Staff

Brad Shay, LIMHP, LADC, LPC

Brad has a passion for helping others find pathways to improving their lives. He enjoys the process of individualizing treatment to each client. Brad loves helping others develop goals for sustained life changes, enhance their effectiveness in decision-making, and improve their life balance and fulfillment. In addition, Brad has taken his vision and passion into being the co-founder and business owner and helps develop and supervise other clinicians to be more effective in their professional lives.

Education/Certifications

• Master of Arts in Counseling, Doane College, 2001
• Bachelor of Arts Degree Doane College 1993
• Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services, Alcohol and Drug Specialization, Southeast Community College 1991
• Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)
• Nebraska Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
• Nebraska Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC)
• Nebraska Certified Professional Counselor (CPC)
• Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

Areas of Specialty

• Department of Transportation Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (DOT SAP) Evaluations and Process
• Substance Use Disorders Evaluation and Treatment
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Emotional Management
• Transitions in Life
• Situational or Stress Management

Steve Long

As office manager, Steve helps prepare and run the office, making it ready for you to call or come in. He strives to facilitate a professional yet comfortable experience. Whether it’s assisting with the intake process, dealing with insurance, improving office procedures, or hanging pictures, he’s focused on improving whatever is handed to him.

Mitzi Sylvester

Mitzi loves the environment and philosophy of CVHHC and AHHC and feels there is a purpose to this organization and its need in our community. She enjoys being a part of helping clients and staff navigate communication and information for a more efficient and welcoming experience.

Jennifer Hilkemann, PLMHP, PLADC

Jennifer believes healing change is possible. She works by integrating mind, body, and spirit into the counseling process, allowing for new possibilities and hope. Using an experiential approach to therapy, she will work with you at your pace to find healing and growth. Jennifer also offers the opportunity to experience animal-assisted therapy by incorporating one of her trained, certified therapy dogs into some sessions.

Education/Certifications

• Master of Arts in Counseling, Doane University, 2020
• Nebraska Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP)
• Nebraska Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PLADC)

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Adolescents
• Women’s Issues
• Addiction
• Adoption
• Life Transitions
• Parenting
• Relationships
• Codependency
• Mindfulness
• Trauma
• Somatic Experiencing

Kathy Perry, LIMHP, LPC

Counseling is about you. Most people have a vision of what they want their lives to contain but don’t know how to make the vision a reality. Kathy provides a safe space where you can talk about fears, troubles, insecurities. Using a strengths-based approach, she helps you identify issues, then set and achieve goals directed at change, creating a life that is balanced and whole.

Education/Certifications

• Master of Arts, Clinical Counseling, Doane College, 2014
• Bachelor of Arts, Doane College, 2012 
• Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)
• Nebraska Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
• Certified Professional Counselor (LPC)
• PCIT (Iowa-PCIT)
• Pyramid Model, CSEFEL 
• Circle of Security, Circle of Security International

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Self Esteem
• Children and Youth
• Behavior Issues
• Anger Management
• Relationship Issues
• Parenting
• Family Stressors
• Trauma
• Life Stressors
• Self-Harm
• Coping Skills
• Divorce

Lauren Pick, PLMHP

Lauren uses an integrated approach, humor, and mind/body awareness to creatively address the parts of life that have become difficult to manage. She believes in building insight, co-creating solutions, and inspiring change. More than anything, she sees value in building HOPE.

Education/Certifications

• ​​Master of Science in Counselor Education (MS), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2012
• Nebraska Provisional License (PLMHP)
• Nebraska Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
• Certified Green Belt Nia Instructor, Houston Texas, 2018
• Certified Yoga Instructor, Acadiana Yoga and Wellness, Lafayette Louisiana, 2009

Areas of Specialty

• Trauma
• Depression
• Grief
• Life Transitions
• Stress Management
• Spirituality 

Rhiannon Stueve, CADC (IA)

Rhiannon was drawn to working with others after overcoming some of her own history of discord. She has a passion for education to elicit more effective decision-making to help in breaking the cycle of addiction. She enjoys the uniqueness of people’s experiences combined with using research in a personalized way for more effective outcomes.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Midland Lutheran College, 2006
• Iowa Certified Drug and Alcohol Educator (CADC)
• Iowa Licensed Teacher
• Certified Prime for Life Facilitator
• Working on Nebraska Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Areas of Specialty

• Providing evidenced-based education for substance use issues. 

Vanessa Suarez, PLMHP, LADC

As a dually licensed therapist, Vanessa works to help adolescent and adult clients navigate life’s challenges by providing supportive counseling, cognitive restructuring, and manageable steps toward being your best self. Vanessa is thrilled to incorporate strength-based learning to empower clients with their own talents in order to benefit from confidence-building and overcoming the barriers to their wellness.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts, Doane College 2012
• Nebraska Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC)
• Nebraska Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP)

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Anger Management
• Substance Abuse
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• Intimate Partner Violence

Floyd Sylvester, LIMHP

When Floyd retired from being director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employee Assistance Program, he decided he wanted to get back into helping others. He has a passion for helping people transition from hurting to healing. Whether it’s transitions in major life changes, communications and relationships, or other situations, he will help to reframe, refocus, and take action steps toward wellness.

