Alexa Jones, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Alexa began working for the Tribe in 2020 as an outpatient Therapist. 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.

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.

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.

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 - LMSW, 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.

Denise Porter, BS, Perinatal Care Coordinator
BS in Criminal Justice/Psychology from NMU in 1998. I spent 16 years in law enforcement in Minnesota before returning to my home town (SSM) in 2017. I began working for the Sault Tribe in 2019 as a Probation Officer in Tribal Court. I was a member of the Gwaik Miicon Drug Court team while at the Court. I was trained in MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) and conducted classes for both adults and juveniles. I also was certified as a Domestic Violence Intervention Trainer (Duluth Model). In my free time I enjoy spending time with family/pets, scuba diving and traveling.

Dr. Zara Masood, Contractual Psychiatrist
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Kristin Kempf-Roffers, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Kristin graduated from Lake Superior State University with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, in 2011. After a brief hiatus from academia Kristin pursued her Master’s in Social Work, which was offered locally by Grand Valley State University. She completed her internship at the Diane Peppler Resource Center where she continued to volunteer after graduating. Immediately after graduating in 2016, Kristin accepted her first Social Work position as a family services worker at the local Head start program, where she worked until fall 2017. Kristin also worked as an outpatient counselor for Weber and Devers during the spring/summer of 2017. Kristin then accepted a position in Madison, Wisconsin working as one of the Social Worker/Case Managers at a residential home for women with severe mental illness. During the summer of 2019, Kristin returned to Sault Ste. Marie, MI to be closer to family. She accepted a position at War Memorial Hospital as the Medical Social Worker. This was a valuable experience as she got to work with crisis intervention clients, dialysis patients, and inpatient discharge planning. Kristin took the opportunity to return to her passion; providing therapeutic services at the Sault Tribe Behavioral Health Center at the end of 2021. Kristin specializes in CBT, DBT, Solution Focused, and art therapy techniques. Her focus is on trauma survivors. Kristin works with children, adolescents, and adults with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, personality disorders, and concurrent substance abuse issues. In her free time she enjoys traveling, adventures, road trips, nature hikes, and stargazing. She also enjoys arts and crafts, writing, reading, listening to music, cooking with her fiancé, hanging out with her friends, family, and pets (2 wild kittens, and a lop eared rabbit).

Lenny Walker, BS, Behavioral Health Counselor
Lenny graduated from Bay Mills Community College in 2020 with her Associate of Social Science and graduated from Lake Superior State University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a double minor in counseling and substance abuse counseling. She is continuing her education at the University of Michigan to obtain her Masters of Social Work with a focus in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse. She has worked with The Sault Tribe in many areas, including the Chippewa Tribal Court through the WIOA Program, the Big Bear Summer Recreation Program and the Youth Education and Activities Program. She has previously worked as an Addictions Counselor with Great Lakes Recovery Centers for almost two years and as a Legal Advocate with Dianne Peppler Resource Center for a year. She is currently working toward her CADC and works primarily with adults diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health disorders. She is an enrolled member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and is passionate about creating positive change within her community and Tribe. In her free time, Lenny enjoys spending time with her family and 2 dogs, reading, beading, sewing, and spending time outdoors.

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.

Melissa Curtis-Hagen, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Melissa graduated from Lake Superior State University in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services. She continued her education and went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2001. She has worked as a children’s protective services worker, child & adolescent therapist and private practice therapist. Melissa began working for Sault Tribe in 2006 providing social work services at Sault Tribe Youth Facility. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. In her free time, Melissa enjoys time with family, paddle boarding, yoga and being in nature.

NeTausha Moran-Bergsma, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
NeTausha graduated from University of Michigan-Flint in 2006 with dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In 2016 she completed her Master 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.

Nicole Kozal, LLMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Nicole graduated from LSSU in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and went on to finish her Masters in Social Work in 2021 from Michigan State University. Nicole has worked for Sault Tribe Victim Services for 11 years and interned with Great Lakes Recovery Center for a one year and Anishnabek Community and Family Services for one year. She specializes in CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. Nicole enjoys spending her free time with her family and watching her children’s sporting events.

Rachel McCord, Peer Recovery Coach
Credentials: CCAR/ Peer Recovery Coach/ 5 years in recovery from a heroin addiction Work Experience: Peer 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 Social Worker
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.