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Our Staff

​​Patricia Hancock, LCSW - Owner/Executive Director

Contact: cpc@centerforpositivechange.org

Patricia has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Indiana University and a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is also a certified Supervisor/Facilitator for the Batterer's Intervention Program through the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Patricia serves as chairperson for the St. Joseph County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and sits on a variety of community boards and committees involved in addressing violence in our community.   She has dedicated the greater part of her 25 year career to tackling the issues of domestic violence as a direct line worker, administrator and as an educator.  Pat investigated allegations of child abuse and neglect  for the Department of Child Services for ten years, taught Social Work at St. Mary's College for six years and for the past six years served as a Clinical Director for a local outpatient mental health provider, helping to meet the needs of victims and their families. Pat is currently involved in research projects looking at how best to address domestic violence in collaboration with the School of Social Work at IUSB where she is currently adjunct faculty. With the assistance of dedicated colleagues and in an attempt to address community need, Pat has created the Center for Positive Change and will continue to combat violence in our neighborhoods and seeks to provide quality services to those most in need.  

Our Therapists:

Steven D. Bright, LCSW - Director of Clinical Services

​ - Dealing with life can be rather stressful at times, requiring a little extra help.  Whether it is counselling for stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, a troubled family, or a trauma, I have the skills to help you cope and overcome those difficult situations.

 - I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of clinical experience working with children and adults.  I have received training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) for persons with trauma, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and brief solution focused therapy to help my clients.

 - Dealing with the world is not like it was in our parent's or grandparent's days - life has become more challenging.  I am here to meet those challenges with you: helping you build strategies to learn to cope, engaging with you in treatments to help you overcome a trauma.  Life is all about coping, and sometimes we all need a little help.  I'm here for you.

Beth Brown, MSW

​  - Mental Health Therapist

Alex Burton, MSW, LSW

​  - Mental Health and Addictions Therapist

  - Domestic Violence Group Facilitator

Libby Elmore, MSW

​  - Mental Health and Addictions Therapist

  - Substance Use Group Facilitator

Tina Jones-White, MSW

​   - Mental Health Therapist

Karissa Ryan, LMHCA

​  - Mental Health Therapist

  - Substance Use Group Facilitator

​Janet Stone, LCSW

​  - Mental Health Therapist

Elysia Tidey, MSW, LSW

  - Mental Health Therapist​

  - Child Trauma Therapist    

Richard White, Jr., MSW

​   - Mental Health Therapist

Raychel Minasian, LCSW​

  - Mental Health and Addictions Therapist

  - Substance Use Program Facilitator

Our Administrative Staff:

Jennifer Archer, BA

​  - Substance Use Program Manager

  - MRT Program Coordinator

Susan Dunn, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC

​  - Clinical Supervisor

Shelby Geyer, LSW

​  - Domestic Violence Program Manager

  - Domestic Violence Group Facilitator

  - Anger Management Program Coordinator

Tiffany Gibson

​  - Substance Use Group Co-Facilitator

Debra Kirchner

​  - Operations Manager

  - Human Resource Director

Christian Lankford​

​  - Receptionist/Scheduler

  - BIP Co-Facilitator

Melisa Lightner​, BA

  - Insurance Billing Specialist

  - Administrative Assistant

Lisa Little

   - Administrative Assistant
   - Grant Writer

Dr. V. Thomas Mawhinney, PhD, HSPP

​  - Mental Health and Addictions Supervisor

Michelle Olson, LCSW, LCAC, CADACII

​  - Substance Use Program Supervisor

  - Addictions Therapist

Neil Pittman, BIP Certified

​  - BIP Group Facilitator

Kathy Wenger, LMHC, LCAC

​  - Substance Use Program Supervisor

  - Addictions Therapist

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