Professionals

Shawna Marshall, MA, LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Shawna graduated with her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health from the University of South Dakota in 2012. Over the last 8 years of working in the field, Shawna has focused primarily on working with children and families. Shawna's areas of training and specialties including attachment, adoption, early childhood, at-risk behaviors, depression, and suicidal ideation. Shawna has also been working with adults of all ages and presenting concerns for the last 4 yrs and has training in DBT. Shawna utilizes aspects of DBT, CBT, person centered therapy, narrative therapy, and solution focused therapy in her work and works hard to meet the client where they are at. Shawna's focus with adult clients is often on building your voice, finding fulfillment and what that means for each individual, working through stage of life changes, and on improving relationships. Shawna co-facilitates our Adolescent DBT Skills Group. Shawna provides in person counseling services, as well as online counseling to clients in Minnesota.

Maria Aguirre, MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor

Maria graduated with her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from South Dakota State University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Maria has experience working with individuals, children, adolescents, and families. Maria is also fluent in Spanish and has experience working with the Hispanic/Latinx community. Maria has completed EMDR training. Maria has also
received Play Therapy training and will soon complete Play Therapy certification. Maria has experience working with individuals who have struggled with depression, suicide ideation, anxiety, PTSD, as well as other mental health disorders. Maria utilizes aspects of Adlerian therapy, Person-Centered therapy,
Solution-Focused therapy, as well as Bowenian Family therapy, while utilizing a warm, empathetic, and genuine approach. Maria strives to help strengthen individual and family lives by instilling hope, offering encouragement, and giving others the space to heal. Maria focuses on helping others increase their sense of belonging, sense of self-worth, and helping others create and enhance meaningful relationships.

Nicole Mulder, MS

Clinical Trainee

Nicole is a Mental Health Practitioner who graduated with her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University. Nicole enjoys working with individuals, children, and families. Her areas of expertise include working with victims of domestic violence, anxiety, depression and PTSD, as well as co-occurring mental health and chemical dependency disorders. Nicole facilitates our Adult DBT Skills Group. Nicole is a LPCC license candidate, working under the supervsion of Erica Hough, MA, LPCC. Nicole provides in person counseling services, as well as online counseling to clients in Minnesota and South Dakota.

Savannah Larson-Dirkx, MS

Clinical Trainee

Savannah graduated with her master’s degree in Human Resource Management with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University in the summer of 2021. Savannah is currently under supervision with Erica Hough working towards licensure in three states. She is

passionate about working with athletes, adolescents, young adults, women, families, and those in the agriculture industry. Her areas of expertise include sports performance, sports traumas from physical injuries, as well as sports failures and humiliations. Savanah also has experience in working with abuse

survivors, anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, as well as other mental health disorders. Savannah is a Certified Brainspotting Practitioner, and has completed Brainspotting Phases One, Two, and Three, Brainspotting and Addictions, Crocodile Set Up, and Sports and Performance Brainspotting. She has assisted at Brainspotting trainings both in person and virtually. Savannah utilizes a Person-Centered approach in the therapeutic setting utilizing an empathetic, non-judgmental, and genuine approach.

Tiffany Hedtke, MS

Intern

Tiffany graduated from Liberty University with a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling: Marriage & Family with a specialization in counseling children and adolescents. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (graduate May 2024). Tiffany most enjoys working with women, children, and adolescents. Her preferred methods and modalities are CBT, DBT, Child-Centered Play-Therapy, and mindfulness practices. Tiffany is most passionate about helping individuals with anxiety, depression, adverse behavior patterns, and life transitions. She is interning under the supervision of Erica Hough, MA, LPCC.

Erica Hough, MA, LPCC, NCC, CCMHC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Clinical Director

Erica is the owner and Clinical Director of Luverne Counseling. Erica graduated in 2012 with Master of Arts degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Counseling from Adler Graduate School. Erica is licensed in 3 states, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota, a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH) in South Dakota, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Iowa. Erica is a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and a Board Approved Supervisor. She also currently serves as the Ethics Co-Chair of the Minnesota Counseling Association. Erica specializes in healing trauma/PTSD, anxiety, psychosomatic issues, chronic pain, medical injuries, anxiety, phobias, panic, social anxiety, addictions, business stress, life transitions, and depression. Erica has experience working with veterans, firefighters, police, EMTs, paramedics, police officers, medical professionals, educators, business owners, and many others. Erica is a Certified Brainspotting Practitioner. Erica has completed training in Brainspotting Phases One, Two, Three, Four, Brainspotting and Addiction, The Crocodile Set Up, Expansion Brainspotting, and The Master Class. Her approach to therapy is grounded in creating a safe and supportive space to explore feelings, process experiences, and release trauma and painful emotions from the body and brain. Erica uses focused mindfulness, compassion, and support, and has a natural ability to connect with clients to help them feel comfortable on their healing journey.