Choices Psychotherapy began as a sole practice in 1993, providing therapy to high- risk youth and families. By 1999, it was evident that the greater need was the larger community and Choices became a group practice providing skills and therapy to high-risk children and families. We have been committed to helping our clients find a path that supported a different direction in life that was more self-sustaining. Over time Choices Psychotherapy grew to include an outpatient clinic providing outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families.
Susan Davis, MS, LICSWChoices Psychotherapy evolved from my life of changing directions, finding a path. I have had the good fortune and guidance of gentle guides and mentors who have walked with me down many paths and turns in the road.
My career has spanned over 30 years in the mental health field. What I have come to treasure along the way is the value and power of community, connecting, and embracing the unknown. The unknown has grown into a mid-sized mental health practice spanning over two decades and multi-locations.
Being committed to a greater Minneapolis community, Choices Psychotherapy has remained centrally located to the clients we serve. In assessing the needs of the community, Choices added Psychiatry to the array of services we offer so that clients do not have to go to different clinics to get their mental health needs met.
Over the years the thought of expanding Choices was always an idea. That idea became a reality in August 2016. After researching the communities surrounding Minneapolis and Minnetonka we decided to open a second location in Chanhassen. The cities of Chanhassen, Waconia, Chaska, Victoria and surrounding cities are underserved with respect to mental health services and Choices can fulfill that need. We offer the same quality of outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families as we do in Minnetonka.
I am grateful for the therapists and psychiatrists who work at Choices Psychotherapy. They are some of the most dedicated, talented clinicians that I have known and have the pleasure to work with. An equally amazing administrative team supports the entire clinic. Every day we face many unknowns as mental health has its own path. All of us at Choices Psychotherapy are committed to guiding and supporting every single client on a path towards change and happiness.
Dawn Schuldt, MA, LMFTIf life consists of a series of serendipitous choices, I count myself fortunate and grateful for those leading me to connect with and join Choices Psychotherapy in 2005. After years of gaining life and business experience in various non-profit and for-profit human service arenas, my dreams and path led me to graduate school in the mid 1990’s to fulfill a long-held aspiration of supporting people as a licensed mental health professional.
Receiving validation and encouragement from so many amazing people along my way inspired me to learn how to effectively pass this gift along to others. More specifically, I envisioned a “one-stop shop” where people experiencing the challenges of life could find a compassionate team of dedicated and collaborative, multi-disciplinary professionals to help them find their path to resilience and mental wellness. In joining with Susan Davis and Choices in 2005, my dream was realized.
Over the past 14 years I have been fortunate and honored to walk the Choices path with many fine people, both clients and colleagues, who have been my daily teachers and inspiration for the work I love! And as life is an ever-changing, kaleidoscopic journey, my work at Choices evolved to further draw upon my varied life and business experiences, as I accepted increased responsibility to help Choices expand its areas of service. As Administrative Director, I am honored and blessed to continue as a therapist with my days rounded out with the ever-stimulating challenge of sharing my creativity and business skills while supporting Choices’ administrative and leadership teams.
Kelli CheskyAt Choices Psychotherapy I have found a place that supports my interest in helping others. Our providers empower individuals, couples and families to identify treatment needs while assisting in creating a personal road map toward mental health and recovery. I truly enjoy working in an environment of helping people. There is no shame in seeking help and I love working in an administrative role in which I am able to work to make the atmosphere of our clinic a non-judgmental and welcoming space.
As the Clinic Manager, I take pride in supporting our team to make the best first impression and in continuing the exceptional experience throughout your care journey at Choices.
I came to this clinic with a background in psychology as well as sociology and criminology. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology from Hamline University. On a more personal note, I truly enjoy reading, keeping up on current trending TV shows and I love spending time with my family.
Andrea Nordman
Growing up in a remote, small town in Northern Minnesota I always knew I wanted to work in a field serving others. It was while attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth I found my calling. With an undergraduate degree in Psychology, I’ve worked in the Mental Health field 18+ years, and have been part of the Choices Psychotherapy family over 14 years.
Choices Psychotherapy has provided me the opportunity to be part of an organization that promotes all I believe in; offering a place for people to go where they feel a sense of safety to be themselves, a place where their voice can be heard, a place for self-care, personal growth and positive change.
I enjoy time along the North Shore of Lake Superior, my feet in the warm sand on a tropical beach, spending time with family and representing my love for the Minnesota Vikings as a Superfan. SKOL!
Briah ChristensonEver since I can remember, I have been in the business of people. After high school I served a few years with AmeriCorps until I decided to pursue a Bachelors of Psychology in the sunshine at Arizona State University. Since then, I’ve had fun as an Activities Coordinator at an assisted living facility to a Behavior Specialist for Minneapolis Public Schools. I have learned that any human has the potential to change their attitude and perspective on things at any age – especially with the right people by their side. I am so excited that I get to work with these incredible providers at Choices Psychotherapy and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
In my spare time I enjoy eating and trying new restaurants/food, playing video games, puzzles, and walking/playing/exploring new places with my best friend (dog) Rudy. I am a huge Beach Boys fan and will never say no to a trivia challenge.
SarahSarah is an experienced adventurer, student, and supportive member of our admin staff here at Choices. After spending the last few years living on both coasts, she returns to Minnesota as a graduate student. Sarah understands how important mental health is, and strives to make each interaction as kind and compassionate as she can.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, enjoying new restaurants, and playing with her cat Barry Meownilow. She has a passion for women’s health, and hopes to utilize her degree to assist women with perinatal mental health issues.
What is also unique to Choices is the therapeutic approach of our psychiatry team. We are one of the only clinics in the twin cities metro area that has a team of psychiatrists who are all trained psychotherapists as well. We offer more than just a medication management.
Our psychiatrists share a similar philosophy when caring for their patients. They believe that the cornerstone for healthy outcomes begins with a solid doctor-patient relationship. Doctor and patient are respectfully aligned as partners to explore the reasons for feeling sick and work together to find the most appropriate approach to getting better.
The search for answers begins with a thorough clinical evaluation where the doctor and patient discuss the primary problem, incorporating past medical records and previous treatments, with careful thought going into treatment type. Sometimes a medication may be suggested, while at other times, a non-medication approach may be recommended. Closely collaborating with the talented therapists at Choices Psychotherapy provides a team directed approach.
Simply stated, we listen to what the patient is trying to tell us, and try to understand their condition beyond a set of symptoms to heal the person as a whole.
Our clinical team is diverse and in keeping with our vision this allows for choice. We merge personal background and experience, education, creativity, and passion into a professional vision: commitment to diversity in both theory and practice. We make every effort to assign clinicians with respect to a client’s and/or family’s therapeutic and cultural needs.
Think of us as your cheerleaders on the sidelines. You've seen it, the smile, the simple nod of the head. Small gestures that say: we understand, we are listening and we are here for you. That's who we are.