Our Story
Mental health care, reimagined—with heart, connection, and purpose
We created Embolden You from something simple, but powerful: a shared belief that mental health care should feel personal, thoughtful, and deeply human.
We’re Dr. Natale Garrity and Dr. Jessica Dresden—co-founders, psychologists, and close friends who met in graduate school.
From the beginning, we balanced each other in the best way. We still joke that we balance each other in all the right ways—one of us more structured and (overly)thoughtful, the other more spontaneous and ready to say yes to any and all new opportunities (we’ll let you guess who is who). That dynamic has always grounded us and continues to shape how we lead our team today. Different strengths, shared values, and a deep commitment to doing this work well. What started as a professional connection quickly became a friendship—and eventually, a shared vision.
Rooted in community
We’ve always felt a strong connection to this community.
Growing up in Mahtomedi, we saw firsthand the need for more accessible, high-quality mental health care in Mahtomedi and the surrounding areas near St. Paul.
In 2019, we opened Embolden You with a clear intention: to create a space where people could receive exceptional, personalized mental health support—right in their own community.
Growing because the need was real
Not long after opening, something became very clear.
People were looking for this kind of care—and there wasn’t enough of it.
Referrals came quickly, and we found ourselves wanting to support more people than we could on our own. Then COVID hit, and the need for therapy, emotional support, and connection grew even more.
We expanded to offer telehealth therapy across Minnesota and into Wisconsin, making it easier for people to access care wherever they were.
At the same time, we began growing our team—starting with trusted colleagues and graduate school friends, and continuing to expand in a very intentional way.
We were honored to be named a Silver Winner for Mental Health Services in the Minnesota’s Best Reader’s Choice Awards by the Star Tribune—something that reflects the trust our community has placed in us and the care our team provides every day.
A team built on trust
Every clinician at Embolden You is thoughtfully chosen.
Not just for their credentials—but for how they show up, how they connect, and the quality of care they provide.
When we consider adding someone to our team, we always ask ourselves:
“Would we feel completely comfortable sending our own friend or family member to this person?”
If the answer isn’t a clear yes, we don’t move forward.
Because of that, our team is made up of clinicians who are not only highly skilled, but deeply compassionate, relatable, and aligned in how they care for others.
Many of us are connected in meaningful ways—through shared training, professional relationships, and genuine friendships. That connection creates a level of trust and collaboration that you can feel as a client.
What we believe about therapy
We believe mental health care should be:
Personal – You’re not just another appointment. Your story matters.
Intentional – Thoughtful matching and tailored support make all the difference.
Impactful – You should leave therapy feeling clearer, more grounded, and supported with a path forward.
We don’t believe in surface-level care.
We believe in creating a space where you can:
feel understood quickly
connect deeply with your therapist
and begin to experience meaningful change
Our mission
To embolden every person we serve—helping them feel calm, confident, and revitalized.
Our mission is to embolden every person we serve, helping them step into healing with courage, clarity, and the right support behind them. We create a space where people feel seen, supported, and empowered, guided by clinicians we would trust with our own families.
What sets us apart
Carefully chosen clinicians
We build a team we would trust with our own families.
Thoughtful matching
We help connect you with a therapist who truly fits you.
Compassionate, inclusive care
We meet you where you are, without judgment.
You don’t have to do this alone
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, going through a life transition, or working through relationship challenges—having the right support can make all the difference.
Our goal is simple: to help you feel like you don’t have to carry it all on your own—and to give you the clarity and tools to move forward.
Take the first step
If you’re looking for thoughtful, personalized therapy in Minnesota or near St. Paul, we’re here to help.
We’ll guide you through the process and personally match you with a clinician who feels right for you.
-
A: Yes, we are in-network with most major insurance providers. However, we encourage each client to verify that Embolden You, LLC (or Jessica Dresden PsyD, LP, LLC) is in-network with their specific plan as each plan differs.
-
A: Yes, if you do not have insurance that is in-network with Embolden You, self-pay is an option. Consult with your clinician on what their specific self-pay rate is.
-
A: Yes, oftentimes, people have great OON benefits and are still able to continue their care with us. if we are out-of-network with your insurance, you are responsible to self-pay for your session on the date of service. We can then provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance.
-
A: The initial session typically lasts about 45-60 minutes but varies on an individual basis. Following sessions typically last 53-60 minutes but also vary on an individual basis.
-
A: Most people are seen weekly or every other week, but it varies on an individual basis. That will be determined by what your clinician feels is clinically necessary. Please discuss this with your clinician.
-
A: In your first meeting, your clinician will likely conduct a Diagnostic Assessment. By the end of the first or second session, they will be able to provide you with feedback, and recommendations, and offer some initial impressions of what your work will include together.
-
A: Our skilled clinicians specialize in a wide range of areas including, but not limited to; anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD/trauma, eating disorders, grief and loss, life transitions, sex therapy, intuitive eating, marriage/relationships, parenting, couples therapy, family therapy, self-esteem, body image distress, mood disorders, shame/guilt, identity development/LGBTQ, play therapy, phobias, and more.
-
A: Our skilled clinicians are trained in a wide range of therapy techniques, including but not limited to; CBT, ERP, I-CBT, EMDR, PE, TF-CBT, CBT-I, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, DBT, IFS, play therapy, family-systems, person-centered, relational/attachment-based, and others. Fill out our brief Contact form to see if there is a clinician who would be a good fit for you.
-
A: At this time we do not offer Autism or ASD assessments.
-
A: At this time we do not offer assessments for ADHD.
-
A: We have clinicians who see clients from 6 years old to 99+.
-
A: Simply complete our Contact Form and our Clinic Office Manager will get back to you via email within 24 hours to connect you with a clinician.
-
A: At this time, we do not offer weekend hours. However, each clinician sets their own schedule and we have several clinicians who offer evening sessions. Please complete the Contact form to obtain more information.
-
A: When you complete the Contact form there is a place to select your preferred clinician. We will do our best to connect you with your preferred clinician. However, if that clinician is full or does not specialize in the area you are seeking, we will find another clinician who we think would be an excellent fit given the information you provide us. You may also select “no preference” and we will assign you a clinician we think would be an excellent fit. We look at several factors, including age, insurance, preferred location (telehealth or in-person), and reason for seeking service to ensure we secure the best fit for potential clients.
