Staff

Yolanda Giles, M.D. – Medical Director

Yolanda Giles, MD has been practicing psychiatry since 2006. She is Board Certified and currently treats children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Giles completed her residency and University of Michigan and her fellowship in Child-Adolescent psychiatry at Wayne State University/The Detroit Medical Center. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Medical Association, Michigan Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and American Psychiatric Society. Psychiatric evaluations are conducted in an inviting manner with extensive informational gathering from the client and family when necessary. Dr. Giles is also a Health Professional Recovery Program evaluator and provider.

Bruce Goldberg, LMSW, ACSW, SAP, CAADC

email: bgoldberg@riversbendpc.com

Mr. Goldberg is the President and co-owner of River’s Bend PC He has been in practice for over 20 years, and treats adolescents and adults for substance abuse and mental health within an individual, family and group treatment setting. He provides Ambulatory Detoxification, Intervention Planning and Execution, as well as consulting for chemical dependence. Mr. Goldberg is an SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) and Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP) provider. He co-facilitates the Adult Intensive Outpatient and facilitates the Adult Early Recovery Group. Mr. Goldberg has presented for various cities to parents and leaders as well as statewide conferences to aid in educating within the field of substance abuse.

Stephanie Howey, MSW, LMSW, CAADC

email: showey@riversbendpc.com

Ms. Howey is the Vice President and co-owner of River’s Bend PC She has over 16 years of experience treating adolescents and adults for both mental health and substance abuse issues. She co-facilitates the adult Intensive Outpatient Program and facilitates the Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP) groups. She has been an HPRP provider for over 10 years and conducts the diagnostic evaluations, individual treatment and group sessions. She has experience treating anxiety and depression, women’s issues, parenting support, post-partum depression and co-dependency. Ms. Howey also participates with local high schools, suicide prevention groups and community organizations to raise awareness and problem solve for today’s youth.

Kathryn Ong, MA, LLP – Clinical Director of Mental Health Services

Ms. Katie Ong has worked in the mental health field since 2000. She is a psychotherapist working with a wide range of client including children, adolescents, and adults. She also provide marital and family therapy. Ms. Ong’s specific areas of experience include trauma, grief and loss, behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, and family crisis management. As her areas of experience and specialties often converge in the treatment with young people, Ms. Ong has a wide range of experience consulting with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and hospitals, often working as an advocate on behalf of her adolescent clients. She believes in an eclectic therapeutic approach as to best address the specific needs of each individual client. Ms. Ong’s previous practical experience includes inpatient/psychiatric hospital employment, adolescent residential and college counseling through Wayne State University.

Jennifer Felix, MA, LLP

Ms. Felix has worked in the mental health field since 2001. She works with adult clients suffering from a variety of issues. She offers a non-judgmental, emotionally focused approach to therapy. She works to help deal with the unresolved emotional conflicts which may navigate the individual in life and significantly contribute to present day symptoms. Ms. Felix also works with individuals early in recovery and supports changes in relationships and stages in life.

Gwen Brimble, MA, LLP

email: gbrimble@riversbendpc.com

For more than 12 years, Ms. Brimble has specialized in comprehensive therapy and evaluations for individuals, couples, and families of all ages. She has significant experience in Psychotherapy, Clinical Research, and Neuropsychology and has obtained an MA in Marriage and Family Psychology from Wayne State University and an MS Philosophy of Mental Disorder from King’s College London. Her clinical experiences both in the United States and in England, have developed a strong understanding of the relationship between mental and physical illness. Using a variety of techniques, she provides an environment focusing on the client’s unique experiences. Without stigma, she explores ideas, feelings, and provides realistic feedback to create personal growth through understanding.

Julie Falbaum, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC

Ms. Falbaum has been in practice for over thirty years, working with adults with mental health and chemical dependency issues. She specializes in the individual treatment of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating disorders, women’s issues, addiction and co-dependency. She also has expertise in the area of couples work and in the practice of marital therapy. Ms. Falbaum presents workshops on various mental health and chemical dependency issues throughout the area and practices to assist client’s lives and relationships returning to balance.

Renachantel McClain, MA, LMFT

Renachantel McClain has been providing superior mental health services for over twelve years to children, adolescents and adults. Renachantel has certification and experience in domestic violence, anxiety, depression, life transitions, divorce issues and surrounding changes, blended family adjustment, foster care, abuse and neglect trauma. She also guides people through pre-marital couples work, the grief and loss process and has additional training and proficiency in gender issues, mood disorders and school behavioral concerns. Renachantel helps families to develop and achieve goals for personal change within their lives.

Kendra Thorington-Fox, MA, LLPC

Ms. Thorington-Fox works with Adults and Adolescents Chemical Dependency, Recovery, Relapse, Co-occurring Disorders, Mental Health, Individual and Family Therapy. Ms. Thorington-Fox provides therapy to adolescents and adults experiencing substance use disorders, mental health disorders and workplace issues. She focuses on important changes required for recovery and relapse prevention from the co-occurring frame of therapy. Ms. Thorington-Fox conducts individual and family sessions as needed based on the individual course of treatment.

