Kimberly Kolakowski, MS

Director, Omaha Office

Education: Masters of Science in Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Experience: Over 11 years working with children and families, 2 years as a State Probation Officer.  Created and implemented After-Care Program for residential program.  5 years experience working with children and families in Iowa addressing issues such as RAD, ADHD, Aggression, Juvenile Delinquency, and Substance Abuse.  Specific training on gangs and drug identification and recognition. 

Modalities: Reality Therapy, Solution Focused 

Casey Ferguson, MS, LMHP, LPC

Education: Masters of Science in Counseling, University of Nebraska at Omaha 

Licensure: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

                      Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Nebraska                                                                                

Experience: Over 10 years experience working in the field of mental health, primarily with children, adolescents, families, adults, and groups, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Casey focuses primarily on clients that are having difficulty with relationship issues, communication, parenting, self esteem, anxiety, stress management, anger and impulse control, as well as grief and loss.

Modalities: Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  In addition to talk therapy, Casey employs expressive techniques including play, art, sand tray, and puppetry.

Kari Peters, MS, LMHP

Education: Masters of Science in Agency Counseling, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Licensure: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

Experience: Over 11 years experience working in the field of mental health.  Experience focused on marriage and relationship issues, parenting skills, anxiety and stress management, general behavior issues, teen issues, divorce, integrated families, and women's issues.

Modalities:  Individual, couples, and family counseling involving children, teens, and adults.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Dynamics Therapy, and Christian Based Counseling if requested.

Karen Throener, MS, LMHP

Education: Masters of Science in Counseling, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Licensure: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

Experience: 22 years experience in the counseling filed working with survivors of trauma, personality disorders, grief, depression, and anxiety.

Modalities:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 12 years experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Elizabeth Boyer, MS, LMHP

Education: Masters of Science in Community Counseling, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Licensure: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

Experience: 18 years of experience working in the field of counseling and mental health.  Worked in both clinical and in-home family therapy and skill development for over 15 years.  Experience working with children, adolescents, families, couples, and anger management groups.  Experience working with Depression, Mood Disorders, Anxiety, Teen Issues, ADHD, Parenting Skills, Trauma and DID.

Modalities: Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution Focused

Shelly Taylor, MSW, LCSW, LMHP

Education: Master of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Licensure: Licensed Certified Social Worker, State of Nebraska

                    Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

Experience: Over 9 years experience working in the mental health field. Experience working in schools, residential treatment, and outpatient settings. Experience working with, but not limited to: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Women's Issues, Grief and Loss, Marital Issues, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Modalities: Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling involving children, teens, and adults utilizing a Family Systems and Cognitive-Behavioral approach as well as Play Therapy.

Vanessa Wright, BSW

Family Care Advocate

Education:  Bachelors of Science in Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Experience: Experience working with children and their families dealing with Behavioral and Substance Abuse Issues.

Jennifer Daggett, MSW, LISW, LIMHP

Education: Masters of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Licensure: Licensed Independent Social Worker, State of Iowa

                     Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

                     Certified Master Social Worker, State of Nebraska

Experience: Over 16 years clinical experience working with clients of all ages from children to elderly.  Experience working with but not limited to: Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety, Anger and Impulse Control, Parenting Skills, Teen Issues, Divorce, Blended Family, Reunification of Family, Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Personality Disorders.

Modalities: Cognitive-Behavioral, Family Systems, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Solution Focused, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, Brief Therapy

Deanne O'Flaherty, MSW, LMHP, CMSW, PLADC

Education: Masters of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha

                    Bachelors of Science in Human Resources and Family Sciences, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Licensure: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, State of Nebraska

                   Certified Master Social Worker, State of Nebraska

                   Provisionally Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, State of Nebraska

Experience:  Over 5 years of therapy experience working with children and adults in an outpatient setting, inpatient setting, and in-home setting.  Experience working with individuals, couples, and families as well as group therapy for adolescent substance abuse, adults survivors of sexual abuse, and inpatient mental health.  Has worked with, but not limited to: Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, Schizophrenia.

Modalities: Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution Focused, Family Systems, Strength Based Therapies.