HomeMeet the Board

MEET THE BOARD

Who We Are

DIRECTORS OF THE BOARD

Gillian Koch, M.Ed, LPCC

President

Position Expires: October 31, 2022

Contact @ presidentmnca@gmail.com

Gillian is licensed as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and works as a therapist at Minnesota Clinic for Health and Wellness (in New Brighton, MN). Her clinical experience includes working with adolescents and adults in outpatient clinics and in a college counseling center. Her clinical interests include working with young adults and working with clients experiencing grief, loss, and/or life transitions. She works to create a warm, welcoming environment in her practice and cares deeply about advocating for clients' needs both inside and outside of the therapy space.

Gillian previously served on the board as Marketing Co-Chair and during that time took a leadership role in supporting her peers and the MnCA membership at large. As a Minnesota transplant, she is deeply grateful to MnCA for helping her find her place in the Minnesota counseling community. She encourages you to email her with any ideas, thoughts, or questions, and would love to meet you soon at a MnCA event -- please feel free to say hello (be it virtually or in person)!

Kjirsten Lipa - MA, LADC

Secretary

Position Expires: October 31, 2022

Contact @ secretarymnca@gmail.com

I am very excited to be joining the MnCA Board as the secretary of the board. I graduated from Saint Mary's University in June of 2019 from the dual diagnosis program combining clinical counseling with alcohol and drug counseling. I am currently working as a co-occurring counselor in NE Minneapolis. I am very excited to step into this role, because I have always felt that advocacy for clients and social welfare will be a key component to my career. I believe that part of this advocacy is staying informed about what is happening within our government both at a local and national level.

As a new clinician I am excited about learning and growing my expertise in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a feminist-based Relational Cultural Therapy. I look forward to working alongside MnCA members and serving our community.

Jennifer Holloway - MA, LPCC

Treasurer

Position Expires: June 30th, 2021

Contact @ treasurermnca@gmail.com

Angie Haag - MA, LPCC, LADC

Past President

Position Expires: October 31, 2022

Angie is dually licensed in the behavioral health field as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).

I have worked on the MnCA board of directors since 2018, previously

serving as the Secretary and President. I am very passionate about operations

and strategy in the business realm and truly enjoy being a part of the MnCA

team as we create a bigger and better vision for the future.

I am also the owner of a small private practice named Mind

Revolution Therapy and supervise a team of clinicians doing crisis mental

health work in Emergency Departments.

My expertise in the MH field include women's studies; LGBTQIA+

specific training; and trauma informed care. My passions in the field include

patient advocacy, social services, program development, and field supervision

of LADC/LPCC interns.

Amanda Richards, MA, LPCC, LADC, MAC

Legislative Chair

Position Expires: June 30, 2022

Contact @ legislativemnca@gmail.com

I began my career as a music therapist then transitioned into Substance Use Disorder counseling and a few years later, completed my MA in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology at the University of Minnesota -- this was before counselors were licensed in Minnesota!

I found myself thrust into the role of advocate in the early 90s when I lobbied state representatives to add sexual orientation to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). I have visited the legislature on several occasions since, lobbying for changes to licensing requirements and parity in reimbursement, among other issues. Additionally, I often create "scripts" for colleagues to use in contacting representatives. Previously, I served as Ethics Chair for the MnCA Board (2015 - 2017), I decided to re-join the board to advocate for a Compact Licensing Law and to influence revisions in the LPC/LPCC licensing requirements.

Currently I have a consultation practice providing clinical supervision for individuals seeking licensure, consultation to persons who are already licensed, and technical expertise to Mental Health practices and Substance Use Disorder treatment programs. Also, I am Community Faculty at Metropolitan State University in the MS in Co-occurring Disorders Recovery Counseling program and Adjunct Faculty at Adler Graduate School where I teach Clinical Supervision.

