Outpatient Services Team
Kate Bertz, ATR-BC, LPCC,
Kate is a Registered Art Therapist Board Certified (ATR-BC) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with the State of Minnesota. She holds a B.F.A. and has taught in the Duluth Public Schools and the University of Wisconsin in the Art Therapy Department. She has studied pottery in North Caroline, Colorado, and University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin. She enjoys bringing expressive mediums into her therapy sessions. Kate is trained in Trauma-Focused-Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Family Systems Trauma (FST). Kate lives along the beautiful St Louis River and enjoys kayaking, swimming, gardening and spending time with her family including her pug, Pikachu.
Mary Biglow; MSW, LGSW
Mary has been with Northwood Outpatient Services as a therapist since 2021. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 2015 and obtained her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica in 2021. Prior to her position as a therapist, Mary held different roles throughout the agency, starting as a residential counselor before moving into a Program Coordinator position at Merritt Creek Academy. Mary also has experience working in Child Protection for Carlton County as well as with other residential, Day Treatment, and community services in the Duluth area. Mary enjoys working together with children and families to create a system of support facilitating growth and healing.
Mary has been trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and uses tenets of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems Theory, and other creative approaches aimed at helping people connect with their innate strengths.
When not working, Mary loves exploring the North Shore, painting, gardening, and spoiling her many pets.
Ashely Skadsem, MA, LPCC
Ashely has been working at Northwood in various roles since 2011.
She worked as a counselor in the residential setting and provided outpatient skills work before becoming a mental health therapist in 2014. Ashely primarily works with adult clients, adolescents and families, and is trained in a variety of clinical approaches including Art Therapy, Family Systems Trauma (FST), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and premarital and marriage counseling. Ashely is also trained in DC 0-5 assessments, the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood. Specialties include working with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, family relational problems, life transitions, anger, and disruptive behavior problems. Through her work, she fosters a safe place where clients can tell their story, gain insights, and get on the path of healing, growth and self-actualization. When not at work, Ashely enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her fur babies.
Stephen (Steve) Kaarbo, MsEd
Stephen (Steve) attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth for undergraduate studies and the University of Wisconsin, Superior for graduate studies. He has been with Northwood Children’s Services for 23 years and with Northwood Outpatient Services as a therapist since 2021. Steve has worked as a counselor, supervisor, and program coordinator with children and their families during his tenure at Northwood. Steve has been trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He enjoys working with clients of all ages and is committed to helping clients create a positive life outlook and path for the future. Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, collecting vintage toys, and reading.
Hayley Rasmussen, MsEd
Hayley has been with Northwood Outpatient Services since 2019, working as both a therapist and a skills provider. Prior to Northwood she was an elementary and middle school counselor, enjoying supporting children during years of important growth and self-discovery. She has spent most of her adult life working and volunteering with children and families in some capacity and loves being able to continue that work in a highly regarded agency that provides quality care at numerous different levels.
Hayley has been trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Trauma Therapy. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and is passionate about helping families find their strengths and grow together.
When not working, Hayley loves being outdoors and trying to keep up with her husband and two children.
John Miller, BAS
John Miller graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelors of Applied Science and started his career at Northwood Children’s Services in March of 2021. John’s desire to help children started while he was in High School Lifeguarding, and teaching swimming lessons for the Parks and Recreation Department. He continued his professional growth while in college providing services to clients with traumatic brain injuries. John works as a Mental Health Practitioner on the Northwood Outpatient Team providing CTSS skills services to children of all ages. John likes to engage with his clients in nontraditional settings helping them work toward mastery of their treatment goals. When not at work John enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, camping, and going to the beach.
Zachary Lent, BA
Zach has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and has been with Northwood Children’s Services for 14 years. He started as a residential counselor before transitioning to a Mental Health Practitioner on the Northwood Outpatient Team in 2010. Zach provides individual, family, and group skills sessions with students of all ages. He is very active with his clients and many sessions are done outside or while doing other activities while still working on the client’s goals. He facilitates a junior high and high school age social skills group that was started in 2016. When not at work he enjoys fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with his family.