The first step toward change is understanding and accepting where you are.
Modern Mental Health
Each individual has their own definition of mental health. It is my goal to serve each individual on their path toward mental wellness. What I have learned from my years of education, continuing education in the field, and work with clients is that appropriate understanding and education of symptoms is important in directing optimal and empirically supported treatment.
Our medical and insurance model definitely does not work for everyone. I take as many forms of insurance as is feasible for me as a single clinician. I hope to be able to offer additional ways for individuals to access information and education about mental health to further broaden who has access to care and increasing everyone’s understanding of the diversity and ubiquitous nature of mental health symptoms.
We also must operate in the existing system at school, work, home, and the community levels. Let’s have a conversation about what you need and want from mental health services.
Jo Ellison, PhD, ABPP
Hi! I’m Jo, Dr. E, Dr. Jo - whatever you prefer to call me. I have been working with clients in North Dakota and Minnesota since 2008, first in my program at the University of North Dakota, where I graduated in 2012 with my PhD in clinical psychology. From there I have worked in several private practices with other talented providers in both Grand Forks and Fargo, with community mental health agencies in ND and MN, as well as research in the area of eating disorders and bariatric surgery. Most recently I worked for seven years at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. I am excited to think outside of the box as well as continue the helpful services of psychological testing and therapy that I provided there.
I have received special training in the treatment of OCD from the International OCD foundation and have a special interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders for both children and adults. I also have extensive experience in ADHD evaluations for adults and children, and am working to expand my expertise in the identification and diagnosis of traits on the autism spectrum in adults. Beyond these areas, I am trained to treat a variety of symptoms and diagnostic presentations and am happy to discuss options for treatment if I cannot provide the level of expert care is most appropriate for you.
Check your insurance
We usually take many common insurances in the area, below are the ones with which Dr. Ellison is currently credentialed.
Aetna
UMR/Optum
BCBS of MN / ND - (Out of State PPO plans)
Medica
Health Partners/Cigna
Sanford (NDPERS/Broad)
Medicare
MN MA
ND MA