Mental Health Services

Mental health issues are the leading cause of disabilities among children, teens and young adults across the world (National Institute of Mental Health). WSTC has been providing mental health services to young people and their families for nearly 40 years and has seen an increase in demand over the recent years. WSTC has mental health professionals at both our Hopkins (Barbara Clare) and Excelsior (Toni Flaherty) locations. For an appointment, call 952.474.3251 for an appointment.
 
Barbara Clare, MS, LMFT
 
Barbara has been working with young people and their families since the late 1980’s. She enjoys helping teens and families find effective avenues to cope with stress and discover solutions for problems they’re experiencing. She’s passionate about identifying individual strengths, so that young adults can eventually become responsible and productive members of the community. She’s worked as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1997. While attending Arizona State University she received a Cowden Fellowship for research on the efficacy of an HIV/AIDS curriculum for adolescents.
 
Barbara’s research also involved parental influences on the development of adolescent social competence and awareness.  Prior to WSTC, she developed a program focused on the prevention of youth violence, reduction of truancy, youth homelessness, including teens running away from home, and youth alcohol and drug abuse. Her expertise also includes work with pregnant and parenting teens, children’s mental health case management and school-based mental health services.
 
 
Toni Flaherty, LicSW –Therapist
 
For the past 25 years, Toni has dedicated her career to building and strengthening the Mental Health Program at WSTC. Our program provides short-term and ongoing counseling for individuals and their families. We also focus on community education and referral resources In a typical week, Toni will see 8 to 10 clients for one hour, with issues ranging from emotional or sexual abuse, family dynamics, stress or depression. Toni will even go out in the community for group therapy sessions on stress reduction and identifying depression.
 
Within her 25-year tenure, she alone has reached over 20,000 people. Her persistence and patience provide a positive impact on the well-being of the families she works with, and those dealing with individual issues regarding their mental health.