Ekaterina Ilin-Grupa, MSW, LICSW, Therapist in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Ekaterina (Katya) Ilin-Grupa, LICSW, helps adults across Minnesota navigate life’s challenges with compassion, insight, and evidence-based care. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker at LifeStance Health, she provides individual therapy for young adults, adults, and older adults experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties. Her approach is grounded in the belief that every person has the capacity for growth and healing, regardless of their circumstances. She creates a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences, build resilience, and develop meaningful strategies for lasting change. Katya is especially passionate about helping individuals facing trauma, substance use concerns, and major life transitions. Drawing from trauma-informed, person-centered, and humanistic approaches, she works collaboratively with clients to understand the impact of past experiences, strengthen coping skills, and move toward a more fulfilling life. She recognizes that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process and tailors treatment to each individual’s goals, strengths, and unique life story. Her clinical experience spans a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatry, trauma-focused substance use treatment, hospice care, forensic mental health, and outpatient therapy. This diverse background allows her to support clients with a wide range of concerns, including mood disorders, grief, chronic pain, couples issues, and additional mental health challenges. She also has experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals, military veterans, first responders, and people living with head injuries. Katya utilizes evidence-based interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), along with mindfulness-based techniques and other integrative approaches. She believes the therapeutic relationship is a powerful catalyst for change and prioritizes creating a space where clients feel respected, understood, and empowered. Outside of her clinical work, Katya enjoys practicing yoga, taking her dog on nature adventures, meeting friends for coffee, traveling and learning about new cultures, reading, and spending a relaxing day at the beach.