Spero MN

Spero MN At Spero, we empower individuals and families with inclusive, holistic behavioral health care.

As a CCBHC, we provide therapy, recovery, crisis services, and more—creating hope, stability, and a healthier, more connected community for all. For any emergencies or urgent matters, please call our 24-hour crisis at 1-844-CRISIS2 or 1-844-274-7472. Our Services Include Therapy, Psychiatry & Counseling Programs

Within your community, you might never see the issues that many people face each day. Homelessness, mental illness, lack of resources, abuse and isolation are a reality for thousands of individuals and families. At South Central Human Relations Center, the people in our community can find the services they need to improve their lives. Our organization offers a broad range of programs designed to enhance each individual’s and family’s well-being including:

- Community-based Programs like adult and children’s case management, adult rehabilitation mental health services, and assertive community treatment
- Dual Disorders (Dual Recovery Program) which includes therapy sessions, medication management, substance use counseling and more
- Supportive Housing that works to end homelessness in cooperation with Project Home and Youngdahl
- Outpatient Therapy services for assistance with conditions like anxiety and depression; outpatient therapy also includes counseling services,
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and
- Psychiatry
- Residential Programs that are facilitated through Safe Harbour, a 12-bed Intensive Residential Treatment (IRT) program
- Genoa Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy located on the premises for the convenience of our clients.

02/20/2026

Kindness doesn’t have to be big to be powerful. 💛

For our nurses Lori, Carri, and Jenn, kindness looks like a smile in the grocery line, a laugh shared in the hallway, or simply meeting someone exactly where they are — whether they’re having a great day or walking through a hard one.

It’s holding space.
It’s helping someone forget their worries for 30 seconds.
It’s believing that one small act can spark a chain reaction.

At Spero, kindness isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we practice every day. And when we choose it, we hope it keeps going… person to person, smile to smile. ✨




02/18/2026

As part of Random Acts of Kindness Week, we asked our team what kindness means to them.

Renee Lips-Bush, Treatment Director of Spero’s Substance Use and Recovery Program, shared this:

“Kindness to me means care, compassion, and respect for other people… Even small things such as just saying hi to someone or opening the door, saying good morning, can really change someone’s day.”

We love how Renee reminds us that kindness isn’t complicated — it’s intentional care in everyday moments.

A simple greeting.
Holding the door.
Making eye contact.
Offering a genuine “Good morning.”

These small acts can reduce stress, bring a smile, and help someone move through a hard moment. And the best part? Kindness spreads. When one person chooses compassion, it often inspires the next person to do the same.

At Spero, we see daily how care and respect create connection. And connection supports healing. Whether at work, at home, or out in our community, we all have the opportunity to pause and choose kindness.

Kindness truly is contagious.
What small act of kindness will you share today? 💛





Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day.Sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.A kind word.A thoug...
02/17/2026

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.

A kind word.
A thoughtful text.
A few minutes of truly listening.

Kindness doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful. In fact, research shows that simple acts of kindness can boost mood, lower stress, and strengthen our sense of connection. And when we offer kindness to others, we often feel the benefits too.

At Spero, we believe mental wellness grows in community. Today is a beautiful reminder that we all have the ability to brighten someone’s day — and our own — through small, intentional actions.

Here are a few simple ways to share kindness today:
💛 Leave a positive note for someone to find
💛 Pay a genuine compliment
💛 Check in with a friend or neighbor
💛 Support a local organization like Community Pathways, The Salvation Army, and The United Way of Steele County (among many others)
💛 Practice self-kindness by giving yourself permission to rest

Whether your act of kindness is public or private, big or small, it matters.

If you feel comfortable, share how you’re spreading kindness today, we’d love to celebrate the ripple effect together. And if you’re quietly participating, know that your kindness still makes a difference. Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate community.





02/16/2026

During Random Acts of Kindness Week, we asked our team what kindness means to them.

Grace Bartlett, Spero’s Compliance and Technology Director, shared something powerful:

“Kindness is a deliberate choice that we all have. It requires thought and self-awareness to recognize someone else's struggle and intentionally respond with kindness instead of our first instincts.”

