SERENITY PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND CONSULTING - Key Persons

Angela Mermis was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Northwest Kansas in the town of WaKeeney. Ms. Mermis attended Wichita State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in psychology in 1995. While in Wichita, she worked in substance abuse and mental health treatment at New Beginnings, Options, The Recovering Adolescent Program, Booth Family Services (JO & CINC), Recovery Service Center, and The Family Guidance Center. She then attended the University of Kansas in Overland Park, Kansas, at the Regents Center, where she received a Master of Social Welfare degree in 1999. Following her formal education, Ms. Mermis maintained her career for roughly 20+ years in the Kansas City Metro & surrounding communities providing adult, adolescent, and geriatric mental health services. Locally, Angela was a part of a successful pilot program to determine if licensed social workers made a statistical difference in family success in avoiding recidivism to foster care through care management in aftercare programming for St Francis Community Services. She then worked as a crisis clinician at High Plains Mental Health Center in Hays, Kansas. Though Ms. Mermis grew up in the rural Midwest, and resides in the area now, Ms. Mermis spent a major part of her career addressing the plight of those living in the inner city and understands the cultural perspective and struggles that can be different than what are commonly experienced in more rural areas. With extensive and vast experience, Ms. Mermis is eager to advocate, empower and strengthen those she sees through assessment, individual, family, and group therapy services.

Annette Lebhardt is our patient support coordinator. As the first person you speak with when calling, she manages the front office duties helping patients navigate through their visits. Ms. Lebhardt is an Oregon native having grown up in the Southern Oregon town of Medford. She worked as a legal assistant at The Center for Nonprofit Legal Services for 10 years prior to moving to South Central Kansas in November 2015 to be closer to family. She enjoys gardening, camping, baking, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Ms. Lebhardt is available to help you get started receiving services and to answer questions throughout your treatment.

Brandie Bieker is a Kansas native having grown up in the Northwest Kansas town of Hays. Ms. Bieker attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She then attended Fort Hays State University, where she received both a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. Following her formal education, Ms. Bieker worked as a therapist at High Plains Mental Health Center, working with both children and adults, as well as Turning Point Professional Counseling Services, working primarily with children and their families. Ms. Bieker specializes in working with children ten years and younger and their families. Ms. Bieker has worked extensively with children and their families who experience anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. Ms. Bieker also works as a School Psychologist in Northcentral Kansas and is an adjunct instructor in the Teacher Education and Advanced Education Programs departments at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. Brandie currently accepts Kancare plans (United, Aetna, and Sunflower), as well as plans that are part of the ProviDRs Care/WPPA network. Brandie also accepts private payment at a reduced rate.

Dawn Gregory is a Nebraska native who grew up in South Central Nebraska. In 2003, Ms. Gregory graduated summa cum laude from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor's of Science degree in education with an emphasis in sociology. She continued at UNK to graduate with distinction with a Master's of Science degree in community counseling where she was recognized with membership in Chi Sigma Iota. Following her formal education, Ms. Gregory began her career as a mental health therapist with Epworth Village in York, Nebraska. While there, she worked with youth ages 5-21 with major mental illness, as well as, severe emotional and behavioral health issues focusing on individual, family and group therapies to facilitate healing. In 2011, Ms. Gregory opened Counseling Solutions, a private practice working with individuals, couples and families, as well as, contracting with York College to provide therapeutic services to the students. Ms. Gregory has extensive experience working with individuals across a lifespan who have a wide range of mental health needs. In her free time, Ms. Gregory enjoys spending time with her family and pursuing creative endeavors.

Jennifer Colby is a Kansas native having grown up in the Northwest Kansas town of WaKeeney. Ms. Colby attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1997. She then attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, where she received a Master of Social Work degree in 2009. Following her formal education, Ms. Colby was a substance use therapist at Pawnee Mental Health in Manhattan, Kansas from 2009 until 2013. In January 2014, Ms. Colby joined the team at High Plains Mental Health Center as an outpatient therapist working primarily with the substance use treatment program. Ms. Colby specializes in working with women's issues in particular, domestic violence and sexual assault. She has also worked extensively with individuals who experience severe mental illness, dual diagnosis issues, anger management, loss and grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, family issues, and relationship issues. Ms. Colby is also an adjunct faculty member in the social work and sociology departments at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, where she teaches a variety of undergraduate social work and sociology courses both on campus and for the Virtual College.