Connie Petersen, PhD, Director of Outpatient Clinical Services obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas and is a fully Licensed Psychologist. She has 15 years of experience working in the human service field. She enjoys working with children, teens and adults who are dually diagnosed or experience chronic mood disorders and major depression. Dr. Petersen also specializes in working with bi-polar, self-injurious behavior, addictions, consultations, and long-term mental health issues. She provides Business team building consultations and education in success for businesses. Dr. Petersen is also a Certified Anger Management Facilitator and recently completed training as a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Melissa Armstrong, LMHP, LADC received her Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska, Kearney and has obtained licensure in the State of Nebraska as both a Mental Health Practitioner and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has over 10 years of experience with Behavioral Health Specialists, Inc., working in both residential and outpatient settings. Melissa specializes in alcohol and drug evaluations, individual and/or family therapy, and trauma focused care. She enjoys working with children and adults, and has experience working with substance abuse issues, adjustment disorders, and individuals working through grief, loss and trauma.

Todd Phelps, MAC, PLMHP, Outpatient Therapist obtained his Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, Illinois. Todd is currently a provisionally licensed Mental Health Practitioner in the state of Nebraska. He has over 8 years experience working with the dying and their families. Todd enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults and elderly struggling with grief, depression and spirituality. He also has experience working with families and couples in the areas of marital discord and financial stress. Todd plans to earn licenses in Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug counseling in Nebraska as well as certificates in thanatology and crisis intervention.

Crystal Matthews, LMHP, PLADC earned her Masters Degree in Community Counseling from Wayne State College. She has over 7 years of experience in the helping profession and has been providing outpatient counseling services to individual and families since 2008. She is licensed as a Mental Health Practitioner and Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of Nebraska. Crystal enjoys working with adults and has experience with domestic violence issues, crisis stabilization, anxiety, depression, sexual abuse trauma, adjustment disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, solution focused therapies and substance abuse.

Julie Ohlund, LMHP obtained her Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. She has over 20 years experience working in the mental health field and has been a fully licensed mental health practitioner for over 15 years. Julie enjoys working with children, adolescents and adults and has experience with anxiety, grief, depression, marital counseling, crisis resolution, self-harming behaviors and bi-polar disorder. She provides counseling to individuals, couples and families; specializing in employee assistance programming and brief solution focused therapies.

Brooke Pelster, LADC, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Relations from Doane College in Lincoln, NE and is a licensed as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of Nebraska. She has over 9 years of experience working in addictions and mental health treatment and has worked in residential, intensive outpatient and outpatient levels of care. Brooke provides substance abuse evaluations and group and individual therapy. She has worked with all populations providing substance abuse treatment, spending a significant amount of time working with adolescents. She is trained in the ASI and CASI and is an approved Criminal Justice provider. Brooke specializes in alcohol and drug counseling using the 12 step model, cognitive behavioral methods, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing and reality based techniques.

Connie L. Barnes, Executive Director, has over 25 years of clinical experience, 20 years of clinical managerial experience, and is a licensed Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor in Nebraska. She is also a certified Anger Management Facilitator for Adults & Adolescents through the Anderson & Anderson Model, as well as an approved registered criminal justice probation provider. Ms. Barnes is an experienced public speaker and trainer on a wide array of mental and addiction topics, and in providing consultation services to companies on policy & procedure development in addressing alcohol & drugs in the workplace and intervening with impaired employees.

Kristi Carmichael, BA, CAMF obtained her Bachelors Degree in Youth Ministry from Nebraska Christian College and is certified in both the Anderson and Anderson Model for Anger Management and the WAIT curriculum for abstinence training. She has over 6 years experience in public speaking and specializes in both individual coaching and group education.