SEBASTIAN FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor
- Education
Aaron Pressie is a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). He received his undergraduate degree from UW-Milwaukee and his graduate degree in Community Mental Health from Trinity College of Vermont. Aaron provides individual and family counseling, and mental health consultation to schools. His interests include working with children and families who have been affected by substance abuse and mental health issues, as well parent education issues. Aaron is a strong advocate of cognitive behavioral counseling, motivational enhancement therapy, Adlerian counseling practice, and culturally competent mental health services. Aaron serves on the advisory board of the Serenity Inn, AODA residential placement and has supervised multiple treatment programs in Milwaukee and Connecticut.
Andrew obtained his Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Andrew has a vast array of experiences in working with families, adolescents, and children through Milwaukee County's Child Welfare System for approximately five years. Andrew is adept to working with clients who struggle with AODA and Mental Health related issues. He is well versed in working with culturally diverse populations. Andrew is practicing under a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Job Titles:
- Advance Practice Social Worker
- Education
- Member of the National Association of Social Workers
- Member of Wisconsin School Social Worker Association
Brenda graduated from UW-Milwaukee, where her Masters of Social Work Degree encompass two concentrated tracks (Mental Health and School Social Work). This allows her to be dually credentialed as an Advance Practice Social Worker and a School Social Worker. She provides psychotherapeutic services to children and families in-home, outpatient, and in school settings. Brenda also holds a UWM certificate in Trauma Counseling that positioned her to naturally shift to utilizing Trauma Informed Care Paradigm Shift Perspective in the deliverance of therapeutic services to traumatized children and adults. She is also a trained facilitator of Becoming A Love and Logic Parent parenting education curriculum. Brenda is an active member of The National Association of Social Workers and is a member of Wisconsin School Social Worker Association.
Christina Foerster has a Master of Social Work degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, she has a certification in Trauma Informed Care, and her undergraduate studies in Psychology were completed at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Current practices utilize a holistic, decolonization, Trauma Informed Care approach; that revolves around a Person In Environment (PIE), highlighting clients' strengths (Strengths Perspective), utilizing Reflective Listening, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing when working with clients to cope and manage their everyday stressors.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Milwaukee County Disabilities Division
- Education
- NASW Member
- Social Worker for Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division - Inpatient
Ms. O'Donnell has an undergraduate and a graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a NASW member, with over17 years of experience as a psychiatric social worker for Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division-Inpatient and the Wraparound Program. In addition, Ms. O'Donnell has 8 years of experience as a case coordinator for Milwaukee County Disabilities Division. Currently, she provides in-home, family, and individual therapy for children, adults, and families in Wraparound and the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. Her specialty is working with families, who have children with developmental disabilities. Ms. O'Donnell has also worked with various refugee clients: Hmong, Serbian, Bosnian, Burmese and Iraqi.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Social Worker for the State of Wisconsin
- Co - Chair of the Diversity
- Education
- Member of the National Association of Social Workers
Dawn Shelton-Williams, MSW, LCSW has professional experience and expertise in the areas of mental health, health care, and child welfare. She earned her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the State of Wisconsin. Ms. Shelton-Williams has provided clinical services to children and families for over 31 years. Her clinical area of interest is working with women of color suffering from Anxiety and Depression Disorders. Ms. Shelton-Williams is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers -WI Chapter. She is the immediate past President of the NASW-WI Board and currently the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for NASW-WI. In August 2022, Ms. Shelton-Williams was re-appointed to the Governor's Wisconsin Council on Mental Health. Ms. Shelton-Williams actively serves on several community boards.
Debbi Omondi has a Master of Science from Mount Mary University in Art Therapy with a concentration in Counseling. She completed her undergraduate studies at Wheaton College in Illinois. Her Previous clinical experience includes internships at the Milwaukee Center for Independence, and Froedtert Hospital. She is interested in integrations of expressive arts therapy, narrative therapy, and CBT while working with culturally diverse communities.
Job Titles:
- Marriage and Family Therapist
Denise Batton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has over 15 years of working with families in the helping profession. Denise is currently supporting Individuals, Couples and Families with Sebastian Family Psychology Practice.
Job Titles:
- Education
- Member of an AODA Treatment Team
- Member of the National Association of Social Workers
- Social Worker at Ethan Allen Boys School
Denise holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Social Work. Additionally, Denise earned a minor in Sociology as she attended the University of Science & Technology in Kumasi, Ghana (West Africa) for one year. She has worked in the Social Work field for 25 plus years. Ms. Drum started her career with adjudicated delinquent adolescents in a halfway house setting and later accepted employment with the state of Wisconsin- Juvenile Corrections as an intake Social Worker at Ethan Allen Boys School. In the years of her work at Ethan Allen, Denise moved from intake work to intensive clinical unit, housing the most troubled youth in corrections. Crisis intervention, anger management, & pro-social life skills were a few of the job duties worked in the AODA program helping young men take an introspective look at their past and present choices as they related to success or failure in the community.
In 2012, Ms. Drum transitioned from Juvenile Corrections to adults accepting a position with the Department of Adult Institutions at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF) as a member of an AODA treatment team facilitating groups for men. Ms. Drum is currently a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and is a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC). She enjoys working with clients through a wide variety of issues that have prompted individuals, couples or families into counseling. Ms. Drum works comfortably with psychologists and psychiatrists as needed to accommodate a holistic approach as people face their concerns.
Dr. Carolyn Morse grew up in a small farm in central Illinois, raised by parents who were interested in education for their children. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from UW-Milwaukee and worked many years for Waukesha County Human Services as a staff psychologist. Since retiring from Waukesaha County, she has been a consultant at Sebastian Family Psychology Practice, LLC, providing psychological evaluations.
