Counselors
Call (605)886-0123 to schedule an appointment
LAC
Cynthia Binde has been with the Human Service Agency since 2012 and is the Addictions Coordinator and specializes in Chemical Dependency.
Education: Cindy graduated from South Dakota State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She obtained her Certified Addiction Counselor degree in 1998 and Licensed Addiction Counselor degree in 2013 both from the University of South Dakota.
Background/Experience: Cindy has spent 21 years working in addictions. She is experienced working with clients of all ages, including families and in group counseling and facilitates aftercare groups.
Activities: Outside of her work, Cindy enjoys walking, swimming, reading, doing puzzles, and spending time with her grandchildren.
M.Ed.
Lisa Meier has been with the Human Service Agency since 2017. Lisa specializes in Clinical Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Proactive Health and Well-Being, Self-Management Plans for Chronic Diseases, and Evidence-Based Research.
Education: Lisa received her Bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University in Family and Consumer Sciences in 1992. She also received her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health from Northern State University in 2015.
Background/Experience: Prior to her work at HSA, Lisa was a Clinical Specialist at Northeastern Mental Health in Aberdeen and Dakota Counseling Institute in Mitchell for 3 years. Prior to her role in Health Homes, Lisa was an Employment Specialist and Community Support Professional with New Horizons at HSA. Lisa is a member of the Mayor’s Committee for Developmental Disabilities.
Activities: Outside of her work, Lisa enjoys jogging, biking, gardening, cooking, and her church fellowship.
LAC
Education: Allison received her Bachelor's Degree from University of North Dakota and Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Studies from University of South Dakota.
Background/Experience: Allison is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and has been working with adolescents and adults with substance use disorders for the past 12 years. Prior to HSA, Allison was an addictions counselor at Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health in Yankton.
Activities: Outside of her work, Allison enjoys spending her time making and decorating candles.
Alice Carlson has been with the Human Service Agency since 2002 and is currently a Residential Specialist Supervisor. She assists with independent living skills for consumers that have a mental illness.
Education: Alice graduated from Waverly High school in 1979.
Background/Experience: Alice has spent the past 17 years working with individuals with a mental illness.
Activities: Outside of work, Alice enjoys camping, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren.
BS
Lori Enstad has been at the Human Service Agency since 1989. She is currently our CARE Team Member-Vocational Specialist. She assists clients in finding a good job match and then provides clients with supports to maintain employment.
Education: Lori received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern State College in 1980.
Background/Experience: Lori has worked with many local employers through the years. She has attended many vocational trainings offered through the SD Division of Rehabilitation Services, the USD Center for Disabilities and Kenfield Consulting. Lori is a Certified Employment Support Professional and is a member of the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities.
Activities: Outside of her work, Lori enjoys spending time with her family, especially her new granddaughter.
CSW-PIP
Lynn Amdahl has been with the Human Service Agency since 1992 and is the CARE Coordinator specializing in providing experienced services in the areas of Serious Mental Illness, PTSD, life development and aging, grief, depression and anxiety.
Education: Lynn obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1988 and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1990.
Background/Experience: Prior to her work at HSA, Lynn worked in hospital based medical social work. She is a Certified Social Worker licensed for private independent practice and qualified mental health professional. She has 27 years of experience at HSA and is experienced working with mental health and addiction issues including co-occurring illness. Lynn is a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management team and was a 2013 recipient of the Watertown Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award.
Activities: Outside of her work, Lynn enjoys traveling.
BA, RP
Brooke Bailly has been with HSA since April 2021. She is the Rep Payee at CARE. Brooke previously worked with HSA in 2015 as a Job Coach with New Horizons as well.
Education: Brooke graduated from South Dakota State University in May 2020 with her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, along with minors in Criminal Justice and Addiction Studies.
Background/Experience: Besides time spent with HSA, Brooke has worked in the financial industry as a Collections Rep and is also currently a Process Server working for her mom’s business.
Activities: Outside of her work, Brooke has a third part time job in training dogs, specifically hunting dogs. She is also taking a Canine Specialist course online. Her dream is to one-day train full time. She has a German Shepherd at home who has taught her a lot. Riding (on the back) of a motorcycle is another passion of Brooke's. In the summer, she and her boyfriend ride every chance they get.
