Meet the Team
Case Managers
Case managers help people identify, access and navigate supports and services. Case managers are responsible for providing the information a person needs to make informed choices about supports and services. This includes social, physical and mental health, educational, vocational, and financial services. To work as an effective team, case managers connect people with community resources.
Therapists
A therapist is trained to help people address, cope with, and reduce mental, emotional, or behavioral issues. They provide support, guidance, and treatment to improve psychological well-being and mental health
Senior Staff
- Becca Kall (Staff - Clinic Manager and Therapist)
- Wendy Tougas (Staff - Social Work Supervisor and Therapist)
- Marinda "Mindy" Kimmel (Staff - Clinical Supervisor and Therapist)
- Michelle Olund-Youngberg (Staff - Clinical Supervisor and Therapist)
- Darcie Davis-Gage (Center for Rural Behavioral Health Director)
Administrative Support
- Jay Baldus (Graduate Assistant)
- Nora Coughlan (Graduate Assistant)
- Caleb Self (Graduate Assistant)
Carli Vargason
Hello! I am Carli Vargason, an undergraduate student currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. I was born and raised in Dassel, a small town in northern Minnesota, where I developed an appreciation for the resilience and values found in rural communities. I have experience working as a Direct Support Specialist, where I have had the opportunity to assist individuals in building independence both in their homes and out in the community. This hands-on experience has deepened my passion for advocating alongside individuals and supporting their goals in a meaningful way. In my free time, you can usually find me sipping on an iced coffee, relaxing at a lake, or running around with friends and family.
Leah Nelson
Hi my name is Leah Nelson! I am from Duluth, Minnesota where I spent a lot of time swimming, playing softball and going up to my uncle’s house in Biwabik.
Having these two different places being a big part of my childhood has shown me a lot of perspective in rural folks receiving support. Currently I am in school at MNSU for my Bachelor’s in Social Work. I was really excited when I heard about this clinic and I am very glad to be a part of it now. Being able to help support individuals in rural communities is something I am passionate about from how I grew up. Outside of the clinic I am usually spending time with family or friends, swimming, or trying a new activity or food!
Jeremy Alport
Hello! My name is Jeremy Alport, and I’m a mental health counseling intern at the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic for the 2025–2026 academic year. I’m currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling at Minnesota State University, Mankato, working toward clinical licensure. Originally from the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri (go Blues!), I’ve grown to love Minnesota during my time here.
I earned dual degrees in Psychology (BS) and Sociology (BA) from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. I’m passionate about helping others and eager to grow in the counseling profession through this internship. My education and experiences have allowed me to work with diverse populations, apply a range of interventions, and approach care through a holistic, affirming lens. Some of the methods and concepts I’ve trained in include Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) multicultural competence, and treating and diagnosing young children (0-5 years). Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring nature and culture, and listening to all kinds of music.
Lauren Feasel
Hi, I’m Lauren! I grew up in a small town in Michigan. I love playing sports, board games, & being outside as often as possible. I have a passion for helping others to reach their highest potential & live their lives in ways they feel are most fulfilling.
My approach to therapy blends personal values, acceptance, humor, & finding meaning in our experiences. In addition to working toward my LPCC licensure, I also have a master’s degree in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology. I spent the last two years working with individual athletes and performers, teams, & coaches to help improve confidence, resilience, & showing up in ways that allow performers to compete at their highest ability. I am also interested in relational therapy with couples.
Kat Ristau
Hi, my name is Kat! I am a Mental Health Counselor Intern, currently in my last year in the Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at Minnesota State University Mankato. I received my Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Consumer Science in December 2023. I grew up in rural areas in southern Minnesota during my childhood and most of my adult life. Providing a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment for therapy is what I strive for. My special interests are couples and family, non-traditional relationships, and sexual therapy. My goal is to help provide mental health education for individuals and communities. I enjoy spending time with my kids and family, baking, trying new foods, and experiencing new things. I have a background in many areas and have enjoyed my life experiences, the good and bad. I feel that our life experiences do change us, but they do not define us. Only we can determine how these experiences can change our path.
