Aspen Counseling, a behavioral health group of Rosecrance Therapies

Kathleen Kruse is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She graduated with her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois, where her education emphasized mental health services and program administration. Kruse began her career with high-risk adolescents who had behavioral and psychiatric issues. She has served as the clinical director in two residential facilities, providing services to adolescents and their families. In the last 15 years, she has worked in private practice with adolescents and adults. Kruse has extensive experience and is trained to provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy. She is also a Qualified Substance Abuse Provider (SAP) for DOT client and a Medicare provider. She enjoys the diversity of her work and the opportunity to help her clients address their specific needs. “I consider it an honor to assist others in improving their emotional/mental health, relationships, and quality of life.

Locations – Rosecrance Virtual and Aspen Counseling, a division of Rosecrance Therapies, Rockford, IL

Kathy Terzinski is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), National Certified Counselor, and a fully trained eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. She earned a master’s degree from Roosevelt University. Terzinski specializes in trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, addictions, fears, guilt, and a range of life adjustment issues. She works with individuals to help make sense of the past and to understand and neutralize the negative influence it has on present functioning and relationships. By clearing up the “debris” from the past, we can fully focus on being our best in the present and in the future. Inspired by experiences with trauma, Terzinski focuses on learning effective interventions for those traumatized by nature or by other people. EMDR is the foundation on which she helps survivors of child abuse, sexual abuse, guilt, and negative beliefs. She strives to help people fully process and definitively overcome the past.

Keo Phasouk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages in many different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, crisis centers, group homes, and classrooms. She has a master’s degree in social work from Aurora University. Phasouk has extensive experience and training in individual and group therapy using many different modalities, such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, solution-focused, and grief therapy.  Currently, she works with adults struggling with various mental health concerns and enjoys educating her clients about their mental health diagnosis. She seeks to assist clients in developing healthy coping strategies to manage their symptoms in day-to-day life settings such as relationships, parenting, and occupational and financial stressors. “I enjoy teaching DBT skills individually and helping clients learn to self-regulate their emotions, set boundaries, and manage their interpersonal relationships effectively.”

Locations: Rosecrance Virtual and Aspen Counseling, a division of Rosecrance Therapies, Rockford, IL

Leah Scanlan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field as a case manager and clinician. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology at Elmhurst College and her Master of Arts in clinical professional psychology from Roosevelt University. Scanlan relocated to Rockford in 2013 from the Chicagoland area and joined Rosecrance as supervisor for a community outreach team of clinicians serving those with complex mental illness. She joined Aspen Counseling in 2017 as director, where she is responsible for the operation and development of accessible outpatient behavioral health services. Scanlan is passionate about delivering innovative, evidence-based therapies at Aspen that adapt to the diverse needs of our community. She has been an advocate for the growth and implementation of advanced treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato, resulting in expanded use within Rosecrance Therapies. Scanlan is grateful for the opportunity to lead a talented and dynamic team of clinicians and support staff who share this dedication and commitment to supporting the whole person in their recovery journey.

Lori Martineau is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. She employs such therapeutic interventions as CBT, DBT, grief counseling, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Martineau is experienced in working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, anger, and stress management issues; she also supports individuals and families in hospice care. She is a graduate of Aurora University. “My goal is always to empower clients and focus on their strengths to help them live their best lives.”

Locations – Rosecrance Virtual and Aspen Counseling, a division of Rosecrance Therapies, Rockford, IL

Lynn Wheeler has worked in psychiatry for nearly 40 years, primarily in direct patient care but also in nursing administration, beginning as a registered nurse and later as an advanced practice nurse. Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in nursing with a psychiatric nurse practitioner specialization from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her American Nurses Credentialing Center board certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 2010. She has worked in the Rockford area through the years providing mental health care across the lifespan in multiple clinical settings: inpatient, outpatient, residential substance use treatment, and private practice. She has experience working with individuals ages 5 to 65+ with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), trauma, OCD, behavior disorders, and more. Wheeler embraces a comprehensive and collaborative partner-with-patients approach to healthcare with an emphasis on health promotion and risk prevention. She incorporates evidence-based practice with a holistic biopsychosocial approach to clinical management. In her free time, Wheeler enjoys being with her family, friends, and her menagerie of pets. She also enjoys road trips with her husband, especially cross-country touring on their Harley-Davidson.

Nathan Whinnery is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Northern Illinois University and his Master of science in mental health counseling from Walden University. He has been in the behavioral health field since 2002 and has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, and their families experiencing mental health and substance use disorders. Whinnery approaches each client as an individual but always leads with compassion and empathy while utilizing an integrated theoretical approach to fit individual needs. He believes in empowering individuals to embrace their ability to change from within and enjoys using humor and metaphors to bring normalcy and enjoyment to the counseling process. He also serves families in Rockford, Illinois, as a photographer with the Haven Network, an agency that serves families experiencing perinatal loss.

Locations: Rosecrance Virtual and Aspen Counseling, a division of Rosecrance Therapies, Rockford, IL

Dr. Raymond Garcia oversees all medical operations for Rosecrance Behavioral Health and is the Medical Director for Rosecrance Therapies at Aspen Counseling in Rockford, Illinois. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology, licensed in Illinois, a member of the Illinois Psychiatric Society, and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Garcia is also board-certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM). Dr. Garcia is on faculty at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, where he has received the Golden Apple, Mentor of the Year, and Distinguished Teaching Awards. He joined Rosecrance in 2009.

Teisha Hoppe, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, brings a wealth of experience to her practice, balancing roles as both a school social worker and private therapist. A graduate of Aurora University, she also holds a master’s degree in behavior analysis from Northern Illinois University. Her expertise spans working with individuals of all ages—from preschoolers to adults—as well as families and couples facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, oppositional defiant disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and autism. Hoppe integrates a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), evidence-based therapy (EBT), play therapy, mindfulness, and grief therapy. She empowers her clients by helping them develop coping strategies and mindfulness techniques to manage emotions and navigate life’s difficulties with resilience. In addition to her therapeutic work, Hoppe has served as an adjunct professor in Aurora University’s graduate social work program, sharing her knowledge and experience with future professionals in the field. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her family and her beloved golden retrievers.

Locations: Aspen Counseling, a behavioral health group of Rosecrance Therapies in Rockford, Illinois, and Rosecrance Virtual