Counseling Staff

Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, MA, LPC

Sister Colleen Ann Nagle is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, whose Motherhouse is in Meriden, CT. She received a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI, a Masters of Arts in Counseling and Child Development from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI and a Masters of Arts in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT.

During her thirty years as a therapist, Sister has been a teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. From 1988 to 1996, she worked with the Kent County Juvenile Court in the Adolescent Sex Offender Program. She provides consultation services and crisis intervention to schools and parishes. She has given presentations on a wide variety of topics including “Men and Anger: Evaluation, Engagement and Treatment,” and “How to Help Adult and Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse.” Sister also presented “An Integrated Approach to Play Therapy,” in both the United States and the Holy Land.

Currently, Sister sees private clients, works as a school counselor in several area Catholic schools and is the director of the Franciscan Life Process Center.

Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Michigan Counseling Association, Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association

Sister Mary Paul Moller and PicoSister Mary Paul Moller, FSE, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S

Sister Mary Paul Moller is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, whose Motherhouse is in Meriden, CT. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Catholic University of America in Washington DC; a Master’s of Science in Animal Science and Therapy from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.  She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.  Over the past 25+ years, Sister has been a teacher, counselor, custody evaluator and court appointed parenting coordinator. She developed the Community Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse in Pocatello, Idaho, was the director of the Franciscan Counseling Center in Pocatello and has worked extensively as a counselor in the Parochial School system.  She has given presentations on a wide variety of topics including Creative Play Therapy, Using Play as a Diagnostic Tool and Parenting with the Virtues. Sister also co presented with Sister Colleen Ann “An Integrated Approach to Play Therapy,” in both the United States and the Holy Land.  Sister recently joined the staff at the Franciscan Life Process Center and is currently working as a school counselor in several area Catholic schools and sees private clients at the Center.  Sister has also trained and works with a certified therapy dog named, Piccola (Picco for short) who has joined the staff with her.

Professional Memberships:  Clinical member of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy), APT (Association of Play Therapy), and the Michigan Play Therapy Association.

Laura Brandt, MA, LLP

Laura Brandt graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Business Administration. She completed her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University. Laura enjoys working with clients ranging in years from adolescence through adulthood. She believes in meeting her clients at the unique place they face in their life journey. Her clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders, self-esteem issues and shame, grief and loss, faith/spirituality, relationship concerns and women’s issues.

Emily AndersonEmily Andersen, MSW, LMSW

Emily is a clinical social worker. She completed her Bachelors of Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2004 and her Masters of Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2008. Emily has assisted individuals and families over the past 15 years through her work in mental health, pregnancy counseling, adoption, oncology social work and school counseling. Emily enjoys working with couples and families to heal relationships and improve communication. She works with adolescents and adults in all stages of life. Emily has experience helping those struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, perinatal mood disorders, and coping with chronic illness. In addition to seeing private clients at the center, Emily provides school counseling services to students at Holy Spirit Catholic School.

Jamie LaFleur, MA, LPC

Jamie graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  She completed her Master of Arts in Counseling from Michigan State University. During her 20+ years in the field, she has worked in both public and private schools as a teacher and counselor.  Jamie enjoys working with children and adolescents helping them to become effective and competent problem solvers when personal issues affect their ability to succeed. She has facilitated workshops addressing female relational aggression issues as well as addressing bullying issues through small group and classroom lessons.

Johanna Denton, MA, LLMFT

Johanna Denton graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She completed her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at St Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. She also holds Master of Arts degrees in Orientation and Mobility (blind rehabilitation) and Psychology. Johanna will remain curious during therapy and will cheer for her clients’ success. She offers hope and helps clients to use solution talk. Johanna works with couples, families, and individuals to find solutions which work best for them. Johanna has been a military spouse for almost 20 years and is well versed in the unique needs of military families. She also specializes in work with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem issues, relationships, and trauma.

Professional Membership: AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)

Kristin Lothschutz

Kristin Lothschutz, MA, LLPC

Kristin Lothschutz graduated from Aquinas College with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art with a minor in Developmental Psychology. Kristin enjoys working with clients from adolescence to adulthood on various issues including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and relationships. She also enjoys working with couples to improve communication and strengthen relationships. Kristin aims to provide a nonjudgmental counseling relationship in which clients can process what is happening in their lives and work through the issues they face.

Bethany Mangan, LLMSW

Bethany is a Limited License Social Worker (LLMSW). She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and completed her Master of Social Work degree from Western New Mexico University.  Bethany is most passionate about working with teen (16-19) and young adult (20-40) populations. Bethany is excited about helping clients in areas including, anxiety, navigating life transitions, feelings of shame, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and school and situational stress. Bethany’s empathetic approach helps clients feel safe, heard and encouraged as they work together in achieving their goals to better themselves and the places they find themselves.

Peter Birkeland, PhD

Rockford Psychological Services, 16 North Monroe, Rockford, MI 49341, provides consultation and supervision to our therapy staff.

Dr. Peter Birkeland is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Michigan. His undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biology were received in 1981 from the State University of New York at Binghamton (now Binghamton University). He received his Master’s degree in clinical psychology in 1983 from Michigan State University and his Doctorate degree in clinical psychology from MSU in 1985. He interned at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.

Dr. Birkeland has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings at Reading Hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania and at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has been in private practice for 23 years with his main office in Rockford, Michigan and a satellite office in Big Rapids, Michigan. He does psychotherapy with adults and adolescents as well as marriage and family therapy. He also specializes in formal assessment of ADHD, developmental academic disorders and personality. Contact Dr. Birkeland at 616-866-4830.