Family & Children’s Center Counseling and Development Services Therapist Biographies

July 2008

Julie Albano, MSW, CSAYC
Ms. Albano has been with the agency since 2003.  She has worked in the mental health arena for 16 years.  She is a graduate of Indiana University South Bend with a Masters Degree in Social Work.  She currently works with male adolescent offenders, adult offenders, sex addicts, and victims.  She also facilitates the Adult Male MR Group, the Adult Male Offender Group, the Non-Offending Parent Group, and the Adolescent Male Offender Group. In Addition Ms. Albano co-facilitates the S.T.O.P Program and is a member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) and the Midwest Regional Network for the Intervention of Sex Offenders (MRNISO).  She is an associate provider for Indiana’s Sex Offender Monitoring & Management of Indiana Prison System (SOMM).  Ms. Albano also is an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend, where she teaches two Introduction courses to Sociology.

Amber Beamer-Rohde, BA
Ms. Beamer has been with the agency since 2006 and initially worked with the Healthy Families program before transferring over to work for the Holy Cross Program at CDS in the fall of 2007. She is working towards her Master’s in Social Work and will complete the program this spring.  Amber has been trained in the Parenting with Love and Limits curriculum and currently facilitates these groups for the Community Transitions Program. Amber is currently a case manager for the PHOENIX intensive outpatient program and is being trained to provide psychosexual assessments.

Carrie Cadwell, Psy.D., HSPP
Dr. Cadwell earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology with a certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and specialty track in neuropsychological assessment. Prior to this she earned her masters degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has worked as a clinician in both outpatient and residential settings and has an outpatient clinic managerial background. She has served as adjunct faculty for the IUSB psychology department and provides other professional clinical trainings. Dr. Cadwell is serving as the 2007-2008 chair of the Autism Resources of Marshall County Committee and is an owner/operator of Cadwell Psychological Services, LLC based in Plymouth, Indiana. Dr. Cadwell has a special interest in the area of evidence-based practice and working with individuals with co-morbid mental health and intellectual or developmental disabilities. She works with individuals across the lifespan and provides contractual testing services to outpatient and residential arms of the Family & Children’s Center.

Patricia Carnegie
Ms. Carnegie earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana Campus. She is Licensed in the States of Indiana, Michigan and Texas as a Clinical Social Worker. She has practiced in the State of Texas since graduating and recently moved to this area, working in the CDS Elkhart office. Her experience includes working both in the medical field as well as in Community Mental Health settings. She has served as adjunct faculty for the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work and has experience in the provision of direct services to individuals and as Clinical Supervisor. Ms. Carnegie has a special interest in the provision of emergency services to individuals in psychiatric crisis, which includes clinical assessment, diagnostic formulation and treatment recommendations. She has a rich experience working with different population groups including those of different culture, age groups and individuals with developmental disabilities. and believes in strength based, short term therapy which includes working with individuals, families, groups and marital therapy.

Susan Dunn, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC
Ms. Dunn has just joined the agency in 2007 with over 20 years experience in both outpatient and residential mental healthcare settings.  Her areas of expertise are treating emotionally troubled children and adolescents in addition to teaching parenting classes and treating families in conflict.  She also has extensive experience in working with anxiety and depression in adults and helping couples in conflict.  She obtained her Master of Science Degree in Education (Counseling) from Indiana University at South Bend.    She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Child Welfare Reform.

Connie Erickson-Loucks, LMHC
Ms. Erickson-Loucks has been with this agency since 2004.  For many years, she served as a therapist at The Children’s Campus, an affiliate of Family & Children’s Center, providing individual, family and group counseling for emotionally troubled children and adolescents.  She holds two Masters Degree, earning her Masters Degree in Social Work from Indiana University at Indianapolis, and her Master of Science Degree in Education (Counseling) from Indiana University at Fort Wayne.  Ms. Erickson-Loucks is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Jill Freshour, MSW, TLC, SATP
Miss Freshour has been with the agency since 2004. She has worked in the mental health arena for over 12 years.  Ms. Freshour has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  Miss Freshour earned her MSW from Western Michigan University.  She currently is a certified Trauma and Loss Consultant.  She specializes in working with traumatized children.  Miss Freshour is a member of the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children.