We love that reminder — kindness isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.

Grace also shared how simple it can be:
✨ Using someone’s name
✨ Smiling
✨ Being patient
✨ Pointing out something that was dropped or left behind

These aren’t big, dramatic gestures. They’re small, everyday choices that can completely recharge someone’s day.

At Spero, we know that many people are carrying things we can’t see such as stress, uncertainty, grief, or overwhelm. A thoughtful pause. A moment of patience. A genuine smile. These small acts create safety and connection, and connection supports mental wellness. You never know how much someone might need it.

What does kindness mean to you? 💛




Meet Our Providers!Emma Zinsli, M. ED.Emma earned her undergraduate degree in Visual Arts with an emphasis in Art Therap...
02/11/2026

Meet Our Providers!
Emma Zinsli, M. ED.

Emma earned her undergraduate degree in Visual Arts with an emphasis in Art Therapy from the University of Wisconsin–Superior. She then went on to complete her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Emma works with clients ages 6 and up and brings a flexible, creative, and client-centered approach to therapy. With a background in art therapy, she enjoys incorporating creative and expressive techniques, play-based strategies, and other hands-on approaches to meet clients where they are. Emma believes therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all — each session is shaped around what the client needs in that moment.

She works with a wide range of concerns, including trauma, ADHD, neurodivergence, and emotional regulation. Emma is especially passionate about supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who may feel different or misunderstood. She strives to create a space where clients feel affirmed, safe, and empowered to better understand themselves and their experiences.

Emma’s goal is to help clients build insight, resilience, and self-trust. She understands that the world can feel overwhelming at times and works collaboratively with clients to explore tools and strategies that support healing and growth.

Outside of the therapy room, Emma supports her own mental health by spending time with her dog, going on walks, creating her own artwork, and connecting with friends. Creativity and connection are important parts of her self-care and help her show up fully for her clients.

If Emma sounds like a good fit for you or your family, she would be honored to support you in your journey.

📞 For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at (507) 451-2630.

At Spero we know that it’s important to get help where and when you need it.That’s why we have additional therapists, ex...
02/04/2026

At Spero we know that it’s important to get help where and when you need it.

That’s why we have additional therapists, extended hours 3 days a week, and individual and group options.

While our initial visits are conducted in the office, we offer ongoing services both in-office and via telehealth.

**We also have SAME DAY appointments available most days of the week!**

Give us a call at 507-451-2630 or stop in to get started!

As January winds down, take a moment to celebrate the small wins.💛 Got out of bed on a hard day? That counts.💛 Checked i...
01/23/2026

As January winds down, take a moment to celebrate the small wins.

💛 Got out of bed on a hard day? That counts.
💛 Checked in on a friend? That matters.
💛 Made space for a breath, a pause, or a moment of calm? That’s growth.

Every step forward—no matter how small—is worth honoring.



Meet our staff:Megan Liverseed, MSW, LGSWMegan earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Winona State Univ...
01/20/2026

Meet our staff:
Megan Liverseed, MSW, LGSW

Megan earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Winona State University. Prior to joining our team, she gained experience as a clinical intern in Wisconsin and as a case manager, supporting individuals through care coordination, assessments, and community-based services. This role is Megan’s first post–graduate “big kid job,” and she brings deep passion and curiosity into her work.

Megan was drawn to the therapy field through a lifelong desire to help others and a strong belief in the healing power of connection. As she learned more about how systems, environments, and lived experiences shape mental health, social work felt like a natural fit. She feels honored to walk alongside clients and provide the same compassion and support she knows can make a meaningful difference.

Megan works with clients of various ages and supports concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, emotional regulation, and life transitions. Her approach is collaborative and flexible, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and somatic practices that help clients feel grounded, safe, and connected to their bodies. Whether that means sitting on the floor, doodling during session, or using fidgets, Megan prioritizes creating a space where clients can show up exactly as they are.

