Welcome to our new Counseling team members

By Angela Cowan • Counseling Program Manager

Over the past six months, the Counseling team at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota has added some new faces to the team. In September, we welcomed Nikole Slocum, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC); in January, with the acquisition of Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, we welcomed Tara Burns, LPCC; and in March, we welcomed Olivia Newstrom, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Each provider has a variety of clinical experiences and specialties that round out our team. We are so excited and grateful to be working with them, and we are excited to introduce them to you!

They recently spoke about their new roles:

What led you to this profession?

Nikole: I didn’t start out with a perfectly defined idea of becoming a therapist. What drew me in initially was a genuine interest in people. I feel like I’ve always been curious about how people think, how they cope, and how they get through difficult experiences. Over time, that interest turned into a deeper commitment to helping others feel supported and understood, especially during challenging periods in their lives. The more experience I gained, the more I saw how meaningful it is to be part of someone’s growth and change.

Tara: Mine was a twisty, windy path, as this is a second or maybe even third career change. In a way, I’ve come full circle, as my college career strengths assessment results were teacher, nurse, social worker, or therapist. I mostly ignored those calls and worked in waste reduction, recycling and energy conservation, although I was an adjunct instructor at Century College for two years. Then in my 40s, I experienced two big life events that triggered a life review. Also, a friend had told me that he got more out of talking to me than he did from 20 years of therapy, so I thought that might be a good career path.

Olivia: It might be cliché to say, but I have always had a spirit of service and great empathy for others. I knew I wanted to help provide a positive impact to others in the ways that I was positively impacted the most throughout my personal struggles. I felt I had a natural skillset that has served me well in creating authentic connections with people who are suffering, and that feels like the ultimate privilege to me. I feel extremely grateful that I get the opportunity to build meaningful and healing connections with others – an impact I could’ve never imagined when first pursuing this profession.

What drew you to JFCS?

Nikole: “I was really drawn to JFCS’ commitment to accessible, community-centered care and the emphasis on meeting people where they are. The organization’s values around compassion, inclusivity, and high-quality clinical work align closely with how I approach therapy. It felt like a place where I could both grow as a clinician and contribute meaningfully to a mission I genuinely believe in.

Tara: I have a passion for working with older adults, so when I saw the opening for a PEARLS counselor (Program to Encourage Active & Rewarding Lives) in 2019, I jumped at the opportunity and was hired. Now to be working for JFCS is a career highlight. I’m happy to have joined JFCS because my counseling work is rooted in compassion, service, and supporting people through times of challenges and transition. The JFSC commitment to whole-person, community-centered care aligns closely with my values and clinical approach. I’m especially drawn to JFCS’ emphasis on dignity, inclusion, and meeting individuals and families where they are.

Olivia: JFCS has values that align with my personal values, particularly around community impact and having high regard for integrity. I knew I wanted to put roots down within a company that aligned with my values and could strike a balance between prioritizing the needs of the community as well as prioritizing the well-being of team members – which certainly seems to be the case based on my experiences and connections made so far.

What do you want folks to know about therapy?

Nikole: I want people to know you don’t have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Sometimes just having a general sense of why you’re coming in for support can be enough! Even if it’s just, “something feels off,” or “I’m struggling with stress,” that’s enough to start. From there, we can work together to better understand what’s going on and what would actually be helpful. Therapy isn’t about being “fixed.” You aren’t broken. Therapy is about getting clarity when things feel muddled, building skills, and making meaningful changes over time.

Tara: That you don’t have to be in crisis to go to therapy. It can be a space for reflection, growth, and support during everyday life transitions, not just the hard moments. Therapy is about being human, not broken.

Olivia: I would love for folks to understand that therapy doesn’t mean that you and your therapist need to dive into the depths of the ocean immediately, as it pertains to who you are, your experiences, how you are feeling, what you want to work on, etc. Therapy is meant to be a process of building a solid, trusting and safe relationship with your therapist. Then you can feel comfortable taking therapy at your pace, in a way that feels authentic to what you are needing and what you feel ready for – you get to set the pace. Your therapist may encourage you to step out of your comfort zone from time to time, but should always meet you with care, consideration and prioritization of your well-being. It is ok to keep looking for a therapist until you find one you can build this type of relationship with.

What excites you about the work that you do?

Nikole: I think what excites me most is that no two sessions feel exactly the same. I like the process of sitting down with someone, figuring out what’s actually going on beneath the surface, and helping bring some clarity to it. It’s engaging in a way that doesn’t feel repetitive. I’m not overly structured in how I work, but I do enjoy helping people connect patterns and understand what’s been keeping them stuck. That mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and variety is what keeps me interested in the work.

Tara: As I look toward the future, I’m excited about blending my passion for mental health with my love of the outdoors. I recently became certified as a Forest Therapy Guide in which I offer slow, mindful walks in natural settings. They’re gentle, intentional walks designed to help people slow down, reconnect with their senses, and find calm in the presence of nature. Noticing something unexpected or deepening the relation with a natural object can open entirely new ways of healing. Ecotherapy is something I hope to specialize in more deeply. It’s a beautiful way to support emotional and physical well-being, and it aligns with my belief that nature can be a powerful co-therapist.

Olivia: I feel most excited about how beautiful it is to see healing happen within a relationship. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, so my framework and lens through which I see the work I do is relational by nature. As humans we are meant to be connected and to not go through hard or even exciting things alone – it is meant to be shared so it can create a ripple effect. That process is what excites me the most about the work I do.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Nikole: In my free time, I enjoy low-key ways of recharging, like playing video games on my PS5 or Switch, watching TV, and reading fantasy or sci-fi. I’ve always enjoyed Pokémon, and love trying new foods as well. I spend a lot of time with my husband and our pets, and when the weather is nice, I enjoy getting outside for walks. I love finding a pond or lake to take the pup for a walk around! I value having a good balance between relaxing and staying engaged in things I enjoy.

Tara: Nature is an essential part of how I recharge, and I’ve always felt a deep bond with the natural world. Camping, hiking, kayaking and exploring the outdoors help me reset and feel grounded. I love taking nature classes like foraging or bird identification, and of course, lead forest therapy walks. I also love traveling. There’s something magical about stepping outside your everyday routine and immersing yourself in new cultures and landscapes. If you’re curious, ask me about my 2024 three-week walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which was a transformative journey that still inspires me every day.

Olivia: In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my adored husband of 10 years, our two silly golden retrievers, Teddy and Cameron, along with our four fuzzy cats, Tweak, Morty, Loki and Logan. I also love to spend time outside, whether it is taking a nice walk with the pups, playing golf with my husband, or engaging in an intense match of pickleball. I also enjoy spending time listening to music, crocheting, volunteering, coloring, reading, cross-stitching and watching some of my favorite comedic, mystery or reality tv shows.

To learn more about Nikole Slocum, Tara Burns and Olivia Newstrom, find their bios here.