All counselors at YFS' Counseling Center have master's degrees in counseling as well as specialized training in issues related to children, families, and trauma.
Maureen K. Murray, MA, LPC-MH and LAC
Maureen is the Director of Mental Health and Prevention Services at Youth & Family Services (YFS) and is responsible for overseeing the YFS Counseling Center, YFS Youth Trauma Center, and YFS Western Prevention Resource Center. She specializes in working with young children and their families impacted by divorce, depression, anxiety, anger, attachment, and trauma. She offers assessments and individual drug and alcohol counseling for adults and adolescents as well as aftercare. Maureen is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Child Parent Psychotherapy. She is a trained facilitator of Love & Logic parenting classes.
Maureen earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD and her master’s degree in counseling and human development from Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio.
Jennifer Freyensee, MEd LPC
Jennifer is a mental health therapist who specializes in working with children and adolescents. She has worked with children in various capacities for more than thirty years. Her experience includes being a former elementary school teacher and guidance counselor.
Jennifer’s passion is child-centered play therapy where toys are the words and play is the language. She’s been practicing play therapy since 1992 and became a registered play therapist and supervisor in 2002. In addition to child-centered play therapy, she uses cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, and sand tray therapy, among others.
Jennifer earned her bachelor’s in elementary education at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. She received her master’s degree in community agency/school counseling from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. She became a licensed professional counselor in Kentucky in 1992. She also spent three years in a doctoral program at the University of Wyoming to increase her mental health counseling skills. She was a licensed professional counselor in Wyoming and became a licensed professional counselor in South Dakota in 2003.
Valerie Lick, MS
Valerie is an intake therapist at Youth & Family Services. She has significant experience working with a variety of people in many age ranges. Valerie has a cognitive behavior approach to counseling. She prides herself on actively listening to the client, without any judgement. Valerie is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Duluth Model for working with domestic violence perpetrators. She co-facilitates a domestic violence group. She is a lifelong learner who enjoys expanding her skills and learning new techniques.
Valerie received her undergraduate degree in sociology from Black Hills State University and graduated with her Master of Science in counseling from South Dakota State University. Valerie is in training for Integrative Treatment for Complex Trauma for Adolescents.
Bridget Williams, MS, LPC-MH, QMHP
Bridget Williams is a licensed child and family mental health therapist at Youth & Family Services Counseling Center. She received her master’s degree in community mental health and school counseling from South Dakota State University in 2007.
Bridget works with individuals to help them heal from and cope with traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, anger, attachment, dissociation, attention difficulties, or developmental challenges. Bridget facilitates equine assisted psychotherapy for individuals and families.
Bridget is certified in the following therapy modalities: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a culturally adapted (Native American) Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Project Making Medicine, Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors, and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. She is also trained in Natural Lifemanship.
Sierra Stover, MS
Sierra is an intake therapist at Youth & Family Services. She has extended experience working with children and adolescents. Sierra has a solution-focused approach to counseling. She prides herself on meeting clients where they are without judgment. She is also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Sierra has experience in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and enjoys working with young people in individual and group settings.
Sierra received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Black Hills State University and recently graduated with her master’s degree in clinical mental health from South Dakota State University. Sierra is excited to continue her career at Youth & Family Services and to work with youth in our community.
Rob Coleman, LPC-MH
Rob is a licensed mental health therapist currently pursuing licensure in South Dakota for addiction counseling. He earned his Master of Counseling from Denver Seminary and completed his internship and field study at the Denver Rescue Mission and Champa House.
Rob has experience working at various levels of treatment, including inpatient, residential, and outpatient facilities. He has also served as a school counselor in the Crow Creek School District in South Dakota.
His training encompasses a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as Trauma-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy/EMDR (Part 1), solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and brief therapy. Throughout his career, Rob has focused on enhancing his skills in trauma-based and co-occurring therapeutic interventions.