Shelley (Klein) Buffington has worked as a licensed addiction counselor for the past 25 years, primarily serving patient's and families in treatment programs. Shelley obtained her Masters Degree is Mental Health Counseling in 2015 and became trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) to assist her patient's with life distressing events and/or past trauma.

Specialties include addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, divorce, relationships stress and military issues.

Dr. DeCoteau obtained a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology in 2003 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with specialization in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders for adults, adolescents and children.

Dr. De Coteau is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner. TBRI is a therapeutic model that trains caregivers to provide effective support for at-risk children. She is also trained in various other trauma treatment modalities including EMDR, EFT, somatic processing, attachment intervention, NMT (neurosequential model of therapeutics), and TF-CBT. Dr. De Coteau has extensive experience working with patients who suffer from complex trauma, neurodevelopmental disorders, grief, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thinking.

Dr. DeCoteau has worked in a variety of outpatient settings and with a diverse patient population, including Veterans and Native Americans. She received the Indian Health Service 2009 Health Professional of the Year Award for outstanding service and the American Psychological Foundation 2010 Early Career Award for providing culturally competent practice techniques for Native Americans and for developing training programs in rural, underserved areas. Dr. DeCoteau was appointed by a member of the U.S. congress to serve the Commission on Native Children to help address the challenges faced by Native children.

Aside from clinical work, Dr. DeCoteau has given numerous lectures on how trauma impacts attachment and brain development, in-school strategies for working with traumatized children, and historical trauma. She is an enrolled member of the American Psychological Association, an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation and a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

Jen has been with Decoteau Trauma Informed-Care & Practice since 2017. Her duties consist of credentialing providers with insurance companies, medical terminology, insurance company navigation, submitting insurance claims for payment and review and managing all billable contracts. She is also a notary public for the state of North Dakota. In addition to these work duties Jen has 5 children and a grandson, spends many hours doing crafts and sewing, coaches sports for her children and stays active in many community issues.

Candace has been working as an Addiction Counselor in the Bismarck/Mandan community for the past
12 years. She received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Mary. Candace
received her EMDR training through Maiberger Institute and uses the interventions to treat a variety of
trauma and distressing events. She believes in the empowerment of all people and is driven to provide
new skills, perspective, and hope for those experiencing mental health disorders.

Candace uses interventions developed by CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivation Interviewing, and EMDR. Additional
interventions are integrated with a holistic approach to counseling including the mind, body, and spirit.
Candace has interests in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, drug and alcohol problems, dual-diagnosis
(addiction and mental health disorders), and personality disorders. She has a special interest in working
with perinatal care and post-partum challenges. She provides counseling to individuals ages 10 and
older, families, and couples.

Michelle is the Office Manager at DeCoteau Trauma-Informed Care and Practice. She has been with the company since November 2021. Her duties consist of scheduling appointments, answering phone calls, and keeping the office organized and running smoothly.

Michelle is also a DJ on 96.5 the Walleye on the weekends. She has three daughters who keep her busy and entertained. In her free time she enjoys reading, Bobcats hockey, Harley rides, and spending time with friends.

Sue Herzog, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Work) has extensive history with provision of trauma and trust-based therapeutic interventions for children and adults, who have experienced complex trauma.

Sue's training includes certification in Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics through the ChildTrauma Academy and EMDR certification through the Maiberger Institute. Sue continues her EMDR training with Ana Gomez through the Agate Institute.

Sue is a graduate of UND's Graduate School with a Master of Social Work. Her previous work experience involves more than twenty years of Social Work services, including case management and clinical therapy at the West Central Human Service Center. She also provided therapeutic services through Dakota Family Services and her own business, Resiliency Clinical Services. Additionally, she taught and coordinated Minot State University's Social Work program in Bismarck for 10 years.

Sue has been with DeCoteau Trauma-Informed Care & Practice, PLLC since 2014

Only offering Telehealth appointments.

Jareb is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and obtained his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University, and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Jareb has a passion for working with diverse, multicultural populations and experience working with youth in residential, correctional, and emergency shelter settings and families and adults challenged with the stressors of daily life and life's circumstances, and individuals in active recovery. Inspired by the uniqueness and diversity of every individual, Jarebs is trained in evidence-based treatments such as EMDR and TF-CBT to meet the unique needs of his clients, as well as integrating DBT, CBT, and REBT interventions in his work.

