CHAPS STAFF
CHAPS employs a variety of perspectives, expertise, and talents. The unique approach of the agency relies on the unique experiences of our therapists and support staff. The differing personalities and backgrounds allow CHAPS to take a holistic, well-rounded approach to service provision.
Ann Dake, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director
Ann has worked in the provision of mental health services to children, youth and families since 1990. This experience entails work in the areas of outreach, counseling, intensive therapeutic treatment and mental health service administration. In 2003, she founded CHAPS Academy, Inc. and has served as the agency's Executive Director since its inception. While building the agency into a well-established, leading provider of equine-assisted intervention services to high-risk children and youth and their families, she has continued to engage in counseling. Her areas of expertise include program development and management, child and adolescent counseling, and family systems counseling. Her specialty is in working with at-risk adolescent girls and their families. She has had a love of horses all her life and through her work at CHAPS has been able to integrate her skills as a mental health counselor with her passion for horses. Ann possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Office: 920-986-3003 | adake@chapsacademy.org
James Wiedenhoeft, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Supervisor
Jim has over 35 years of experience counseling adults, couples and families. He is the former owner and director of Medical and Counseling Associates. His area of expertise is working with "at-risk" pre-teen and adolescent boys. He earned his Bachelors and Master's Degrees in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
Office: 920-986-3003 | Jwchaps_mca@yahoo.com
Angie Konitzer, MA, Clinical Team Leader
Previously Angie worked 9 years as a special education teacher. She also worked as a youth leader at her church since 2001. Angie finished her Bachelor degree in Special Education at UW-Stevens point in 2001 and her Masters of Arts in Counseling in 2010. Angie became an intern at CHAPS in 2009 and was hired as a counselor in 2010. Angie works with youth and families as a part of our Special Gifts, Hope Lives!, and regular outpatient programs and services.
Office: 920-986-3003 | akonitzer@chapsacademy.org
Brian Lefeber, LPC, Clinical Team Leader
Brian has been working at CHAPS since 2009. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from UW-Oshkosh in Education and his Master's Degree from Lakeland College in Community Counseling. He has experience working with adolescents and teens and their families in a group setting, as well as individual and family counseling. He is currently the coordinator for CHAPS' Day Treatment program. He enjoys playing and watching sports and helping at his local church.
Office: 920-986-3003 | blefeber@chapsacademy.org
Amy VandenHeuvel, LPC, Clinical Team Leader
Amy has been working with CHAPS since 2011. She has experience working with children, teens, and families in a variety of settings to include: day care, group homes and intensive in-home therapy programs. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Lakeland College. She provides individual, couples, family and group therapy for a wide range of concerns. Amy also provides services to the Special Gifts program and regular outpatient clients.
Office: 920-986-3003 | avandenheuvel@chapsacademy.org
Erin Wilkum, Operations Team Leader
Erin started working for CHAPS as an intern in 2009 and was promoted to Operations Team Lead in 2011. She has played a variety of roles throughout the agency, ranging from equine specialist to Day Treatment program coordinator. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, and is currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration from the UW Consortium Program. She enjoys riding horses and playing with her two dogs.
Office: 920-986-3003 | ewilkum@chapsacademy.org
Kristina Davis, MSW, LCSW, Therapist
Bio coming soon.
Office: 920-738-7795 |
Michele Glime, MA, Therapist
Michele earned her Bachelor's degree in Human Services from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and a Master's in Counseling from Lakeland College. She has worked at CHAPS since 2005. She works with clients in the HOPE LIVES! and Special Gifts programs. Michele has experience working with special needs children through her work for an in-home autism program. Michele is married and has a son. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and scrapbooking.
Office: 920-986-3003 | mglime@chapsacademy.org
Kevin Gunderson, MA, Therapist
Kevin has been working at CHAPS since 2010. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UW-Stevens Point and his Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from UW-Milwaukee. Kevin is a child and family therapist providing outpatient counseling to individuals, couples, and families, as well as in-home family counseling.
Office: 920-986-3003 | kgunderson@chapsacademy.org
Kristin Lowe, Therapist
Kristin earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Human Services in 2009 and obtained her Masters of Science and Education in Professional Counseling in 2011. Kristin started at Chaps in 2009 facilitating a social skills group for the clients in the Hope Lives! program. She works as an intake coordinator and a counselor, primarily with youth and families as part of the Hope Lives!, regular outpatient, and Striving for Excellence programs.
Office: 920-986-3003 | klowe@chapsacademy.org
Shondra Ruen, MSE, Therapist
Shondra has been working with CHAPS since 2011. She has experience in Child Protection Investigations and Juvenile Intake. Shondra also completed her internship as an in-home therapist at the county level. Prior to entering the counseling field she was also a substitute teacher. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Management in 2007 and her Master's of Science degree in Professional Counseling. Shondra currently works as a co-facilitator in the Hope & Healing Day Treatment program and works with clients in the Hope Lives! Program. Shondra has two teenage daughters and enjoys spending time with her family. Her hobbies include taking care of her horse and black lab, as well as coaching cheerleading.
Office: 920-986-3003 | sruen@chapsacademy.org
Megan Schmitt, LPC, Therapist
Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UW-Oshkosh and her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Lakeland College. She has worked at CHAPS since 2011 in the HOPE Lives! and Regular Outpatient programs. Previous experience includes working with severely and emotionally disturbed youth and their families in group home, outpatient and in-home settings since 2003. She has also worked with autism spectrum disorders in various settings since 2001.
Office: 920-738-7795 | mschmitt@chapsacademy.org
Jan Spangler, Therapist
Jan earned her Master's of Art Community Counseling from Lakeland College in Green Bay, in 2011. She also earned a Master's of Science, Business Management from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WI and Bachelor of Science in Business from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WI. Jan began working as a counseling intern for CHAPS in 2009. She has worked with clients in the Hope Lives! program, Special Gifts program and regular out-patient clients. Jan enjoys her family and horses.
Office: 920-986-3003 | jspangler@chapsacademy.org
Cynthia R. Mueller, Day Treatment Program Administrator
Cindy started working at CHAPS in 2011 and brought with her a diverse and long background working in the non-profit sector. Cindy brings experience and leadership as the former executive director of a local nature center and a therapeutic horseback riding program. Along the way she has also acquired an understanding of mental health issues and the lifelong challenges that families face in the care and well-being of their loved ones. She appreciates the hard work that it takes to attend to the emotional and spiritual needs of CHAPS clients and their families. When not at work, Cindy prefers to be outdoors fishing and camping, but especially loves the cold Wisconsin winters.
Office: 920-986-3003 | cmueller@chapsacademy.org
Tammy Van Eperen, Administrative Assistant
Tammy has over 20 years of experience working with people in many settings, including coordinating and organizing community functions for several different local charities. Her connection with CHAPS started in 2004, when she donated a horse to the program. She joined the CHAPS team in 2007.
Office: 920-986-3003 | tvaneperen@chapsacademy.org
Megan Gilbertson, Equine Specialist
Bio coming soon.
Office: 920-986-3003 | mgilbertson@chapsacademy.org
Bea Weyers, Volunteer Coordinator
Bea has been at CHAPS since its inception; she began volunteering and has since become the Volunteer Coordinator. She has lived in Black Creek for 42 years on a small hobby farm, and owned a saddle and repair shop there.
Office: 920-986-3003 | saddlequeen@centurytel.net