Becca Kall (Staff - Clinic Manager and Therapist)
Hello, I’m Becca. I was born and raised in Mankato and graduated from Mankato West High School (Go Scarlets!), so it’s incredibly meaningful to serve the community that helped shape who I am. Sports were a big part of my life growing up, with volleyball being my ticket to college. While athletics continue to be important to me, they’ve taken a backseat to my growing family.
These days, my husband and I stay busy keeping up with our two young boys and our goldendoodle. When I can find a little extra time, I love diving into home projects, art, cooking, and spending time with close friends. I joined the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic as Clinic Manager in August. While I’m not currently practicing, I hold a license in marriage and family therapy and bring over a decade of experience as a therapist, supervisor, mental health consultant, and leader in behavioral health settings. I earned my bachelor’s degree in art education from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2007 and began my career as an elementary art teacher in St. Peter, MN. Four years later, I made the decision to return to school to become a therapist so I could more meaningfully support children and families. I completed my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2013 and, still passionate about teaching and mentorship, went on to earn my doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from MNSU in 2021. As an alum, I’m especially committed to mentoring MNSU counseling students and supporting the next generation of rural mental health professionals.
Wendy Tougas (Staff - Social Work Supervisor and therapist)
I am a dedicated Licensed Graduate Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in case management, program coordination, and interdisciplinary work. I earned an undergraduate degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, followed by a Master's in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Throughout my career, I have worked across a variety of impactful settings, including domestic violence shelters, employment and training programs, and supporting individuals reintegrating into communities after incarceration. This diverse experience has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges individuals face and a commitment to empowering clients through tailored, compassionate support.
I am working toward earning my LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) credential and am committed to continuing to work with individuals in the therapeutic clinical setting here at the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic.
I am passionate about fostering positive change, advocating for and empowering individuals and families, and ensuring our community has the tools and resources necessary to rebuild and thrive.
In my free time, I like to spend it with my kids, being outside, running and going to see live music.
Marinda "Mindy" Kimmel (Staff - Clinical Supervisor and Therapist)
Compassion, trust, and authenticity are essential pieces of a therapeutic relationship. Connecting with a therapist can help you (and/or your family member) find healing from difficult events, symptoms, and relationships. I emphasize a strengths-based and family systems approach with clients while incorporating Solution-Focused, Acceptance and Commitment, Gestalt, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in my work to help clients of all ages with depression, anxiety, trauma, relational/family difficulties, social-emotional development, grief/loss, and life-stage stressors.
My background includes a wide range of psychotherapy for couples, families, adults, teens, and children including use of the DC: 0-5 for children age 5 and under. I specialize in working with children and families and have received extensive training in providing therapy to those who have experienced trauma. I utilize Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for clients with PTSD and a range of symptoms (anxiety, depression, abuse, etc.). ART is an innovative eye-movement therapy designed to decrease the emotional reactivity and distressing symptoms experienced following a traumatic event. Additional trauma trainings and/or certifications include Trauma Resilience Model (TRM), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Trauma Informed Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a relational therapy for young children. I completed adoption competency training for adoption, foster care, and guardianship families. An additional area of expertise includes couples’ work using the Prepare/Enrich Inventory for premarital and married couples.
Career experience in rural communities includes:
- School located (ie. Janesville, Cromwell, Carlton, Wrenshall, Barnum, Superior WI)
- In home therapy throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin
- Mental health consultation and observation onsite with Head Start Region 9 (ie. Mankato, New Ulm, Blue Earth, Le Center, Waseca, Fairmont, and St. James)
- Psychotherapy at the clinic or satellite location (Mankato, St. Peter, Cloquet, and Moose Lake)
- Teletherapy
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Minnesota and Wisconsin) and National Certified Counselor.
