Karen Bergbower, LMSW, CAADC, CPC-M
Karen Bergbower is the Program Director and Clinical Director of KBA. She received her master of social work degree from the University of Michigan and is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in the State of Michigan. Karen has over 20 years of experience working with adults, youth, and families. She works with both mental health and substance abuse issues and is a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor (CAADC). Karen is trained to provide trauma-informed assessments and interventions. She has also provided counseling and consultation for adult and juvenile courts, as well as schools. She is currently a treatment provider for the Livingston County Misdemeanant Drug Court Program.
In addition to her clinical work, Karen is a leader in local prevention initiatives. She is a certified prevention consultant in Michigan (CPC-M) and was one of the founders of Key Alliance and its Executive Director from 1994 to 2005. Karen currently serves as the Coordinator of the Livingston COMMUNITY PREVENTION Project, which is a collaborative that enhances and strengthens local coalitions using model programs to reduce childhood and underage drinking, reduce youth access to and use of tobacco, reduce illicit drug use, and reduce prescription and over the counter drug abuse/misuse.
Karen lives with her family in Livingston County and is active in the community. She was appointed to the Human Services Collaborative Body by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and is a member of several of its work groups, including the Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment work group and the Community Needs Assessment and Evaluation work group. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Livingston County Trauma Informed System of Care and the Livingston County Trauma Assessment Team.
Denise Geroux
Denise Geroux is the President of Operations and brings over 30 years of customer service and office management to KBA. She has worked in this field for the past 15 years and understands the unique needs of our clients. As a Livingston County resident, Denise knows what resources and services are available within the community, which enhances her ability to assist clients.
Kristen Hart, LLMSW
Kristen is passionate in her mission to empower individuals in their journey to take back control of their lives. She works to support individuals in gaining self-awareness and begin the process of emotional healing. She is a firm believer in self-care and its importance in maintaining a balanced life. Kristen received an undergraduate degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and went on to obtain her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. She is a limited licensed Master Social Worker who specializes in substance abuse and mental health issues. Kristen is also trained to provide trauma informed counseling.
Alison Cox, LLMSW
Alison earned her master's in social work from The University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her focus is on substance abuse prevention and early intervention. Alison is the regional Designated Youth Tobacco Use Representative (DYTUR) for Livingston, Washtenaw, Lenawee, and Monroe Counties. Alison and her family have lived in Brighton for the last 17 years and she enjoys being an active part of the community.
Nicholas Mitchell, LMSW, CADC
Nicholas is an individual, group, and family therapist at KBA. He specializes in the treatment of addictions, trauma, depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behaviors. He is a licensed master social worker and received his social work degree from Grand Valley State University. He is also certified in alcohol and drug counseling, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavioral (DBT), and solution-focused (SFT) therapies. Nicholas has practiced in the field for more than 10 years. He has worked in outpatient, inpatient, educational, and residential settings treating substance abuse, mood disorders, identity crises, and problematic behaviors serving primarily adolescents and families. However, he has more recently worked with severe mental illness, crisis stabilization/intervention, risk of suicide/self-harm, chemical dependency, and personality disorders with adult offenders in the Michigan Department of Corrections inpatient unit at Woodland Center Correctional. In addition, Nicholas has served on both juvenile and adult (sobriety) drug courts in the Ottawa, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties. He has been active in the movement against human trafficking (The Hope Project), domestic violence and child abuse, gang awareness, and drug education. He has also developed the curriculum for Teen Impact, an after school program located in Cadillac. Finally, he has a strong interest and passion for the natural healing process. Securing relationships, developing attachment and autonomy, creating adversity, embracing love, and even serene nature can sometimes provide the most effective treatment outcomes.
If you are interested in services for you or a family member, or to become involved in a community-wide prevention initiative, please call Karen Bergbower & Associates at 810.225.9550 or email us at info@kbamichigan.com.
Karen Bergbower is the Program Director and Clinical Director of KBA. She received her master of social work degree from the University of Michigan and is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in the State of Michigan. Karen has over 20 years of experience working with adults, youth, and families. She works with both mental health and substance abuse issues and is a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor (CAADC). Karen is trained to provide trauma-informed assessments and interventions. She has also provided counseling and consultation for adult and juvenile courts, as well as schools. She is currently a treatment provider for the Livingston County Misdemeanant Drug Court Program.
In addition to her clinical work, Karen is a leader in local prevention initiatives. She is a certified prevention consultant in Michigan (CPC-M) and was one of the founders of Key Alliance and its Executive Director from 1994 to 2005. Karen currently serves as the Coordinator of the Livingston COMMUNITY PREVENTION Project, which is a collaborative that enhances and strengthens local coalitions using model programs to reduce childhood and underage drinking, reduce youth access to and use of tobacco, reduce illicit drug use, and reduce prescription and over the counter drug abuse/misuse.
Karen lives with her family in Livingston County and is active in the community. She was appointed to the Human Services Collaborative Body by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and is a member of several of its work groups, including the Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment work group and the Community Needs Assessment and Evaluation work group. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Livingston County Trauma Informed System of Care and the Livingston County Trauma Assessment Team.
Denise Geroux
Denise Geroux is the President of Operations and brings over 30 years of customer service and office management to KBA. She has worked in this field for the past 15 years and understands the unique needs of our clients. As a Livingston County resident, Denise knows what resources and services are available within the community, which enhances her ability to assist clients.
Kristen Hart, LLMSW
Kristen is passionate in her mission to empower individuals in their journey to take back control of their lives. She works to support individuals in gaining self-awareness and begin the process of emotional healing. She is a firm believer in self-care and its importance in maintaining a balanced life. Kristen received an undergraduate degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and went on to obtain her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. She is a limited licensed Master Social Worker who specializes in substance abuse and mental health issues. Kristen is also trained to provide trauma informed counseling.
Alison Cox, LLMSW
Alison earned her master's in social work from The University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her focus is on substance abuse prevention and early intervention. Alison is the regional Designated Youth Tobacco Use Representative (DYTUR) for Livingston, Washtenaw, Lenawee, and Monroe Counties. Alison and her family have lived in Brighton for the last 17 years and she enjoys being an active part of the community.
Nicholas Mitchell, LMSW, CADC
Nicholas is an individual, group, and family therapist at KBA. He specializes in the treatment of addictions, trauma, depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behaviors. He is a licensed master social worker and received his social work degree from Grand Valley State University. He is also certified in alcohol and drug counseling, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavioral (DBT), and solution-focused (SFT) therapies. Nicholas has practiced in the field for more than 10 years. He has worked in outpatient, inpatient, educational, and residential settings treating substance abuse, mood disorders, identity crises, and problematic behaviors serving primarily adolescents and families. However, he has more recently worked with severe mental illness, crisis stabilization/intervention, risk of suicide/self-harm, chemical dependency, and personality disorders with adult offenders in the Michigan Department of Corrections inpatient unit at Woodland Center Correctional. In addition, Nicholas has served on both juvenile and adult (sobriety) drug courts in the Ottawa, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties. He has been active in the movement against human trafficking (The Hope Project), domestic violence and child abuse, gang awareness, and drug education. He has also developed the curriculum for Teen Impact, an after school program located in Cadillac. Finally, he has a strong interest and passion for the natural healing process. Securing relationships, developing attachment and autonomy, creating adversity, embracing love, and even serene nature can sometimes provide the most effective treatment outcomes.
If you are interested in services for you or a family member, or to become involved in a community-wide prevention initiative, please call Karen Bergbower & Associates at 810.225.9550 or email us at info@kbamichigan.com.
