Alexa Jones, LLMSW Clinical Social Worker
Alexa graduated from Lake Superior State University in 2016 with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continued her education and went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2018. She completed her internship in Grand Rapids, MI where she provided home-based therapy for court-involved youth and their families. She then moved back home to the Sault area where she worked as an outpatient therapist at Hiawatha Behavioral Health for 2 years. Alexa began working for the Tribe in 2020 and has been an outpatient therapist here for over a year. She specializes in Family Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). She works primarily with teens and young adults diagnosed with mood disorders, personality disorders, and eating disorders. In her free time, Alexa enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, reading, and traveling.

Alyssia Cruz, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Alyssia began her career providing psychiatric testing and group therapy for adults in south Texas. She graduated from Texas A & M University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Social Work. She moved to northern California where she provided clinical case management to clients with severe psychosis, personality and mood disorders. Alyssia graduated with a Masters of Social Welfare from UC Berkeley in 2018. She went on to work at a community clinic providing couples, group and individual therapy to all ages. Alyssia started working for the Tribe in 2020 with a focus on supporting trauma survivors. She specializes in Motivational Interviewing, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She works primarily with individuals seeking to reduce trauma, depression and anxiety symptoms. In her free time, Alyssia loves spending time with her family, working out and reading.

Arianna Brown
“Appointment Programmer Arianna Brown is a euchre aficionado, animal lover, and advocate for pineapple on pizza. She is happy to help with whatever you need!”

Becky Patzwald, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Started working as a Clinical Social Worker for the Advocacy Resource Center in September 2018 providing therapy to survivors and their families of sexual assault/abuse. In May 2020, accepted a full-time Clinical Social Worker position with Behavioral Health.

Bill Carie
Hi I am the driver for the Road to Wellness Program for Behavioral Health. When I’m not at work I’m most likely in my 13 foot kayak exploring our waters or I’m on the couch grinding out my old school Rune Scape account, while watching videos on NASA, Boson Dynamics or SpaceX.

Candace Dennis LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Candace chose to put her personal philosophies into action by continuing her education at Boston University where she earned a Master of Social Work in May of 2009. Candace promptly moved from the east coast back to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where she began her career in public service at Pathways Community Mental Health. She has been an outpatient behavioral health therapist for the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians at the Munising Tribal Health Clinic since June 2013.

Carole Hare-MA Counseling, LPC
Carole graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She spent three years teaching in Monrovia, Liberia at an international school with students from multiple countries and cultures. She returned to the states and earned her master’s degree in counseling from Northern Michigan University. She started her counseling career working for Luce County Community Mental Health for two years and later was employed as a K-12 school counselor for Marquette Area Public Schools for 23 years. She retired in Florida for four years where she volunteered working with hospice patients and their families. In 2017 Carole moved back to her home town of Manistique to be near her elder father and began working for the tribe as an outpatient therapist in 2020. She enjoys walking her little dog, spending time in nature, and is continuously learning more about our Anishinaabe culture. Carole’s two adult sons are married and live with their families in Seattle, WA and St. Petersburg, FL. Her favorite times away from work are spent traveling to visit her five precious grandchildren in those two cities.

Christina Reynolds Burlak, LMSW, MS Clinical Social Worker
Christina Reynolds Burlak Clinical Therapist Christina began her career in Social Services in New York City in 1992. She trained at the City University of New York, Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW), as well earned a Master’s of Science (MS) at the Milano Graduate School of the New School for Social Research. Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Oakland University, Rochester Michigan.

Denise Lyons - LLMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Denise graduated from Lake Superior State University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continued her education and went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2008. She completed his internship at the Department of Health and Human Services in Sault Ste. Marie, MI where she set up the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative and worked with local stakeholders and adolescents aging out of the foster care system. Denise worked at UPCAP for 4 years prior to working at the tribe. She received a certificate in Gerontology from Wayne State University in 2011 and is currently working on her PhD in Social Work with expected graduation in 2022. Denise began working for the Tribe in 2011 and has been an outpatient therapist here for the last 9 years. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). She works with adults diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health disorders as well as trauma focused therapy with all age groups. In her free time, Denise enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors in the summer, camping, fishing, reading and research.

Justin Mandosking
Justin is a student at BMCC. His is majoring in Great Lakes Native American Studies and Anishinaabemowin Language Instruction. In 2019 He was the project coordinator for Naloxone: a safer home project at GLRC where he worked as a Peer Support Specialist. He has worked the Syringe Access Program from then until present. Justin has been facilitating Wellbriety twice a week since 2019. Justin began working for the Tribe in 2020 as Peer Recovery Coach. His main focus is harm reduction and incorporating Anishinaabe practices into his recovery work. He works primarily with Native Americans with SUDS.

Katelynn Griffin
Katelynn Griffin graduated from Bay Mills Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration and Associate of Arts in Business Administration. She began working for Sault Tribe in 2015 in accounting. June 2018, she transferred to the Sault Tribe Health Center as Administrative Secretary for the Behavioral Health department. Katelynn is a mother of three wonderful children, two girls and one boy. Growing with and learning from them is the highlight of her life. Outside motherhood she has become a podcast enthusiast thanks to her co-worker, getting lost in a good book, date nights with her spouse, trying out a new recipe, binge watching the latest Netflix episode.

