Our Staff

 

Aaron Miller, Ph.D (he/his)

I am a depth-oriented therapist and provide short and long-term individual, couples, and group therapy. I also enjoy supporting clients in their exploration and healing related to depression, relationship difficulties, anxiety, ADHD, life transitions, career concerns, and LGBTQ+ related experiences. I have previously served as a trauma specialist in both a university setting and a VA PTSD clinic. My primary approach to trauma work is feminist and interpersonal, but additionally I am a certified provider of Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD.

I work to build a genuine and meaningful relationship with each of my clients, emphasizing collaboration and encouraging your active participation in shaping the counseling process. I am happy to adjust my style to help you meet your goals and harness your individual strengths. I use genuine curiosity, empathy, humor, and authenticity to create a warm and safe therapeutic space.

My approach is flexible, but draws heavily from existential humanistic and interpersonal psychodynamic theories. In practical terms, I often explore relationship patterns, focus on and deepen emotions, emphasize your strengths, and foster a sense of meaningfulness. I also am influenced by feminist perspectives that respect how power dynamics and larger cultural complexities shape our experiences. I am passionate about providing ethical and affirming care to persons with marginalized identities.

Outside work, I enjoy live music and theatre, spending time with loved ones, cooking and baking, rooting for my basketball and football teams, and doting over my 10 year-old Shetland Sheepdog.

Tenure at DPC: <1 year

Melissa (Missy) King, PhD (she/her/hers)

I was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. I earned my MA and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. There, I also earned a graduate certificate in Women's Studies. I completed an internship at the University of Utah. Following, I moved to Duluth where I was an instructor in UMD's psychology department and worked at the Duluth Psychological Clinic. Before moving back to Duluth, I spent five years as a Staff Psychologist and the Group Therapy coordinator at Kansas State University. I am excited to be back in the Twin Ports and back at DPC.

I provide individual and group psychotherapy to adults. I work with clients who seek therapy for a variety of reasons including difficulties with depression, anxiety, recognizing and expressing emotions, unsatisfying relationships, adjusting to transitions, and questions about their gender identity and/or sexuality or who are dealing with the stressors associated with being LGBTQ+ in a hetero- and cisnormative world.

As a therapist, I aim to be compassionate and empathic, working at your pace and collaboratively identifying goals for therapy. In therapy, you can expect to explore current and past relationship patterns that may be contributing to your reasons for seeking therapy. We will likely explore your emotions, helping you to become more connected with them, if you aren't already. We'll discuss vulnerability, the role it plays in your life, and the potential barriers to openness and connection with others. I also help clients address self-criticism and increase self-compassion. We may also examine your identities and societal factors that influence your life (both oppression and privilege) such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, classism, and sizism.

The technical language for the theories I use in therapy (in case you want to look them up) are Interpersonal Process, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. At times, I may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I use a social justice and feminist framework in my personal and professional life. These are more or less salient in my clinical work, depending on the fit with your needs and values.

In my spare time, I enjoy connecting with my partner, family, and friends; reading; cooking; eating good food; listening to live music; and being active outdoors.

Tenure at DPC: 4 years

Dan D'Allaird, Psy.D (he/his)

I provide individual, couples, and family therapy for children adolescents, and adults. I enjoy providing therapy for a variety of presenting concerns, including emotional, behavioral, and developmental difficulties for children and adolescents; relational problems; parenting challenges; problems associated with anxiety and depression; traumatic experiences; and grief and loss.

I also conduct psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. These assessments cover a wide range of referral questions, including psychological diagnosis, treatment and disposition planning, cognitive and emotional functioning, attention and behavioral problems, pre-bariatric surgery assessments, and parenting issues.

I am a graduate of the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology (now Argosy University), the University of Virginia, and Colgate University. I have been licensed in Minnesota as a clinical psychologist since 2002. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Duluth Library Foundation, judge entries for the Minnesota Book Awards, and provide leadership coaching in the Blandin Community Leadership Program and the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program. I live in Duluth with my wife and two children.

