- Jeff Berdine, MA, LMHCA
- Larry Deffendoll, MS, LMHCA
- Judy Farwell, MA, LMHC, LCPC
- Crystal Garcia-Paul, MSED, LMHC, LCAC, NCC
- Jessica Gipp, MA, LMHCA, NCC
- Kiessa Hamilton, MSW, LSW
- Caryn Johnson, MA, LCPC
- Norm LeClercq, LMFT, CADC, CSAT
- Darla McKim, MSW, LCSW
- Trisha Nowak, MSW, LCSW
- Deanna Ramirez, MSW, LSW
- Denise Williams, MA, LPC
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7267_2.jpg)
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Anthropology - Purdue University
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Liberty University
License and Professional Memberships
L.M.H.C. Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Trained in EMDR
Experience
Jeff has experience working in a mental health agency with a diverse range of clients. He specializes in trauma work with clients. He has worked with individuals from all walks of life, including children, adolescents, adults, and individuals in the late stage of life - across a variety of concerns.
Therapy Focus
Jeff enjoys working with adults at every stage of life. He works with people who struggle with anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, relationship issues, parenting strategies, and changing life stages. Jeff uses a variety of approaches; including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, and motivational interviewing. He uses a holistic approach to incorporate every aspect of the person's life through therapy.
Jeff believes in staying grounded in the present moment and having grace, love, and acceptance towards ourselves and the world around us. "My goal is to help each individual become the best version of themselves, one step at a time."
Activities
Jeff enjoys spending time with his friends and family outdoors, going on walks, and hiking through the woods. He plays guitar and piano, and likes to play disc golf, go on bike rides, and explore new places with his wife and son.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7285_2.jpg)
Education
Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Sciences - Bellevue University
Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Bellevue University
License, Professional Memberships and Certification
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Member of American Counseling Association
Member of Indiana Counseling Association
Experience
Larry has experience working in both individual and group clinical settings with a diverse range of clients. He has walked with clients through an array of mental health journeys including addiction and trauma. Larry has served clients ranging from adolescents, up through individuals in later stages of life.
As a veteran of the United States armed forces himself, he also understands the very specific needs of our armed forces or veteran clients who serve or have served to defend our country.
Therapy Focus
"I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story." -Irvin Yalom
Larry says that "our struggles are our struggles", and with that in mind, implements evidence-based treatment approaches that when combined with elements of creativity can create an overhead view that helps the client successfully navigate and overcome obstacles unique to their individual story.
Activities
In his spare time, Larry enjoys spending time with his family, working out, playing video games, listening to and playing music, cooking, and either watching or attending Chicago Bears football games.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7253_4.jpg)
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Dordt University, Sioux Center, Iowa
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois
License and Professional Memberships
L.M.H.C. Licensed Mental Health Counselor
L.C.P.C. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Experience
Judy has many years of experience working with individuals and families as a school-based and outpatient mental health therapist. She also has several years of administrative experience working in a special education therapeutic day school and residential program.
Therapy Focus
Counseling from a holistic perspective, as well as drawing from her education and life experiences, Judy uses a multi-modal approach to therapy. During the therapy session, she seeks to provide a personable therapeutic relationship with each of her clients, in a safe, non-judgmental space, where clients are welcome to share and explore their life experiences. With the belief in God’s restorative healing power, she journeys with her clients through the process of restoration, hope and healing in their lives.
Activities
Judy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking in nature, flower gardening, reading, traveling, listening to and playing music.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7288_2.jpg)
Education
Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology - Indiana University Northwest
Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling - Purdue University Northwest
License, Professional Memberships and Certification
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor
Member of National Board of Certified Counselors
Member of American Counseling Association
Experience and Therapy Focus
Crystal has experience working with a variety of populations and client concerns with experience working in residential treatment for substance abuse as well as outpatient community mental health settings. Common therapies utilized by Crystal include, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy. Crystal enjoys meeting and getting to know the values, culture, and goals of her clients to ensure every individual feels understood and hopeful in their journey in therapy. She encourages an open and honest dialogue to foster a safe space unique to each client, as well as assisting in creating an effective therapeutic working relationship to best meet client goals.
