New Leaf Resources
Select a Profile
- Jeff Berdine, MA, LMHC
- Judy Farwell, MA, LMHC, LCPC
- Crystal Garcia-Paul, MSED, LMHC, LCAC
- Jessica Gipp, MA, LMHC-A, NCC
- Caryn Johnson, MA, LCPC
- Norm LeClercq, LMFT, CADC, CSAT
- Darla McKim, MSW, LCSW
- Trisha Nowak, MSW, LCSW
- Deanna Ramirez, MSW, LSW
- Destiny Tanas, LPC, LMHC-A
- Denise Williams, MA, LPC
- Becky Duncan, MS, LMHC-A, NCC
- Michaela Padilla, MS, LMFT
- Tabitha Griffin, MSW LSW
Jeff Berdine, MA, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jeff works in the Crown Point office with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, addictions, stress management, relationship issues, trauma, and adapting to changing life stages.
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
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.
Judy Farwell, MA, LMHC, LCPC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Judy provides therapy for children, adolescents and adults in the Crown Point office with a particular interest in play therapy, childhood therapeutic interventions, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, grief/loss and women’s issues.
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.
Crystal Garcia-Paul, MSED, LMHC, LCAC
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
Crystal works in the Crown Point office with areas of interest in communication and relationship issues, stress management, anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem, substance use, life adjustments, developing confidence and exploring identity.
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
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.
Jessica Gipp, MA, LMHC-A, NCC
Mental Health Counselor Associate
Jessica works in the Crown Point and Wheatfield offices and specializes in working with teens and young adults. Areas of interest/specialties include: Couples, families and individuals dealing with family issues, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, addictions, women’s issues, life transitions, and spirituality issues.
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.
Caryn Johnson, MA, LCPC
Adult and Adolescent Therapist
Caryn works in the Lansing office and specializes in anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD, stress and adjustment issues, self-esteem issues, adolescent and family issues, and grief and loss.
Education:
Bachelors of Arts, Psychology - Governors State University
Masters of Arts, Counseling - Governors State University
License and Professional Memberships:
LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
ICA - Illinois Counselors Association
IMHCA - Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
ICA - Illinois Counselors Association
IMHCA - Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
Experience and Therapy Focus:
Caryn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at New Leaf Resources in Lansing, Illinois. Caryn has worked in outpatient community mental health, mental health residential settings, and acute mental health settings. She works with adolescents, teens, individuals, and families dealing with depression, anxiety, stress and adjustment issues, mood disorders, communication issues, and self-esteem. She uses a range of therapeutic techniques from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Solution Focused approaches and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). She has experience providing group therapy with adolescents and adults including anxiety, stress management, and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
Activities:
Caryn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the movies, photography, reading, and visiting surrounding cities and state parks.
Norm LeClercq, LMFT, CADC, CSAT
Clinical Supervisor, Marriage & Family Therapist
Norm works in the Lansing office and specializes in the areas of men's issues, couples work, substance and sexual addiction, adult child issues, trauma work (DID) and spirituality issues.
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.
Darla McKim, MSW, LCSW
Family Therapist
Darla works in the Wheatfield office and specializes in the areas of child separation/attachment issues, adoption, adolescent issues/self-esteem, behavior management in children, relationship concerns and life change/transition issues.
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.”
Trisha Nowak, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist
Trisha works in the Crown Point office, with a variety of clients including children, families, couples, and individuals. She utilizes a combination of approaches from CBT, DBT, Christian based therapy, motivational interviewing, ACT, and others as needed.
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.
Deanna Ramirez, MSW, LSW
Licensed Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist
Deanna works in the Crown Point office, seeing individuals, families and couples. She is experienced in helping clients through many challenges, including trauma, grief, behavior, and substance use.
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.” Deanna is passionate about supporting children (ages 6 and up) as they navigate challenges such as ADHD, grief, trauma, depression, and anxiety. She also works with adults facing a variety of concerns including grief, anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, and life transitions such as divorce.
Deanna recently completed a grief group with high school students, which deepened her commitment to helping young people process loss and build resilience in a supportive environment.
Her therapeutic approach is always tailored to each individual’s unique needs. She draws from a range of evidence-based modalities including play therapy, art-based interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and traditional talk therapy. Deanna's goal is to create a safe, compassionate space where healing and growth can happen at your pace.
Activities
Deanna enjoys spending time with family and friends. Especially spending time outdoors with her fiancé, 2 children, and two dogs.
Destiny Tanas, LPC, LMHC-A
Destiny works in the Crown Point office, seeing individuals, families and couples. She is experienced in helping clients through many challenges, including anxiety/depression, major life changes, trauma, grief, behavior, and substance use.
Education
Bachelors of Psychology - Purdue Northwest
Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Moody Bible Institute
License, Professional Memberships and Certification
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
Experience
Destiny has over a decade of experience working closely with many at-risk populations. This has included seeing individuals dealing with anxiety/depression, going through major personal life changes, grief, trauma, crisis of faith issues, and suicidal ideation.
Therapy Focus
Psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused approach, among others, depending on the best fit for the client. Destiny is passionate about helping to restore a sense of value and hope in her clients.
Activities
Spending time with family, friends and her faith matters most to Destiny. She also enjoys line-dancing, swimming, traveling, listening to music, and watching stand up.
Denise Williams, MA, LPC
Marriage and Family Therapist
Denise works in New Leaf's Lansing office. She specializes in working with families and couples on relationships, as well as helping those experiencing crises of faith.
