PRESIDENT-ELECT

Lisa Walker, PsyD, LPCS, is a dedicated clinical leader and counselor with an extensive background in community advocacy and trauma-informed care. A native Michigander, she earned her Master's degree in Community Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in substance use disorders from Wayne State University. 

Over her career, Dr. Walker has successfully spearheaded complex community mental health initiatives, expanded critical suicide prevention networks, and managed multi-million dollar federal grants to enhance public health outcomes. 

Regardless of the setting or role, Dr. Walker remains deeply invested in fostering supportive, transparent, and equity-focused environments for both staff and individuals in care.

As the newly elected President-elect of the Michigan Counseling Association (MCA), Dr. Walker steps into this role with a humble heart and a compassionate commitment to the counseling community. 

Her approach is grounded in remaining highly responsive to the unique needs of counseling professionals throughout the state. Dr. Walker is enthusiastic about working collectively to promote lasting social change and elevate the vital role of counselors throughout Michigan.

PRESIDENT

Susan Stendel completed her Master of Counseling Education/Psychology from Western Michigan University and her Bachelor of Science in Community Development from Central Michigan University. She holds licensure as a professional counselor and supervisor in the State of Michigan. Currently, Susan works at Alma College as a counselor in the Wilcox Health Center.

Susan has over 20 years experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families. Over the years, she has worked with diverse cultural populations and a wide range of diagnostic challenges including anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, mood disorders, crisis, abuse and trauma.

Susan is excited to serve on the governing board of MCA and is looking forward to uniting counselors to serve the people of Michigan. When it comes to health, Susan believes in the whole person approach and there should be parity and equity in our health systems.

Susan lives in Mt. Pleasant, MI. She enjoys traveling with her husband, kayaking and snowshoeing.

TREASURER-ELECT

Jenny Bellinger completed her Master’s of Counseling, Addictions Concentration, from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Aquinas College. She holds limited licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Michigan, as well as pursuing the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential. Jenny currently works as a clinical therapist for Outpatient and Recovery Services at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health in Grand Rapids. 

During her time in her master’s level counseling program, she had the opportunity of serving on the Mu Kappa Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota’s Executive Board for 3 consecutive years, holding various positions – President, Treasurer, Marketing/Outreach Coordinator, and Addictions-Member-At-Large. These experiences cultivated strong organizational skills and a proven commitment to ethical stewardship and service to her community.

Jenny brings several years of experience supporting adults navigating substance use, mental health disorders, and behavioral addictions. Her current role spans the full continuum of care, from acute detoxification to outpatient services. Deeply passionate about the recovery process, Jenny firmly believes that every individual deserves, dignity, respect, and meaningful opportunity to heal.

Jenny is enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve on the board of MCA, counselors of Michigan, and the people of Michigan. She lives in Grand Rapids and loves to spend time with her husband and kids, play pickleball, and explore the outdoors.

TREASURER

Dr. VanBemmelen is a licensed professional counselor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University. Dr. VanBemmelen examined the relationship between racial identity and the broaching behaviors of counselors for her dissertation. Her research interests include multicultural skill development in counselors, relational cultural therapy, therapeutic models for trauma counseling, and the use of advocacy as a counselor skill.

After Dr. VanBemmelen completed her masters degree at Western Michigan University, she started interning at the local YWCA and eventually began working in a group practice. She specialize in working with young adults and clients who have experienced trauma. She conceptualize clients from a relational cultural perspective and works to advocate on behalf of and alongside the client's she serves. Dr. VanBemmelen has a passion for social justice advocacy in her practice, supervision, and teaching.

Dr. VanBemmelen is excited to serve the Michigan Counseling Association and looks forward to connecting with new and current members. On a more personal note – she loves espresso, snowbirds in Florida each year, and frequently plan vacations to hike/backpack around the U.S.

SECRETARY-ELECT

Dr. Arnekrans is a Full Professor in the Master of Arts in Counseling Program within the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and Higher Education at Central Michigan University. She teaches graduate-level counseling courses including internship, psychopathology and diagnosis, career counseling, ethics, and clinical mental health counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan and Ohio, a National Certified Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider.

She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Toledo, and a bachelor's degree in Communications & Social Services from Bowling Green State University. Prior to entering counselor education, Dr. Arnekrans worked in a variety of clinical settings, including community mental health, employee assistance, partial hospitalization, and private practice, providing counseling to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Dr. Arnekrans' scholarship and professional service focus on policy development, clinical supervision, counselor wellness, ethics, and preparing the next generation of professional counselors for competent, sustainable practice. She is actively involved in state and national professional leadership, serves as faculty advisor for the Mu Kappa Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, and collaborates with community partners to strengthen Michigan's behavioral health workforce through advocacy, supervision, and experiential training. Her work emphasizes reflective practice, culturally responsive counseling, and helping counselors translate theory into ethical, effective clinical care.

SECRETARY

Dr. Atiyeh is Assistant Professor within the Counselor Education Department at Wayne State University’s College of Education. She teaches Career Counseling & Employment Strategies, Psychopathology & Diagnosis, Rehabilitation Counseling Roles, and other master’s level counseling courses. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan, a National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Certified Career Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and a certified EMDR therapist.

She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from Walden University, a Master’s in Community Counseling from Eastern Michigan University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in both Psychology and Arab Studies. She has experience working in various community agencies serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, immigrants and refugees, families experiencing homelessness, and child survivors of abuse and neglect. Dr. Atiyeh utilizes qualitative research methods to investigate culturally responsive mental health interventions for refugee and Arab American communities. Her research focuses on 1) Counselors’ cultural competency to serve refugee and Arab American communities in mental health and career counseling, 2) indigenous wellness practices among Arab and Middle Eastern communities, and 3) interpretation practices in mental health care.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Da’Shawn Jennings, LLPC, is a behavioral health leader, clinical therapist, and Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University. With 7+ years of
healthcare experience, she specializes in clinical operations, behavioral health, revenue cycle strategy, medical necessity review, and healthcare systems improvement.

She serves as Director and Clinical Therapist at Life Water Counseling and as the appointed Doctoral Student Representative for the Michigan Counseling Association.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Corrie Schoof is a master’s level student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Central Michigan University (CMU). She received her bachelor's degree at Saginaw Valley State University in the science of nursing. Her experiences in healthcare are where her passion for mental health began. Her professional aspirations are to work with children and the neurodivergent community. 

Her leadership goals include helping new students see the benefits of professional associations and supporting them on their academic and professional journey. She currently serves on the executive board for CMU’s Chi Sigma Iota, Mu Kappa chapter, representing the clinical mental health student body. She also has experience working in the school systems helping children be successful in educational environments. 

She is honored to represent the incredible master level counseling students of Michigan. In her time getting to know her future colleagues, she has been inspired by their passion for this profession and the care they extend to each other. 

Corrie currently lives in Merrill, Michigan, and enjoys spending her free time outside gardening with her family.