Behavioral Health

Contact Information

1260 Ajijaak Ave, Petoskey, MI. 49770
Phone: 231-242-1640

Randall Koch
Behavioral Health Manager
231-242-1650

Randall Koch has a master’s degree of science – clinical psychology and over 35 years’ experience in behavioral health and substance abuse programming and treatment.  He is licensed as a professional clinical counselor in Illinois and professional counselor in Michigan.  Mr. Koch is also certified as an advanced alcohol and drug counselor in Michigan. His professional experience includes adolescent dual diagnosis treatment, adult outpatient therapies and extensive work with treatment Court programs.  Mr. Koch has worked as a consultant on both County level Treatment Courts and residential psychiatric programs.  He has worked in his current role within the LTBB community since 2018.  Mr. Koch currently sits as committee chair for SAFE in Northern Michigan prevention coalition, member of the Emmet County Community Corrections Advisory Board and, is active in the Char-Em Suicide Prevention coalition.

Victoria Fairbairn, LLPC
Masters Level Counselor

As a dedicated mental health professional with a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health from Central Michigan University and has over a year of experience specializing in working with children and adolescents. She is committed to supporting young individuals in their journey toward emotional well-being and personal growth. Her approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, allowing me to create a safe space for children and adolescents to express themselves and navigate their challenges. She strives to empower my clients with the tools they need to thrive in their everyday lives. Outside of my professional life, she is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and traveling to new destinations. She believes that stepping outside of our comfort zones can lead to personal growth and enriching experiences.

Dennis Lawrence, PsyD
Psychologist

Dennis, as he likes to be called, has been a therapist for over 30 years. He was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI where he worked for Coca Cola.  He later trained at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL.  Dr. Lawrence is licensed as a psychologist in the state of Michigan as well as holds an advanced certification in addictions counseling.  He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and works with people of all ages.  Along with therapy, Dr. Lawrence also does psychological testing. He enjoys playing his guitar, learning new things, and loves the Detroit Lions.

Missy McNeil, LMSW
Masters Level Counselor

Missy McNeil received her Master of Social Work from Spring Arbor University in 2020 after completing her undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work. She was an intern with LTBB Behavioral Health and was hired 2021. She provides individual therapy for both mental health and substance use issues. Missy focuses on providing person centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.  She is also trained in White Bison Wellbriety. She enjoys camping and is interested in becoming part of the car camping world. Fun fact, she is afraid of bridges.

Missy Merchant, PhD, LPC, CAADC
Masters Level Counselor

Missy Merchant is a Licensed Professional Counselor here at LTBB Behavioral Health. She has been a counselor for 12 years with the last 8 being here at LTBB.  She specializes in working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, couples and families, as well as working with those struggling with mental health and/or substance use. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) both through the state of Michigan. She has her PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy with a specialization in Culture, Diversity, and Social Justice in a Global Context, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling. Some fun facts about her: She is a HUGE nerd and is into all sorts of pop-culture weirdness (sci-fi, fantasy, horror, D&D) and more!

Amanda Klopfer, LMSW
Masters Level Counselor

Amanda Klopfer is an experienced counselor with multiple years’ experience helping people with a variety of mental health and substance use needs. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Western Michigan University in 1991. She received a Master of Social Work degree in 2003 also from Western Michigan University.  Much of her work experience has been providing community mental health services through case management and outpatient therapy. She is currently licensed in the state of Michigan with a Master of Social Work (LMSW) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). She is trained in multiple evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).  “I believe in the importance of identifying individual strengths and encouraging independence in a non-judgmental, supportive environment.”

Shane Morseau
Recovery Coach

Shane is a person with lived experiences and is also a person in long term Recovery. He is also a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor through the state of Michigan.  He has been a Behavioral Health Recovery Coach for LTBB since 2021. In his role, he can use his history and life experiences with mental health challenges. He is also certified through the White Bison Organization (Walking the Red Road) and has facilitated the Peer Recovery Coach Academy through CCAR (Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery). As a certified facilitator he hosts weekly Talking Circles and Wellbriety meetings. He is familiar with multiple pathways to recovery and supports the clients through any journey to wellness.

Sara Hacker
Case Manager
231-242-1754

Has been working with the tribal community for almost 10 years. She spent 5 years in LTBB DHS as the tribal social worker and the rest of her time in behavior health as the case manager.  As the Behavioral Health Case Manager, she assists clients with life stressors such as employment, housing, food and transportation. She helps clients on-site and in their homes. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in multicultural education from Ferris State University.  Before working with LTBB, I was employed at Child and Family Services for 12 years as a foster care worker. She has been married for 18 years and has 2 daughters.  She is very active in the Petoskey softball community as well as travel ball teams. She loves watching Detroit Lions football in the fall and boating in the summer.