Tenure at DPC: 16 years

Mitzi Doane, Ph.D (she/her/hers)

I was born and raised in New England.  I attended St. Bonaventure University for my undergraduate training and received my Ph.D in psychology from Vanderbilt University in 1978.  I have been employed full time as a professor of psychology and health education at the University of Minnesota Duluth since 1978.  During those years, I have also been a department head and dean.

My areas of expertise include eating disorders, sexual behavior and gender issues.  I have written one book and 11 research articles in these and other areas.  I utilize a  cognitive-behavioral approach in therapy. This means I aid people in changing their negative behaviors and thoughts in order to become healthier.  I have been licensed as a clinical psychologist in Minnesota since 1981.  I do individual, family, and couples counseling in such broad areas as anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress.  I also run a group for special needs adult males who are struggling with sexual issues. I have been married since 1984 and have two grown children.

Tenure at DPC: 22 years

Rich Duus, Ph.D (he/his)

I have practiced psychology in the Duluth area since 1987. My undergraduate college work was done in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Augustana College after which I spent some time in military service which I finished in 1971 as a Captain. I then went to Eastern Washington University which was finished in 1975 with a Master's of Science in psychology, and went from there to Logan, Utah where the Ph.D. in behavioral psychology was completed in 1982. I worked 4 years in Brainerd, Minnesota at the Brainerd Regional Treatment Center, and then in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. My work there was in the Northland Mental Health Center until, in 1987, I took a position in the Behavioral Health Unit of the Duluth Clinic which has since merged to become SMDC. Remaining in that position for about 9 years, in 1996 I opened a private practice office which was initially called the Duluth Psychological Services, and by the next year became the Duluth Psychological Clinic, dedicated to using current psychological research and theory. Affiliations with the hospitals are maintained to assist in consultations and client-patient care.

The focus of my psychological practice has been generally within a cognitive behavioral psychotherapy framework, but also with what is generally referred to as ego state therapy. In addition, I frequently do behavioral consultation with children and adult special needs populations with group and foster homes. Much of my practice has been focused on in depth psychological evaluations, sometimes as much as 50 percent of the practice. More recently, I am doing fewer evaluations. Specialty areas include biofeedback, clinical hypnosis with psychophysiological disorders as well as within a more standard psychotherapy format, relaxation, integrating and using meditation for assisting people in working through their problems, mindfulness in psychotherapy as well as daily living, relaxation and imagery. Some problems I have worked with include anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, couples therapy, chronic disorders such as multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome, habit disorders, behavioral disorders, anger issues, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress problems, and pain management.

Dr. Duus is semi-retired and is accepting new patients on a case-by-case basis. Please call the office to inquire about his availability.

Tenure at DPC: 26 years

Douglas Heck, Ph.D (he/his)

I was born and raised in Kansas, and in 1980 completed my undergraduate degree through Emporia State University.  In 1988 I graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

After starting my career at the University of MN Dental School, and the Partial Hospital Program at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, I worked for 13 years at MINCEP Epilepsy Care in Minneapolis.  While there, I was part of a medical team providing care for people with epilepsy or related conditions, and was active in research, teaching, and consultation with health care professionals around the world.

I was a clinical assistant professor with the University of MN for 10 years, and adjunct assistant professor at St. Mary's University for 8 years.  I moved to Duluth in 2000, joined DPC, and began working in the Rehabilitation Program at St. Luke's Hospital.

I greatly enjoy my work and the wonderful environment here at DPC.  For most of my career, I have provided care for clients experiencing medical problems, including brain injury, stroke, seizures, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson's Disorder, and other chronic conditions.  I regularly collaborate with physicians, nurses, various therapists, family members, teachers, and others in a team approach to treatment.   Using current psychological theory and practice, I assist clients as they strive to cope with, improve and heal their physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Tenure at DPC: 23 years

For more information about our services, mission, and staff, please page through this website or call 218-722-2005.