My approved supervisor credentials:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Wisconsin DSPS Marriage and Family Therapy
- Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Michelle Olund-Youngberg (Staff - Clinical Supervisor and Therapist)
Hello, I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota. I graduated from Minnesota State University (MSU), Mankato with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Social Work with a Minor in Psychology and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Social Work at MSU Mankato.
My background consists of interning with the Minnesota Department of Corrections in the Mankato region, where I gained professional experience with individuals who were placed on felony probation and participating in treatment court. I also interned at an adolescent inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center where I gained knowledge on co-occurring disorders. Early in my career, I worked an inpatient adolescent treatment center for clients with problematic sexual behaviors and as a clinical trainee(LGSW) providing school linked therapy, outpatient and telemedicine therapy in Southern Minnesota. Once licensed, I became the Director of a School Linked program at an agency in Southern Minnesota which placed an emphasis on overcoming barriers to mental health services for children and adolescents.
I’m a MN-NASW Certified Supervisor and received supervision training through the National Association of Social Work (NASW) who’s passionate about overcoming barriers to mental health services, particularly in rural communities. I enjoy providing encouragement to interns and clinical trainees along their journey toward social work licensure and modeling collaboration with communities to develop a strong foundation in the therapeutic process.
I strive to develop a strong therapeutic rapport and most importantly earning trust with clients using a strengths-based approach. I understand the importance of advocating for client’s needs, and encouraging them to make changes in their lives through, reflecting, processing and goal setting. I provide outpatient and teletherapy for adults, adolescents, couples and families. I’m trained in the following evidenced based practices: EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and MAP (Managing and Adapting Practices.
Darcie Davis-Gage (Center for Rural Behavioral Health Director)
Darcie Davis-Gage is a licensed mental health counselor, counselor educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in behavioral health. Her leadership roles have included work as the Chair of Graduate Faculty, Program Coordinator of Counseling, and numerous leadership roles in community and campus advisory boards and non-profit organizations. Dr. Davis-Gage actively collaborates in numerous interdisciplinary research and grant endeavors and frequently publishes and presents nationally and internationally on compassion fatigue, rural health and wellness, and occupational trauma. Dr. Davis-Gage founded the Tenacity Institute for First Responders in response to the rising mental health needs of volunteer first responders in rural communities. The Institute is designed to provide services to first responders, firefighters, and frontline workers to prevent burnout and vicarious trauma and build resiliency through a variety of services. She also serves as the clinical consultant for Hero Haven, a non-profit agency providing support to rural volunteer firefighters and first responders. She remains clinically active and has completed numerous evidence-based treatment programs for treating trauma and post-traumatic stress.
Jay Baldus (Graduate Assistant)
Hello!
My name is Jay Baldus (he/him), and I am one of the Graduate Assistant workers at the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic. I am originally from Grand Meadow, MN, and moved to the Mankato area to pursue my Master’s in mental health counseling at MNSU.
My future goal is to obtain licensure in professional clinical counseling and provide mental health services for younger populations in Minnesota.
In my free time, I enjoy exercising, watching sports and movies, spending time with my friends, and trying new foods.
Nora Coughlan (Graduate Assistant)
Hello, I’m Nora, a graduate assistant at the RBHC, and a 2nd year student in the school psychology doctoral program. I was born and raised in Mankato, MN but left for the city at 18 years old to study psychology, with a public health minor, at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Most of my professional experience has been in the realm of disability care working in group homes, as a job coach, in family homes, and as a paraprofessional for a second-grade classroom. In my free time, I really enjoy baking, walks in nature, watching tv with my cat, and starting new craft projects even when I haven’t finished my last. My academic interests revolve around inclusion, self-determination, and the intellectual and developmental disabilities population. I hope to use my degree to increase opportunities for students with disabilities and their families; not only while enrolled in the K-12 system but in the community by increasing professional and social opportunities for post-secondary life!