Education/Certifications

• Master in Counseling, University of Indiana, 1985 
• Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationships
• Career
• Retirement
• Teens 13+
• Course of Life Issues
• Gender Issues
• Issues of Faith
• Work Issues Including:
  • Dealing effectively with coworkers, supervisors, subordinates
  • Succeeding in the workplace

Deb Threats, PLADC

Deb has a passion for helping those with substance use issues restructure and rebuild their lives to be more consistent with their values, goals, and ideal self. She is able to provide services in both English and Spanish.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources and Family Sciences – University of Nebraska Lincoln 2004
• Nebraska Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (PLADC)
• Training for Addiction Professionals LADC Core classes Lincoln 2014
• Nebraska Approved Provider for criminal justice clients

Areas of Specialty

• Spanish Speaking
• Drug and Alcohol Evaluations
• Intensive Outpatient Groups
• Drug and Alcohol Education

Juan Valdez, PLMSW, PLMHP, LADC

Juan was drawn to the field of counseling to help those who struggle with the combination of mental health and substance abuse issues, known as co-occurring disorders. His education is in both addiction and social work which helps him identify and address additional needs that may contribute, exacerbate, or create barriers to working on the primary issues. Juan’s goal in counseling is to help clients realize that each one of us has the ability to facilitate changes in our lives. Juan will work with any who come to see him from issues of simple stress and adjustment to life circumstances to those who have mental health and substance use disorders.

Education/Certifications

• – Master of Science in Social Administration/ Case Western Reserve University
• – Nebraska Provisional Licensed Master Social Worker (PLMSW)
• – Nebraska Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP)
• – Nebraska Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Areas of Specialty

• Co-Occurring Disorders
• Substance Abuse/Mental Health Evaluations
• Anxiety
• Bi-polar
• Addictions
• Trauma
• Depression
• Individual & Group Therapy
• Bi-lingual Therapy (English/Spanish)

Hope Estrada, LCSW, LMHP, CSW

Hope has always had a passion for working with individuals and families Hope uses evidenced based treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to focus on improving and strengthening one’s emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. As a therapist Hope will provide empathy and compassion as well as challenge individuals and families to improve their lives and make long lasting changes.

Education
• Master Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 1999
• Nebraska Licensed Mental Health practitioner (LMHP)
• Nebraska Master Social Worker (CMSW)
• Arizona Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

Areas of Specialty
Stress Management
Depression
Anxiety
Children ages 8 to 17
Adults
Families
Life Skills Groups
Mindfulness

Crystal Flores

As Office Manager of the Aurora location, Crystal has a strong passion to help make the Aurora office run smoothly and efficiently for the clients, staff, and referral sources. From greeting people on the phone or in the office to making sure all administrative tasks get done, she puts her all into providing great communication and coordination for the harmony of the agency.

Annie De La Cruz, LIMHP, LPC

Annie found a passion for helping others with their mental health while working with youth in multiple residential facilities. This led to her growing her scope of practice to empower individuals and families to gain insight, empowerment, and growth for more balanced and effective lives.

Education/Certifications

• Master of Arts in Counseling, Webster University, 2010
• Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)
• Nebraska Certified Professional Counselor (CPC)
• Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• National Certified Counselor
• Member of American Counseling Association

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD and Other Trauma
• Children
• Adolescents
• Adults
• Mood Disorders
• Adjustment Disorder
• Parent-Child Issues
• Parent Adjustment and Training
• Working with Caregivers of Other Adults
• Co-Occurring Disorders

Kathy Fleming, LIMHP, LPC

Kathy loves empowering others to identify their gifts, talents & strengths to reach their full potential. Kathy believes that growth comes from building on their gifts, talents & strengths. Kathy is open-minded, non-judgmental, empathetic, and meets people where they are. She loves to see the changes and growth of the people she works with every day. Kathy enjoys working with children and families to enhance understanding and communication for family harmony.

Education/Certifications

• Masters Community Counseling, Creighton University, 1994  
• Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)
• Nebraska Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
• Nebraska Certified Professional Counselor (CPC)

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger Management
• Behavior Management
• Families
• Mood Disorders
• Trauma
• Developmental Disabilities
• Parenting
• Life Skills
• ADHD/ADD
• Couples
• Children
• Teens
• Adults

Vicki Hill, LADC

Vicki specializes in working with adults and adolescents who have substance use issues. She has a passion for working with individuals with substance use issues and how to improve their lives based on their needs and environment. Vicki also has a passion for providing evidence-based substance abuse education for those in the legal system, individuals, agencies, employers, and community groups who want information tailored to their inquiry.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Behavioral Science from Bellevue University 2019
• Associates of Applied Science Degree, Central Community College, 2016
• Nebraska Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) 
• Certified Prime for Life Facilitator
• Nebraska Approved Provider for Criminal Justice Clients

Areas of Specialty

• Substance Use Disorders Assessment/Evaluation
• Drug and Alcohol Education Classes
• Outpatient Individual Counseling
• Intensive Outpatient Group Counseling
• Adolescents
• Adults
• Criminal Justice Clients

Emmy & Gracie

Emmy and Gracie are trained therapy dogs that assist Jennifer in providing a gateway to heal from a variety of mental health issues.  They have over 100 hours of experience in providing their healing therapy in public places including schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.   They have passed extensive testing to challenge their obedience, disposition, and reliability to ensure they are safe and loving members of the community. Both dogs have received their Therapy Dog titles from the American Kennel Club.  They have also happily served through the Healing Hearts Therapy Dog organization since 2019.