Tom Hegblom, Ph.D., LADC

Professional Development Co-Chair

Position Expires: October 31, 2023

Contact @ professionaldevelopmentmnca@gmail.com

Laura Beth Gatzke, MA, Pre-licensed LPCC

Position Expires: June 30, 2022

Contact @ marketingmnca@gmail.com

Laura Beth (she/her/hers) is a clinical trainee and works as a residential therapist in Saint Paul at The Emily Program with adolescents and their families. She loves working with teens as they keep her up to date on music and provide great hope for today’s world. She goes by Laura Beth or LB.

Her clinical experience includes working in both rural and metro areas, working in co-occurring residential treatment with adults, and working in early childhood interventions. Her therapy interests include life transitions, dual-diagnosis, grief and loss, and mood disorders. She is deeply passionate around social justice and empowerment around mental illness.

She is excited to work on marketing because it’s all about getting the word out and making sure all people are invited and included. Having done her schooling in South Dakota, she felt very welcomed at her first MnCA conference and can’t wait to give back what she was given. Please feel free to contact her and be in touch!

Christine Herzog, MS, LPCC, NCC

Equity and Inclusion Chair

Position Expires: June 30, 2022

Contact @

equityinclusionmncn@gmail.com

Christine Herzog, MS, LPCC, NCC is the Clinical Director for K Behavioral Health, an agency focused on providing mental health services and community education for underserved populations in Minnesota. She is a MN Board of Behavioral Health certified supervisor for clinicians pursuing their LPC and LPCC licensure. Two of her professional goals include continuing to provide professional supervision to others and program development/ implementation for mental health services with a focus on equity. Her previous professional experiences include providing supervision as an Autism Day treatment program supervisor, being a Clinic manager of two outpatient clinic sites serving childhood through adulthood populations, and working as a mental health professional for an early childhood special education program in a school setting.

Christine Herzog has developed a specialized set of skills in working with young children with a focus on attachment and repairing relationships. She enjoys being able to see the progress children make both behaviorally and emotionally. She finds working as a counselor rewarding due to being able to watch childrens' relationships built with trust grow over time. She is trained in DC:0-5, and she is currently in a Child Parent Psychotherapy training cohort to specialize in working with trauma in children ages 0-5 with their family. In her career, she has gained professional experience in the following settings: a residential facility for dual diagnosis adult women, an ABA setting for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder that included both in-home and center-based services, outpatient psychotherapy clinics and a school-based setting with early childhood and elementary aged students. She participates in ongoing equity training and discussions to incorporate the impact of culture and diversity into services. She is excited to serve others in a leadership position that provides the opportunity for her to increase her work in advocacy for fighting inequities at the local and state level through the Minnesota Counseling Association's Equity and Inclusion committee.

Dr. Antwan L. Player, Ed.D., LMHC

Ethics Chair

Position Expires: June 30, 2022

Contact @

ethicsmnca@gmail.com

Dr. Antwan Player is a full-time core faculty instructor at Adler Graduate School located in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He currently holds two licenses, one in Minnesota as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and another in Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Dr. Player received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his master’s in mental health counseling from Webster University. He concluded his educational journey by obtaining his doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from Argosy University in 2018.

From an educational standpoint, Dr. Player's goal is for every student to walk away understanding the impact they will have on their community and society. Students are more than just pupils, but rather the next wave of intellectuals that will contribute to the profession, and society. From a clinical standpoint, Dr. Player's clinical philosophy focuses on helping individuals reach self-actualization. His clinical experience has afforded him the opportunity to work with a range of diverse populations, including, high-risk adolescents, parenting enhancement, and individuals of the LGBTQ community to name a few.

As an educator and counselor, Dr. Player believes in using an individual’s strengths to foster an atmosphere full of dialogue to enhance professional and personal development. He plans to bring these qualities to MnCA as he fulfills the obligations of Ethics Chair.

Gary R. Schoener, M.E.q., LP

Ethics Co-Chair

Position Expires: October 31, 2022

Contact @

ethicscomnca@gmail.com

Gary is a clinical psychologist, licensed in Minnesota since 1974, who trained in clinical psychology at the U. of MN. He was one of the founders of the Walk-In Counseling Ctr. in 1969, served 37 yrs. as its Exec. Dir., and currently is Director of its Inst. for Consultation & Training. The center is staff by volunteers who are LPCs, LPs, LICSWs, & LMFTs who donate their time. It is the largest force of counseling professionals donating time under one roof in the world. The center is the only program in the Upper Midwest to have received the American Psychiatric Assn.'s highest award -- the Gold Achievement Award in Hospital & Community Psychiatry. Go to www.walkin.org for more information.

