The Wellness Matters Team
Background:
In August of 2019, Wellness Matters was founded by Rita Anderson, a mental health therapist.
Working in another clinical setting in Park Rapids, MN, Rita noticed a common concern among her clients: the discomfort of waiting in a hectic waiting room. For many, attending mental health appointments can be an anxiety-provoking experience. Many preferred to wait outside and discretely text upon arrival to minimize potential interactions with other clients.
2019: Privacy Matters from the Start
Recognizing the need for additional support, Sandra Espe joined the practice early on. We understood that privacy is a paramount concern for individuals seeking mental health services, particularly in smaller communities where maintaining anonymity can be challenging. This insight led Rita to establish a practice focused on creating a cozy waiting area and strategically scheduling appointments to minimize client overlap.
2020: Convenience Meets Privacy
The widespread adoption of telehealth in 2020 provided a ground breaking solution, offering both privacy and unparalleled convenience for accessing mental health counseling. This advancement enabled us to extend our services beyond northern Minnesota. In addition to serving Hubbard, Wadena, Becker, Beltrami, and Cass counties, Wellness Matters began supporting individuals from Alexandria, Rochester, St. Cloud, Duluth, Moorhead, the Twin Cities, and everywhere in between.
Expanding Our Team
As the public became more comfortable with telehealth, clients from central and northern Minnesota increasingly began attending appointments from the comfort and privacy of their homes and offices via their smartphones and computers. Wellness Matters has a HIPPA-compliant telehealth platform that is easy to use for both clients and therapists. This growing acceptance of virtual therapy led to a significant increase in demand, and Wellness Matters expanded to meet the state-wide need telehealth therapy.
2021
We welcomed therapist Kat Fritsch and Emily Pierson.
2022
Part-time therapist Paula Kitzmann joined our dedicated team.
2023
Virtual Support Assistant Deanna Alvord and part-time therapist Carolyn Hamilton came on board.
2025
We were delighted to have Carrie Parks join us as our Intake Coordinator and Christina Halse as a mental health intern.
Open House Celebration
Staff expansion necessitated a larger clinic. In October of 2024, Wellness Matters moved its clinic into the office space in the Park Rapids Business Center at 104 Park Avenue North, Park Rapids, MN. This new location affords us needed space while maintaining the cozy, confidential atmosphere that is synonymous with Wellness Matters.
On 4/24/25, Wellness Matters simultaneously celebrated five years in operation and our beautiful new clinic while also introducing our providers and support staff to community and regional partners.
The flexibility of telehealth allows many of our providers work remotely and exclusively offer mental health appointments online. Our recent Open House provided a valuable opportunity to connect with community partners and also allowed our team to build stronger professional relationships with one another. In addition to all contractors attending the Open House, personal friends Karyn Kemper and Lana Huberg helped put on the Open House.
To learn more about Wellness Matters providers and services, please go to the About Us – Wellness Matters tab for backgrounds, biographies, and specialties.
New Location
Wellness Matters remains conveniently located in the heart of Park Rapids, MN. The clinic is located in the Park Rapids Business Center which is next to Subway and Rocky’s Pizza, just north of the intersection of Hwy 71 and Hwy 34. The office location is on the top level which can be reached by stairs or by the elevators.
Celebrating with Regional Partners, Friends, and Family
Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting
Row 1: Debbie Haas (Chamber of Commerce), Sandy Espe & Rita Anderson (Wellness Matters, Neil Litfin (Chamber of Commerce). Row 2: Wellness Matters contractors – Carrie Parks, Emily Pierson, Paula Kitzmann, Carolyn Hamilton, Kat Fritsch
Wellness Matters and Enlightenment Psychiatry Teams
Carrie Parks, BS, Intake Coordinator (Wellness Matters)
Kat Fritsch, MA, LPCC, LADC (Wellness Matters)
Paula Kitzmann, MA, LICSW (Wellness Matters)
Carolyn Hamilton, MEd, LPC (Wellness Matters)
Emily Pierson, MEd, LPCC, LCPC (Wellness Matters)
Mackenzie Snortum, PMHNP (Enlightenment Psychiatry)
Michelle Hensel, Office Manager (Enlightenment Psychiatry)
Sandy Espe, MA, MEd, LPCC, (Wellness Matters)
Community and Regional Partners
Catching up with Family and Friends
Wellness Matters team sneaking in some quality time!
