Meet the Team!
Lisa Beson
MA, LPC
989-787-0255
Hello, my name is Lisa Beson and I am serving as the BAISD 31n Student Mental Health Counselor for Kolb and Hampton Elementary Schools in the Bay City Public School District.
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Education/Experience:
Albion College
Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Psychology
Michigan State University
Degree: Master of Arts/Community-Agency Counseling
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Professional Licenses & Certificates
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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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.
Cherie Coopersmith
MS, CRC, LPC
989-220-1523
Hi! My name is Cherie Coopersmith and I am serving as the BAISD 31n Student Mental Health Counselor for Washington Elementary in the Bay City Public School District.
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Education/Experience:
University of Michigan
Degree: Bachelor of Science/Psychology
Fort Valley State University
Degree: Master of Science-Vocational Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling
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Professional Licenses & Certificates
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
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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.
Brooke Cunningham
LLMSW
989-318-3281
My name is Brooke Cunningham and I have been the 31N Mental Health Counselor for Essexville Hampton Public Schools since 2021. Go Dukes!
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Education/Experience:
Ferris State University
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
University of Michigan
Master's Degree in Social Work
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Professional Licenses & Certificates
Limited License Master Social Worker
School Social Work Certificate
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Trained in:
Restorative Practices
Trails Tier 2 and 3 Intervention
Michigan Model
Zones of Regulation
Safetalk
ASIST
Safe Schools
SWIS
CICO
CPI
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Kelsey Prohaska-Byrd
MA, LLPC
000-000-0000
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.
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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
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Professional Licenses and Certificates:
Limited License Professional Counselor
Licensed School Counselor
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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
LLMSW
989-249-3362
Hello! My name is Alyssa Vermeesch and I am the 31n Mental Health Counselor at MacGregor Elementary.
Education/Experience:
Saginaw Valley State University
Bachelor’s in Social Work
Saginaw Valley State University
Master’s in Social Work
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.
Victoria Naert
LPC
000-000-0000
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.
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Education/Experience:
Saginaw Valley State University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Psychology
Central Michigan University
Degree: Master of Arts/Community-Agency Counseling
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Professional Licenses & Certificates
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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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
000-000-0000
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
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Professional Licenses and Certificates
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Board Certified Counselor
Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor
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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
000-000-0000
Hello, my name is Michelle Mayes and I am the 31n Mental Health Counselor for Pinconning Area School District.
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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.
Alex Steff
LLMSW
000-000-0000
Hello! My name is Alex Steff and I am the 31n Mental Health Counselor for Bangor Central and Bangor Lincoln.
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Education/Experience:
Saginaw Valley State University
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
Michigan State University
Master's in Clinical Social Work
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I am excited to begin my journey with our little bobcats! In the past I have done outpatient therapy, ABA therapy, crisis services in an emergency department, and I worked several years in a youth residential facility. My therapy skills involve working with youth who have experienced ADHD, autism, depression, anxiety, and behavioral/emotional concerns.
Laura Kukla
MA, LPC, NCC
989-671-3802
Hello, my name is Laura and I am the 31N Mental Health Counselor at Handy Middle School.
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Education/Experience:
Saginaw Valley State University
Bachelors in Criminal Justice
Spring Arbor University
Masters in Counseling
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Professional Licenses & Certificates
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Board Certified Counselor
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I have nearly 25 years of experience working with children in various settings. I have worked as a direct line staff providing mentoring and youth support. I have worked as a juvenile probation officer providing supervision and case management for youth on probation. After receiving my masters in counseling, I worked with adults and children as an outpatient therapist. Before joining the ISD, I worked as a youth and family counselor for Bay County probate court helping youth and their families navigating their time under court supervision.
Olivia Ross
000-000-0000
Hello! I’m Olivia Ross and I will be serving as the BAISD 31n Student Mental Health Counselor for Bay Arenac Community High School, Linwood Elementary, and State Street Academy
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Education/Experience
Saginaw Valley State Univeristy
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Fordham University
Degree: Master of Social Work
Professional Licenses & Certificates
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
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I have 2 years of experience working in schools, where I started as a special education social worker. In addition I have worked as a mental health therapist for 3 years focusing on trauma and crisis work. Additionally, I have received training in Play therapy, TF-CBT (trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy), EFT (emotional freedom technique), TRAILS Suicide Prentention, CPI (crisis prevention training) and many other mental health and behavioral related training.
Schanda Tarkowski
LLPC
000-000-0000
Hi, my name is Schanda Tarkowski and I am the 31n Mental Health Counselor for Auburn Elementary and Bay City Academy.
Education/Experience
Saginaw Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English/Psychology
Central Michigan University
Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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Professional Licenses & Certificates
Limited License Professional Counselor
CAFAS/PECFAS
Internal Family Services certification
Trails Tier 2 and 3 Intervention
Michigan Model
Zones of Regulation
SWIS