All EckMaas & Associates professionals are renowned experts in their fields and bring years of experience providing highly interactive, skill development-focused training, and personalized EBP coaching to our clients.

Our Leadership

Sue EckMaahs, President

Sue has over 19 years experience in the technologies of human potential and change. She has earned a national reputation for her ability to bring about lasting, systemic improvement as evidenced by a marked increase in knowledge, skill, and motivation among staff and clients.

Well known for her effective and dynamic training skills, Sue is also frequently sought as an advisor for implementation and quality assurance planning around evidence-based practices. She has been practicing Motivational Interviewing since 1993 and applying the methodology with clients, staff, and trainees for over 15 years. She is a member of the international MINT forum (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers).

Sue is currently pursuing graduate work in Intercultural Relations through the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She anticipates bringing about innovation in the understanding and practice of intercultural communications, especially given the ever-increasing diversity within client and professional populations worldwide.

Our Trainers and Associates

When working with EMA, your training team will be selected specifically in accordance with your individual and/or agency needs. EMA contracts with dynamic and accomplished trainers and consultants who are highly respected in their fields of expertise.

Jonathan Lofgren, MS, L-ADC, BCAC

Jonathan has 21 years of national and international substance abuse, mental health treatment, research, program development consulting, and educational experience, and holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Services/Community Counseling Psychology from Springfield College. Jonathan is currently writing his dissertation for a doctorate in education, specializing in training and performance improvement at Capella University. Jonathan is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Board Certified Addictions Counselor, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (I).

Jonathan Lofgren is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), is a faculty member of the National Drug Court Institute, and is a Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH) Board Member.

Jonathan specializes in issues of diversity and cultural proficiency in government, education, behavioral health, and community organizations through training and performance improvement technologies.

Jacque Elder, Psy.D., CADC

Dr. Elder is the Assistant Professor, Master of Addictions Studies at Governor’s State University in University Park, Illinois. She is also a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and has been trained in the MITI Coding system by Theresa Moyers, Ph.D., and Jennifer Knapp Manuel, M.S. two of the authors of the MITI coding system. She has been presenting and training mental health, substance abuse and health care workers in MI for over 8 years. She is also trained as a Couples/Family Therapist through The Family Institute of Northwestern University.

Jane M. Nakken, Ed.D.

Dr. Nakken is a consultant and trainer with thirty years experience as a leader, clinician, educator, author, innovator and change agent, primarily in the field of addictions treatment. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, a consultant to the Tribal Youth Programs Training Center, facilitates strategic planning and culture change work in organizations, and coaches executives and leaders. As a former executive vice president of the world-renowned Hazelden Foundation, she earned an international reputation for her leadership in the addictions treatment field, particularly in the treatment of young adults and women, and for her national leadership on public policy issues. She received the Alcohol & Drug Programs Association of America (ADPA) Award for Service to Women in 2000, Hazelden’s Alumni Association 22nd Annual CARE Award in 2008, and formal recognition by two Governors for her service as Chair of the MN Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and by the MN Legislature. She serves on the Boards of Prodigal House and New Foundations, nonprofits serving addicted veterans and homeless addicted families. Dr. Nakken has 18 published books and articles, and serves on the faculties of Rutgers University’s Institute on Addiction Studies and Asia Pacific Institute on Addictions. She holds a BA degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, her MA in Human and health Services Administration, from St. Mary’s College, and a Doctorate in Organization Change from Pepperdine University.

Susan Littrell, MSW, LICSW, LADC

Ms. Littrell has 40 years of experience providing mental health services to a wide variety of outpatient clientele and 20 years of experience working with clients with co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance disorders. She holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Iowa. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Susan is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). She received her Motivational Interviewing training as part of the Emmee Project with Dr. William Miller, Dr. Theresa Moyers, and Dr. Carolina Yahne in 2000. She received her Train the Trainer training in 2003 from Dr. Theresa Moyers and Denise Earnst. She has been utilizing Motivational Interviewing with individuals and in groups since 1999. In 2007, Sue EckMaahs and Jacque Elder, PsyD trained Susan in the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) Coding System.