School Therapists
Jessica Eberly, MA, LPC
Jessica has been a licensed professional counselor (LPC) since 2010. She has experience working with adults with developmental disability, families in the foster care system, addictions, and adults with pervasive mental illness. She is currently in pursuit of a certification for Advanced Addictions (CAADC) and has experience with trauma informed treatment modalities as well as routinely implements DBT principles and CBT techniques throughout therapy. She graduated from what is now known as Summit University in Pennsylvania with a Masters in Counseling in 2008.
Working remotely within a local school system for West Michigan Psychological Services, Jessica also is employed at Community Mental Health of Ottawa County and supporting individuals through therapy and case management services. The wellbeing of youth has always been a passion for Jessica and it is an honor to become a trusted support for each family unit she is privileged to work with.
Dani Kraai, MA, LPC
Dani Kraai is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She was awarded a Bachelors of Arts in Business from Cornerstone University and a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. She works in crisis intervention and private practice settings with adults and children. She also has experience working at an addictions rehab program for a local homeless shelter.
Dani offers client-centered counseling services, taking an integrative approach to counseling that draws largely from the solution-focused, family systems, narrative, and Cognitive Behavioral theories. She believes in focusing on the individual and drawing from their strengths to better their lives.
Katie Rice, MA, LMSW
Katie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Katie attended Grand Valley State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Katie has over 10 years post-masters experience working with children and families in a home-based setting. Prior to completing her Master’s degree, Katie worked in after-school and summer school programing for at-risk students in the Wyoming, MI area. In addition to her work with WMPS, Katie currently works part time at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Katie believes that raising children truly takes a village made up of many people, including parents/caregivers, extended family members, teachers and school staff, and medical and mental health professionals, among many others. Katie loves to partner with other important individuals in her young client’s lives in order to give the children that she works with the best possible outcomes. Katie recognizes the importance of ensuring children’s basic physiological, safety and love/belonging needs are met (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) prior to be able to being able to assist them in making lasting behavioral and emotional improvements. Katie believes there are no “bad kids”, but rather just children who have unmet needs.
Katie resides in Ottawa County with her husband, two young boys and Golden-doodle dog. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, catching up on Netflix shows and being outdoors.
Rene Askanazi, MDiv, MA, LPC
Rene has enjoyed counseling and mentoring in a variety of community settings since acquiring her B.A. in Psychology from Hope College, Master of Divinity from Eastern Mennonite University, and M.A. in Counseling from Cornerstone University. Rene’s focus of practice has primarily been with issues of trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, substance abuse and facing difficult life challenges. She has helped to run support groups in local jails and provided counseling services in nursing homes, the City Mission, as well as in client’s homes. Rene lives with her family in Hamilton and currently works as a part-time therapist at Renewed Hope Health Clinic which provides free medical and mental health services to the uninsured and under-insured residents of Allegan County. Rene uses a Solution-Focused counseling approach as well as CBT and Positive Psychology therapies to increase clients’ level of hope, self-efficacy, and resilience. Clients often comment that they feel comfortable and accepted by Rene, and leave with an increased sense of hope to face their difficulties.
Rene believes all clients have been given the gift of choice and her goal is to join with them to support their goals and help them gain needed skills to increase their level of positive well-being. Rene is currently a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor and will be receiving her full licensure in the early spring 2019.
Elisabeth VandenBerg, MA, LLPC
Elisabeth is an art therapist and professional counselor who uses her creative skills to aid youths in expressing and understanding their inner world to promote growth and healing. She believes that a client does not need to be “good” at art to create something meaningful. Rather, Elisabeth prioritizes a trusting relationship with the client, using art modalities as a tool. Used in tandem with other counseling strategies such as CBT, DBT, and Person Centered therapy, art therapy and other creative strategies can promote overall well-being.
Elisabeth received a Bachelor of Science from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Counseling: Art Therapy from Adler University. She lives in Michigan with her husband of one year, and enjoys reading, board games, and painting in her studio during her spare time.