Kelli Beaudry - Project Specialist
Undergraduate Degree: A.A. Criminal Justice-Bay College, B.S. Criminal Justice/Corrections-LSSU, B.S. Forensic Psychology-Kaplan Work Experience: Corrections officer, Diversion/Probation Officer Intern, Managed runaway and homeless youth home for three years, Child welfare unit in DHHS, Prevention Specialist …. I’m sure I left out a few Certifications, Specializations/Focuses: Project Specialist for the STOPR Grant with the Sault Tribe under the Sault Tribe Behavioral Health Unit Primary Populations: Everyone Hobbies: Owns own craft business, hunting, training my two dogs and whatever adventures my friends drag me along on

Maegan Wickstrom-LLMSW- Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Social Worker began her career in child welfare in 2015. Maegan has a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Northern Michigan University and later went on to earn a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree from Michigan State University. Maegan’s primary mode of psychotherapy focuses to teach skills for coping with emotions and how to identify the thinking that leads to feelings and behaviors that may be unhealthy or self-defeating. Maegan enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Mallinda S. Lumsden, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Mallinda S. Lumsden, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker, Behavioral Health Supervisor (All Sites) Work Experience: Mallinda has been employed with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians since 1996. She worked as a Mental Health Technician/Intake Specialist for Anishnabek Community and Family Services. In 2012, Mallinda worked in the Behavioral Health Program as an outpatient therapist after her Masters was completed. She is currently employed as the Clinical Supervisor for the Behavioral Health Program since 2019.

Mark Senkus, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Mark graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor degree in Human Services. He went on to obtain a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. Mark has worked in the fields of behavioral health, child welfare, and substance use disorder treatment. He has worked for the Sault Tribe for over 8 years in total. Mark has training in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders with adults and adolescents. In his free time, Mark enjoys fly fishing, fly tying, cooking, and reading.

NeTausha Bergsma
NeTausha graduated from University of Michigan-Flint in 2006 with dual Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In 2016 she completed her Masters of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. NeTausha completed her internship with Sault Tribe Behavioral Health Outpatient Treatment Services and has been working with Sault Tribe Behavioral Health ever since. She specializes in Child Play Therapy, Auricular Acupuncture and is a part of the Chippewa County Mental Health Team through the 91st District Court. She works with all age groups. In her free time, NeTausha enjoys spending time with her family.

Penny Clark (Wilson) B.S.; L.B.S.W.
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Services from LSSU (Substance Abuse, Sociology, Human Services Management) Work Experience: Mental Health Case Manager and ACT Team member for HBH, Sault Tribe Wraparound Program, Prevention, Intense Case Management and Foster Care and currently Perinatal SUD Case Coordinator for Sault Tribe. Family First Specialist, DPH Parenting Worker and West Bridge Housing Case Manager. Certifications, Specializations/Focuses: Wraparound Train the Trainers, several parenting programs certificates, MI State Trainings for: Foster Care, Family First, Domestic Violence, Protective Services; Numerous trainings for working with individual/families for treatment. Primary Populations: Families Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, church activities

Rachel McCord
Credentials: CCAR/ Peer Recovery Coach/ 5 years in recovery from a heroin addiction Work Experience: recovery Coach sault tribe behavioral health, Peer Recovery Coach Hope Not Handcuffs Certifications, Specializations/Focuses: CCAR Primary Populations: Addiction Community Hobbies: Spending time with my family, sports mom, vacations, hairdresser

Rafael P. Aguirre, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Rafael was born and raised in El Paso, TX. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He continued his education and went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work from New Mexico State University in 2006. He completed his internship in Las Cruces, NM where he provided home-based and outpatient therapy. Rafael then moved to Chicago where he worked in the Crisis/Triage department at Community Mental Health for 4 years. He moved to the Sault area in 2010 where he worked as a social worker and outpatient therapist at WMH’s inpatient psychiatric unit for 4 and a half years. Rafael began working for the Sault Tribe in 2018 as an outpatient therapist. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. He works primarily with adults diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health disorders. In his free time, Rafael enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and being outdoors.

Rebeckah Zaragoza, LMSW- Clinical Therapist
Rebeckah Zaragoza, LMSW- Clinical Therapist began her career in Human Services field in Sault Ste. Marie, MI in 2006. Rebeckah has a Bachelor of Science (BA) from Lake Superior State University and later went on to earn a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from Grand Valley State University. Rebeckah enjoys spending time with her family, loves being outside, camping or going to the beach. Rebeckah is certified in Tai Chi Easy and is working on becoming a Registered Play Therapist.

S. Cindy Thomas, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Credentials: LMSW, CAADC Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Counseling, and Human Services Administration from LSSU, 1989 Graduate Degree: Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University, 2011 Work Experience: Graduate internship 2010-2011 Developing & Setting up evidence based MATRIX Group which ran until COVID. 2010 thru 2020 at Sault Tribe Behavioral Health. Cultural Committee (Employee one), Treating PTSD and Substance abuse concurrently, Completing Drivers License Reviews. Certifications, Specializations/Focuses: Focuses on CBT, Solution Focused, Cultural Counseling (Talking Circles, Women’s Groups) Motivational Interviewing, consistently providing Reflective listening. Primary Populations: Substance use, Mental health, Cultural Counseling, Co-occurring adults Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, spiritual gatherings, ceremonies, and crafting

Shelby Fox
Work Experience: I started in the Behavioral Health Program as a student worker in the fall of 2014. About 6 months later a full time position opened up. I jumped at the chance and got hired as the Behavioral Health Appointment Programmer. The following 3 years passed quickly, then another position opened up in our program. I applied and got hired as a Behavioral Health Administrative Secretary in the fall of 2018.

Shelli Gould
.Hi I am Shelli Gould, I have been working for the Sault Tribe for 15 years. I have three grown daughters and thirteen grandchildren of which I adore. I am a driver for behavioral health and I love my job.