More Bios coming soon!
Karen Bergbower, LMSW, CAADC, CPC-M
Karen Bergbower is the President, 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 30 years of experience working with adults, youth, and families. She works with mental health and substance use 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 the treatment provider for the Livingston County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court.
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 has been active in prevention work since 1994. Karen currently serves as the Coordinator of the Livingston COMMUNITY PREVENTION Project (LCPP), which is a collaborative made up of Karen Bergbower & Associates and Livingston County Catholic Charities. The LCPP partners work together to implement several evidence-based prevention programs that target youth, parents, schools, and the community, to reduce childhood and underage drinking, reduce prescription and over the counter drug abuse/misuse, and reduce illicit drug use. Karen also provides oversight for additional prevention programming that reduces youth access to and use of tobacco and vaping products.
Karen lives with her family in Livingston County and is active in the community. She previously served as an appointed member to the Human Services Collaborative Body and served as a member of the Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment work group and the Community Needs Assessment and Evaluation work group. Karen was a member of the Steering Committee of the Livingston County Trauma Informed System of Care and the Livingston County Trauma Assessment Team. She is the chair of the Substance Use Disorder Data Work Group of the Livingston County Community Alliance as well as a steering committee member of Wake Up Livingston. When not at work, Karen enjoys reading, rocking, gardening, hiking, photography, and the beach.
Alison Cox, LMSW, CPS
Alison specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their families while they navigate a wide range of issues. Alison guides families through challenges such as substance use, behavioral disorders , and relationship challenges. Alison received an undergraduate degree in Women and Gender Studies with a double minor in Psychology and Human Sexuality from Eastern Michigan University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Alison is also 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 19 years and she enjoys being an active part of the community.
Emily Cuellar
Leah Grandetti-Broyles, BS, LMSW
Leah is a clinical therapist and an Army Veteran. Leah recently completed a year of clinical training under Karen's supervision. She has experience working with clients with substance use, mental health, trauma and many other life circumstances. Leah practices using evidence based therapy with a holistic approach. She has a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Eastern Michigan University and a Master's in Social Work with the University of Michigan. Leah has experience with the court system as she worked as a Deputy Court Clerk in Oakland County. Leah lives with her family in Livingston County and is active in her community. She also actively advocates for Veterans. Leah is an active member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Student Veterans of America (SVA) and the Innocence Project. When not at work, Leah enjoys hiking, yoga/meditation, journaling/writing and sandy beaches. She also spends a lot of time supporting her artist, violinist and soccer star!
Kellie Jackson, LMSW
Alex Kritzmacher, LLMSW
Abbey McNeill, LLMSW
Sarah Mellendorf, BSW, LLMSW
Sarah received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Eastern Michigan University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Sarah is a limited licensed master’s social worker (LLMSW) in the State of Michigan. She has experience working with substance use and mental health disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many other life circumstances. Sarah utilizes a therapeutic approach that combines cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and humanistic psychology, along with numerous preventative techniques and trauma-informed practices. Sarah is a team member with the Livingston County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC), as well as a Project SUCCESS Counselor in Livingston County area schools. In these roles, she provides a range of services which include prevention education, group and individual counseling, school and community awareness and outreach activities, and referrals to community resources and agencies.
Sandra Parker, LLMSW, CPS
Sandra is a Community Prevention Specialist and Outreach Coordinator for Karen Bergbower & Associates. She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Master's degree in Social Work. Sandra has an extensive background working in substance use disorders, prevention and recovery education. Working with youth, adolescents and students, has always been her passion. As a Prevention Specialist, she provides a variety of resources, including leading educational support groups, curriculum-based support groups and meeting with individual students to offer support. As the Youth-Led Outreach Coordinator, Sandra has the pleasure of facilitating and working alongside our youth while organizing activities and events, making connections and building relationships throughout the community.
Danielle Skorupski, BA
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 fill out this form.