Tina Bishaw
Crisis Intervention Counselor

Tina is a Crisis Intervention Counselor at the Little Traverse Health Clinic and works closely with the SPRING program too.  She wants to be known by all as a person you can turn to when you need a listening ear, help with linking to resources at LTBB or needing support with life’s challenges. She comes with over 30 years of experience as a licensed master’s level social worker (LMSW), with 20 years at a local hospital.  She loves spending time with her family especially her granddaughter Violet.

Brenda Schoolcraft
Intake Care Coordinator
231-242-1642

Deleta Smith
Cultural Coordinator

Lakota Worthington
Administrative Assistant
231-242-1640

Kim O’Brien-Sylvain, LMSW
Lead Counselor

Kim has a master’s degree in clinical social work, and an advanced certification in alcohol and drug counseling.  She was born and raised in Detroit, and didn’t move to the area until getting married, living closer to his family and beautiful Lake Michigan! Kim has been working as a therapist for just over 9 years having chosen to raise her 6 spectacular kids first and foremost, prior to returning to school to complete her master’s degree.  Kim’s professional experience include dual diagnosis treatment, substance abuse disorders, codependency, EMDR, and person centered approaches.  It is her absolute honor to be able to work with this population in the most beautiful part of the State of Michigan!!

WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE?
Substance abuse/dependence is characterized by consequences.

 

  • Arguing with family or friends or employers about your right to drink or use drugs. Having excuses for being late to work or for leaving early. Rationalizing to justify your use: example; it’s legal, or I’m not hurting anyone but myself, I need a drink or two to calm down, I’m under a lot of stress.
  • Spending more money on alcohol or drugs than you intended.
  • Drinking or using more than you intended or more often.
  • Being late for work. Leaving work early, with or without an excuse, usually pretending to be sick.
  • Stopping at a bar on the way home for a couple of drinks and drinking more than a couple. Being scared on the way home that the police may stop you and find you have been drinking and driving; or, actually getting an OUIL.
  • Having more physical problems than usual such as hangovers, cold and flu-like symptoms for more than two weeks in a row such as throwing up or feeling like you are going to, slight hand tremors, usually in the morning after a drinking episode the night before, headache, dizziness, double vision, a poor appetite.
  • Legal problems, OUIL, public intoxication, drunk and disorderly, or other more serious problems directly attributed to the use of alcohol or drugs.

 

These are common signs and symptoms of abuse and/or dependency. If you have any of these occurring in your life, seek professional help. Often these problems can be helped if identified early enough, without long-term treatment. Often two or three individual educational/counseling sessions can help identify the severity of the problem and can help identify possible corrective measures. If the severity identified requires treatment, then treatment options will be discussed and referrals will be made.

 

Substance abuse assessments are free if you are Native American and can identify a problem before it becomes expensive.

 

If residential treatment is recommended, insurance companies may pay 50% to 80% depending on the company. Adolescent treatment is paid for by Indian Health Services.

 

Substance abuse does not have to become dependency. It can be arrested before it becomes dysfunctional. Dependency can be arrested with treatment and support from organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. If left untreated, chemical dependency can be fatal.

 

A Guide to Addiction and Recovery for Veterans
Veterans Drug Addiction and Treatment

The Behavioral Health Program provides a culturally-sensitive and family-focused curriculum to assist clientele in re-establishing and fostering healthy lifestyles and to assist clientele in healthy decision making. They also provide individual, family, and group counseling, recognizing the concept of alcoholism and drug addiction as treatable diseases. Other services include assessments, education, prevention, and referrals to services otherwise not available at the tribal level. The Behavioral Health Program is licensed with the State of Michigan and accredited through the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF).

 

The Mental Health Program has four components. They include therapeutic services for individuals (adults, adolescents, children), families and groups including assessments and educational outreach. A culturally-sensitive team of qualified professionals using a holistic treatment model provides the outpatient mental health services. The Mental Health Program is accredited through the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF).

 

LTBB Suicide Prevention Initiative
Suicide is a pervasive problem for Indian Country that impedes our tribal communities from living harmoniously. A loss of life can send shockwaves throughout the community. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for American Indians/Alaskan Natives of all ages. American Indian/Alaskan Native adolescents are disproportionately impacted as suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. The following links will connect individuals to supportive suicide prevention resources.

https://www.imalive.org
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://www.facebook.com/LTBBSUICIDEPREVENTION/