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David Castaneda , MPS, LADC
Psychotherapist
David Castañeda MPS, LADC (he/him) is a psychotherapist at Hamm Clinic providing individual therapy while receiving supervision towards an LPCC licensure. He completed a Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health from the University of Minnesota to assist clients with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. David’s approach to therapy is rooted in harm-reduction, trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+ affirming, sex-positive, culturally responsive positions.…
Read BioDavid Castañeda MPS, LADC (he/him) is a psychotherapist at Hamm Clinic providing individual therapy while receiving supervision towards an LPCC licensure. He completed a Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health from the University of Minnesota to assist clients with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. David’s approach to therapy is rooted in harm-reduction, trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+ affirming, sex-positive, culturally responsive positions. His therapy philosophy is largely shaped by Existentialism and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. David is passionate about helping clients discover their unique meaning and life’s purpose. He seeks to provide clients a positive, healing space with respect, kindness, and inclusivity to overcome obstacles, and improve their quality of life — providing an affirming space as they engage in therapy as collaborative partners.
David enjoys working with people of all gender and sexual identities and welcomes clients from all backgrounds and lived experiences. His therapy interests include: adjusting to life changes, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, problematic substance use, and PTSD. David values his client’s power to make informed decisions about their mental health and create meaningful change in their lives.
Stella Chemarum , PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Stella has 16+ years of experience as a nurse in various settings including inpatient services. She
attended National American University for undergrad, then to Walden University for Master of Science in nursing. She provides medication management for clients in therapy at Hamm and outside Hamm clinic. As a provider, she subscribes to a compassionate and collaborative approach: meeting clients where they are in their care while providing them with the education and knowledge of choices of medication treatment. A special interest area is Medication Assisted Program (MAT).
Julie Clarke
Clinical Trainee
Julie Clarke (she/her) is a clinical trainee at Hamm Clinic and is in her third year of the PsyD Counseling Psychology Program at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Julie has experience in many facets of health care including respiratory therapy, leadership, and quality improvement. Most recently, Julie has supported clients through intake interviews, psychological assessments, and diagnostic feedback sessions.
Julie believes that all people have a right to receive mental health care and advocates for universal access to evidence-based mental health care as a member of the Minnesota Psychological Association Legislative Committee. Julie’s approach to psychotherapy is to meet clients where they are on their journey to health, holding space for them in a manner that is respectful, open, accepting, while building trust and showing humility. Outside of work and school she enjoys traveling, reading, singing and spending time with her family.
Cristina Combs
Director of Clinical Services
Cristina Combs is a licensed clinical social worker with 20+ years of experience in Human Services. She has served children, youth, adults, and families as an in-home and office-based therapist. For nearly a decade, she served as a senior clinical supervisor in a community mental health center, centered on culturally-specific-and-affirming programming.
In therapy and in supervision, Cristina strives to collaborate with individuals to expand understandings, connections, and self-love. She holds colleagues in high regard, as they hold space for humans striving to grow and heal.
In 2015, through consultation with BIPOC mentors, Cristina developed a group-work model focused on building anti-racist practice and community. In partnership with BIPOC colleagues, she has developed and delivered trainings locally and nationally on trauma-responsive and anti-oppressive practice.
Cristina is humbled and deeply honored to serve in the role of Director of Clinical Services with Hamm Clinic.
Spencer Czech , MPH, MSW, LGSW
Psychotherapist
Spencer Czech MPH, MSW, LGSW (they/them) is a psychotherapist at Hamm Clinic. Over the last 12 years, Spencer’s education explored social and systemic barriers for trans and gender diverse folks seeking gender affirming care in what is now called the United States and Minnesota. In 2015, they obtained their Associates Degree in Philosophy from Minneapolis Community and Technical College; in 2018 they graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies; in 2023, Spencer graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s of Social Work and a Master’s of Public Health. During this time, they provided case management and drop-in crises services with people experiencing homelessness, living with HIV, and/or experiencing barriers to sustaining their emotional health in the Twin Cities. Spencer completed their clinical training at Edges Wellness Center, LLC.
Spencer offers affirming services using the tools and education they have gained along their own journey and through their unique experiences. Spencer continues to evolve their values of abolition and anarchy believing we all have a responsibility to get rid of the systems that harm us and to build socially just, sustainable futures for everyone. Their abolitionist social work background guides their values of supporting people in their environment and relationship(s) to that environment. Spencer values being effective rather than being right and will bring this to their therapeutic work with you. Spencer specializes in working with queer, trans, & gender diverse folks, neurodivergent folks, folks with developmental (childhood) trauma, and those who have experienced long-term poverty. Spencer offers pleasure-based and gender-affirming sexuality exploration. These are Spencer’s areas of interest, but they are deeply passionate about learning and will do the work to learn about experiences they are unfamiliar with to best support you.
In sessions, Spencer starts with the belief that all of your feelings and experiences matter, and together you will explore how these can create lasting effects in your day-to-day life. Seeing how your feelings and experiences shape you and how you move through the world can be both freeing and difficult–especially when navigating traumatic experiences. In sessions with Spencer, your unique viewpoints and experiences will be the guide as they offer tools or suggestions to support you in achieving your wellness, hopes, and goals. During your work together, Spencer’s suggestions are just that: suggestions that you can determine whether you want to try. Our society pressures us to seek power and control over our life rather than being in relationship and balance with it. Spencer’s role and goals are to support you in using new tools to manage daily challenges and long-term, deep healing strategies. Let’s explore avenues for you to experience yourself, life, and relationships boldly. Spencer is informed by Narrative, Somatic, and Abolitionist Therapies.