Jareb serves clients in both the Bismarck and Garrison office. Jareb is a veteran, having served 9 years in the military, between both the Air Force and Army, as a Mental Health NCO, with experience working with service members and families.

Jareb's focus areas include trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, sexuality, gender, identity-related challenges/stressors, and working with individuals engaged in decision-making that present risks in their lives.

Annette Link is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with 32 years of experience serving adolescents, young adults, couples and families. She earned her Master of Science in Child Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from North Dakota State University in 1991.

Specialties include life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, couples, marriage and family relationships.

Monica Melchior is a state Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the field of social work. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Walla Walla University.

Monica has worked with individuals, couples and families in a variety of settings including schools, inpatient hospitalization, outpatient clinic, home care and hospice and private practice. Monica provides individual, couples and family therapy to clients over the age of 15. She is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).

Monica's areas of interest include trauma, anxiety, depression, life adjustments and interpersonal growth.

Marie is the Office Administrator Assistant at DeCoteau Trauma-Informed Care and Practice in our Garrison Branch. She has been with the clinic since October 2021. She is responsible for scheduling clients, answering phones, and various other office duties as well as handling our contracts.

Marie likes to spend her spare time reading, crafting, and cooking. During the winter you'll find her out on the ice with her husband ready to catch the next wall mounter and in the summer she spends her time gardening, throwing horseshoes, and shooting darts.

Courtney Schaner is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She obtained her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Mary in 2019. She works primarily with young children, foster/adopted populations, adolescents, teens, and early adulthood.  She provides nondirective and directive play therapy services while incorporating Trust-Based Relational interventions. She also utilizes CBT and somatic interventions throughout her practice while focusing on mind-body connection. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for both kids and adults.

Her specialties include complex trauma, depression, anxiety, parenting strategies, attachment, behavioral issues,suicidal ideation, and autism.

Brandi Schmidt, MS, LPCC, LMAC holds a master's of science in counseling from the University of Mary. She is licensed to treat addiction and mental health in the state of North Dakota. She has experience working with a variety of populations to include veterans, incarcerated, homeless, adolescents, couples, and every day people wanting to reach the best version of themselves. She specializes in co-occurring disorders of addiction and mental health, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, suicidal ideation, and grief. Brandi is a veteran and currently serves in the North Dakota Army National Guard as public affairs mass communications sergeant. Brandi is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher and offers services that collaborate with trauma-informed yoga. Brandi offers therapeutic services in EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure, and other evidence-based techniques.

Dr. Semchenko obtained a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology in 2009 from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University. She provides outpatient therapy services as well as psychological testing. She specializes in treating adults, adolescents and children with trauma and attachment symptoms, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Dr. Semchenko has worked in a variety of settings with a diverse client population, including young children, foster/adoptive families, Native Americans, and people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She provides both directive and non-directive play therapy services and utilizes a variety of interventions including Trust Based Relationship Interventions, cognitive behavioral approaches, and EMDR therapy.

Donetta Lenoir is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor. She obtained her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Mary in 2021. Donetta has obtained training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Suicide Prevention Therapy. She works primarily with children, adolescents, parents, families, and adults. Donetta has experience working with multicultural populations, high risk youth and adults, as well as in outpatient and school-based settings.

Specialties include trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship stress, and identity struggles.

Chelsie Smith is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor who obtained a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of North Dakota. For the past three years, she has worked primarily with adolescent populations within a school setting as a licensed school counselor, focusing on suicide prevention, drug and alcohol prevention, sustained sobriety, reacclimating to society after incarceration, mindfulness, peer-mentoring, and self-esteem.

Chelsie is an existential, multicultural, humanistic counselor. Her therapeutic modalities incorporate a holistic approach to healing the whole person through support, guidance, knowledge, skills, and safe exploration of issues. Her therapeutic philosophy recognizes that part of the human experience-the gift of being alive, is that we all experience pain and suffering on some level, but people have the capacity to overcome painful experiences and obstacles by discovering meaning and purpose in their daily lives. Existential counseling fosters an understanding that the mind, body, and spirit of every person is unique and precious; that we are here for a purpose; and that we have the free will to adopt the appropriate attitude and find meaning in our lives, even when faced with unavoidable suffering.