Job Titles:
- Certified Member of NACC
- Education
- Member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Dr. Peter Ruta received his PH.D in 1988 from Loyola University in Chicago, Il. In 2005, he completed his education in marriage and family therapy from the Family Training Institute in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Ruta is currently licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Ruta's professional interests include working with adults, families, and refugees. He has a range of experience from teaching to ministry work in the United States and other areas such as, Tanzania. Dr. Ruta is an active member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NCAA) and has been employed with SFPP, LLC since 2005. He is fluent and has working knowledge in a variety of languages including but not limited to, Kihaya, Kiswahili, Italian, and French. Dr.Ruta is also a Retired (not active) Board Certified Member of NACC (National Association of Catholic Chaplains).
Job Titles:
- Education
- School Psychologist With MPS
Glenna received her BA in Psychology from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, and her MS in Educational Psychology (school psychology area) from UWM, where she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. Glenna currently serves as a school psychologist with MPS at three area schools. Glenna has participated in research teams focused on literacy and social emotional learning, and has several years' experience conducting assessments in early childhood. She is interested in helping children and youth reach their academic, social, and emotional potential, and helping young people cultivate mental wellbeing.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Associate / Quality Assurance & Compliance Officert
Job Titles:
- Clinical Services Administrator
Job Titles:
- Education
- Refugee Program Manager
Leng has undergraduate double majors in Psychology and Social Work and a MSW in the concentration of Mental Health and Substance Abuse from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Leng is a Hmong therapist, practicing in Milwaukee, WI under an LCSW and is a dual clinician with Substance Abuse Specialty Authorization. Leng works with clients from all background but specializes in serving the Hmong community, as well other refugee groups, who struggles with mental health and AODA challenges. Leng has over 17 years of clinical experience, is a clinical supervisor, and oversees the Refugee Mental Health program at Sebastian Family.
Dr. Enright received her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her background includes 20 years of teaching experience at the university level and applied research in rehabilitation and education as a principal investigator, project coordinator, research consultant, and program evaluator. Dr. Enright received her certification as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC) in 1988. She began her broader clinical training in July 2014, receiving her LPC in April 2015, and is currently a lincensed psychologist. At SFPP, she works primarily with elementary school children and refugees, emphasizing cognitive-behavioral techniques.
Job Titles:
- Education
- Individual Skill Development Provider & Parent Assistant
Ms. Glenda Robinson is an experienced educator, as she has been teaching students (K-12) and adults with a variety of ability levels for more than 20 years. She has taught those with cognitive and physical limitations, and understands that everyone is capable of learning, especially, if a genuine interest is placed in them. In addition, she specializes in working with parents who have a child with special needs/disability, as she is a certified special education teacher (K3-3rd grade). Ms. Robinson teaches skills to the consumers in a manner that maximizes on their strengths, while building them up in the areas they are developing in.
Regina Shaw has a Master of Science degree from Concordia University-Wisconsin in Professional Counseling. In addition, she has a Master of Arts degree in Education from Cardinal Stritch University, and her undergraduate studies were completed at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. She is a member of ACA, has certification in Christian Counseling, and is completing training in Substance Abuse Counseling. Regina provides individual and family counseling employing Adlerian and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, integrating various modalities to address the needs of culturally diverse populations, including refugee clients.
I am fluent in Arabic, English, and French. Speaking another language lets me interact with different people and understand the nuances of their cultural identities that may influence their outlook. I obtained a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, which equips me to help clients understand that genetic/biological as well as environmental factors are involved in their symptom presentations. I currently hold a master's degree in community counseling from Marquette University. I intend to work with transition-age minority youth and young adults who are from underprivileged backgrounds like I am. I am also interested in working with those who have suffered from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. In terms of modalities, I am concentrated on and will utilize dialectical behavioral as well as cognitive behavioral therapies when clients enter my office. I also intend to help people, relieve the burdens in their lives, and offer them hope by helping them deal with their difficult emotions, mental health disorders, and trauma.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner
- Owner
- CEO / Clinic Director
- Clinic Director & Psychologist
Dr. Sebastian is the co-owner and clinic director of Sebastian Family Psychology Practice, LLC. Dr. Sebastian received his Ph.D at Marquette University and is a child and family psychologist. He has over 25 yrs of experience in serving diverse client groups. These include refugees & asylees from Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East, former Russian Soviet Union, as well as children, youths, and families distressed by poverty and inner city suburban pressures. He consults with Head Start programs, youth serving agencies, schools, as well as grassroots programs serving the underprivileged and immigrants. He is involved in many community service and education activities.
Dr. Olton-Weber received her PhD in School Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2020. Her experiences have included school-based services in both traditional as well as alternative settings in addition to working at a residential/day treatment/trauma care facility in Colorado. She predominantly focuses on youth and their families, with a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach.
Tzvia Heifetz is a Graduate Counseling Intern through UW-Milwaukee. After 19 years of teaching a variety of students of different ages and learning needs, Tzvia's passion for mental and emotional wellness led her to return to school. She has 2 teenage children who have been among her best teachers. Tzvia's previous experiences as a teacher as well as parenting and advocating for her own children, have given her a broad background in dealing with mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. Tzvia likes combining and utilizing many different techniques in order to find what resonates with you. These may include art, play, calming techniques, sensory awareness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Humanist philosophies which aim to foster self awareness and recognize meaning in our lives. She works with a wide variety of ages and cultures, particularly children and parents. Tzvia believes that we must try and reach our fullest potentials, and she is honored and humbled to have the opportunity to support you in that journey.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Co - Founder
- Co - Owner
- Director of Operations
Yvonne Ssempijja is a Certified Public Accountant. Yvonne is the co-founder and co-owner of Sebastian Family Psychology Practice, LLC. She is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee in Accounting and holds a MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.