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
- Wendy Tougas (Staff - Case Manager and Therapist)
- Marinda "Mindy" Kimmel (Staff - Clinical Supervisor)
- Darcie Davis-Gage (Center Director)
- Michelle Olund-Youngberg (Staff-Clinical Supervisor/Therapist)
Administrative Support
Rebecca Wagner
Hello! My name is Rebecca Wagner, but I go by Becca. I grew up in rural Northeast Iowa near Decorah, where I spent much of my childhood at gymnastics practice or running around my family’s farm with my two older siblings. These early experiences helped shape my deep connection to rural communities and a strong desire to support those who are often underserved. I earned my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Northern Iowa in 2023 and am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW), with plans to obtain clinical licensure in the future. I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment for individuals and families, whether through therapy, case management, or connecting clients with helpful community resources.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy running, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I also share my home with two adored (and very spoiled) dogs, a silver Lab and a Rottweiler. My therapeutic approach is grounded in empathy, respect, and the belief that everyone deserves to be heard and supported. I’m here to walk alongside you, wherever you are in your journey.
Wendy Tougas (Staff - Case Manager 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)
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
Darcie Davis-Gage (Center 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.
Michelle Olund-Youngberg, MSW, LICSW (Staff-Clinical Supervisor/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.
Lane Cavanaugh
I am Lane Cavanaugh (she/her), a licensed clinical social worker whose career has been dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals across all stages of life. My academic interests center on clinical work, antiracist practices, and clinical social work supervision. I earned my MSW from Augsburg University, specializing in Multicultural Clinical Social Work.
Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working at Mayo Clinic and various healthcare settings as a social worker. I specialize in working with older adults, end of life care, and coping with life limiting illness. Currently, I serve as an Assistant Professor at Minnesota State, Mankato, where I teach in the Master of Social Work program and assist in the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic. In this role, I have the opportunity to work closely with students during their practicum experience to provide unique educational experience.
Originally from Cloquet, Minnesota, I maintain a deep connection to my roots and enjoy spending time outdoors. When I'm not teaching or practicing social work, you can often find me with knitting needles in hand or my nose in a book.
Jay Baldus
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 (she/her)
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!