Cheryl Gillette, AS
Ms. Gillette joined the staff of FCC/CDS in February 2008 as a Case Manager for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect), CTP (Community Transition Program) and Phoenix.  Her duties involve assisting families and adolescents with a variety of stressful issues that range from housing to mental issues.  Cheryl has completed her AS at Indiana University and will be receiving her BA from Bethel College in January 2009. 

Patricia D. Hancock, MSW, LCSW
Ms. Hancock joined this agency as Clinical Director in July of 2006.  Pat has an extensive background in the field of child abuse and neglect.  For the past four years, and Immediately prior to accepting the position as Clinical Director, Pat was an assistant professor teaching full-time in the Social Work Department at Saint Mary’s College.  Prior to teaching at Saint Mary’s, Ms. Hancock worked for 10 years as an investigator for child protective services in St. Joseph County and also trained foster parents for several years.  Ms. Hancock earned her Masters of Social Work from IUPUI and is an Indiana Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of the NASW.

Todd Heim, MA, LMHC
Mr. Heim has been with this agency since 2004.  He previously was a therapist and Unit Director at another Family & Children’s Center affiliate, The Children’s Campus, where he worked with emotionally troubled children and adolescents in a residential setting.  He earned his Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton.  Todd works is primarily dedicated to psychological and psychosexual evaluations.  In addition,  Todd has been certified by ICADV (Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence) as a group facilitator for our   batterer’s intervention program (STOP).  Todd also teaches courses in introductory, developmental and abnormal psychology at Ivy Tech in South Bend.

Toni Henke-Wheeler, ACSW, LCSW
Ms. Henke-Wheeler joined the agency in 2008 after 20 years experience in private practice and 11 years prior experience in outpatient agencies. Her areas of expertise include treating emotionally troubled children and adolescents, individual treatment of adults experiencing emotional conditions, working with individuals recovering from addictions, marital therapy, and family therapy. Ms. Henke-Wheeler is a frequent speaker in the community regarding various mental health topics and is an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s College social work program. Ms. Henke-Wheeler is a member of the NASW. She is a Master’s prepared therapist with both state and national licensure and certification (LCSW and ACSW) and holds a Diplomat status in the NASW.

Kathy James, LCSW, SATP
Ms. James has been with the agency since 2005 with over nine years of experience working with seriously emotionally disturbed children.  Ms. James was previously a therapist at Oaklawn in their Children’s Residential Program.  Ms. James’ focus with Holy Cross Counseling Program is work with children, adolescents, and their families who are survivors of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.  She also specializes in working with children and adolescents who have grief and loss issues. She received her Masters in Social Work Degree in 1999 from Indiana University.   Kathy is the Program Director for the Prenatal Mood Disorders Program

Jessica Kennedy Herrmann, CSAYP, MSW
Jessica graduated from Indiana University South Bend with her Masters Degree in Social Work in May 2007.  She completed her undergraduate degree at Franciscan University in 2001 with a Bachelors in Psychology. Jessica began her career working with Sexually Abusive Youth in 2000 at Hand Up Homes for Youth in Denver, Colorado. While in Denver, Jessica was certified in Multi Systemic Therapy; concurrently working with youth and their families in crisis.  Since then, she has continued to provide professional, administrative, and now clinical services for sexually maladaptive youth here in Indiana. Jessica was a Unit Director for two programs, providing residential and group home services for sexually maladaptive youth, at Family and Children’s Center’s The Children’s Campus from March 2003 through August 2007. She transferred to this agency in August 2007 and has been involved with the Intensive Outpatient Program and Community Transition Program for sexually maladaptive youth and their families.

Marcia A. Koelndorfer, LCSW, SATP
Ms. Koelndorfer has been with the agency since 2003 with fifteen years of experience working with emotionally disturbed and abused youth and their families, as well as a number of years experience working in the HIV/AID arena and with Developmentally Disabled adults.  Ms. Koelndorfer earned her MSW from IUPUI and is an Indiana Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as an Accredited Clinical Social Worker.  Ms. Koelndorfer is a member of the Midwest Regional Network for Intervention with Sexual Offenders (MRNISO) and the National Association of Social Workers.

Deborah K. Kriegel, LMHC
Deborah has a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and specialized training in the counseling and assessment of sexually abused clients.  Ms. Kriegel has been counseling in the South Bend/Mishawaka area for ten years.  Deborah also has a wide range of experience in management, in both counseling and educational settings, including the management of an outpatient counseling facility and the development of a pre-kindergarten program.  She settled in Mishawaka after twenty years of accompanying her husband, a Navy pilot, to duty stations around the world.