Megan hopes clients leave sessions feeling empowered, relieved, and reminded that healing is a process—one that doesn’t have to happen all at once. She believes therapy is for everyone and views it as an act of strength, curiosity, and self-compassion.

For those who feel nervous about starting, Megan encourages approaching therapy with curiosity and grace, just as you would offer compassion to someone you care about.

Outside of work, Megan supports her own mental health by spending time with family, friends, her fiancé, and her dog. She enjoys getting outside, taking unplugged walks, listening to music, relaxing in comfy clothes, and finding joy in everyday human moments.

If Megan sounds like a good fit for you, she would be grateful to support you as you take that first step—at your own pace.

📞 For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at (507) 451-2630.

Here in Minnesota, winter asks a lot of us. The cold lingers, the days are short, and the world can feel loud, tense, an...
01/13/2026

Here in Minnesota, winter asks a lot of us. The cold lingers, the days are short, and the world can feel loud, tense, and overwhelming. If you’ve noticed your energy dipping or your mood feeling heavier lately, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.

This season is a time of wintering: slowing down, turning inward, and conserving energy. Just like the earth rests beneath the snow, we’re allowed to rest too.

🌱 Maybe today’s win is getting out of bed.
🌱 Maybe it’s texting someone you trust.
🌱 Maybe it’s simply breathing through the day with kindness toward yourself.

None of that is “too small.” It all counts.

Light doesn’t disappear in winter.
It gathers quietly, waiting.
And so do we.
Brighter days will return, and until then, it’s okay to move gently, take up space, and ask for warmth in whatever ways you can.

Be soft with yourself. You’re carrying more than you realize. 💙





Meet our staff:Hannah Fisher, MSHannah earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and her...
01/09/2026

Meet our staff:
Hannah Fisher, MS

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and her Master of Science from Winona State University. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and is currently working toward licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor.

Hannah chose to become a therapist because she believes deeply in the power of being heard. In a fast-paced and often overwhelming world, she values slowing down, listening, and truly taking the time to understand each person’s story. Her goal is to provide a space where clients feel supported, understood, and never alone.

Hannah works with clients ages 8 and up and has experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults. She provides care for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship challenges, and co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns -- always meeting clients where they are.

Hannah hopes clients leave sessions feeling heard, cared for, and supported. She strives to walk alongside clients through some of life’s most challenging moments and believes therapy doesn’t have to be scary. It’s about finding the right fit and building trust at your own pace.

Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time outdoors, going for walks with her dog, Kash, gardening, and staying connected with family and friends as part of her own self-care.

If Hannah sounds like a good fit for you or your family, she would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.

📞 To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact us at (507) 451-2630.

As we step into a new year, we’re carrying one thing with us above all: hope. 💙At Spero, hope isn’t just part of our nam...
12/31/2025

As we step into a new year, we’re carrying one thing with us above all: hope. 💙

At Spero, hope isn’t just part of our name—it’s the heart of everything we do. It’s in every conversation, every act of service, and every connection we make with our community.

Whether 2025 was full of growth or full of challenges (or both), we want you to know that you’re doing better than you think. You’re not alone. And you are worthy of support, joy, and peace in the year ahead.

Here’s to 2026—another year of healing, helping, and showing up for one another.




12/30/2025

Imagine a housing solution that doesn’t rely on a single dollar of government funding: just the strength and generosity of our community! That’s exactly what we’re building together in Steele County. Thanks to dedicated partners like the Housing Crisis Triage and Diversion Programming Team, neighbors like Natalie (who recently found temporary housing thanks to community sponsorships), and YOUR ongoing support, we’re proving real change is possible.

Want to be part of the next big step? Join us at the Community Summit (in partnership with Spero MN) on January 29 to share your voice, meet local leaders, and help craft bold solutions. Every gift this season: no matter the size: directly closes our just over $140,000 year-end campaign gap and fuels hope for families right here at home.

Let’s lift each other up! Donate today and make stronger than ever.

Address

610 Florence Avenue
Owatonna, MN
55060

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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