Activities
Crystal enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, due to her love of learning about various cultures and history of the world. Whether with family and friends or alone, Crystal is always on the hunt for new coffee/foodie experiences! She also can’t resist art projects here and there with the help of her fur baby overseeing each project.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7284_3.jpg)
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Purdue University Northwest
Master of Arts in Education and Counseling - Purdue University Northwest
License and Professional Memberships
L.M.H.C.A. Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
National Certified Counselor
American Counseling Association Member
Certification in Expressive Arts Therapy
Certification in Addictions Counseling
Experience
Jessica completed her 900 hours of internship at the Purdue Community Counseling Center, located in Hammond, IN. She also has experience working with teens at the Lake County Juvenile Center in Crown Point, IN. She has been leading an online support group for Adult Children of Family Dysfunction for 8 years. Jessica is currently working on completing her certification in Addictions Counseling.
Therapy Focus
Jessica uses person centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, guided self-help, mindfulness based cognitive therapy and art therapy when working with clients. Jessica wants to help others find the tools to bring about healing and growth to improve overall quality of life.
Activities
Jessica enjoys spending time with family and friends. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and enjoys visiting when she is able. Jessica adopted a dog named Wellington who is a border collie mix from a local humane society last year. She enjoys taking Wellington to the park to play frisbee and catch. Jessica also enjoys swimming, creating art, attending car shows, and watching the Chicago Blackhawks play. Jessica’s faith is very important to her, she enjoys listening to Christian podcasts and keeping others in prayer.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7254_4.jpg)
Education
Master of Social Work - Indiana University Northwest
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - DePaul University
LSW - Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Minister
Experience
Kiessa has worked in the social services field for over 20 years and has experience working with the elderly, youth, adults, and families. Her professional expertise is in the areas of developmentally, emotionally and mentally disabled individuals; as well as youth/children with behavior, mental health, severe trauma and substance-use disorders. Volunteer positions have included working community hotlines, mentoring, and advocacy for victims of rape and domestic violence.
Therapy Focus
Kiessa works with families, adolescents, young adults, emotionally dysregulated individuals, those with mood disorders, and those dealing with depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues and life transition issues. She uses varying modalities and evidence-based practices based on the needs of the client.
"My desire is to affect as many people as I can in this world, and to help facilitate emotional, spiritual, and mental healing and growth. I am a teacher at heart and that comes out in my counseling. My motto that I live and teach by is: 'Love Thyself, Know Thyself, Stay True to Thyself'. I believe there is good in everyone, and you are never too far from God. I work to encourage others to obtain or regain the life God desires for them, in a nonjudgmental way."
Activities
Kiessa enjoys spending time with loved ones, especially her 6 grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys community volunteering, watching stand-up comedy, relaxing, sitting outside and watching TV. She always enjoys cuddling with her dog Shaggy.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7244_3.jpg)
Education:
License and Professional Memberships:
ICA - Illinois Counselors Association
IMHCA - Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
Experience and Therapy Focus:
Activities:
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff2537_7.jpg)
Education
B.A., Eastern Illinois University, Art Studio
M. Div., Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL
Clinical Pastoral Education St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI and Abbott Northwestern Hospital/Christian Children's Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN
Clinical Training Program in Marriage and Family Therapy, Genesis Therapy Center, IL
License, Certifications and Professional Memberships
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Certified Addictions Counselor
Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist
Clinical member and Approved Supervisor, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Experience
More than 25 years of experience at New Leaf Resources helping families cope with addictions, mental illness, and severe family problems. Has provided individual, couples, group, family therapy and systems advocacy.
Therapy Focus
In the past, Norm has led recovering couples groups, co-dependency groups, ACOA groups, and men’s groups. Does couples work, men’s issues, adult-child issues including co-dependency, substance and process addictions, trauma work including dissociative identity disorder and spirituality.