Kristin Ludwig, BSW
Ms. Ludwig is a graduate of Ball State University where she received her BSW in May of 2007. She will be receiving her MSW from Indiana University South Bend in May 2010. Kristin joined the staff of CDS in July 2007 as a Case Manager for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect), and CTP (Community Transition Program). Her duties involve providing in home one-on-one services that prevent child abuse or neglect.

Carol Mayernick, RN, DMin, LMHC
Carol received her nursing degree from Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Chicago, Il, and her Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Graduate Theological Foundation; Oxford, England/ Rome, Italy.  Her undergraduate work was completed at Northern Illinois University and her Masters of Divinity is from Bethany Seminary, then located in Oakbrook, Ill.  She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has served as a Board Certified Chaplain for several Hospice Teams and hospitals in Illinois as well as 5 1/2 years at The Children's Campus.  During that time, Carol was active in the National Chaplain’s Association for Youth at Risk and served as National President from 1999 - 2000.  She also became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor during that time. After leaving The Campus, Carol served as Executive Director for the United Religious Community and was instrumental in adding several additional faith groups to the URC.  Prior to re-joining Family and Children's Center, Carol worked for Madison Center as Program Director for West Park Health Care Facility, a residential facility for the seriously mentally ill.

Rita Mitcheff, LCSW
Rita Mitcheff earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Indiana University.  She has been working with teenage mother and their families for over five years, focusing on parenting skills, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression.  Ms. Mitcheff specialized in providing individual, relationship, and group therapy to adolescents and adults, experiencing depression, anxiety, and family discord.

Elizabeth O’Connor, MSW
Elizabeth has been with the agency since 2007. She has worked in mental health for 3 years. Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Saint Mary’s College and her Masters Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University.  Prior to joining Holy Cross, Elizabeth was a Child and Adolescent Therapist at Madison Center for Children. She specializes in individual and family therapy with children in adjustment situations. Elizabeth is also working toward becoming a registered play therapist.  Elizabeth also facilitates parenting classes at a satellite office.

Michelle Olson, MS
Ms. Olson joined the agency in 2008.  She received her Masters of Science in Social Psychology from the University of Surrey in Guildford England in 2002 .  Currently, she is in her final year of her Master's of Social Work.  She previously worked at the Department of Child Services where she was on the specialized investigative neglect team working with families where addiction was present.  Michelle's experience is working with addicts on an outpatient basis..

Marc Roth, LMHC, SATP
Mr. Roth has been with the agency since 2002 with eighteen years experience working with emotionally disturbed youth, bringing more than eight years of experience specific to sexually abusive youth, and five plus years with MR/DD.  Mr. Roth earned his Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and is an Indiana Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Sexually Abusive Youth Clinician.  A member of the Midwest Regional Network for Intervention with Sexual Offenders (MRNSIO), Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, American College of Counselors and the Association of Indiana Juvenile Sexual Offender Practitioners (IN-AJSOP).  Mr. Roth has presented locally and regionally on various practice topics.

Sapp, James, BA
Jim is a first year Grad Student in the Community and Human Services Program at Indiana University at South Bend. He recently joined CDS as a case manager for the Phoenix Program, the Community Transition Program (CTP), and the Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) program.  Jim has 17 years working with youth. He has experience in residential, group home and foster care and has been an Assistant Director of a Group Home and Foster Care Coordinator in Sheridan, WY.  As a Foster Care Coordinator, Jim recruited, trained, and certified foster families. He worked with the Department of Family Services case workers in placing and case managing foster children
 
Dawn Schmeltz, LCSW
Dawn Schmeltz is the program coordinator for the Nurturing Parenting Program.  She facilitates the parenting groups that include topics such as communication skills, age appropriate expectations, developing nurturing skills and behavioral techniques.  She provides individual and family therapy with children, adolescents, and adults focusing on areas of behavior problems, depression, and anger management and divorce/separation issues.  She is versed in using play and art therapies with all age groups.  She also facilitates a social/emotional group for young children.  Dawn Schmeltz also has made parenting presentations in the community.  She has a Master in Social Work from Grand Valley State University.