BS, MSW Student
Tashena Bronson has been with the Human Service Agency since July of 2019 and is the Outreach Case Manager for the C.A.R.E. Program. Additionally, Tashena works up at the Sisseton office two days a week doing Mental Health Case Management.
Education: Tashena graduated from South Dakota State University in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of South Dakota and will graduate in May 2022.
Background/Experience: Prior to working at HSA, Tashena worked as a customer service manager at Walmart, and she interned as a correctional officer at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.
Activities: Outside of her work, Tashena enjoys playing and training her two dogs. She also enjoys playing games and spending time with her friends and family.
BS
Saraya Bronson has been with the Human Service Agency since June of 2021 and is the Program Specialist for the C.A.R.E. Program.
Education: Saraya graduated from South Dakota State University in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She is pursuing her Master of Social Work from the University of South Dakota and will complete the program in 2024.
Background/Experience: Saraya worked at the Transitional Residence for three months before coming to the C.A.R.E. Program. She has experience working with adults with a mental illness.
Activities: Outside of her work, Saraya enjoys traveling, playing games, and spending time with her friends and family.
RN
Tanya Nelson has been with the HSA this time for 2 years as the CARE RN. She previously worked at HSA as a Med Transport and then as a Case Manager.
Education: Tanya graduated from USD with her Associate Registered Nursing degree in May of 2014 and in May of 2012 with her Associates Licensed Practical Nursing from LATI. In 2004 she graduated from MMC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and a minor in Criminal Justice.
Background/Experience: Tanya had worked in a variety of roles as a nurse from inpatient at PLH, to home care for both the elderly as well as health compromised children requiring home nurses to her current position within the Human Service Agency. This role has incorporated some of her past schooling and learning as mental health and addiction was not an area she had done much with prior to come to HSA.
Activities: Outside of work Tanya enjoys watching any sports her children are involved in. Her daughter currently plays softball for DWU and in the summer her son, youngest daughter and soon to be daughter in law play recreational softball. Her son is going to get baseball back up and running in Miller so she is excited to watch as he takes on the role of coaching youth baseball.
CSW-PIP, LAC
Dave Mendel has been with the Human Service Agency since 2012 and is a Clinical Therapist and provides outpatient therapy for adults and adolescents. Dave specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Co-Occurring disorders, Mental Health and Anger Management.
Education: Dave graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English. He attended the University of Iowa and received his Master’s in Social work in 2008.
Background/Experience: Prior to his work at HSA, Dave worked at the Human Services Center in Yankton, the IMPACT program in Yankton, the Adolescent Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment program at HSC and provided co-occurring treatment at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. Dave is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Activities: Outside of his work, Dave enjoys golfing, riding his motorcycle, backpacking and traveling.
BS, MSW Student
Tashena Bronson has been with the Human Service Agency since July of 2019 and is the Outreach Case Manager for the C.A.R.E. Program. Additionally, Tashena works up at the Sisseton office two days a week doing Mental Health Case Management.
Education: Tashena graduated from South Dakota State University in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of South Dakota and will graduate in May 2022.
Background/Experience: Prior to working at HSA, Tashena worked as a customer service manager at Walmart, and she interned as a correctional officer at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.
Activities: Outside of her work, Tashena enjoys playing and training her two dogs. She also enjoys playing games and spending time with her friends and family.
PA-C
Carrie Dylla has been at the Human Service Agency since 2007 as a Physician Assistant in Psychiatry.
Education: Carrie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Science from South Dakota State University in 1999. From there, she obtained her Physician Assistant Studies Certification from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine in 2001.
Background/Experience: Carrie has 18 years of experience practicing medicine fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Activities: She enjoys spending time with her husband (Jim) and children Emma (15), Max (12), and Sam (9) while attending their various activities, as well as instructing group fitness classes at the community wellness center.
MSN, PMHNP-BC
Josie Ries
Education:
Background/Experience:
Activities:
MS, LPC-MH Supervisee, RPT, NCC, QMHP
Amanda Ulmer has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 as a Mental Health Case worker. She specializes in children, adolescents, families, and adults with depression or anxiety.
Education: Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from Mount Marty College in 2005. She is currently working toward her Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from South Dakota State University.
Background/Experience: In addition to taking master level coursework, Amanda is a member of the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota.
