Our Instructors
Carol Hartford, M.S.W. LMSW, ACSW, CAAC
Ms. Hartford has completed intensive training in DBT individual & group therapy by Dr. Marsha Linehan’s training institute, Behavioral Technology Transfer Inc. Carol is specifically trained in treating the multiply disordered suicidal client and in DBT for substance use disorder. She has also attended training presented by Dr. Linehan on emotion regulation. Ms. Hartford is mental health and co-occurring therapist; specifically trained in Motivation Interviewing by The Center for Strength Based Strategies and has also completed training as a Motivational Interviewing Trainer (MIT). She has been involved in the treatment of substance use disorder and co occurring disorders at both in-patient and outpatient programs. She is a CAAC: Certificated Advanced Addictions Counselor from the State of Michigan as well as a Licensed MSW and ACSW from the National Association of Social Workers. Carol received her BSW in 1993 and MSW in 2000, both from Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Hartford is a DBT and Co-Occurring therapist in Washtenaw County and the Co-founder of the Ann Arbor DBT Center.
Doug McComas, M.A., M.S.W., LMSW, LLP
Doug McComas earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1985 and a MSW with a concentration in children and family treatment in 2001, both from Eastern Michigan University.
Mr. McComas has worked in the human services field in a variety of settings and capacities. He has been a community mental health clinician, providing counseling, psychological testing and crisis intervention services; a community organizer and program developer; Director of an Area Agency on Aging, Director of Health Promotion Services for a district health department and most recently a mental health clinician in private practice in Jackson, Michigan. Mr. McComas has taught stress management and parent education classes. He is also a Healthy Families of America Certified Supervisor. He has provided presentations on a variety of topics at the local, state and national level.
Janice Riley, M.S.W., LMSW, ACSW, CAAC
Janice Riley earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1995 from Michigan State University and her Bachelor Degree in 1990 in Social Work also from Michigan State University. She has advanced credentials as an Academy Certified Social Worker and as a Certified Advanced Addiction Counselor.
Ms. Riley has been practicing in the health care field for over 24 years, with 22 years specializing in the field of Substance Use Disorders. Her experience includes Private Practice, Mental Health, Medical Social Work and Psychiatric Social Work.
Kenneth L. Salzman, Ph.D.
Dr. Salzman is a clinical psychologist in independent private practice in Lansing since 1986. He also owns and operates White Crane Billing Solutions. Dr. Salzman is a computer programmer and consultant; a magician, and a past president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 54, The Magicians Guild of Lansing. Dr. Salzman is also a Tai Chi instructor, currently teaching at the Westside Lansing YMCA. Dr. Salzman has served on the Ingham County Board of Social Services, the Capitol Area Substance Abuse Commission and is currently a member of the local Selective Service System Board. Dr. Salzman came to Lansing to attend undergraduate school at Michigan State University, earning a BA in 1970, MA in 1973 and culminating in a PhD in 1983 all in psychology and clinical psychology.
Kristy Smith, M.A., LBSW, CFLE
Ms. Smith earned her B.S. in Human Resources Development from Oakland University; a Master of Arts in Career & Technical Education and an additional M.A. in Community Agency Counseling with an emphasis in marriage and family, both from Western Michigan University. Ms. Smith is a licensed social worker and a certified family life educator. She has taught graduate and undergraduate family life education courses as an adjunct professor for Western Michigan University. Ms. Smith is a human services administrator; life coach, writer and humorist. She works as an agent of change who specializes in helping people rearrange existing resources into workable solutions. Her 20 years of human service career experience includes a background in addictions counseling at a community health center, and experience as a probation agent for the Michigan Department of Corrections. Kristy is a knowledgeable and personable facilitator; and a professional writer and speaker. She brings practical experience, context, and problem solving to each class with a down to earth approach and a sense of humor.
Leonard Gallagher, Psy. D.
Dr. Gallagher draws from his extensive experience in mental health and the provision of comprehensive neuropsychological assessments of older adults at the Hastings Regional Center in Hastings, Nebraska. Leonard has developed, implemented and supervised behavioral modification programs for patients in the Nebraska Regional Center, and for Jackson area nursing home residents. Additionally, he has served as a consultant to long-term care facilities; developing and providing staff in-service training on the management of behaviors related to dementia and other cognitive impairments of residents. Dr. Gallagher received his Bachelor degree in Psychology from Oakland University, a Master of Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and his Doctor of Psychology from Argosy University in Chicago. Leonard brings his wide range of practical experience to his presentations to provide real world examples and a touch of humor to his work.
