Justine Welch Mastin, MA, LAMFT, LADC, E-RYT

My Training and Approach to Therapy

I received my Master’s in Addiction Counseling from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies in 2011, and then received a post-MA certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Thomas in 2013. I became a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in 2014 and work under the supervision of Patty Hlava, MA, LMFT, PhD. I have also been a certified yoga instructor since 2010. My work/training experience is diverse, including working in treatment facilities, doing drug/alcohol interventions, and working in a private practice setting. I have experience working with individuals, families, and couples, and spent significant time training in work with chemical dependency issues, adolescents, and the African American community.

My style is casual and relaxed, yet at the same time challenging. I believe that the bond between therapist and client is more important than any theoretical/philosophical stance. That being said, I take a holistic approach to therapy. I believe that for lasting progress to be maintained that we must engage the mind, body and spirit. Spirit is not religious, but rather those things that “make your heart sing” – finding what in this world brings you joy and cultivating that

I believe in the power of play and movement. I am a yoga teacher and guide therapy in my yoga space. We may use movement or breath techniques in session as appropriate. We might sit on the floor or go outside for a walk. I believe that movement is as important for the mind as it is for the body.

When we become stuck, we often stop believing that we are worth the time and effort to take care of ourselves – let’s start to correct that thinking in session by doing something kind for ourselves. In our early sessions, we will discuss how you would like to be guided in your therapy, and this might change over time.

My fandoms are innumerable, but some of my all-time favorites are: Twin Peaks, LOST, Supernatural, and anything created by Joss Whedon.

Larisa Garski, MA

My Training and Approach to Therapy

I received my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of St. Thomas in 2014. I am currently working towards Marriage and Family licensure under the supervision of Patty Halva, MA, LMFT, PhD and Michelle Chen Libi, MA, LMFT. My work/training experience is diverse, encompassing work with families, couples, and children in intensive day-treatment, out-patient, and in-home settings. I have spent significant time training in work with children, adolescents, families struggling against poverty, and the African American Community. In addition to working as an out-patient psychotherapist at Blue Box Counseling, I am a Mental Health Practitioner at St. David’s Center for Child and Family Development in their Autism Day Treatment program for children ages 2-6.

My therapeutic style is casual yet focused. I believe that client(s) are in charge of their own healing journey. It is my role as psychotherapist to guide, support, and remain present with clients on this journey. I practice an integrative approach to psychology incorporating elements of play therapy, narrative therapy, and solution focused therapy.

Part of the mission of Blue Box Counseling is to help clients engage their mind, body and spirit to foster lasting change. Sessions may involve guided breathing, meditation, and other forms of body movement such as walking. Moving the body is a powerful way to re-set our fight-or-flight system, stabilize our emotions, and ground ourselves.

I believe that therapy is a collaborative process. In our early sessions, we will begin a discussion about how you would like to be guided in therapy. It is a conversation that I hope we continue to revisit during our time together.

The Uncanny X-men has been my favorite comic book series since I was nine. I believe that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a profound coming-of-age story. And, one day, I hope to drink tea as well as BMO.