Our Staff

At Life Skills Psychological Services PC, we offer Licensed Psychologists, Social Workers, and Counselors who provide comprehensive services and will devote their time and knowledge for your complete mental wellness. We strive to be honest, genuine, and keep your best interest in mind at all times.

Gunther Schwartz - Ph.D., LP

Dr. Schwartz earned his PhD from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. He specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults using individual, marital, and family sessions. Dr. Schwartz has more than 20 years of experience working as a clinician and administrator in the mental health field.

He consults schools, businesses, and organizations relating to mental health, wellness, and performance. Dr. Schwartz brings a warm, caring, and energetic presence to the counseling experience and his clients appreciate the open, engaging, and active way he conducts the counseling session. He integrates a Christian perspective into the research-based, best practice counseling modalities that he uses.

Michelle Morse, Ph.D., LP, LPC

Dr. Morse works with children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in working with traumatized individuals. Dr. Morse is an EMDR therapist registered through EMDRIA and a Trauma and Loss Consultant. She has over 20 years of experience with family issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect. EMDR is effective for both major and minor traumas with people of all ages. Other areas of interest include body image issues, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, divorce adjustment, relationship and parenting issues, behavior management, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Matthew VanDerMeulen, Psy.D., LLP

Dr. VanDerMeulen completed his doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration

in Neuropsychology from the University of the Rockies in Denver, CO. Additionally, Dr.

VanDerMeulen completed his Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois

School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL., as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

from Michigan State University. Dr. VanDerMeulen has over 15 years of experience working

with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families focusing on a wide range of issues such as mood related issues, anger, behavioral related issues, severe and persistent mental illness, substance abuse and addictions, relationship issues, traumatic brain injuries and other cognitive related issues, as well as sport and performance related issues. Dr. VanDerMeulen also has expertise in psychological and neuropsychological testing and assessment. Dr. VanDerMeulen uses an action-oriented approach to help identify problems, make changes, learn new skills, and reach the goals set forth.

Shaely Cheramie, Psy.D., LLP,

Dr. Cheramie holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Xavier University of Louisiana. She has training in both inpatient and outpatient therapy within the health service and college counseling center setting. She has acquired experience with a variety of clinical symptomology such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, disruptive behaviors, among other clinical issues. She specializes in treating and assessing trauma-related, mood, and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. She has a clinical background in working with individuals from many diverse populations such as those with mental and physical disabilities. Additionally, she works closely with children/adolescents and their families with social, emotional, educational, and behavioral difficulties.

Shaely is passionate about the field of clinical psychology and finds her work to be valuable and rewarding with respect to family concerns, family resources, cultural identities, developmental abilities, among other important diverse and multiculturalism factors. She is honored to be a part of Life Skills Psychological Services’ Team and is looking forward to providing tele-health services within the state of Michigan.

Devin Leivo Carlson, Psy.D., LLP, NCC

Devin earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in New Orleans, LA. She also earned a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyala University of New Orleans. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Devin works with adults and adolescents presenting with a wide range of concerns. She has specialized training working with college students, as she completed her doctoral internship at Grand Valley State University’s Counseling Center. She is also interested in providing affirming mental health services to LGBTQ+ individuals. Devin provides therapy services as well as psychological assessments. She splits her time between providing telehealth services from the West Branch area and in-person services in Cadillac. Devin’s approach to therapy involves providing guidance and support while attending to how clients’ intersecting identities have produced unique individual experiences. She aims to create a safe, collaborative environment in which clients can openly discuss their concerns, learn, and grow.

Derek is a dedicated and compassionate clinical therapist with experience in providing individual and family oriented therapy to diverse populations. He is adept at conducting thorough assessments, developing personalized treatment plans, and implementing evidence-based interventions with a strong focus on trauma-informed care. Derek possesses specialized skills in trauma-focused therapy, guiding clients through the healing process with empathy and a client-centered approach. Take the first step toward a brighter future and call for services today, and let's work together to unlock the strength within you.

Wes Johnson earned his Master's in Counseling from Central Michigan University. He also has a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University and bachelor's degree from The University of Michigan- Flint, respectively. He works with all age groups and has over twenty years experience in the education field as a counselor, teacher, and administrator. He uses cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and helps people struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, poor self esteem, and many other areas, and has been described as very approachable, funny, kind, and caring. He is available for individual, couples, and family therapy.

He is married to his lovely wife Brideen, and they have five children. He is a Christian and is able to provide faith based counseling as well as secular therapy. He primarily works through telehealth but is available for in-person sessions in Cadillac on Wednesdays from 8-5.

