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Welcome

Welcome to our web page.  Bay Arenac Intermediate School District has received 31n funding to provide assistance to schools within our district with regard to supporting students in the general student population who may be struggling with mental/behavioral health issues.  We came on board in February of 2020 and will be providing interventions at the Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels with students in the form of small groups and/or individual sessions.  We also will be providing support to teachers, administrators and other school staff regarding the Whole Child approach and social emotional learning as a critical part of a child's development in addition to academics.  

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Our Offerings
  • Individual Counseling for Children & Adolescents

  • Group Counseling (various topics)

  • School Observation

  • Educational Services

  • SEL Curriculum

  • Mindfulness excercises, techniques & activities

  • Teletherapy 

Our Team

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Lisa Beson

MA/ LPC

Hello, my name is Lisa Beson and I will be serving as the BAISD 31n Student Mental Health Counselor for Kolb and Hampton Elementary Schools in the Bay City Public School District this year. 

Education/Experience: 

Albion College

Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Psychology

Michigan State University

Degree: Master of Arts/Community-Agency Counseling

Professional Licenses & Certificates

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

I have 20+ years of experience working in outside agencies doing outpatient private practice with all ages and residential and outpatient substance abuse counseling.  I have received training in Mental Health First Aid, ACES, CPI, Michigan Model, Restorative Practices, SAFEtalk. TRAILS and a wide variety of other mental health and substance abuse related topics.

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Cherie Coopersmith

MS/ CRC / LPC

Hi! My name is Cherie Coopersmith and I will be serving as the BAISD 31n Student Mental Health Counselor for Washington Elementary in the Bay City Public School District. 

Education/Experience:

University of Michigan

Degree: Bachelor of Science/Psychology

Fort Valley State University

Degree: Master of Science-Vocational Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling

Professional Licenses & Certificates

 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

I have 16 years of experience working in schools in addition to other various positions in case management, vocational rehabilitation counseling, crisis counseling, and outpatient counseling. I am a certified trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid, TF-CBT, and certified in exposure response prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety. Additionally, I  have received training in ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), SAFEtalk (suicide prevention and response), Restorative Practices, START (Statewide Autism Resources and Training) and a wide variety of other mental health and behavioral related topics.  

Our Mission

​Assist students in becoming emotionally and socially balanced. Therapy helps kids believe in themselves and find their strengths. Therapy builds helpful thinking patterns and healthy behavioral habits.

  • Be your best self

  • Learn to process & share your emotions in healthy ways

  • Understand yourself better

  • Gain confidence & inner peace

  • Dig deeper into what your struggles may be & move forward

  • Figure out what you want to do with your life and grow

  • Build helpful thinking patterns and behavioral habits

  • Emotional & Social balance

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Brooke Cunningham,
LLMSW

Hello, my name is Brooke Cunningham and I am the 31N Mental Health Counselor for Essexville Hampton Public Schools.

Education/Experience: 

Ferris State University

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

University of Michigan

Master's Degree in Social Work

Credentials & Trainings: 

LLMSW - Limited License Master Social Worker 

School Social Work Certificate 

CPI Certified

TRAILS Trainer

Restorative Practices Coordinator

Safe Schools Trained

Michigan Model Trained

 

I have worked as a Behavior Technician where I provided Applied Behavior Analysis to children with autism. I have also worked for Dearborn Public Schools providing social, emotional, and academic support to general and special education students. Additional experience includes interning with the Department of Health and Human Services, Probate and Juvenile Court. 

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Kelsey Prohaska-Byrd,

MA/LLPC

Hi! I am Kelsey Prohaska-Byrd MA, LLPC and I am excited to be the 31N Student Mental Health Counselor supporting Standish-Sterling Community Schools. 

Education/Experience
Eastern Michigan University
Degree: Bachelor of Communication

Saginaw Valley State University
Degree: Secondary Teaching Certification

Western Michigan University
Degree: Master of Counselor Education

Professional Licenses and Certificates:
Limited License Professional Counselor
Licensed School Counselor

I have worked in schools for over 5 years in various positions. I was a paraprofessional, a teacher, a behavior interventionist, and now a counselor. I have experience working with adult clients at a counseling clinic and experience working with students in schools. I have received training in restorative practices and hold certificates in SAFEtalk (Suicide Prevention and Response) and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

Alyssa Vermeesch
Victoria Naert

Hello!  My name is Alyssa Vermeesch and I am the 31n Mental Health Counselor at MacGregor Elementary.  

 

Education/Experience: 

Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work, SVSU

 

My past experience includes working in various schools as a paraprofessional and working with adults with Substance Use Disorders.  I have been trained in CPI, Michigan Model,  Restorative Practices, and TRAILS.

Hello, my name is Victoria Naert and I am serving as the BAISD 31n Student Mental Health Counselor for Bay City Western Middle School and Au Gres-Sims School District. 

Education/Experience: 

Saginaw Valley State University

Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Psychology

Central Michigan University

Degree: Master of Arts/Community-Agency Counseling

Professional Licenses & Certificates

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

I have over 20 years of experience working in outside agencies as well as private practice.  I have treated clients with Personality Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Traumatic Head Injury and Trauma including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.  I have been trained in CPI, SAFEtalk and Trails.  

Liz Neymeiyer

MA, LPC, NCC, CAADC, MITS

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Hello, my name is Liz Neymeiyer and I am the 31N Mental Health Counselor for John Glenn High School and Christa McAuliffe Middle School. 

Education/Experience

Central Michigan University

Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience.

Oakland University

Master of Arts in Counseling

Licensed Professional Counselor

National Board Certified Counselor

Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor

 

I have nearly 16 years of experience in the community and agency setting of mental health as well as private practice. I am excited to utilize my skills and experience in the school setting. I hold specialties in Addiction Treatment, Personality Disorders, Depression and Anxiety as well as Pain Management. 

Michelle Mayes
 

LMSW

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Hello my name is Michelle Mayes and I am the 31n Mental Health Counselor for Pinconning Area School District.

Education/Experience:

 

Michigan State University

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

 

Michigan State University

Master’s Degree in Social Work

 

Professional Licenses and Certificates:

Licensed Master of Social Work

 

I have 14 years of experience working with both adults and children in various settings. I have worked as a mental health case manager, which included providing emergency crisis response and screening services. I have worked as a medical social worker in a hospital setting, assisting with the needs of patients spanning all age ranges. I also have experience working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, assisting adults with disabilities to secure meaningful employment in the community. I have been trained in DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), CPI and safeTALK.

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