Activities: Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her children, working out, running, reading, and hanging out with her friends.
MSW, LCSW
Heather Tobin has been with the Human Service Agency since 2010 and is currently Clinical Director of Behavioral Health. She specializes in Children, Youth, and Family Therapy as well as Outpatient Therapy. Heather works to improve parenting skills and utilizing play-based and behavioral interventions along with assisting families in accessing further supports.
Education: Heather received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northern State University in 2002 and her Master in Social Work from the University of South Dakota in 2017.
Background/Experience: In 2011, Heather began working with individuals with severe mental illness through the CARE program providing case management and group programming. In 2015, she started working with children, adolescents, and families. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker as well as a Qualified Mental Health Professional.
Activities: In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her son, reading, podcasts, documentaries, and swimming.
BA, MRT
Jamie Block has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 and is a Mental Health Case Manager. She works with children, youth, families, and adults and facilitates the youth Moral Recognition Therapy group. She also provides services to youth at Watertown High School and is a Systems of Care coordinator.
Education: Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Service from Mount Marty College in 2018. She is currently working towards her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Dakota.
Background/Experience: Jamie has previously worked at New Horizons supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and was a member of the Behavior Support Committee and also provided case management. Jamie has also spent time assisting in various ways at the Beacon Center and has taken Question/Persuade/Refer/Treat and Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training.
Activities: Outside of her work, Jamie enjoys reading, music, spending time with her family, and anything to do with nature.
MS
Debra Griffith has been with the Human Service Agency since 2020 and is a Master Level Mental Health Case Manager. Debra specializes in advocating for and working with diverse individuals that include neurodiversity, gender diversity, and sexual diversity. They work with children, adolescents, adults, and families; utilizing play-based interventions with all ages and all communication abilities.
Education: Debra received their Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish from the University of South Dakota in 2002. They completed their Master of Science degree in Counseling and Human Development specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020.
Background/Experience: Debra has been working with neurodiverse and differently abled individuals since 2013, teaching employment skills. In addition to Clinical Mental Health, they completed all coursework toward attaining certification for play therapy. Debra is a member of the American Counseling Association, South Dakota Counseling Association, and the Association for Play Therapy.
Activities: Outside of work, Debra enjoys coaching youth soccer, doing research, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Jennifer Juracek has been with the Human Service Agency since 2019 as a Program Specialist with the CARE Team.
Education: Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Service Counseling from Wayne State College in 2018. She is currently working towards her Master of Clinical Mental Health degree from Wayne State College.
Background/Experience: Prior to her work at HSA, Jennifer worked at a dual-diagnosis, substance abuse and mental health treatment facility for women in Norfolk, NE.
Activities: Outside of her work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Nova.
LSW
Cora Lowry has been with the Human Service Agency since 2020 and is a Mental Health Case Manager
Education: Cora attended the University of Sioux Falls where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, specializing in Social Work. She recently completed school at the University of Denver for her Masters of Social Work, specializing in Mental Health and Trauma. Cora is currently working on getting licensed as a LCSW.
Background/Experience: Cora is currently licensed as a Licensed Social Worker. Prior to her work at the Human Service Agency, Cora was a Prevention Coordinator with the Boys and Girls Club in Watertown where she taught prevention curriculum to the youth who attended the Boys and Girls Club. Cora has also volunteered with NAMI for about one year.
Activities: Outside of her work, Cora enjoys spending time with her family and friends and working on craft projects.
M.S.
Mary Claire Bauer has been with the Human Service Agency is 2022 and works at a Systems of Care Coordinator and a Mental Health Case Manager.
Education: Mary Claire attended South Dakota State University for her M. S. in Family and Community Services and is close to the completion of her M. S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She is also a member of Chi Sigma Iota – Omega Zeta Chapter.
Background/Experience: Mary Claire previous worked for SDSU Extension as the 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Kingsbury and Hamlin Counties. Through her previous employment she would on multiple mental health initiatives such as Farm and Rural Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid. She is currently certified to teach Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Activities: Outside of work, Mary Claire enjoys time with her family and friends. She also enjoys outside work such as gardening, hunting, and fishing. She also enjoys crafting.
David Jacobson started in spring of 2022 as Health Homes Coordinator.
Education: David attended Mt. Marty College where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology.
