TriCity Family Services Staff

Jim Otepka, MS, LMFT
Executive Director

Jim has been with TriCity Family Services since 1988 as its Executive Director. Jim received his Master's degree in Community Mental Health from Northern Illinois University. Jim has spent over 30 years working in the field, first at the Kane-Kendall County Mental Health Center and then the DuPage County Health Department. Besides the many activities that encompass his position as Executive Director, Jim continues to see clients on a regular basis. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he concentrates much of his clinical work in the area of couples' therapy, and a wide-range of child and adolescent issues.

Tom Dewese, LCSW, ACSW
Director of the Family Services Division

Tom has been with the agency since 1984. Tom received his Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the Jane Addams School of Social Work. Tom is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. He also holds a certification in Family Therapy from the Family Institute of Chicago, part of Northwestern University. Tom supervises all Family Service Division therapists and Crisis Intervention workers, and works with child and adolescent clients and their families. Tom has been recognized as the 2009 Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers - Illinois, Three Rivers District.

Denis Ferguson, LCPC
Director of Behavioral Health Division

A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Denis holds a Master's of Arts in Counseling degree from Northern Illinois University. Denis has previously served as a clinician at the DuPage County Health Department, specializing in chronic mental illness, affective disorders and substance abuse. Denis was also most recently the Executive Director of the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health for eleven years. Denis joined the TriCity Family Services staff in February of 2009.

Michelle Clark, MS.Ed, LCPC, NCC
Coordinator of Community Services

Michelle has been with the agency since 1999. She received her Master's of Science in Education degree with an emphasis on Counseling in a Community Setting from Northern Illinois University. Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Michelle has had special training dealing with clients who self-mutilate, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders and anger management for youth. As Coordinator of Community Services, Michelle supervises all of the Prevention and Early Intervention programs and community presentations.

Colleen Blake, LCPC
Clinician/Consultant

Colleen joined our staff in June 2010.  A graduate of California State University Stanislaus, Colleen has a Masters of Arts degree in psychology.  Colleen has worked with children, adolescents and their families in a variety of community-based settings, including head start programs, residential treatment, outpatient mental health and family services environments.  Most recently, Colleen was an Early Childhood Mental Health Therapist and Program Coordinator at the McHenry County Youth Service Bureau in Woodstock, Illinois. 

Emma Cabusao, M.D.
Supervising Psychiatrist

Dr. Emma Cabusao is a board certified psychiatrist who received her residency training at Loyola University and Hines VA Hospital. She has worked as a surgeon as well as a primary care physician prior to becoming a psychiatrist. Her areas of interest include mood disorders in adolescents and adults in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Cabusao also treats mood disorders secondary to general medical conditions, adolescent and adult ADD/ADHD and substance abuse.

Linda Coglianese
Intake Coordinator

Linda joined the agency in 2008. She has worked in the social services field since 2002, and holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Illinois State University. Prior to joining the TriCity staff, Linda was most recently employed as a Program Specialist at Streamwood Behavioral Health Center, an in-patient psychiatric facility for children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Linda also has experience coordinating services for individuals with disabilities and behavioral disorders, and infants needing early intervention services. Linda has special training in Crisis Prevention Intervention and enjoys working with children with special needs and behavioral disorders as well as the geriatric population.

Michelle DeLaRosa
Clinician/Consultant - Half Time

Michelle joined our staff in April, 2010. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Michelle brings a wealth of experience to the agency's clinical team, having spent the last 15 years working with children, adolescents and their families in a variety of community-based settings, including residential treatment, outpatient mental health and family services.

Pauline Gekas, MA, LMFT
Clinician/Consultant
Facilitator of the WIN Group

Pauline Gekas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has practiced in the Fox Valley area for over 25 years. In addition to seeing couples and individuals who are struggling with relationships, she also treats individuals with depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, stress, grief, and postpartum mood disorders. She received her Master's Degree at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. As facilitator of the WIN Group, Pauline works with women in need of prenatal or postpartum emotional support, and assistance with postpartum mood disorders.

Kathy Gibson, MSW, LCSW, CEAP
Senior EAP Consultant

Kathy joined the agency in 2006. She was formerly a Senior Account Manager and EAP Counselor for Workplace Solutions, LLC. Kathy holds a Master's in Social Work degree from Washington University, specializing in family therapy. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional.

Fatima Hadi, M.D.
Consulting Psychiatrist

Dr. Fatima Hadi is double board certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has over fifteen years of experience working with the chemically dependent, children and adolescents suffering from behavioral and developmental disorders, and the adult mentally ill. She is a 1987 graduate of the Gandhi Medical College of Osmania University in Hyderabad, India. At present, she serves as Medical Director and Staff Psychiatrist at the Glen Oaks Therapeutic Day School in North Aurora, as a Staff Psychiatrist at Kishwaukee Hospital, and as the Medical Director at the Ben Gordon Mental Health Center, in addition to serving as a consulting psychiatrist for TCFS since 2007.

Lou Hutches, LCPC
Senior Clinician/Consultant

After earning his Master's of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University, Lou worked for Mercy Center for Health Care Services for eleven years. He served as an Adolescent Counselor, Social Worker, Family Therapist and Staff Psychologist. Lou also worked as a part-time Clinician/Consultant for TriCity Family Services from 1996 to 2000. He rejoined the agency staff in March 2009. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

Kathy Kobylewski, SMFT
Mental Health Worker
Facilitator of the Women's Enrichment Group

Kathy re-joined TriCity Family Services in January 2010, after having served as a Clinical Intern and Social Rehabilitation Worker for the agency in 2005 - 2006.  She has experience providing counseling to individuals, couples and families, as well as facilitating groups and workshops, and providing respite and therapeutic behavioral services to at-risk children, adolescents and their families.  She holds a Master's of Science degree and Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University.

