Jese Rugroden, LMFT

Post Master’s Training: Experiential play therapy, Mindfulness based interventions, DBT, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, Internal family systems therapy, and Sand Play therapy
Master’s Degree: St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis, MN
Bachelor’s Degree: BS Psychology
Licensure: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Jese has been in the mental health field for over 11 years and received his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has worked as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in a variety of settings over the years, including as part of an ACT team in the metro to provide services to clients with SPMI and dual diagnosis. He has worked in the day treatment setting, assisting at-risk teens manage their mental and chemical health struggles. When he worked at an IRTS facility in St. Paul, Jese helped clients with SPMI stabilize their mental health and learn the skills they needed to integrate back into the community. He has also worked as an outpatient therapist, working with adults, children, couples, and families. During this time, Jese was also the mental health representative for the Martin County Drug Court Team, assisting with the mental and chemical health needs of the participants in both the individual and family drug court programs.

Jese’s theoretical orientation is postmodern family therapy interventions, such as narrative therapy and solution-focused therapy. He has advanced training in mindfulness interventions that can be used to help clients improve their emotion regulation and distress tolerance, as well as training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART); moreover, Jese comes to PrairieCare with advanced training and on-the-job DBT training, where he is able to assist clients with their mental, chemical, and interpersonal struggles. Furthermore, Jese also has advanced professional training and work experience using the harm reduction model to address chemical and mental health struggles for adults and teens. He has received training in the experiential play therapy model to help children who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related difficulties.

Jese enjoys working with the family system to create lasting change for the clients and their families. He believes that therapy is about creating a safe place for clients to process their struggles on their own time and grow into a more fulfilling sense of self.

When not doing therapy, Jese loves to get outdoors. He has a deep connection with the natural beauty and adventure that nature has to offer us if we just take the time to get out and experience it, whether it’s hiking, camping, fishing, or simply sitting in nature.