About
our company

At Ascent Wellness, we believe real-life experience is just as powerful as a professional know-how.

Our unique blend of clinical staff with various expertise, rooted in both professional and personal experiences, nurtures an environment of understanding and acceptance. We show up with heart, understanding, and zero judgment—because we know everyone’s story is different.

Whether you're navigating tough stuff or just want to grow, we’re here to meet you exactly where you are. No bias, no stigma—just a space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. We recognize that entering into the therapeutic process can be difficult and we're honored to walk alongside you on that journey toward healing and resilience.

Meet Our Staff

Deanna Williams MSW LICSW

Hello! I’m Deanna and I am so happy to meet you!

I am the Owner and Clinical Director of Ascent Wellness. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with the Minnesota Board of Social Work, a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor, and an EMDR-trained therapist. My therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, EMDR, and unconditional positive regard to create a safe, supportive, and effective environment where clients can heal and grow.

My journey to becoming a mental health professional began long before I entered the field. I was raised in a family impacted by deep trauma and limited resources, giving me firsthand insight into the realities of mental illness, poverty, generational patterns, and the resilience it takes to overcome them. Over more than 10 years working in mental health, I've learned that many people are looking for a therapist who is genuine, direct, and honest—someone who isn't afraid to challenge them while also offering unwavering compassion and support.

I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. Whether someone is navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, addiction, grief, major life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, I strive to create a space where they feel genuinely seen, understood, and respected.

I believe every person's story deserves to be met with curiosity rather than judgment. My lived experience, combined with years of clinical practice, allows me to connect with clients from all walks of life while recognizing that no two journeys are the same. My role isn't to tell you who to be—it's to help you better understand yourself, develop practical tools, and move toward the life you want to build.

Jeri Lyn Larson, Graduate Intern/Clinical Trainee

With over a decade of professional experience in the mental health field, my work has spanned a wide range of settings, from supporting children with autism and older adults with dementia, to walking alongside veterans and other adults navigating trauma and substance use and connecting children and families with critical resources. Seeing the impact of authentic, compassionate care throughout these roles inspired me to pursue master's degree in social work at St. Cloud State University. I am currently in my final year of my graduate program, which I intend to utilize through my continued work in the mental health field in rural areas.

In addition to my professional background, my path to this work is deeply shaped by my own lived experience. From navigating the ups and downs of early motherhood and family mental health struggles, to receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis, I learned firsthand that “grit” and willpower only take you so far when you lack the right support. These challenges gave me more than empathy, they gave me a deep respect for human resilience - the courage it takes to decide you deserve better and fight for a way forward.

I believe that true wellness doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it happens in community. None of us get through life entirely on our own; we are deeply shaped by the places we live and the people around us. Often, having the right support at the right time is the difference between drowning and keeping your head above water. This belief created a passion for bridging individual healing with real, everyday support. My goal is to help you figure out what heavy lifting is yours to do, and where the world around you needs to shift so you can thrive. Whether you are navigating a major life transition, learning to set boundaries with the people you love, or searching for community resources that actually fit your life, we will look at the whole picture together.

My approach combines direct honesty with deep compassion. I am passionate about holding space for anyone who has been forced to chip away pieces of themselves to fit into the boxes society creates—especially teenagers, neurodivergent adults, women, and mothers. I am not afraid to sit in the dark with you while you navigate the hard chapters of your life, but I am also here to help you map a way forward. You deserve a life built on your strengths, not just your survival.

FAQ

    • Medicaid

    • Optum

    • United Healthcare

    • Hennepin Health

    • MN Medical Assistance

    • UCare

    • BlueCross and BlueShield

    • HealthPartners

    • Psychotherapy, 45 min: $150

    • Psychotherapy, 53+ min: $175

    • Diagnostic Assessment: $250 - $300

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Family/Marital Therapy

    • Existential

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Person-Centered

    • Psychotherapy

    • Trauma Focused

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