Rooted in compassion, guided by expertise, and committed to your growth.
At River Pines Counseling, we believe healing and transformation happen best in a supportive, collaborative environment. Our team combines evidence-based practices with genuine care to help you heal, grow, and thrive.
About River Pines Counseling
THERAPY & EXECUTIVE COACHING IN STILLWATER, MN
At River Pines Counseling, we believe healing and growth happen best through self-discovery, connection to personal strengths, and quieting life’s overwhelming noise. We are committed to creating a safe harbor where clients can explore, process, and learn in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Our work is guided by authenticity, transparency, and compassion. We honor each client’s values, goals, and priorities, while upholding integrity and empowerment in every interaction. Along the way, we provide practical, evidence-based, and action-oriented tools, resources, and assessments to help clients create lasting change.
Diversity Statement
We embrace serving diverse audiences and honor each of our clients as unique and valuable. At River Pines Counseling, diversity and inclusion are ongoing journeys – rooted in respect, openness, and the belief that we can always learn from one another. We recognize that we are all a work in progress.
Our therapeutic approach affirms the dignity, strengths, and worth of all individuals. We strive to create an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect, where diverse beliefs, values, and identities can be explored and honored. This includes – but is not limited to – experiences related to ethnicity, national origin, race, religion and spirituality, sexuality, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, body size, socio-economic status, and personal values.
This is a safe and affirming space for LGBTQAI+ clients.
Our Clients
We support and adults 18+, offering both individual and couples therapy as well as professional coaching. Common challenges we help address include:
Stress and anxiety
Depression and mood concerns
Trauma, loss, and grief
Relationship and parenting struggles
Life changes, transitions, and career challenges
Our Services
River Pines Counseling provides a full continuum of care, including:
Mental health evaluations and diagnoses
Individualized, action-oriented treatment plans
Therapy sessions and practical coping tools
Customized physician and executive coaching programs — working closely with healthcare providers, first responders, and executives to enhance resilience, performance, and wellbeing.
Our Expertise
Mental Health Therapy
Our licensed clinical psychotherapists bring advanced training and experience to every session. We provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans using evidence-based practices, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
CBT-I for Insomnia
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Art Therapy (AAT)
Pet loss and Grief Therapy
Gottman Couples Counseling
Somatic Therapy
Physician and Executive Coaching
Our team is certified through leading organizations, including the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), International Coach Federation (ICF), College of Executive Coaching, and Hogan Assessment Systems. We partner with healthcare organizations and leaders to provide:
Leadership and emotional intelligence assessments
Personality profiles and feedback tools
Targeted coaching for growth, resilience, and performance
Your Journey With Us
Healing? Sustaining? Growing? Accelerating? Taking leaps and bounds forward?
Wherever you are, we’ll meet you right there – with compassion, expertise, and a clear path forward.
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LICSW, MA, Certified Physician/Executive Coach and Wellness Coach
Darcy Stivland brings more than 25 years of experience as a human resources leader, executive coach, and wellness counselor. Drawing on her deep background in the healthcare industry, she chose to focus her career on serving clients more directly by becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Psychotherapist. Darcy has provided clinical care within two large mental health clinic systems and continues to offer executive coaching alongside her psychotherapy work. She is also the co-founder and owner of River Pines Counseling, where she combines clinical expertise with leadership insight to help clients heal, grow, and thrive.
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LPCC, MA, Certified in Art Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, Pet Loss and Grief Therapy
Clare Beardsley specializes in working with clients navigating trauma, adoption, PTSD, grief, and life transitions. She supports adults through challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, parenting, and relationship concerns. Drawing on a variety of therapeutic approaches – including Art Therapy, TF-CBT, and DBT, and Pet Loss and Grief Therapy – Clare creates a supportive and personalized path toward healing and growth.
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LICSW, MA, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, EMDR, CBT, DBT, Family Systems, Somatic Therapy
Kate Auge works with adults across the lifespan, supporting clients through challenges such as anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, and trauma. She values a collaborative approach to therapy, honoring each client as the expert of their own story. Drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities, Kate tailors treatment to each individual, helping them feel empowered, supported, and equipped on their healing journey.
FAQs
What are your standard therapy rates?
Individual therapy and wellness coaching: $195 for a standard 53-minute session
Initial intake session (full assessment of needs & goals): $275
Gottman couples counseling: Self-pay only service. $195 for a standard 53-minute session
Supervision for LICSW/LCSW licensee tracks: $150 per 60-minute session
Leadership assessments, executive coaching, and corporate projects: customized pricing
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept the following insurance plans for individual therapy (not couples counseling):
United Health Group Plans: UHC, Optum, UBH, UMR, Medica, Surest, Oxford
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS): Most nationwide plans, contracted through our local network
Health Partners Group Plans: HP and Evernorth
Aetna
We bill insurance directly. However, please note:
Clients are responsible for full payment if sessions are not covered or reimbursed
Copays are required prior to each session via our secure online patient portal
We do not accept Medicare/Medicaid
Due to high demand, we cannot offer sliding scale, pro bono, or complimentary consultations
We encourage all clients to check with their insurance provider prior to scheduling.
What is your in-person counseling environment like?
Welcome to the deep breath of a beautiful North Woods vibe! Our Stillwater, MN clinic offers an upscale, calming setting designed for comfort and ease. Each space reflects the serenity of nature — soft, soothing lighting, organic textures, and natural elements come together to create a tranquil environment that supports healing and personal growth.
Rooted in the principles of biophilic design, our clinic is intentionally crafted to bring the outdoors in. You’ll find warm wood tones, gentle greenery, and natural light that invite a sense of grounding and calm. The atmosphere encourages you to pause, exhale, and reconnect — with yourself and with the world around you.
At River Pines Counseling, our goal is to create a space where your nervous system can settle and your mind can open — because true healing begins in environments that feel safe, restorative, and inspired by nature.
Do you offer telehealth counseling?
Yes, we provide HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions for Minnesota and Wisconsin residents via secure phone or video. Telehealth is a convenient option for busy schedules, limited breaks, illness, or travel challenges (like snow or road construction).
Sessions can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
Clients receive an email link for video sessions, or providers initiate phone sessions
For therapy clients, we welcome both Minnesota and Wisconsin clients for in-person sessions at our Stillwater clinic, along with telehealth. Due to state licensing laws, we are unable to deliver services, including telehealth, outside our dual-MN and WI licensing.
For customized executive coaching package clients, we reach across the globe using video conferencing.
Learn more about the benefits of telehealth:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Telehealth Benefits
“I was hesitant to get started with therapy. I used to be a very anxious person and was afraid I wasn't going to find a provider that worked for me. Thankfully I found Darcy and she has made a world of change in my life, both personally and in my work as a healthcare provider. I felt comfortable immediately during our first visit and I never felt pressured to discuss anything I didn't want to. She taught me so many things that will help me for the rest of my life and I have noticed such a huge reduction in my anxiety. She has also helped improve my ability to communicate at work with my patients and my coworkers while also becoming a more empathetic and understanding provider.”
- Client on Healthgrades
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple.. You’ll begin with our Client Care Coordinator. During your intake session with your provider, we’ll explore your goals, discuss your needs, and create a personalized plan for therapy or coaching.
