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.
Our Offerings
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Individual Counseling for Children & Adolescents
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Group Counseling (various topics)
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School Observation
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Educational Services
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SEL Curriculum
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Mindfulness excercises, techniques & activities
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Teletherapy
Our Team
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.
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.
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Be your best self
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Learn to process & share your emotions in healthy ways
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Understand yourself better
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Gain confidence & inner peace
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Dig deeper into what your struggles may be & move forward
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Figure out what you want to do with your life and grow
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Build helpful thinking patterns and behavioral habits
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Emotional & Social balance
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
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
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.