Sharon Koltis, MS, LCPC
Mental Health Worker

Sharon joined the agency in 2009. A graduate of Benedictine University where she received her Master's of Science in Counseling Psychology degree, Sharon was most recently a Family Intervention Specialist at the Center for Children where she specialized in providing in-home family therapy for high-risk adolescents with mental health diagnoses, substance abuse issues and family relational problems. She has experience providing crisis intervention and wraparound services. Sharon is a Licensed CLinical Professional Counselor, and is passionate about serving the needs of families. She is dedicated to strengthening families by helping them find new ways to communicate.

Gail Mastio, Ed.D, LCSW, ACSW
Senior Clinician/Consultant
Facilitator of the Single Mom's Support Group

Gail joined the agency in 2000. In addition to work with clients, Gail leads the Single Mom's Support Group. Gail received her Master's degree in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago, and her Doctorate degree in Education with a major in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. Gail is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Clinical Social Workers.

Tracy Muklewicz, MS.Ed., NCC, LCPC
Mental Health Worker
Facilitator of the Superstars Program

Tracy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor and has been with TCFS since 2006. Tracy has extensive experience in clinical settings, including crisis intervention, psychiatric hospital care for children, adolescents and adults, as well as domestic violence and sexual assault and abuse counseling. Tracy has interest in working with resistant clients, clients who self-injure, clients with mood disorders, and those who have experienced or inflicted abuse and neglect. Tracy has a strong interest in working with early childhood mental health issues utilizing play therapy. She is currently pursuing certification as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) as well as Theraplay certification.

Sheri O'Brien, LCPC
Senior Clinician/Consultant

Sheri joined our clinical staff in March 2010. Sheri holds an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management, an MA in Professional Counseling from Argosy University, and is currently completing work on a Masters degree in Biblical Counseling at Trinity Bible College and Seminary. Sheri was most recently working at the McHenry County Youth Service Bureau in Woodstock, Illinois, as an intensive case manager and therapist.

Yvonne Pena, MSW
Mental Health Worker

Yvonne Pena joined TriCity Family Services in January 2009. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois in 2005. Her areas of special interest include issues affecting Latino families, such as divorce, parent education, and adolescent discipline. She has expertise in HIV/AIDS and STDs education and in working with student populations to prevent alcohol and drug use. She is currently working primarily with our Spanish-speaking children, adolescents and families.

Mandy Semenik, MS, LPC
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Mandy joined the agency in 2008. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Master's of Science in Clinical Psychology degree from Benedictine University. As an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with the Caregiver Connections program, Mandy helps child care providers recognize, understand and respond to the social and emotional needs of the children, birth though age five, in their care. Mandy works with both licensed and unlicensed child care facilities in DuPage and Kane Counties.

Melissa Sophia, MSW, LCSW
Clinician/Consultant

Melissa joined the TriCity staff in 2008. She has a Master's in Social Work degree from Aurora University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is currently an elementary and high school social worker for the Kaneland (CUSD #302) School District. In addition to her knowledge of educational social work and her skills in working with youth and families, Melissa has special training in Critical Incident Stress Management and Domestic Violence Advocacy.

Pat Vicha, MSW, ACSW, LCSW
Senior Clinician/Consultant

Pat has been with the agency since 1991 and received her Master's degree in Social Work from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Pat has years of experience working with adolescents and adults, and considers herself a generalist. Currently, she works primarily with clients experiencing depression and anxiety.

Cindy Watkins, LCSW
Half-Time Clinician/Consultant

Cindy joined our staff in March 2010. Highly skilled in working with youth and families, Cindy is a 2000 graduate of West Virginia University's Masters in Social Work program. Cindy has previously worked in a residential setting for juvenile offenders, and served as a school-based therapist and Program Supervisor at the Center for Children and Families in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Greg Watson, LCSW, ACSW, LMFT
Senior Clinician/Consultant
Facilitator of the Wilderness Challenge Program
Supervisor of the Student Intern Program

Greg has been with the agency since 1988. He earned his Master's of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Greg is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Greg is co-creator and the facilitator of the Wilderness Challenge Program, an annual 8-day therapeutic camping and canoeing trip for adolescents. He also manages our clinical intern program for Master's level students.

Mercedes Cisneros-Watson, MA, LCPC
Senior Clinician/Consultant - Half Time

Mercedes joined the agency in August 2009. Mercedes has nearly 20 years of experience providing clinical counseling to diverse populations and addressing issues like grief, bereavement, anxiety, depression, codependency and stress management. She helps individuals, families and couples address relationship issues, blended family issues, cultural conflict and adjustment issues, post-traumatic stress and survivor issues and more. She enjoys helping people tap into their strengths to overcome challenges and has a particular interest in women's issues and empowerment. Mercedes holds a Master's degree in Family and Community Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Mercedes is also bilingual in Spanish.

Cindy Weber-Han, M.Div., CRADC
Clinician/Consultant
Facilitator of the Smart Choices Middle School/High School Program

Cindy joined TriCity Family Services in October 1999. She holds a Master's in Divinity degree from Bethany Theological Seminary with a major in Counseling. She is a Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Master Addiction Counselor and a National Certified Addictions Counselor. She is the facilitator of the Smart Choices program for middle school and high school aged youth.

Linda Wolter, Ph.D., LCSW, CADC
Clinician Consultant - Half Time

Linda joined the agency in November, 2009. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Concentration in Mental Health Program and at the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago. She brings more than 25 years of experience working in community-based human service organizations to the agency.  She previously served as Senior Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor and Clinician for Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago, assuming supervisory and clinical responsibilities across a variety of child welfare, children's mental health and juvenile justice programs.  Linda is also an Assistant Professor and Guest Lecturer in Social Work at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.