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Deanna Cada M.S.
Executive Director
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Deanna Cada earned a Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University in Human & Family Resources; Applied Child and Family Studies. Deanna has dedicated her career to working with youth and their families. Deanna has been the Executive Director of YSB since July 2005 after working 14 years with DeKalb County Court Services. Deanna is committed to the YSB mission of assisting youth as they build healthy lives and responsible relationships with their families, friends and communities.

Paul Weiss M.S., LMFT
Clinical Director
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Paul Weiss, M.S. is a Youth and Family Therapist and Clinical Director at the DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who received a B.S. in Family Social Services and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Northern Illinois University's Accredited Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Paul has experience working with individuals, couples, and families. He has worked with clients of all ages from children to older adults in a variety of settings. Paul is particularly experienced in:

• Working with adolescents with emotional, relational, and behavioral issues.
• Co-Parenting Difficulties
• Parent-Child Relationship (conflict or lack connection difficulties)
• Issues such as:
• Self mutilation
• Attachment
• Survivors of trauma and abuse
• Difficulties with mood, attitude, or motivation

Paul has presented to both public and professional audiences on the following issues:

• Neurobiology/ Environment/Psychology -- A framework for understanding attachment and trauma issues
• Attachment Cycles- How secure and insecure attachments are formed and impacts on perception, decision-making, emotional, and relational skills
• Parent-child relationship
• Parent-child communication
• Self-mutilation
• Self-esteem
• Emotional awareness and management

Robin Waffle M.S., CADC
Early Intervention Coordinator
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Robin Waffle has a M. S. Degree in Child and Family Studies with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Robin is a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor. Robin is the Coordinator of the Alcohol/Drug Early Intervention Program. Robin has been with YSB since 1991. Robin’s professional interests included working with youth who have issues regarding sexual abuse, autism spectrum disorders, and conducting groups in school settings. Robin enjoys spending time with her family playing games, going to movies and traveling.

Trisha McKendry M.S., CADC, LPC
Youth & Family Counselor, Tobacco Intervention Coordinator, Drug & Alcohol Counselor
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Trisha McKendry, CADC, LPC – Youth & Family Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, Tobacco Intervention and Active Parenting of Teens Coordinator.

Trisha has a Master’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University. Trisha studied addictions and family services. Trisha has over 8 years experience in the counseling field. Trisha’s professional interests include parenting education, tobacco and substance abuse intervention.

Jason Nicol,
M.S., ALMFT
Youth & Family Therapist, Mentor Coordinator
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Jason Nicol, M.S., received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University's Accredited Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jason is licensed as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. Jason takes special interest in relationship dynamics as and works as couple's therapist in Geneva, IL. Jason is an instructor at Northern Illinois University where he teaches courses on relationship dynamics. Jason takes pride in his strength of working with families as a whole to develop long lasting resolution to problems.

Jill Taylor, M.A., LPC
Crisis Intervention Coordinator, UDIS Coordinator & Crossroads Counselor
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Jill Taylor, M.A., LPC earned her Masters Degree in Counseling at Northwestern University in 2004. Jill came to YSB after she graduated and she has been here ever since! She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and she works as the Crisis Intervention Program Coordinator, Unified Delinquency Intervention Services (UDIS) Coordinator and Therapist on staff at YSB. Jill is able to blend compassion with a straight forward approach to help families in crisis reach a resolution. She enjoys working with adolescents or parents individually as well as with the family as a whole.

Stephanie Nelson-Gerhardt, M.S. ALMFT,
Youth and Family Counseling Coordinator, Crossroads Program Coordinator, Crisis Intervention Therapist
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Stephanie Nelson-Gerhardt, M.S., has her Associate’s License in Marriage and Family Therapy. While Stephanie was earning her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northern Illinois University, she completed a year long internship at YSB, and returned eight months later to join staff as a therapist in the Crossroads and Crisis Intervention programs. Stephanie is particularly interested in working with families that are experiencing conflict within the home and are having trouble communicating with each other, as well as with adolescents struggling to develop their identities and find healthy ways to express themselves.

Katie Kemmerling, M.S., ALMFT,
Youth Project Coordinator, Girls Empowerment Group Coordinator, Youth and Family/Crisis Intervention Therapist
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Katie Kemmerling, M.S., earned her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University and is licensed as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. She has been the coordinator of YSB's Youth Project program (commonly known as "Anger Management") since May of 2006. Katie also facilitates a girls group for young women struggling to improve self-esteem and solidify their identity. She assists families in crisis through YSB's Crisis Intervention program, and enjoys working with youth and their families, as a family therapist as well. Her therapeutic passions include working with families and their adolescents to improve open and honest communication, and in the individual and family management of adolescent's transition from youth to adulthood.

John Noreiko
Office Manager/Chief Financial Officer
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Ahna Holzinger (left) and Amy Thurston (right)
Graduate Interns

Ahna Holzinger and Amy Thurston have been YSB's Graduate Intern Therapists since May of 2007. They are both receiving their Masters of Science from Northern Illinois University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Previous to that, Ahna received her Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University in Psychology and Amy received her Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University in Marriage, Family, and Human Development.