About
Ridgeway
& Associates
At Ridgeway & Associates, we specialize in working with Law Enforcement and First Responders. With friends and loved ones in Public Safety, we are mental health care providers and are contracted with numerous Minnesota Public Safety agencies providing wellness programming and consulting services. At our practice, we have six licensed therapists who work out of two metro offices.
We are not evaluators and we do not provide fitness-for-duty type assessments - we see this as an important conflict to avoid. We take very seriously our legal and ethical mandates around your confidentiality. Our program goals include mitigating the common stress response, suicide prevention, and connecting every First Responder to someone who knows how to help should you ever need it. We meet these goals through high quality care and professionalism.
As we expand to meet the needs of First Responders in Minnesota, our goal is still to ultimately to work ourselves out of this work - this would mean that we’ve given you the knowledge, understanding, and tools you need upfront. This is no small feat given how long the profession has existed without adequate care. But who doesn’t like a challenge? We envision that mental health care and attending to the common stress responses that First Responders experience can be provided in a proactive and preventative way.
F.A.Q.’s
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is not necessary if insurance is not being billed. For some, a diagnosis is helpful for obtaining services or outside support, while for others it can be a barrier to receiving care. Your preference and needs can be accommodated.
Payment
THERAPY
We are not in-network with insurance companies. You may use an HSA card or debit/credit card. If you do use an HSA card, it is possible that a diagnosis could be necessary.
OUT OF NETWORK BENEFITS
If you would like to bill your insurance for out of network benefits, we can provide you with an invoice that will include all the information needed for you to be reimbursed with your out of network benefits. If you have questions about out of network benefits, please call your insurance customer service number and inquire about the following:
•Is out-of-network coverage for mental health services provided under the policy? Does a deductible apply, and if there is a yearly deductible has it been met? Is there a limit to the number of sessions covered per year? If so, how many are covered? How much will the carrier pay (or reimburse you) for each session? Where should you send invoices? Does the plan require pre-approval by the insurance carrier for benefits to apply?
MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING/ CONSULTING
Flat fee or per person rates are available. Please contact us for more information.
Any Other Questions?
Just ask! Brief phone calls prior to meeting in person are offered to answer any questions you might have.
Our Team
Marie Ridgeway MSW, LICSW
Lead Therapist, Owner
Marie Ridgeway MSW, LICSW is a Master’s Level mental health clinician with a specialty in treating stress injuries (PTS) and the secondary challenges that commonly occur (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, substance abuse, relationship challenges). Marie has Advanced training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Marie is also trained as a yoga teacher. Marie and her staff of occupationally competent clinicians currently work with numerous Public Safety agencies across the state of Minnesota.
Marie has worked in the field for over 18 years. She completed her Master’s Degree in 2010 at the University of NE Omha and has been providing Clinical Supervision for the MN Board of Social Work since 2018. She has been a training specialist for the MN Chiefs of Police Association, presented at numerous annual first responder conferences, and has worked individually with thousands of law enforcement officers across the state since 2017. Marie brings knowledge and skills from her diverse work experience that includes child protection and psychiatric crisis team response. Marie is honored to be providing specialized occupationally competent care, wellness programming, POST training, and Crisis Negotiation Team clinical consultation to those who serve our communities.
Outside of work, Marie is active and outdoors as much as possible running, hiking, and traveling with her two teenagers. Marie and her team are assisted in their practice by their German Shepherds, Charlie and Kali (therapy dogs with AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification).
Carlie has a Master’s Degree is is a fully licensed clinician who works full time with Ridgeway & Associates. Carlie has family and friends in LE and has great admiration for the work they do. Carlie has experience working with trauma, families, kids, and is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy.
Carlie is available for check-ins and therapy at the Shoreview and Bloomington offices. She also provides presentations, debriefs, and a variety of on-site services for public safety
Carlie Ross MSW, LICSW
Therapist
Nicole Humble MSW, LICSW
Therapist
Nicole is a Masters Level Clinician, fully licensed, and a Marine. Nicole works full time with Ridgeway & Associates. She has experienced working in high stress environments to include a tour in Kuwait in 2003 and Fallujah in 2008. She has experience working in an emergency department four years dealing with trauma, priority calls, as well as behavioral health patients. Her passion and reason why she became a clinician was to help first responders, and veterans. She earned her Master’s degree at St. Catherine University / University of St. Thomas and is certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Nicole is available for both check ins and therapy at the Shoreview and Bloomington offices. She also provides presentations, debriefs, and a variety of on-site services for public safety.
Natalie Sinkler MSW, LICSW
Therapist
Natalie is a Masters Level Therapist with experience working for government and non-profits including a county psychiatric crisis team where she often worked along-side police and paramedics. Natalie is ART trained and works out of our Shoreview office with evening and weekend options for scheduling.
Jerry Dieffenbach MSW, LGSW
Therapist
Jerry is a Masters Level Social Worker with an LGSW license and ART training. He holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Augsburg University. Jerry’s 29 years of experience includes working for Hennepin County Juvenile Probation, and the last two years as a metro county crisis responder. Jerry’s extensive experience has included partnering with Law Enforcement in a number of capacities. In his personal time, he enjoys traveling, biking, cross-country skiing, and spending time with his family, which includes his wife and two college age daughters. Jerry is available for check ins and therapy sessions at the Shoreview and Bloomington offices.
Administrative
and Training
Separate from our clinical team is our administrative assistant and the officers who occasionally assist us in training
Teene Koenig
Administrative Assistant & Office Manager
Teene assists us with our day-to-day tasks that allow our services to be provided with the quality and care that we are proud to provide you with.
Captain Joe Gerhard
Training Specialist
Sgt Gerhard has an Associates of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and started his work as a Police Officer in 2003. He has been with the Blaine Police Department since 2006 and a Patrol Sergeant since 2018. Sgt Gerhard is an Anoka County Public Safety Peer Support board member and a developer of the Police Officer by Enhancing Resiliency (P.O.W.E.R) Program. He has been a field training officer since 2007, a Field Training Coordinator, and a Use of Force and Firearms Instructor.
Commander Tim Harris
Training Specialist
Commander Harris has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Winona State University in Criminal Justice and completed his MN P.O.S.T. Skills training through Hibbing Community College. He started his career at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. While at Washington County he has held positions as a Correctional Officer, Patrol Deputy, Field Training Officer, D.A.R.E. Officer, Detective, Court Security Unit Sergeant, Water Parks & Trails Sergeant, Washington County Security Operations Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant and now works as the Commander in the Patrol Division. He has taught multiple law enforcement courses throughout the state with the MN Sheriff’s Association. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, running and spending time with his family and friends.
Charlie
Therapy Dog, AKC Canine Good Citizen
Dogs seem to know more about what people need than people often do. Charlie and Kali are half siblings and one year apart in age (Kali turns 6 in 2024, Charlie turns 5). The hope is that Charlie and Kali help reduce stigma to mental health care, help people feel comfortable, and assist in calming stress responses.
Kali
Therapy Dog, AKC Canine Good Citizen