Displaying items by tag: Behavioral Health Consultant

Alison is a Licensed Social Worker. She received her master’s in social work from The University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Alison received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in psychology, with a special interest in clinical psychology, from The Ohio State University. Highlights of her clinical experiences have included facilitating Women’s and coed NA/AA groups as well as leading Mindfulness-Meditation practice in individual and group therapy. Her prior clinical-training has entailed working closely with individuals with medically and behaviorally complex conditions—notably PLWH (people living with HIV/AIDS) and populations with comorbid or co-occurring disorders.

Alison is dedicated to working with underserved populations to provide behavioral health care from a multidimensional perspective. She works with intention to acknowledge the complexities of the whole person to better equip individuals with the skills they need to work through their problems in living. Alison demonstrates an empathic understanding for others and strives to create a safe environment for individuals to share their lived experiences. During her free time, Alison enjoys making jewelry, playing with her dog, and spending times with friends.

Te’Ja Jackson is a Behavioral Health Consultant who recently received her Master in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. 

Jenna Jacob is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She obtained her Master's of Social Work from University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019. She has a Bachelor's of Social Work from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  

During the past four years, she has worked in integrated behavioral health providing services at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Her professional passions include behavioral interventions to improve both physical and mental health outcomes. Her previous professional experiences include working in residential and outpatient programs for OCD, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. Jenna’s hobbies include spending time outdoors, yoga, ice skating, and reading. 

Emily Staats is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she received her Masters of Education in Counseling from DePaul University in 2020. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, majoring in Psychology. Emily worked as a school counselor for two years providing individual therapy and social emotional development in group settings. Her professional interests include child development, anxiety, depression, and equity in education. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time reading, exploring different Chicago neighborhoods, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. 

Andrew Wojda is a Behavioral Health Consultant and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) at PCC. He received his Master's In Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, and his Bachelor's in Social Work from Governors State University. Working in Street Medicine, he's worked with individuals living with substance use disorders and continues to work to encourage the public to understand the social pitfalls that come with this lifestyle through a trauma lens. Helping people through homelessness and the additional struggle of drug dependence has been a passion of his for most of his life and he hopes to expand his knowledge and therapeutic reach through PCC, where he can continue to focus on substance use and comorbid disorders. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys collecting and listening to music, hanging out at the Art Institute of Chicago, camping, and walking his dog.

Mary Rose Benson is a Behavioral Health Consultant at PCC. She obtained her Master's in Social Work degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in 2019. She completed her undergraduate education at Alma College in Michigan, with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Mary Rose completed her field internship at the Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center in South West Detroit. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and family. She is fluent in Spanish.

Chief Population Health Officer, Jerrard Walker, RN, LCSW, CADC, SAP, CAMS-II joined PCC in 2020. He obtained his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University - School of Social Work. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Resurrection University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a Minor in Social Work from Oakland University. Jerrard completed his social work training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. He was one of the architects who established the CCHHS CountyCare program. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and reading.

Bianca Cervantes is a Licensed Professional Counselor at PCC. She received her Master's of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University in 2017. She completed her undergraduate degree at Chicago State University, majoring in Psychology. Bianca completed an internship at the Pediatric Developmental Center at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She formed part of the Latino Mental Health Program at the center that provided individual therapy to children with Autism and other psychological disorders. Bianca co-facilitated parenting psychoeducation therapy groups and has experience working in a private practice providing therapy to a diverse population of patients. Her professional interests include autism, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time reading, traveling, and spending time with family. 

Angel Markin joined PCC in 2019 and brings a decade of experience as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in hospital, community, and substance use treatment settings.

A native of the Bronx in New York, Damaris Velazquez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who attained her Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2001.