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.
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.
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.
David has been a counseling since 2005 and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
He uses a collaborative style working together with individuals & couples and enjoy working with complex trauma, marriage/relational conflict, depression, anxiety, mood disorder and family issues.
He has experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (Flash, Four Blinks, Somatic Processing), Trauma Focused CBT and Gottman's Couple's Therapy, and other therapies.
He has experienced this many times when a couple comes in and says, ‘If this doesn’t work then we’re getting a divorce.’ I inform them that if you both are willing to be open and honest with one another and do the homework, engage in sessions, then you can have a better relationship and experience deeper, satisfying connections.
He says, “one of the most satisfying moments for me is when people are able to let go of their burdens and utilize the skills learned to grow their connection and start thriving in their relationships and life.”
He offers a Christian perspective to those interested to use bible stories and prayer in sessions to the level you are comfortable. As a Christian I know where my wisdom and understanding comes from and desire to help heal relationships and marriages.
Personal Note: My wife and I moved to Minnesota to be closer to our adult children and our grandchildren. I am northwest Iowa boy and lived in Alaska for 18 yrs leading wilderness trips for teenagers and recently moved from Wisconsin after 17 yrs.
David Schmitt, MSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Lewis Sego, MFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
David Sliefert, M.A.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