He has consulted widely on mental health & chemical dependency topics throughout his career. Among his awards is the Bernie Belling Ethics Award from MARRCH, and he serves as a consultant to substance abuse programs such as CREATE, Southeast Homes, etc. Gary has a private practice in forensic psychology, largely focused on civil suits related to professional misconduct. He does assessments and remedial boundaries training for counselors & other professionals on referral by licensure boards or employers.

He coauthored the books Psychotherapists' Sexual Involvement With Clients: Intervention & Prevention, and Assisting Impaired Psychologists, as well as numerous book chapters and articles related to professional boundaries, ethics, supervision, duty-to-warn, etc. He has provided training locally and internationally on these topics to groups in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, medicine, Physical & occupational therapy, dentistry, etc. He is a member of the Mn Psychological Assn. General Counsel, and is a past member of the American Psychological Assn.'s Task Force on Sexual Impropriety & its Advisory Committee on the Impaired Psychologist (now Colleague Assistance).

Gary's overall focus is to strengthen MnCA through provision of support to members in terms of ethical grounding for maintenance of good professional practice as well as assisting counselors who are struggling. Throughout his career he has always focused on cooperation between professions and their trade organizations.

Danielle Johnson, MS, LADC

Position Expires: October 31, 2022

Contact @ equityinclusioncomnca@gmail.com

OPEN POSITIONS

If you have any questions, please email presidentmnca@gmail.com

Executive Chairs

Treasurer Co-Chair:
Term: November 1, 2021-October 31, 2023 (2 year term)
Position Description: The Treasurer co-chair will work closely with Jen Holloway and shall collect and disburse funds of MnCA (subject to approval of the President and one other designated board member). They shall provide financial updates at each Board Meeting and are responsible for providing a financial report to the Board of Directors at the end of each fiscal year. The Treasurer is responsible for the filing of all federal and state tax forms and reports by the legally mandated deadlines of applicable state and federal legislation.

Committee Chairs:

Membership Co-Chair:
Term: Nov 1, 2021- October 31, 2022 (1 year term)
Position Description: The Membership Chair will head the membership commit to assist with member recruitment and retention activities, and provides a presence at the Fall Conference. This chair is responsible for assisting members with any issues or concerns that arise and being able to direct them to the appropriate resource.
Marketing Co-Chair:
Term: Nov 1, 2021- October 31, 2023 (2 year term)
Position Description: The Marketing Chair will work closely with current chair Laura Beth Gatzke to head the marketing committee to coordinate and disseminate vital information of interest to the MnCA membership at large. This involves timely distribution of the email blasts, event announcements, website updates, social media presence, etc. This position monitors the public face of MnCA and acts quickly to respond to problems that arise.
Professional Development Co-Chair:
Term: Nov 1, 2021- October 31, 2023 (2 year term)
Position Description: The Professional Development Co-Chair will work closely with current chair Tom Hegblom, PD co-chair and the PD committee on their positions chief responsibility, planning and coordination of MnCA-sponsored events, CEU trainings, and Annual Fall Conference. This position requires coordination and planning throughout the year and close work with the executive branch and marketing committee.
Legislative Co-Chair:
Term: Nov 1, 2021- October 31, 2022 (1 year term)
Position Description: The Legislative Co-chair will work closely with current chair Amanda Richards to head the legislative committee to perform research and coordinate information for the upcoming or current legislative session. MnCA Legislative work includes collaboration with BBHT, MN lobbyists, and other stakeholders to identify and address legislative needs, and will inform the full membership of any action/activity that needs attention. Legislative board chairs work to build and maintain coalitionSaves with local and community support systems to increase availability and access of therapeutic services for Minnesotans, collaboration with similar committees with Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage and Family therapists, and other mental health professions.