Granite City Counseling

I received my master’s degree in social work (MSW) from St. Cloud State University in 2015. I initially began working in the mental health field in 2011 when I was employed in a residential foster care setting, and later transitioned into the outpatient mental health by providing Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) for individuals prior to beginning my work as a psychotherapist for Catholic Charities in January 2018.

I frequently take a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach and also have training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). In conjunction with providing outpatient psychotherapy services, I also provide clinical supervision for the Hope Community Support Program’s ARMHS and CSP programs and also co-facilitate the men’s Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP) groups that Granite City Counseling offers. 

Outside of work, I am very interested in diet, exercise, and other realms of physical health. Receiving my bachelor's degree in kinesiology sparked an interest in physical wellness, and any issues or concerns that may be relevant surrounding those topics have always been of particular importance to me. During my free time, I also enjoy spending time with my dogs, running marathons, and competing in triathlons.

I received a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I have been a therapist for 20 years at Granite City Counseling.

My primary approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is based on the premise that our thoughts are what affect our feelings, which in turn affects our behaviors or lack of action. We can get stuck in our distress, and one of the goals of therapy is to broaden one's perspective in order to better weather life's difficulties. Behavioral activation and problem-solving play an important role in therapy. Faith or one's spirituality can be a powerful resource and can be incorporated in therapy if the client desires.

I work with adults of all ages in individual therapy and relationship therapy. My specialties include depression and anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, adjustment issues, grief and loss, life transitions, and domestic violence.

When not at work, I enjoy reading, theater, concerts, walking and spending time with family and friends.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from St. Cloud State University. My specialties include adults with adjustment and transition concerns, self-esteem, spiritual concerns, depression, grief and loss, anxiety, SPMI, stress management, and life balance. I also enjoy working with adults whose loved ones have a mental illness and could benefit from support while they navigate the emotionally and mentally challenging waters with those loved ones.

I have 30 years of experience as an outpatient mental health therapist working with adults individually and in day treatment and ARMHS. I am also a Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy approved supervisor and have provided clinical supervision to a variety of interns, trainees, and licensed professionals over the past 20 years. 

My approach is primarily person-centered with cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and a variety of other techniques integrated throughout. I believe we all carry resiliency and are capable of creating change in ourselves. I work to provide a trauma-informed, safe and respectful space for people to unfold their stories and begin or continue their healing. 

I’m passionate about and honored to work with people on their healing journeys, particularly when they begin to increasingly recognize and exercise their own strengths and resiliency in their recovery. Life can get messy and uncomfortable. It takes courage and bravery to lean into and dance with it. 

My hobbies include spending time with family and friends, kayaking, golfing, walking in the woods, and playing cards and board games.   

I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Behavior from the College of St. Scholastica. I have conducted Custody Evaluations and worked as a Parenting Consultant since 2005. I am a Guardian ad Litem for the State of Minnesota since 2004. I have training in Solomon's Surrogates, Child Custody Mediation as well as Social Early Evaluation Training.

I am experienced in handling highly conflicted custody cases. I specialized in working with families that struggle with co-parenting, have criminal involvement, or have addictions or mental health concerns.

My passion is to look at all circumstances and make appropriate recommendations regarding custody and parenting time. 

When I am not working, I enjoy reading and spending time on the lake.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University and my Associate of Applied Business from Eastern Gateway Community College. I became a Custody Evaluator in 2022 and I am a Guardian ad Litem for the State of Minnesota since 2018. I have Child Custody training through the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and ongoing Guardian ad Litem training. 

I am experienced in handling conflicted custody cases, due to my Guardian ad Litem work through Family Court. I have worked with families that have challenges in co-parenting, mental health or addiction concerns, as well as families having criminal involvement. 

Because of my education, and experience, I am able to look at all circumstances, remain neutral, and make appropriate recommendations regarding custody and parenting time. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, photography, exploring the outdoors, reading, and baking.

I earned my degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Vocational Rehabilitation and have been practicing ever since earning my degree.

I am especially interested in the body mind connection and how this interacts with our mental health. I am also very interested in spirituality, finding our meaning in life, dealing with major life changes and the trauma/anxiety associated with these changes.

A little about me: I grew up on a small dairy/beef farm in Stearns County. For outlets, I am a runner, amateur photographer, interested in travel and a kayak enthusiast and I have worked Bogota Colombia. I have been married for more than twenty-five years and we have twin adult girls who are in the process of establishing their own lives. I have had the opportunity to work on the oil fields in Colorado, Green Giant vegetable pack, and numerous construction jobs. 

Beki Asti is certified as both a Psychiatric and Family Nurse Practitioner. In addition, she earned a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. 

Over the past decade, she has worked in various outpatient clinics as a Family Nurse Practitioner and most recently has been working as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in a Community Mental Health Clinic. 

Beki enjoys working with patients and their families, striving for recovery. Her goal is to help people with mental illness to feel confident and focus on overall wellness.