David R. Simons, Ph.D., HSPP
Dr. Dave Simons earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University.  His doctoral internship focused on child and adolescent diagnosis and treatment, and his doctoral dissertation was on relationship assessment and communication training.  Dr. Simons has had specialized training in psychological evaluation, behavior therapy, solution oriented therapies, stress management, clinical supervision, program development and mental health administration.  He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.  He is a licensed Indiana psychologist with the Health Services Provider endorsement.  Dr. Simons has worked in both clinical and administrative capacities, over the past 20 years, in outpatient, inpatient, educational and health maintenance organizations in Illinois and Indiana.  He presently serves as Clinical Psychologist at this agency.

Donna Skorupski, LCSW, RPT-S
Donna Skorupski began working for Family & Children's Center in 1996 as a teacher at our CANCO program for abused and neglected children.  She earned her Masters of Social Work Degree from Indiana University in 2002 and is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor.  Donna provides play therapy for children experiencing a wide range of social, emotional, and behavioral problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder, conduct problems, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.  Ms. Skorupski is a member of the National and Indiana branch of APT, ( Association for Play Therapy).

Carrie Sommer, MSW, LCSW
Carrie Sommer has joined this agency in October 2007.  She worked for several years at The Children's Campus (TCC), an affiliate of Family and Children's Center, Inc.  Carrie started out working as a Youth Treatment Specialist and Relief Supervisor on the units while earning her Masters in Social Work at Indiana University at South Bend (IUSB). After graduation from IUSB, Carrie continued to work at TCC as a therapist, providing individual, family, and group counseling for emotionally troubled children and adolescents. Between leaving TCC and coming to the Holy Cross program, Carrie worked at Bonhomie Counseling Corp., providing individual therapy mainly to depressed women and teenage girls.

Linda Stenger MSW, LCSW
Linda joined FCC in 2007. She graduated from University of Michigan with a Masters Degree in Social Work and Wright State University with a Bachelors of Art Degree. While at Wright State University she graduated with University Honors in Social Work and a Certificate in Gerontology. She has 10 years experience as a Clinical Counselor and enjoys working with diverse populations. Linda has a special interest in working with Teens, Parents, Personality Disorders, Life Transitions and Chronic Pain.

Dee L. Strycker, MA, ATR, LMHC
Ms. Strycker has been with the agency since the fall of 2006 with 14 years experience working with emotionally disturbed children and adolescents and their families.  Ms. Strycker was previously a residential clinician at Oaklawn, where she worked for the last 11 years.  She earned her Master’s Degree from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago and is an LMHC in the state of Indiana.  Ms. Strycher is a registered Art Therapist through the American Art Therapy Association and a member of NASAP (North American Society of Adlerian Psychology) and ICA (Indiana Counseling Association).

Roxanne Ultz, MSW
Roxanne Ultz has been with the agency since 2004 with four previous years of experience working with children in school settings and working with survivors of child sexual abuse and rape.  She earned her Masters Degree in Social Work at Western Michigan University.  She specializes in providing individual / family therapy for sexual abuse victims and children with adjustment issues.  She also completes psychosexual assessments on children.

Marlene J. Villecco MS, ACIT
Marlene currently joined the agency in 2008 working mainly with Substance Abuse clients. She graduated with her Bachelors in General Studies with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2004. While working on her Masters in Counseling Human Services, she worked at IUSB as an Academic Advisor of the General Studies Program. She also specialized in addictions counseling concentrating with women of domestic violence and chemical dependency issues which she did through the YWCA. She graduated from the program in 2007. Her work experience for the past two years has been mainly working with men and women on parole or probation helping them to get their lives back on track after recovering from an addiction problem.

Kim Wasoski, M.Ed., LMHC
Kim has been with Family and Children's Center since 1992. She has over 25 years in residential/psychiatric treatment, emergency shelter and outpatient settings. She has worked as a Therapist, Manager, Clinical Director, and is presently the Director of Quality Improvement for the agency. Her specialty is working with children and adolescents with serious behavioral difficulties and trauma issues, along with family therapy. She received her Masters Degree from Southwest Texas State University in Counseling. She has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1999

Kathy Wenger, LMHC,  ICACII, CADACIV, ICADC
Kathy completed her graduate program at Bethel College in 2001, with a Master of Arts in Counseling, majoring in mental health counseling.  She completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana Wesleyan in 1996 with a major in addiction counseling.  She has 11 years experience working in addictions and mental health, in both inpatient and outpatient modalities.  She has experience in medical and social detoxification, working with the dual diagnosis populations, and has two years of supervisory experience.