WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!!!

Emma is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in North Dakota, with a deep passion for helping people feel seen, heard, and supported. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from North Dakota State University and went on to complete her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

At Empower Counseling, Emma brings a bright, calming presence that clients of all ages immediately feel. She has experience working with individuals and families—from toddlers to adults—navigating a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, family transitions, attachment issues, and work-related stress. Whether she’s supporting a young child through early life challenges or helping an adult unpack years of stress, Emma’s approach is always grounded in compassion, creativity, and care.

Emma is especially skilled at meeting people where they are. She tailors each session to the individual, using art, play, and parent involvement when working with younger clients. Her non-judgmental, steady, and empathetic energy creates a space where healing and growth can truly begin.

Outside of the therapy room, Emma finds joy in life’s cozy comforts. She loves spending time with her partner, her family, and her cat, Casper. You might find her curled up on the couch with a crochet project in hand, getting lost in a fantasy novel, or enjoying a favorite video game. Emma is also an avid board game collector and loves gathering friends for a game night.

Vera is a Licensed Master Social Worker in both North Dakota and Minnesota, and her warmth and authenticity shine through in every session. She earned her degree from the University of North Dakota, but her life experiences have taught her just as much as her education—if not more.

Originally from Liberia, Vera came to the United States as a refugee when she was in elementary school. Her personal journey has shaped her deeply, giving her a unique understanding of loss, resilience, cultural identity, and the barriers many face when seeking support. She’s especially passionate about working with diverse communities and finds purpose in supporting individuals (ages 5 and up), with a special connection to teens and young adults navigating big transitions and complex emotions.

Professionally, Vera brings experience and insight into challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, foster care, and delinquency. Her approach is deeply trauma-informed, person-centered, and incredibly strength-based. Vera believes every person holds the power to shape their own story, and she’s here to help them do just that.

In sessions, you’ll find Vera to be calm, patient, and gently curious. Her non-judgmental presence creates a safe space where you’ll feel truly seen, heard, and respected. Whether you’re working through something heavy or just trying to figure things out, Vera will be a steady and compassionate ally on your path. Vera is trained in TFCBT.

Outside the therapy room, Vera loves spending time with her husband and two children. She brings her vibrant energy into her everyday life—you’ll often find her dancing, singing, or staying active. Fun fact: she used to coach high school track!

Courtenay is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Minnesota and a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in North Dakota. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s in Counseling from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Courtenay brings a calm, thoughtful presence to Empower Counseling, where she works with individuals and families ages 8 and up. She has experience supporting clients from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and she’s especially passionate about working with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Her clinical expertise includes anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, relationship struggles, work and family stress, life transitions, domestic violence, divorce, foster care, and more.

What truly sets Courtenay apart is her ability to meet people exactly where they are. She believes every person’s story matters—and that we all have the power to shape our own narrative. With deep respect for each client’s uniqueness, Courtenay adapts her approach to fit who you are, not just what you're going through. Her therapy style blends gentle guidance, genuine curiosity, and just the right dose of humor when it’s needed most. She’s a steady advocate and a compassionate partner on the path toward growth and healing.

Outside of work, Courtenay loves spending time with her husband, family, friends, and her two beloved cats, Stella and Simon. She’s a fan of true crime podcasts, emotional TV dramas, baking sweet treats, and cozy nights with a good video game or playlist. Lately, she’s been exploring her creative side through crochet and paint-by-numbers.

 Sydney is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) in North Dakota. She earned both her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and her Master's degree in Counseling from the University of North Dakota. 

With a warm, bubbly personality and an approach that mixes humor with empathy, she creates a therapeutic space where clients can feel comfortable and truly themselves. Sydney believes that therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating, and she loves helping people relax, relate, and laugh when they need it most. She uses humor as a tool to break down barriers and make therapy a positive uplifting experience.

Sydney is passionate about meeting clients where they are, providing a nonjudgmental, and fully accepting environment. She believes that therapy is done best when there is a strong connection, so she priorities building trust and making a space where collaboration is key. Whether you’re navigating a major life change, working through anxiety or depression, or just need someone to listen to, Sydney is there to help you feel understood and supported.  

