Find the counselor that best suits your needs.
Our team
Laura E. Porter, MA, LPC
Laura was an educator for over 30 years, first as a teacher, and then as a middle school counselor. She has worked with people of all ages as her career spanned the realm of counseling with children, their parents (and sometimes grandparents) and even teachers. Laura counsels with children and adults. Her practice includes individual, group, and family counseling. She concentrates on helping others with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief, ADHD, and trauma. She also has experience working with victims of domestic violence.
Dave Embertson, LMSW, SSW
Dave has had a fulfilling and successful professional career Social Work for 37 years in various positions including private practices, schools, and state agencies. He has worked with parents, families and children of all ages. He enjoys working with children ages 6-17, and particularly enjoys working with adolescents. He strongly believes in the "power of family", and the life-giving power and vital importance of healthy and positive parenting. Dave believes that the family is the fundamental building block of a healthy and stable community, a healthy Michigan, and our country. His work has included individual, group, and family social work and counseling. Specifically, he is trained in the area of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy but also enjoys working with children and families that struggle with problematic behaviors at home or in school, parent-child relationship issues, divorce, depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. He enjoys working with men as well in the various areas they struggle within their marriages, families and our culture.
Jessica Deverman, LMSW
Jessica has a background in both CPS and Foster Care systems. Offering support to children, adults and families using trauma informed skill-based approaches to help individuals and families outline an action oriented approach within therapy. I believe that people possess their own ability to sort their way through life’s problems, as counselors, we just help people sort out their thoughts in a different way.
Katie Ranes, LMSW
Katie has a background within the Hospice setting. She specializes in Memory Care, Traumatic Brain Injuries, areas of addiction, support through probation, and general encouragement through life challenges for adults.
Barb Russ, LLMSW
Barb has worked in the social work field for 12 years in various capacities, including knowledge in the areas of foster care and child protective services, addictions, and trauma-informed approaches. Barb has three degrees in the combined areas of Human Services and a Masters degree in Social Work. "The theory and approach I most align with is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, however, I am always yearning to learn new methods and practices". Barb's counseling style is to gain an understanding of the whole person, while empowering the individual with guidance along the way and teaching coping skills for life.
Alicia Damgard, MA. LPC
Life can be difficult with ups and downs. Developing coping skills and having support can make all of the difference. As a middle school counselor, I have had the privilege to provide individual counseling, group counseling, classroom social emotional learning lessons and community outreach. Most of my experience has been with adolescents and I enjoy working with younger children and adults, as well. The theory I adhere to primarily is Cognitive Behavior Theory along with being informed in the area of Dialectical Behavioral Theory. Because of my experience as a spin and barre instructor and my interest in the mind-body connection, Polyvagal Therapy and Somatic Experiencing are an area I look to enhance with future training.
My education includes a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Western Michigan University in 2005. My Bachelor of Science is in K-12 Special Education with a Certification in Emotional Impairments, K-5 Elementary Education and 6-8 English Language Arts. From 2002 to 2016, I worked as a special and general education teacher. In 2016 I transitioned to the position of middle school counselor. I am a certified K-12 School Counselor through the State of Michigan. On July 15, 2020, I became a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan.
I look forward to working with you and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your journey.
Lisa Holmes, LPC
Lisa has a background working in private practice, school-based health clinics, Community Mental Health, and as part of a crisis team. In addition, some of her roles have included licensed teacher, licensed school counselor, behavioral health therapist, state evaluator, coach, and clinical therapist. She has over 20 years of experience working with kids and families and has been a licensed professional counselor (LPC) for 13 years.
She specializes in working with kids, adolescents, young adults, families, women, and seniors, employing an honest, direct, and empathetic approach. Lisa believes that pain is real, whether perceived and experienced emotionally or physically, from life's struggles, relationship issues, somatic effects, or environmental factors, especially in challenging times.
Some areas of focus include trauma, anxiety, depression, psychodynamic therapy, psychoeducation, family systems, CBT, strength-based approaches, coping skills, stress management, self-awareness, and reflection. She also has an interest in DBT-focused strategies and implementation.
