Natalie Kenyon is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She has dedicated her career to building insight and understanding surrounding the topics of Mental Illness, and the different ways that certain illnesses impact those living with them.  Natalie graduated from Winona State University in the summer of 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.  After 7 years in the field, she decided to go back to school and obtained her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2014.  Since that time, it has been her goal to help serve those living with challenges related to mental health, and to educate others on the different ways in which we can be supportive. Natalie believes fully that the more knowledge people have about things they may not understand, the more compassion they can bestow upon themselves or another person in some of those crucial moments of pain, for which compassion is the only antidote.  Insight breeds compassion and empathy. Compassion and Empathy foster connection, and connection is the key to healthy and supportive relationships.  Connection to others can also be the pathway out of darkness for some, and it is Natalie’s goal to help light the way. 

Natalie has been married for 15 years to her High School sweetheart, Jason.  She has two aging dogs, although she hasn’t aged a day!  Natalie’s focus in life is relationship building.  Making connections with not only her clients but in her personal life as well.  Though Natalie has no children of her own, she adores her nieces and nephews and loves her role as the “favorite aunt.” This title may be self-proclaimed, but earning it is one of Natalie’s most valued goals. 

The fact that Natalie has no children of her own was not her original plan.  There were many years of infertility struggles that lead to the decision to embrace what she has and stop focusing on what she is missing.  These struggles, along with many others along the way, are a big part of what makes her who she is as a clinician, a clinical supervisor, and human.  Through heartbreak, there can be purpose.  This has been a consistent theme not only in her clinical practice but also in her personal life.    

Natalie’s interests outside of her work are varied.  She loves to travel, see new places, and experience new things.   Her family and friends mean the world to her, and any time with her loved ones is time treasured. She loves live music and is generally able to enjoy any concert regardless of genre. She and her husband Jason are Vikings season ticket holders, and live sporting events play a big role in her social life as well.  Natalie values fun in general and finding humor and joy in life.  It is her goal to help her clients do this as well.  Despite our suffering, happiness is possible.  

When practicing, Natalie focuses on treatment of many different mental health-related challenges which include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Anxiety Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• PTSD
• Adjustment disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders

In an effort to help individuals cope with symptoms of the above-noted diagnoses, Natalie uses many concepts born from the ideology derived from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Psychodynamic philosophies as well.  Natalie works with clients and fellow clinicians alike to build insight into these challenges through these evidence-based modalities to ease the suffering of the client and increase the skills of the clinician.  Whether you are a psychotherapy client, or a clinical supervisee, Natalie is committed to your growth.  After all, Insight paves the road to compassion.