Though she mostly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Sydney tailors her approach to meet each client’s unique needs, drawing from various therapeutic techniques to best fit each situation. Her experience spans across all ages, as she has worked with children, teens, and adults.  

Outside of work, Sydney enjoys spending time with her dog, Mabel, and is always up for an adventure. She loves hiking, running, and playing pickleball, and if she’s not outdoors, you’ll find her and Mabel binging Netflix or getting immersed in a book.  

If you are looking for a therapist who is down to earth, relatable, and dedicated to helping you create positive change, Sydney is excited to walk that path with you! 

Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in North Dakota and a National Certified Counselor (NCC), with a heart for helping people feel grounded, understood, and supported. She holds bachelor’s degrees in both Elementary Education and Psychology, and earned her Master’s in School Counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

With over 20 years of experience in both education and mental health, Sarah brings a deep well of knowledge, empathy, and insight to her work. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults across a wide variety of settings, developing expertise in anxiety, grief, emotional regulation, trauma, social skills, and mindfulness. Whether in individual or group settings, Sarah believes in meeting each client where they are—with patience, creativity, and a personalized approach that honors their story.

Sarah’s sessions are grounded in trust, honesty, and collaboration. She knows that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and she brings warmth, playfulness, and structure to her work to help clients feel safe and empowered. She also values working closely with other service providers and support systems, always keeping the client’s goals and well-being at the center of the process. Sarah is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), adding even more tools to her already well-rounded therapeutic toolkit.

Outside of the therapy room, Sarah finds joy in life’s simple pleasures—whether she’s reading a good book, enjoying a game night, exploring the outdoors, traveling to new places, or spending quality time with family and friends.

** Please note that from September-June, Sarah only provides sessions in the evening hours. 

Ariana is a Licensed Master Worker (LMSW) in the state of North Dakota. She holds an unwavering dedication to supporting others on their journey towards healing and growth having graduated with her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2019 and her master's degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University in June 2024.

Ariana's professional background includes working closely with children and families, particularly within the foster care and child welfare system. She has also provided support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She is even trained in Brainspotting and TF-CBT to assist in processing trauma! Ariana also finds fulfillment in working with parents of disabled and medically complex children, offering guidance and support as they navigate unique challenges.

At the core of Ariana's practice is a commitment to compassion and effectiveness, always viewing her work through a trauma-informed lens and emphasizing the significance of building strong relationships. She believes in creating a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can explore their experiences, cultivate resilience, and discover their inherent strengths.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Ariana finds joy in her role as a mother to two girls, a dog, and a cat. Together with her partner, she loves exploring the FM area, camping, and cherishing time spent with friends who feel like family. In her downtime, Ariana indulges in her love for reading historical fiction and fantasy novels, enjoys the tranquility of the beach, and is known for juggling several different beverages simultaneously.

Jana is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of North Dakota and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Dakota State University. She works to create an individual experience to best address a client’s concerns through empowerment and connection. As a client, she wants you to feel supported, safe, and empowered in a non-judgmental environment. 

Jana has experience in working with: people age 4 to adulthood, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood trauma, and post-partum emotional health and wellness. She is trained in trauma specific therapies including TF-CBT and EMDR. She utilizes many different therapy techniques which are tailored to each person’s needs and/or style. She will try her best to make sure counseling can be a right fit for YOU.

When she isn’t working, Jana is always on the lookout for random knowledge and absorbs this through podcasts, documentaries, and random tv shows. She is also the craftiest person ever! Jana lives in the area with her partner, their young child, one dog, and two cats.  

Mandy Bernardy received her masters in Social Work from the University of North Dakota and has worked in the Mental Health field for over 15 years.  Her area of expertise and passion is trauma. She specialize in trauma based approaches, including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Brainspotting, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and the Nurtured Heart Approach. She also experienced in grief/loss, work related stress, adjustment to life transitions, foster care, divorce, family stressors, depression, anxiety, and other individual mental/emotional related concerns. Mandy created Empower Counseling with a goal of having a place for people to come and receive quality care and feel welcomed by amazing and trained clinicians. 

Her treatment style is described as collaborative, warm, and direct. She believes that honesty, trust, and humor go a long way. There is nothing better than a good laugh, sun on your face, or your favorite song on the radio.