“I am most passionate about the promotion of life and the relevance of the teachings and way of Jesus in pursuing it. I see in my work at New Leaf a continuing opportunity to participate in God's never-ending redemptive activity. The way of the Spirit is the way of life, and my personal responsibility as a therapist is to place my training, gifts, and personhood in the service of the work God is already doing in each client's life. I want my clients to know that I am a fellow traveler. I have benefited from being in therapy and will continue to make personal use of it when I need to. As a therapist I am committed to promoting my personal health as well as my professional skills. Furthermore, my faith and continuing experience of the way of the Spirit inform my work, my values, and how I relate to those I work with.”
Activities
When not at New Leaf, Norm enjoys spending time with his wife, cartooning, drawing, playing with their ferrets and viewing a good movie.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7212_4.jpg)
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - IUPUI
Master of Social Work - Indiana University
License and Professional Memberships
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
National Association of Social Workers
Experience
Darla has served in a variety of social service settings including agencies and home-based organizations. She has held positions such as Adoption Specialist, Foster Parent Trainer, Support Group Coordinator/Leader and Behavior Management/Support for families of children with special needs and/or developmental delays.
Therapy Focus
Darla believes in the strengths perspective with a cognitive behavioral approach. “I strive to always keep in mind that each individual is unique and made in God’s image. Helping them to discover their strengths and coping mechanisms and how to use them are important tools that I like to focus on.”
Activities
In her spare time, Darla enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is married and has three children who occupy most of her free time. “I enjoy being part of their busy schedules.”
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7289_2.jpg)
Education
Bachelors of Social Work - The University of Texas at Arlington
Masters of Social Work - The University of Texas at Arlington
License, Professional Memberships and Certification
ASWB - Association of Social Work Boards
Experience
Trisha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Texas, and has been a social worker for nearing 10 years. Her prior experience includes inpatient, community case management, and outpatient settings. Her expertise is mental health and she has worked with a range of clients from children as young as 4 years old, geriatrics as old as 100, and everything in between including couples, families, group and individual sessions.
Therapy Focus
Trisha's philosophy is to create a safe space for positive change using a client-centered approach. She utilizes a combination of approaches from CBT, Christian based therapy, DBT, motivational interviewing, ACT, and others as needed. Her greatest strengths are being transparent, non-judgemental, empathetic, respectful, positive, and committed to clients' growth.
Activities
Trisha is an animal lover and enjoys nature walks, morning palates, traveling and photography. Other hobbies include anything arts and crafts related - drawing, decorating, sewing, and baking. Must haves include: coffee/espresso, Disney collectibles, and sweets (mostly cookies). What she values most is her faith and spending quality time with her family and friends.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7287_3.jpg)
Education
Bachelors of Arts in General Studies, Minor Sociology - Indiana University Northwest
Master of Social Work - Indiana University Northwest
License, Professional Memberships and Certification
Licensed Social Worker
Experience
Deanna has worked 14 years within the social services field. She has worked with the elderly, youth, adults, families, and couples in areas such as behavior, trauma, grief, and substance use. Her experience ranges from a not-for-profit foster care agency as a case manager, home-based therapy, intake coordinator at an inpatient substance use facility, private practice, and a school social worker.
Therapy Focus
Deanna's treatment modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), strengths-based approach, psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, and play therapy. “I want my clients to be the best versions of themselves, and to feel seen and heard.”
Activities
Deanna enjoys spending time with family and friends. Especially spending time outdoors with her fiancé, 2 children, and two dogs.
![Profile Photo](https://www.newleafresources.org/staff7249_18.png)
Education
Experience
Therapy Focus
Denise believes that there exists incredible healing power in the human relationship experience. She uses an integrative approach, influenced by a variety of therapeutic models, to help clients recognize and utilize their own strengths. Denise uses a warm, empathetic and passionate approach in attending to the needs of each client, creating a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore and root out emotional roadblocks to health and wellness. Denise is committed to developing a healthy therapeutic partnership with the client, and to journey together with them as they navigate their path to wholeness.