Team Group: ICC Certified Therapists

Rachel Nygaard, MS, LMFT

(she/her)
Rachel is the embodiment of kindness and warmth.  You can feel her genuine caring nature the moment you meet her. She’s the kind of person that you feel like you can tell all your secrets to because there’s not a judgmental bone in her body. We love how she can hold a lot of pain for her clients; we admire how big problems don’t overwhelm her; but most of all, we appreciate how her quick wit can bring levity and hope to even the most difficult situations. 

Rachel is unabashedly fixated on her clients’ goals and needs.  While she is competent and well educated, she holds strong to the belief that clients have the ultimate say in their lives.  Wherever her clients want to go – Rachel will do everything she can to make that journey a reality.  And this brings us to what we actually love most about Rachel – her commitment.  She’s committed to her clients in a way we rarely see.  She will go through hell and back with the people she cares about most – because that is who she is.  It is her nature and we’re so thankful to have her here at RTC. 

Nancy Carlson, MA, LMFT

(she/her)
Nancy is our Resident Wise Soul (RWS). From the first time we met Nancy we knew our couples struggling the most would find hope with Nancy. Nancy is especially skilled in helping couples encountering complex grief and situations which seem profoundly hopeless. Nancy also offers Christian Counseling when clients wish to incorporate faith into their counseling. Clients report that she is “uniquely skilled and dedicated”.

Her soft and warm presence provides an environment for clients to explore their needs and process their pain. But don’t be fooled– she will be honest and direct with you and help you change.

*Please note that Nancy is only accepting new clients for our Intensive Couples Counseling program.

Jeb Sawyer, MA, LMFT

(he/him)
Jeb is a co-founder of The Relationship Therapy Center of Minnesota. He is one of only two Certified Gottman Therapists in Minnesota.

These days he does not take on new clients, but supervises and mentors the therapists at RTC in Gottman’s methods and FIT to ensure that all the therapists at RTC are competent and well trained.

Theresa Benoit, MA, LMFT

(she/her)
Theresa is a co-founder and the spirit behind the Relationship Therapy Center of Minnesota. She has over 12 years of experience working with individuals and couples.

These days she does not take on new clients, but supervises and collaborates with the therapists on her team to ensure that clients get the best possible experience at RTC. She’s known in the office by her infectious laugh.