Meet Alyssa
Meet Alyssa
Alyssa Knese, MSW, LICSW, Director of Mental Health
Alyssa earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from St. Cloud State University in 2015, though her work in mental health began in 2011 in a residential foster care setting. Those early years helped shape her belief in the importance of stability, compassion, and being present for people during some of life’s most difficult moments. She later transitioned into outpatient mental health, providing Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) before beginning her psychotherapy work at Catholic Charities in 2018.
Her therapeutic approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with additional training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Alyssa focuses on helping clients develop practical coping strategies, build emotional insight, and strengthen the skills needed for lasting growth and healing. In addition to her outpatient practice, she provides clinical supervision for therapists at Granite City Counseling and co-facilitates the Men’s Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP).
Physical wellness plays an important role in Alyssa’s understanding of mental health. Her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology sparked a lifelong interest in the connection between mind and body, and she enjoys supporting clients who want to explore how movement, nutrition, and lifestyle habits can influence emotional well-being. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, running marathons, and competing in triathlons.
Alyssa’s goal is to help clients create lives that feel grounded, meaningful, and aligned with their values and aspirations.
Granite City Counseling
How We Can Help
Our multidisciplinary team provides personalized, evidence-based counseling and psychiatric services in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Therapy Services
- Individual Therapy
- Couples & Marriage Counseling
- Family Therapy
- Anxiety and Depression Treatment
- Trauma & Abuse Recovery
- Grief & Loss Counseling
- Parenting Support
- Relationship & Communication Challenges
- Self-Esteem & Personal Growth
- Neurodivergent Support
- 1:1 Anger Management
- Domestic Violence Intervention Services
- Diagnostic Assessments
- Psychiatric Evaluations & Medication Management
- Curriculum-Based Treatment Programs
Clinic Fees
Most services are covered by the following insurance providers:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- HealthPartners
- MinnesotaCare
- Medical Assistance
- Medicare
- Most employee-sponsored insurance companies.
If you are not covered by an insurance plan, fees are determined on a sliding fee schedule based on household gross income. No one is denied services due to an inability to pay.
Choose Your Therapist
Meet the rest of our team.
Transform Your Story
Ready to take the first step?
Getting started is simple. Contact our team to schedule an appointment, and we’ll help match you with a licensed mental health professional who fits your needs.