Chelsie engages in unconditional positive regard, meaning you will be completely accepted for exactly who you are without judgment. She believes in your personal autonomy, respects your personal values, and will work in collaboration with you through empowerment as you begin to identify the best pathway to achieving your therapeutic goals and overcoming obstacles.

Chelsie acknowledges the individual and collective experience and obstacles for people whose race, ethnicity, income, gender identification, disability, religion, and all other social identities that fall outside of the majority. She is trained in multiculturalism, social justice, and social liberation advocacy. She has experience working with populations who are impacted by historical and intergenerational trauma and incorporates cultural and somatic healing techniques to help regulate the nervous system.

Chelsie works with people in all developmental stages of life above the age of 12. Her focus areas include developmental attachment issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and distressing life events.

Guy was a US Navy veteran who served from 1970-1979 with 2 blue water Vietnam tours. He completed Hospital Corps "A" school in 1972, and then was stationed at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, United States Marine Corps Base, Jacksonville, NC. He then completed 2 Western Pacific tours and finished his naval career at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif. where he worked as a Security Section Leader until discharged in 1979 as a E-5, 2nd Class Petty Officer (Hospital Corpsman).

Guy graduated from the University of Mary in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Social Behavioral Science.

Guy began his work career at Youth Correctional Facility in Mandan ND, then Child Protection Services, Three Affiliated Tribes in Newtown, ND., then the North Dakota State Hospital Child and Adolescence Unit, Jamestown, ND, after which he moved to Roswell, NM, Child Protection Services as an investigator for New Mexico Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Guy then completed an accelerated Master of Social Work program at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. Upon completion of his Master's program he was hired at ND State Hospital as the Clinical Therapeutic Coordinator of the Child and Adolescent Unit and Program Director of the Eight Rivers Residential Program in 2000.

In 2003, Guy joined the Department of Veterans Affairs and then worked for 4 years as the Mental Health Therapist at the Las Cruces, NM Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). In October 2007, he was selected and hired as Team Leader to open the new Vet Center for the Department of Veteran Affairs, Readjustment Counseling Services in Las Cruces, NM.

In July 2010 Guy transferred to Minot/Bismarck ND Vet Centers where he served as Team Leader for both facilities until October of 2013, he then was Team Leader of only the Bismarck Vet Center until November 2014. Guy served on the Board of Directors for Service Dogs of America from 2015-2022.

Guy and his certified therapy dog, Cooper, joined the clinical team at DeCoteau Trauma Informed Care and Practice in 2015 were he continued to provide services to combat Veterans, their families, and individuals who have been subjected to trauma as well as many other aspects of mental health issues.

Guy will be remembered for his dedication to his clients, his love of his buddy Cooper, his support of all service dogs, and for his commitment to training social work students. Guy was earnest, forthright and extremely loving. He is missed by colleagues and clients alike.

Krista Berg has worked for the past 25 years as a social worker in the southwest region of North Dakota, primarily serving those with severe mental health illness. Krista graduated from University of North Dakota with her Masters in Social Work in 2012 and began doing clinical work in 2014. She has provided individual, family and group therapy through outpatient treatment. Krista has provided 10 plus years of crisis intervention services, offering after hours crisis intervention with individuals in their homes, ER, jail, etc. She utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy(TFCBT) since 2015.

Krista works in the Dickinson office and works with ages 8 years old through life span and specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, mood disorders.

Karissa Kautzman has worked as an addiction counselor since 2014. She completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Mary in 2022. She has worked in a variety of levels of care in the addiction field and recently has been focusing on providing mental health services for individuals with dual-diagnoses. Karissa completed EMDR training through EMDRIA and uses this modality to assist her clients in processing adverse events, beliefs, and traumas. She also uses modalities including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and other evidenced based practices. Karissa believes in helping her clients heal their inner wounds through the therapeutic process.

Her areas of interest include trauma, substance abuse issues, dual-diagnosis, anxiety, and depression. She is currently working with individuals ages 10 and up.