Melanie holds her Master degree in Social Work. As a LLMSW She is passionate about the mental health of children and adolescents. She also works within the school system as a Social Worker, servicing the crisis needs of students ages 6-18, and is dedicated and passionate about the support for these students within the school system. Melanie is practiced in completing assessments and developing personalized plans for every individual. Her method includes supporting clients while focusing on the way individual identities have been gained through personal experiences. Melanie works with a trauma-informed approach that is client-centered, allowing her clients to take the lead in the direction of their healing, and allowing them to feel at ease sharing and thriving.

Anika earned her Master of Social Work degree at Grand Valley State University located in Grand Rapids, MI and her undergrad degrees (BSW and Associates) from Ferris State

University located in Big Rapids, MI. She is a dedicated and compassionate clinician with

10+ years of varied experience working with and providing services to children,

adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds. Anika specializes in utilizing evidenced-based interventions, administering assessments, diagnosing, and developing treatment plans/goals using a client-centered/trauma-informed approach.

She has specialized skills and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play

Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emotion

Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and

Restorative Group Therapy. She has also worked with traumatized individuals and at-risk

youth.

Anika desires to be a breath of fresh air for her clients. Her passion is helping those who

struggle with life stressors and traumatic events, find healing within themselves. Her

approach is interactive, warm and accepting! Work with Anika to explore and restore

a better and stronger you!

Julie has a background in both mainstream and holistic approaches, she has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Masters in Counseling from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She did her internship at Macomb Oakland Regional Center (M.O.R.C.) serving individuals with disabilities, complex Mental Health issues, and traumatic backgrounds. Utilizing a foundational approach of the Culture of Gentleness that rebuilds elements of trust, safety, and security while teaching coping & problem-solving skills with a mentoring style. She assists individuals with grief and loss, mild to acute trauma, PTSD, ADHD, social skills, unique learning styles, stress, anxiety, depression, and health & wellness.

Pamela is a licensed professional counselor. She received a master’s in professional counseling from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. She received a bachelors in family life from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI. Pamela has been providing professional counseling services for 27 years. She understands the pain and suffering people experiencing going through difficult seasons of their lives. She has provided services for individuals, families, and couples. Pamela is trained and skilled in providing services for Post traumatic stress disorder, Mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, as well as Addictive disorders. She teaches healthy relationship and communication skills, mood regulation skills, including recognizing and changing negative thought patterns. She teaches skills for self-soothing, relapse prevention and maintenance skills. She is compassionate, encouraging, and supportive. She will help her clients to develop awareness of the areas where they struggle and to develop the skills to overcome the distress, learning relaxation techniques and good self-care habits. She looks forward to meeting you.

Sophia Whipple, M.A., TLLP*

Sophia is a Doctoral Intern who has received her M.A. in Clinical Practices and is pursuing a

doctoral Psy.D degree in Clinical Psychology through the University of Hartford in CT. She has

worked primarily with children and adolescents within therapeutic schools and outpatient

settings, including community mental health. Sophia provides a safe therapeutic environment for people of various cultural identities, part of the LGBTQ+ community, and/or identifying as

neurodivergent. She specializes in working with children and parents, including utilizing play

therapy and focusing on parent support. She is passionate about early intervention for children and infant mental health. She utilizes client-centered, trauma-informed, and attachment-based approaches and specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), emotion regulation, and mindfulness. She believes in using an integrative, flexible approach to meet the needs of each person or family. Sophia’s goal is to help her clients feel supported and understood but also challenged to learn and grow. She helps people of all ages work on improving their understanding of themselves, their ability to cope with strong emotions, and their social connections.

Sophia provides assessment services for children, adolescents, and adults. She is skilled in

most types of psychodiagnostic evaluations but has significant experience in providing full

psychological evaluations with projective measures. She is also trained in evaluation for AutismSpectrum Disorder.

Jeff Jenks, Psy.D., DLLP

Jeff is a Doctoral Intern from Regent University. Pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology has allowed him to work in a variety of settings including community mental health, inpatient hospital, juvenile court, and private practices. Jeff emphasizes a down-to-earth approach to treatment which includes warmth, understanding, and humor, allowing the therapeutic relationship to become a priority. Jeff is passionate about both assessment and therapy and recognizes that these services are often most effective with each other. He emphasizes a flexible approach to therapy that can be personally tailored to what you need most. Jeff's aim is to treat each patient with love, compassion, and respect while challenging them to become their ideal self.

* "A Limited Licensed Psychologist and a Temporary Limited Licensed Psychologist may practice under the supervision of a Licensed Psychologist."

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