Marcia Relyea, M.I.S., LBSW, CAC-M
Ms. Relyea earned a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology at Wayne State University in 1999. She is a State of Michigan Certified Addictions Counselor and Licensed Social Worker—Bachelor’s Level. For over 30 years she has worked for non-profit agencies, community health, and two hospital systems in positions of administrator, educator, assessment and referral specialist, community and departmental liaison, and program developer. In 1988 she established MLR Consultants, a private business that coordinates her work in the fields of substance abuse and gerontology. She currently teaches specialty classes for court referrals, unemployed adults, and for elders on numerous topics. In addition, she provides trainings for social workers, nurses, other healthcare professionals and staff on elder sensitivity and aging processes, alcohol misuse/alcoholism, drug misuse/chemical dependency, screening and brief intervention, depression, and dementia.
Michael Freytag, M.A., LPC
Mr. Freytag attended Ohio State University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education Degree. After teaching in Ohio for three years, Michael moved to Michigan where he taught at the Northwest Middle School until 1993. In 1984, Michael completed his Master’s degree in counseling and worked as a counselor during his time at Northwest. In 1993 he left public education and took the Executive Director’s position for Hospice of Jackson where he had volunteered as a direct care person and helped develop bereavement groups for children and teens. In 1999, Michael left Hospice of Jackson to develop a new Hospice program for Heartland Home Health in Lansing. In 2001, he returned to the Mental Health field to take a position as Assistant Director and Evaluator for Behavioral Health Connections.
Michael is currently a therapist at Recovery Technology in their Solutions2Wellbeing division. This division specializes in the testing and treatment of ADHD children and adults. Michael is a Certified Biofeedback Technician, Certified in the Diagnosis level for Thought Field Therapy, Certified for Advanced Psych K., a Level II Reiki Healer, and an Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach for Parents and an Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach for teachers. Michael also taught in the Family Life Education program, the Special Education program and the Masters in Counseling program for Spring Arbor University.
Michael Mogan, M.S.W., M.P.A. LMSW
Mr. Mogan LMSW, MPA earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work with concentrations in Social Casework and Social Work Administration from Wayne State University in 1979. He then earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan in 2002.
Mr. Mogan has worked in a variety of social service settings, including residential care for adolescents, inpatient psychiatric and correction mental health with a current focus on prisoner re-entry. As part of his experience in these settings, he has been involved in treatment planning, individual and group therapy, program development, performance improvement initiatives, research projects, staff training and supervision as Assistant Director of Social Services at a State Psychiatric facility.
Mr. Mogan has taught undergraduate classes at Davenport University and graduate classes at Eastern Michigan in the School of Social Work. He has provided staff training in the areas of assessment and planning for prisoners returning to the community and probate court procedures and testimony. Mr. Mogan is a knowledgeable and personable facilitator who brings practical experience, context, and problem solving to each class with a down to earth approach and a sense of humor.
Phyllis Myers, M.P.A., M.S.W., LMSW, ACSW, NHA
Ms. Myers is a licensed MSW and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She earned her MSW from Western Michigan University where she completed an additional graduate degree in Public Health Care Administration. Ms. Myers has been employed as a full-time Assistant Professor of Social Work and the Director of Social Work Field Education at Siena Heights University. She has also served as an instructor for Jackson Community College on the main campus and at the State Prison of Southern Michigan for several years. Phyllis draws from her extensive background of career experience in mental health, long-term care, hospice, adoption, and higher education to bring real scenarios of ethical dilemmas to life.
Phyllis also shares her knowledge, passion and dedication to improving the lives of children through helping others to help children and families.
Theresa Wiersma, M.S.W., LMSW, ACSW, CT
Teresa Wiersma earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1990 from Grand Valley State University and her Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. She has advanced credentials as an Academy Certified Social Worker and as a Certified Thanantologist.
Ms. Wiersma has been practicing in the health care field for over 22 years. Her experience includes Hospital Discharge Planning, Home Care Social Work, and most recently Hospice Social Work and Bereavement services. She has also served as Ethics Administrator for Hospice of Holland for the past 10 years.
Ms. Wiersma has been providing seminars and trainings on a variety of topics related to death & dying, professional boundaries, ethics, & stress management at the local and state level for over twenty years. Her use of practical examples from her experience makes the topics come alive.