2025 Wellness Matters Open House Attendees
Owner
Rita Anderson, MA, MN LPCC, MN LADC
Contractors
Sandra Espe, MA, MEd, MN LPCC, ND LPC
Kat Fritsch, MA, MN LPCC, MN LADC
Emily Pierson, MEd, MN LPCC, MT LCPC, Biller
Carolyn Hamilton, MA, MN LPC, MT LCPC
Paula Kitzmann, MA, MN LICSW, ND LICSW
Christina Halse, BA, Mental Health Intern
Carrie Parks, BA, Intake Coordinator
Deanna Alvord, MA, Marketing and Intake Coordinator
Volunteers
Lana Huberg, Hair Designer, Colorist, Esthetician, Owner Salon Synergy Organic Studio
Karyn Kuhn, Magnetic Resonance Safety Certified, MRI/CT Supervisor, Essentia Health
Attendees:
Bob Anderson, Retired Machinist, 3M
Lori Anderson, Retired Insurance Agent, Advantage 1 Insurance
Laura Benson, Customer Service Representative, Northview Bank
Kathy Blonigen, Tax Specialist, RP & Associates
Danielle Darchuk, Physician Assistant – Certified, Family Medicine, Essentia Health
Joyce Darchuk, Retired, Darchuk Fabrication
Jul Feuling, Cosmetic Tattoo Artist, About Face by Jul
Amy Goodwater, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Recovery School Coordinator
Dee Gopelrud, Deposit Operations Manager, Northview Bank
Angela Graham, Grant Coordinator – Drug Free Communities Grant, CHI St. Joseph’s
Mark Harmon, Vice President, Branch Manager, Northview Bank
Debbie Haas, Chair of Chamber Ambassadors, Personal Banker, Northwoods Bank
Michelle Hensel, Office Manager, Enlightenment Psychiatry
Jenni Hosler, Owner, Nature’s Accents Home Interiors
Lindsey Johanning, Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Rural Psychiatry Associates
Dawn Johnson, Designer/Office Manager, Nature’s Accents Home Interiors
Rick Johnston, SCORE Mentor (Founder: IMS, Fargo, ND)
Bob Kaumans, Social Worker, Hubbard County Social Services
Rudy Krizak, Retired, Rudy’s Carpentry Services LLC
Linda Lien, Program Director, BiCap
Neil Litfin, Chamber Ambassador, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Sarah Lunemann, Medical Coding Student, Alexandria Technical Community College
Taylor Lunemann, Marketing Lead, Astera Health
Aaron Majors, Asst. Service Officer, Hubbard County Veteran’s Services
Vicki Manners, Office Assistant, R.D. Offutt Farms Co – Trucking Division
Pam Miller, Member and Guest Services Coordinator, Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Rachel Oppitz, Registered Naturopathic Doctor, Owner of Itasca Naturopathic Clinic
Dave Rach, Retired, Medtronics
Derek Ricke, President/CEO, Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Cheryl Rising, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Owner of CR Wellness
Tammie Roth, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Taylor Rudquist, BSN, RN, Owner of Timeless Beauty Aesthetics and MedSpa
Tabitha Schacht, Corrections Agent, MN Department of Corrections
Dave Shogren, Outdoor/Travel Photographer, Mobile Digital Darkroom
Ashley Simpson-Branstrom, Realtor, Wolff & Simon Real Estate
Mackenzie Snortum Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Owner of Enlightenment Psychiatry
Veronica Wolfe, Business Development Specialist, Rural Psychiatry Associates