PRISM Staff
Weston Edwards, PhD, LP, Clinic Director
I specialize in mental health, sexual health, internet, and chemical health issues. I have nearly 20 years experience in providing services. I have published 4 books on sexuality, including topics on sexual health, sexual compulsivity, and cybersex.
I earned my doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota. I teach part-time at Walden University, in the mental health counseling program.
A little about my approach. I use three concepts in my work: 1) I emphasize cognitive behavioral therapy. Our thoughts create our reality. Or more accurately, our perception leads to a thought that then leads to behavior based on the thought. Addressing both perceptions and thoughts can change the experience in life. 2) I emphasize positive psychology, primarily through the emphasis on helping you live a great life as you understand that life. 3) The third concept is humanistic. You are a valuable: You have value simply because you are who you are. You choose what you do with it.
E-mail: weston.edwards@uhsinc.com
Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Health Partners, Medica, SandCreek
Julie Praus, MD, Psychiatrist
I am a general psychiatrist with special interests in GLBT persons and addictions. I earned my MD at St. Louis University, did my residency training in San Antonio with the USAF, and am board-certified. I have over 20 years of practice in psychiatry, including with adolescents, geriatric, and medically-ill populations.
Shannon Garrity, PsyD, LP
Licensed Psychologist
Core teachings from meditation and Eastern philosophy inform my approach to therapy. Going to therapy or asking for help is often a person’s last resort; yet on a basic level, we know we don’t do this alone. All beings are interconnected, yet we often feel alone. Therapy provides a space where difficult experiences can be given a voice such that they are seen differently. Changing limiting beliefs does not happen overnight but it does happen. First, we must clearly acknowledge and experience what is happening, rather than attack ourselves, another person, or deny the situation we feel is bothering us. The experiences or stressors that impact people do not change; rather, a person’s relationship with them changes.
I earned my doctoral degree from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology and have been independently licensed since 2006. I use a collaborative, strength-based approach.
Specialties include working with addiction spectrum difficulties, sexual health, GLBT related issues, body image and related problems (including health related goals), depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. My clients are diverse in terms of presenting concerns and demographics.
Groups: Body Image and Recovery and Women’s Sexual Health
E-mail: shannon.garrity@uhsinc.com
Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Health Partners, Medica/Select Care/AETNA, SandCreek
Laurel Ruth Lewis, MA, LMFT
Laurel Lewis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has trained extensively to address issues of individuals, couples and family systems. Laurel has over ten years of experience in the counseling field.
Laurel has a unique blend of skills in counseling and computer technology. After receiving her Masters in Counseling from Saint Mary’s University, Laurel attended Alfred Adler Graduate School for her post-masters work with a focus on Adlerian Counseling Psychology and Family Systems. While continuing her interest in working with assistive technologies for persons with acquiring disabilities and video-game addictions, Laurel complemented her education with graduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota. In the State of Minnesota, Laurel has presented topics on ADHD, professional boundaries, and cultural and employment challenges in organizations.
Laurel has provided counseling services for Minnesota-based non-profit organizations dedicated to helping persons with attention deficits and those who live or work with them. She also has counseled victims of rape and sexual abuse, persons with sexual identity issues, and individuals and families with issues from chemical dependency.
Laurel is the co-author and publisher of “Growing Beyond Abuse”, a workbook for persons dealing with sexual abuse and exploitation. She has co-led therapy groups to help individuals and couples with family of origin challenges, recovery from sexual exploitation, and couples communication.
E-mail: laurel.lewis@uhsinc.com
Insurance: BCBS, Health Partners, Medica, SandCreek
Ryan Petros, MSW, LICSW
My work with people is influenced by my training as a clinical social worker. I believe the joys and challenges we experience result from the interaction between ourselves and our environments. Whenever we struggle, we have the opportunity to create change and grow into the fullest and healthiest expression of ourselves. I will assist you in identifying what is working and what needs to change in order to move closer to living the life you want. My work has primarily focused on helping people to improve mental health, change the way they interact with the world, and recover from mental illness and chemical dependency. I have experience working with individuals, family, and groups of many ages.
E-mail: ryan.petros@uhsinc.com
Insurance: BCBS, Health Partners, Medica, SandCreek