PRIDE Institute LGBT Treatment

Dr. Jon E. Grant, MD, Medical Director and Addictionologist
Dr. Grant is Medical Director at the PRIDE Institute and a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Grant conducts research in the area of substance and behavioral addictions and is the author of several books on addictions including Stop Me Because I Can’t Stop Myself (a book for patients and their families) and Impulse Control Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide to Understanding Behavioral Addictions.

Dr. Janet Schmitt, MD

Amanda Richards, MA, LADC, LPC, MT-BC, Clinic Director-Residential
Amanda received her master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration on cross-cultural counseling as well as her Professional Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling Education with High Distinction both from the University of Minnesota. She also has her BM in Music Therapy from Southern Methodist University and is currently Board Certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
Areas of expertise include: Alcohol and Drug counseling with focus on Cognitive-Behavioral approaches; Creative Arts Therapy; Counseling Couples and Families; Counseling Trauma Survivors; Impaired Professionals; and Psychological First-Aid for Caregivers.

Todd Connaughty, LADC, BS in Addiction Counseling, Lead Counselor
Todd has worked for PRIDE Institute since 2006 in various positions including his current work as the Lead Counselor. Prior to working in the addiction field, Todd received his Practical Nursing diploma in 1993 followed by ten years of working with pediatric and adolescent clients in home health care. Todd trained under Dr. Weston Edwards, LP, to work with LGBTQ sexual health issues and substance dependency. Todd is the father to three children, ages 12, 13, and 14, and currently lives with his partner of four years in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.

Bill Elwell, MS, LPC, LADC, MA Ed, Counselor
Bill started his career as a high school social studies teacher, mainly working with at-risk students in alternative high schools. Bill went back to graduate school at 36 years old to develop a new career path. Now he is doing what he truly enjoys, which is helping people understand and untangle the issues that complicate their lives.

Corrina McCarron, BA, LADC, Counselor
Corrina has a bachelor of arts  degree in Psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University. She went back to school at Metropolitan State University to pursue Alcohol and Drug Counseling. Corrina began interning at PRIDE Institute in January 2009 and was hired as an admissions counselor in the Spring. Beginning in September she was able to accept a full time alcohol and drug counseling position.

Nic Klein, MA, LADC
Born in St Paul, Nicholas studied philosophy at the University of London and did his Masters degree at Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. An avid  practitioner of yoga and meditation, Nic is constantly looking for ways to integrate awareness practices into addiction treatment programming.

Melissa Anderson, MA, LAMFT, LADC, Counselor
It took Melissa a while to realize that psychology was her career path. Once there she found her passion and continued this by getting a Master in Counseling Psychology, along with her Post Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary’s University. Melissa’s past training includes working with populations who have dual mental illness and chemical dependency.  She currently works with couples/families, and concerned persons as part of the Kindred program at PRIDE. Melissa is currently working toward full LMFT licensure, and hopes to continue to work with clients and their relationships with concerned families, parents, or partners to build a stronger foundation for success.

Roji Joshi, RN, Director of Nursing
Born and raised in Nepal, Roji received her BSN from Linfield College, Oregon. She completed her internship at an inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit at Providence Portland Medical Center. Throughout the years, she has had the opportunity to experience working with diverse clientele who suffer from various medical and mental health disorders.

Ann Leible, LPC, MA, Utilization Review
Ann received her MA degree in mental health counseling and is NBCC certified and licensed as a professional counselor in the state of Minnesota. She has been working at PRIDE Institute since November 2001 with special expertise in assessment and utilization review.