Joy Dawson, PhD, LP

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Joy Dawson (best known as "Dr. Joy") is a University of Minnesota-trained psychologist. Dr. Joy completed her B.A. in psychology, graduating summa cum laude from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. After graduation, Dr. Joy received a fellowship to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota, receiving both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 1989. Dr. Joy is passionate about encouraging her clients to experience the tremendous freedom and fulfillment of living a truly authentic life while pursuing ongoing personal growth. Dr. Joy has worked with men and women struggling with addictions for over 30 years. Dr. Joy's ideal client is motivated, able to engage in honest dialogue, and willing to step back and re-evaluate themselves and their lives with fresh eyes. They understand that her role is not to “solve” their problems; rather, it is to provide a fresh perspective and to assist them as they seek their own unique answers that honor their hard-won life experience and inner wisdom. She invites anyone who is open to exploration and change to partner with her on their journey. Dr. Joy is trained in Brainspotting. Dr. Joy provides in-person counseling services at Luverne Counseling, as well as online counseling to clients in any of the PSYPACT participating states

 https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap. 

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. Shawna is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Board Approved Supervisor in the state of Minnesota. 

With over a decade of working in the field, Shawna has worked with clients ranging from birth to 92 years of age. Shawna's areas of training and specialties including early childhood therapy (birth-5), attachment, adoption, at-risk behaviors, depression, and suicidal ideation. 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 provides in person counseling services, as well as online counseling to clients in Minnesota.

Maria Aguirre, MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor

Registered Play Therapist

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 and is a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). 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 lives by instilling hope, offering encouragement, and giving others the space to heal. Maria focuses on helping others increase their sense of belonging and sense of self-worth and helping others create and enhance meaningful relationships.

Rachal Noell, MS, LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

​​​​​​​Online Counselor

Rachal earned her Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University in June 2021. Before her work in counseling, Rachal dedicated her career to human services, beginning as a caseworker for Child Protection Services. She later served as a case manager, supporting children with intellectual disabilities and brain injuries in both community and residential environments.

Rachal joins Luverne Counseling with specialized experience from The Compass Center in Sioux Falls, where she provided focused support to survivors of family violence and sexual assault. Beyond her extensive work with trauma survivors, Rachal is adept at helping clients navigate parenting challenges, foster healthy relationships, build self-esteem, and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

She is a trained practitioner of Brainspotting, including the Digging Roots developmental trauma model. Rachal is deeply committed to empowering her clients to rediscover their inherent worth, establish healthy boundaries, and release thought patterns and behaviors that no longer serve them.

Rachal is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota and a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Dakota. She offers online-only counseling services and accepts clients with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medica, UBH, United Healthcare, and UMR insurance. Additionally, she welcomes clients who choose to pay out-of-pocket for services.

Vanessa Larosier, MS

Clinical Trainee

Vanessa graduated with her Master's degree in Clinical Counseling from Grand Canyon University in June 2024 and is a pre-licensed professional counselor. With a diverse background in working with children and families, Vanessa is committed to supporting clients from all walks of life. Vanessa is dedicated to empowering individuals by fostering hope, offering encouragement, and providing a safe space. Her focus is on creating meaningful connections and guiding clients in finding their voice. Vanessa is passionate about helping children and families navigate tough situations. Vanessa has intensive training in treating trauma and PTSD, and provides Brainspotting to cleints. Vanessa provides in-person counseling, as well as online counseling in Minnesota. 

Tanan Woods, MA

Clinical Trainee​​​​​​​

Tanan graduated with a Master's Degree from the University of North Dakota’s Master of Arts in Community Mental Health Counseling program. He is trained in Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Brainspotting. Tanan is enthusiastic about working collaboratively with individuals to develop strategies that help them live to their fullest potential by also using elements of CBT, ACT, and Mindfulness practices. Tanan has experience working with adults and adolescents ages 13+ from all walks of life, and works with each individual in utilizing their strengths, values, and cultural identities to foster hope, increasing

connections with others, while also assisting individuals in finding and defining a life worth living that is meaningful for them. Tanan provides in-person counseling as well as online counseling.

Jackie Pizel

Office Manager Assistant 

Jackie serves as the first point of contact for clients seeking counseling at Luverne Counseling. This process includes gathering basic client information, verifying insurance information and coverage benefits for outpatient mental health services, and scheduling the client's first appointment. Some of her other duties include welcoming clients upon arrival, responding to client queries, collecting payments, contracting, credentialing, and managing other behind-the-scenes responsibilities to keep the business-related activities running smoothly at Luverne Counseling.