Saba Maroof, MD

Saba Maroof treats children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Saba attended Wayne State University and completed a residency at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Saba is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Saba completed additional training at the Fellowship at Wayne University and is a member of the AACAP. Dr. Maroof is an integral facet of the staff and works closely with the therapeutic staff to coordinate the specific medication and therapy needs of clients. Dr. Maroof is an excellent consult to enhance treatment throughout the clinic.

Mark Kauffman, MA, LLPC, CADC

Mr. Kauffman is experienced in helping those struggling with substance abuse, mood disorders, behavioral and emotional distress. He treats children, as young as five years of age, adolescents and adults. His experience also includes assisting those with special needs and helping families reconnect for enhanced relationships. Mr. Kauffman conducts the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program and works with school counselors, probation officers and judges in presenting the current needs of adolescents. He is effective in transitioning adolescents and families if a higher level of care is needed for recovery. Mr. Kauffman has a supportive approach to individual change.

David Judd, M.S.N., PMHNP-BC

David Judd is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with 10+ years of experience in direct psychiatric care.  David has strong clinical skills enhanced by a natural ability to build a rapport with patients and families.  He is a highly skilled, compassionate, solution-oriented psychiatric professional dedicated to implementing effective treatment; and ensures quality of care and open lines of communication between his patient and all members of their healthcare team.

Tara Dupuis, LMSW, CAADC

Ms. Dupuis received her education in social work from Wayne State University and has been practicing social work within the community since 2011. She has experience with mental health, from mild to severe, due to working at inpatient hospitals and community mental health. She received her certification in advanced substance abuse counseling in 2014. Ms. Dupuis is committed to providing quality care for mental health, substance abuse, grief/loss and couple’s/marriage counseling in a private outpatient setting. Ms. Dupuis offers confidential care with practice of cognitive behavioral therapy to adults. Her substance abuse approach is highly effective with the behavioral changes needed early in recovery. Ms. Dupuis has an informed, supportive and empathic approach to both short- and long-term mood disorders.

Paul Kowalski, MSW, LMSW

Mr. Kowalski has worked in behavioral health services in both the public and private sectors since 1999. His previous experience includes working with adults and children in the foster care system, adolescent residential treatment, as well as inpatient psychiatric settings.  He is a psychotherapist currently practicing with adults and adolescents. Mr. Kowalski specializes in assisting clients in managing depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, work/school stress, and relationship challenges. Mr. Kowalski is solution-focused in his approach and looks at the holistic picture for clients to heal.

Scott Steenbergh, LMSW, CAADC

Scott Steenbergh has been employed in the healthcare field since early 2012 and has held various roles in several health systems ranging from Direct Care to Population Health Management and Managed Care Utilization. He completed his under and post-graduate degrees from Wayne State University, and has continued education with the Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Center in the treatment of nicotine and tobacco use as a certified tobacco/nicotine treatment specialist. Mr. Steenbergh has vast experience in the treatment of co-occurring behavioral health/substance use disorders across a broad continuum of care and is recognized as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium. He is passionate about helping people to find and sustain recovery. Mr. Steenbergh also conducts the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program and the family night presentations within the IOP. He is creative in his therapeutic approach to change for clients often including meditation, positive self-belief and community offerings. He also presents to school counselors, probation officers, judges and community groups about the current needs/behaviors of adolescents.

Megan Safford Nishibori, LMFT

Megan Safford Nishibori has Masters Degrees in Multicultural Education and Clinical Psychology/specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology and has been involved in the field of counseling and psychotherapy since 2008. As a LMFT she works with adolescents, adults, couples and families. Megan specializes in transitions throughout the life span, personal growth and development, anxiety, depression, giftedness and recognition of the inherent adequacy in every person. Megan uses an eclectic approach to support the work of each client’s movement towards a more full, free and vibrant life.

Karen Joy, MA, LLP

Karen Joy has been in practice for over 10 years providing psychotherapeutic services to adults of diverse ages, backgrounds, and status. She also is skilled in working with couples, families, and groups and has provided spiritually integrated counseling services as well. Her treatment areas of expertise include depression and bipolar disorders; anxiety and trauma; stress; life adjustments and transitions; grief and loss; relationships; self-esteem issues; and adult attachment issues.

Ms. Joy is creative and eclectic in her treatment and she uses a collaborative approach with her clients. She specializes in identifying how past distressing or traumatic events may still be negatively affecting a person in the present, and she provides skills training (such as CBT, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness) and/or facilitates the healthy reprocessing of those earlier events using EMDR interventions. Ms. Joy is also is drawn to helping those who may be feeling ‘lost’ to discover and fulfill their sense of place and purpose in the world.