Education
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology - Trinity Christian College
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Chicago State University
Experience
Denise has a special interest in working with those who have experienced grief and loss, disrupted attachments, parenting issues, marriage/family problems and spiritual growth concerns. As a part of her graduate training, Denise worked with college students providing clinical treatment through individual/couples therapy, support groups, and educational workshops. In addition to her clinical training, Denise has provided pastoral care and spiritual guidance to individuals and their families for the past 10 years as an ordained minister. Denise is experienced in working with PTSD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidal ideations, substance and sex addictions, grief and emerging adulthood.
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.
Activities
In her spare time, Denise stays busy with her husband and 4 children. She plays an active role in her local community and school district, and also helps her spouse co-pastor a growing church.
Becky Duncan, MS, LMHC-A, NCC
Mental Health Counselor Associate
Becky works in the Crown Point office and specializes in working with children and adolescents. Her areas of interest are relationship issues, family issues, school issues, stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and human sexuality.
Education
- Bachelors of Arts in Education - Purdue University Calumet
- Masters of Science in Education and Counseling - Purdue University Northwest
License, Professional Memberships and Certification
- Certified Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
National Certified Counselor - Certification in Expressive Arts
- Certified Indiana School Counselors License
- Certified Indiana Teaching License
- Member of American School Counselor Association
- Member of American Counseling Association
Experience
Becky has experience working in elementary, middle school, and high school counseling as well as residential homes and private practice. She has worked with children as young as toddlers, as well as adolescents, young adults, and families. As a former teacher and school counselor, Becky has a variety of experience with different populations in various settings.
Therapy Focus
Becky works with each client and family as a team to give the best treatment possible. Becky uses expressive arts to assist in therapy. She uses person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and art therapy. Becky says, "I am passionate about helping people feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves in therapy. I use art to help clients express themselves in a way that they may not have ever been able to do before."
Activities
Becky enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has four nieces and one nephew that she loves being around. She enjoys playing with her family's new kittens, Hamilton and Eliza. She also enjoys volunteering at her church in the children's ministry, reading, watching movies, and creating art in various ways.
Michaela Padilla, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Michaela works in the Crown Point office, with a variety of clients including children, families, and individuals. Michaela's areas of interest include attachment issues, fostering and adoption, anxiety, emotions, family transitions, familial stress, adjustment issues, self-esteem, grief/loss, spirituality, and relational issues.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Lee University, Cleveland, TN
- Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy - Lee University, Cleveland, TN
License, Professional Memberships and Certifications
- LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- AAMFT - Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Experience
Michaela has worked with many populations of clients including children, teens, adults, families, and couples. In previous clinical experience, Michaela has worked closely with clients dealing with attachment issues, anxiety, anger, adoption/fostering transitions, conflict, depression, grief, social skills, and trauma.
Therapy Focus
Michaela works closely with each client's needs and is integrative in her therapeutic approach. Overall, Michaela uses a systemic, and holistic form of therapy, including; attachment-based therapy, experiential therapy, emotion-focused therapy, play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. "It is important that each client feels acceptance and safety, as they go on their therapeutic journey. My goal is to help them see and live out their God-given strengths, resiliency, potential, and worth."
Activities
Michaela loves spending time with her friends and family. She is involved with her church and likes to volunteer in several ministries including Royal Family Kids Camp/ Kingdom youth Camp, Young Adult ministry, and more. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies with her family, baking, painting, chasing around her toddler, and going out in nature.
Tabitha Griffin, MSW LSW
Licensed Social Worker
Tabitha primarily works out of the Wheatfield office to serve Jasper County residents and beyond. Tabitha has worked with individuals and family walking through a myriad of life experiences including but not limited to those who have experienced trauma/abuse, those who struggle with self-esteem as well as a positive self-image, post-adoptive care, loss and bereavement care, relational difficulties, mental and behavioral health concerns, life changes and transitions, prenatal and postpartum care, as well as forgiveness and reconciliation work.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Social Work - Olivet Nazarene University - Bourbonnais, IL
- Masters of Social Work - Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion, IN
License, Professional Memberships and Certifications: - LSW: License of Social Work
Experience:
Tabitha has been working in the field in various capacities. During undergrad, she worked in community centers, immigration services, in coordination with medical offices, with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, within school settings, and within the community sector to provide services. Post undergrad, she within community mental and behavioral health and within a residential treatment facility, partnering with families and their children whom were experiencing mental/behavioral health concerns. Tabitha also worked with children who experienced and/or were witnesses to abuse/violence. During and following her Master’s degree Tabitha worked in hospice care, providing bereavement services for patients and families.
Therapy focus:
Tabitha believes that truly one of the most therapeutic things is relationship, so she seeks to build strong rapport and trust in her clients. Tabitha believes in meeting her clients where they are, and walking alongside of them as they move through this season of growth. Therefore, Tabitha utilizes a wide range of therapeutic techniques and individualizes her approach to each client and family she encounters. “When life kicks the bucket, like it so often does, much of our deeper-rooted internal battles rise to the surface. Many of which we tend to stuff back in and internalize, mustering through it alone. However, I believe that true healing begins with a simple ‘yes’ to allowing ourselves to examine those internal pieces, often partnered with someone else, in order to step into our God-given gift of freedom and healing. I am honored to partner with people in this journey, one that will likely not be easy but will definitely be completely worthwhile.”
Activities:
Tabitha is the proudest of her beautiful family, including her husband and infant child. She enjoys connection with others, hosting and hospitality. Tabitha has a deep-rooted love for nature and agriculture, she loves her “critters” and runs a humble homestead. Tabitha is involved with community events and her church, and is proud to serve a community she was raised in. Tabitha’s perfect day would consist of her family, good food, cutesy coffee shops with great coffee, and lots of thrifting/antiquing!