Jason Nicol, M.S., LMFT
Executive Director
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Jason Nicol is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. Jason is an instructor at Northern Illinois University where he teaches courses on Group Dynamics. He has worked with the adolescent population for his entire career. He was a clinical therapist for Behavior Disordered Adolescents in a residential treatment facility in Rockford prior serving the DeKalb Community. Jason is currently a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and serves on the Executive Board for the Illinois Council on Family Relationships.

Fun Fact: Jason is known for masterminding office pranks and never getting caught! Shhhh don't tell anyone!

Andrea Broska, M.A., L.P.C., N.C.C.
Clinical Director
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Andrea has earned her Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University in Chicago and is a Licensed Professional Counselor through the Illinois Board of Professional Regulation. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Her past experiences center around working with children and adolescents within a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient community mental health, and alternative school setting. Andrea's professional interests include self-esteem and individual empowerment, family relationships, and art in therapy.

Fun Fact: Andrea loves desserts of all kinds, with chocolate being a tasty favorite. She enjoys making dessert as much as eating it, with Chocolate Éclair Cake being a frequent request!!

John Noreiko
Office Manager
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After growing up in a western suburb near Chicago and graduating from NIU with a degree in history, John spent the next twenty-five years in manufacturing. During the last six years of that part of his life, he served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago area die casting association. The next and current phase of his career found him in the non-profit world, first as the business manager for a low vision eye clinic and now as the Office Manager and Chief Financial Officer of YSB. His wife of nearly twenty years works at Kishwaukee College. They have two teenage children adopted from Korea. John has a special appreciation for playing a variety of musical instruments including the mandolin and fretless electric bass. He enjoys ethnic food and is willing to travel as far as Cincinnati to find the best. Hobbies include cooking, reading, billiards and listening to music to name a few.

Fun fact: John is a wealth of information, though not all of it is useful! He is known around the office as Mr. Google because he always seems to have the answer!

Robin Waffle M.S., CADC
Early Intervention Program Coordinator
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Robin has a Master's Degree in Applied Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is also a Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor. Robin has been with YSB since 1991 and currently coordinates the Early Intervention Program. Her professional interests include working with youth who are healing from sexual abuse, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, and conducting groups in school settings.

Fun Fact: During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing games, going to movies, and traveling. She is a huge Chicago Cubs fan.

Trisha McKendry, CADC, LPC
Youth & Family Counseling/Alternative to Suspensions Coordinator
Substance Abuse Counselor
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Trisha earned a Master's Degree in Family and Consumer Science from Eastern Illinois University. She has over ten years experience working with youth in our community. Trisha is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Trisha's professional interests include parenting education, and adolescent tobacco and substance abuse intervention.

Fun Fact: Trisha Spends 15-20 hours of her week playing with her torch and glass to make lampwork beads and other glass art.

Ahna Young, M.S., ALMFT
Crisis Intervention Coordinator, Girls Empowerment Group Coordinator,
Youth & Family/Crisis Intervention Therapist
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Ahna earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University's Accredited Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ahna is licensed as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. She was a Graduate Intern Therapist at YSB prior to being hired as a full time therapist and program coordinator for Crisis Intervention and the Girls Empowerment Group. Ahna's patience, compassion, and sense of humor help her connect with youth in a positive, supportive way that promotes each youth's individual strengths. Ahna is particularly interested in dealing with issues related to grief/loss, body image, and helping adolescents form healthy peer and family relationships through increased communication and emotional expression.

Fun Fact: Ahna loves to dance and took her first dance class in college. Ask to see her signature "eggroll" move!

Brianne Noll, M.S., ALMFT
Youth Project Coordinator, UDIS Coordinator,
Youth & Family Therapist
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Brianne earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University's Accredited Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Brianne is licensed as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Brianne's authentic and approachable nature provides a safe and supportive environment for youth and families to share the issues that they are facing. Brianne is particularly interested in working with adolescents to develop healthy relationships and to establish positive ways to express themselves, as well as building family connectivity through open communication and strength-based activities.

Fun Fact: Brianne is an avid fan of the TV show Friends and believes that any situation in life can be related to an episode or a quote from the show.

Kelley Grosshuesch, MA, LPC
Juvenile Diversion Coordinator, Youth & Family Therapist, Crisis Intervention Therapist
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Kelley earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology specializing in Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She became passionate about working with adolescents from her volunteer work with a Success Program for high school students where she helped tutor and mentor high risk youth. Kelley is committed to giving back to the community through various volunteering efforts such as CASA and P.A.W.S. (Pets are worth saving).

Fun Fact: Although she lives in and loves the Chicago area, she proudly wears her Green Bay Packer T-Shirts, Hoodies, gloves, hats, socks...but has not yet taken the risk of wearing The CheeseHead.

Alex Gonzalez
Intern

Alex is currently a graduate intern in his second year of study at Northern Illinois University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University in Family and Individual Development in 2008. He also received his Associate's Degree from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, in 2006. Alex has spent several years working with youth through the Boy Scouts of America summer camp programs in northern Illinois, as well as being a former Scout himself. His hobbies include painting, cooking, and sports, particularly football.

Fun Fact: Alex was formerly a culinary arts student before switching to therapy, and is certified by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board in cheeses. He even has a plaque to prove it!

Erica Steenbergen
Intern

Erica is in her second year of graduate school at Northern Illinois University. She will receive her Masters Degree in Applied Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy in May of 2010. She grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Central Michigan University, where she facilitated groups on human sexuality. Erica also has a special interest in working with LGBT and sexual identity issues. On the days she’s not at YSB, Erica is either working as a graduate student therapist at the Family Center of NIU, or studying hard!

Fun Fact: Erica loves early mornings. She’s awake every day for coffee and eggs before eight o’clock, even on weekends! She really hates to sleep in and miss those fresh morning hours. She’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the crack of dawn, and might even drive you a little nuts if you’re the night owl type!

Vince Ver Kuilen
Intern

Vince earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University’s Family Social Service program in 2005. Since completing his Bachelor’s Degree, he has worked with chronically homeless mentally ill adults as well as victims of domestic violence. He is currently working toward completion of his Master’s Degree in Northern Illinois University’s Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (C.A.C.R.E.P.) accredited counseling program with an emphasis in Community Mental Health. Vince is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the Illinois Counseling Association, and the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honors Society. Vince’s research interests include self-injurious behavior and the ethical integration of spirituality and religion into counseling/therapy. Vince is also an instructor at Northern Illinois University where he teaches a study skills class in the College Learning Enhancement Program.

Fun Fact: Vince is a bassist, classical guitarist and a martial artist. Vince is also a vocalist (a la cookie monster).