Background/Experience: No prior experience in the mental health/social work field.
Activities: David enjoys playing guitar and piano in his spare time. He also likes to spend time with his nieces and nephews.
LAC
Deborah Hamer has been with the Human Service Agency since 1996 and is the Coordinator at Serenity Hills where she works with residents experiencing co-occurring disorders including mental health and addiction to include withdrawal.
Education: Deb graduated from Western Area Vo-Tech with an Associate’s degree in Business Administration. She then completed medical and psychology course work at Sayre Jr. College in OK and more recently South Dakota State University. She completed course work necessary to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor from the University of South Dakota.
Background/Experience: Deb has spent nearly 30 years working in the mental health and addiction field. Prior to coming to the Human Service Agency she worked in Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Aftercare, Adolescent Prevention and DUI Class. She worked with adolescents and adults. Deb has been employed at the Human Service Agency for 23 years as an addictions counselor, Coordinator of Addictions Services and for the past 10 years she has been Coordinator of Serenity Hills Halfway House and Detox Programs. Deb is a Licensed Addictions Counselor, Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor II and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has experience working with clients of all ages, including families and group counseling. At Serenity Hills she completes admissions for the halfway house, supervises CD counselors, Medical Staff and Transportation Personnel along with facilitating Addictions Groups and doing Individual Counseling. She has worked in both the Outpatient and Inpatient settings. Deb is a member of the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals, the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, a Certified South Dakota Public Safety DUI Program Instructor and Trainer.
Activities: Outside of her work, Deb enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, camping and riding motorcycles.
BA, ACT
Darcy Green started at Serenity Hills in May of 2021 and is an Alcohol/Drug Counselor.
Education: Darcy received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature/Creative Writing from Southern Oregon University in 2005. She attended Project SELECT at Black Hills State University in 2006 where she did her student teaching. Darcy is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work through Walden University.
Background/Experience: Darcy has spent the past 15 years working as a group facilitator/teacher in residential facilities for adolescents who had multiple types of trauma and mental health issues. She also spent 3 years at the Mitchell Area Safe House as their rural advocate serving those who had experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Darcy also worked for a time in juvenile corrections. Before graduating college she was a radio announcer at various stations throughout Oregon. Darcy also has a background in theater and dance.
Activities: Darcy enjoys spending time with family, friends, and animals. She adores classic movies from the 1930s through the 1970s, loves music, dancing, good food and road trips.
Ruby Reis started her career at HSA working in New Horizons as a Direct Support Professional. She now works at Serenity Hills as a Case Manager and Community Health Worker.
Education: Ruby graduated from LATC with a Community Health Worker associates degree and is planning on furthering her education in Addictions Counseling.
Background/Experience: Ruby has experience with people of all ages from young adults to geriatrics, dealing with addiction, dementia, and other mental health disorders.
Activities: In her free time Ruby enjoys crocheting, quilting, sewing, home renovation projects and all things arts and crafts. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
RN
JoAnne Frey has been with Human Service Agency since 2019 and is the Medical Staff Coordinator at Serenity Hills. She's responsible for all medical aspects of the detoxification day to day operations and health and medical aspects of the Halfway House Program. She also manages, supervises, and assigns tasks to med staff.
Education: JoAnne graduated from USD with a degree in Nursing.
Background/Experience: JoAnne years ago, worked for the Human Service Agency for New Horizons as an Employment Services Job Coach for 5 years. JoAnne then returned to college to complete her nursing degree and worked for Prairie Lakes Hospital for 18 years as an RN.
Activities: Outside of work JoAnne enjoys exercising, reading, doing puzzles and spending time with her husband Matt, daughter Haley and dog Kash.
BBSC
Shannon Crosby has been with the Human Service Agency since 2022 and is a Mental Health Case Manager.
Education: Shannon attended Grand Canyon University located in Phoenix, Arizona, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health, specializing in Trauma work. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University New England, specializing in Trauma, as well as Addiction.
Background/Experience: Prior to his work at the Human Service Agency, Shannon was the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Group Facilitator for Wac’ang’a Inc. where he built the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program, as well as a 9-1-1 Dispatch Coordinator for the Roberts County Sheriff’s Department.
Activities: Outside of work and school, Shannon likes to travel with his wife, listen to live music, and work in the garden.