Dr. Kevin Challender

My therapeutic approach is focused on co-creating a warm, inclusive, and collaborative therapeutic space where you feel supported, understood, and able to show up authentically. I approach counseling through a multicultural and person-centered lens, recognizing the importance of culture, identity, relationships, and lived-experience in shaping mental health and wellbeing.

I completed my doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. I specialize in working with adults, young adults, and late adolescents navigating a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD and neurodiversity, autism, LGBTQ+ mental health, substance use struggles, identity development, sex/sexuality, relationship concerns, life transitions, grief and loss, sociopolitical stress, and challenges related to meaning, purpose, and self-understanding.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I am passionate about creating an affirming space where queer and transgender individuals feel safe, understood, and supported. Much of my clinical work has focused on helping people explore identity, cultivate self-acceptance, and navigate life’s challenges in ways that align with their values.

My therapeutic framework is primarily rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) while also integrating psychodynamic relational, experiential approaches. In practice, this means therapy is not only focused on insight and problem-solving, but also on helping you better understand and connect with your emotions, relationships, patterns, and inner experiences in the present moment. I believe healing often occurs through both meaningful reflection and authentic human connection within the therapeutic relationship itself.

In my work with clients, I often think of therapy as two people navigating a river together: while you as the client hold the oars, my role is to help guide, support, and navigate alongside you through the twists and turns of life in a way that remains connected to your values and goals. We often face so many hard experiences alone and my hope is that together, we can re-face those experiences.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, watching movies and television, exploring the outdoors, learning about psychology, celebrating all things Fall and Halloween, and spending time with my dog, Luna.