, with options for remote and in-person sessions.
Dr. Carrie LeBarron. MS PhD
Licensed Psychologist
