Andrew Blinder, MA, LLP- Marilyn Cameron, MA, LPC
- Patricia Fridman, LMSW
- Susan Greenblatt, LMSW
- Mary Kalil, LMSW
- Laurie Kimmel, LMSW
- David Klein, LMSW
- Joan Lazar, MA, LLP, LPC
- Sharon G. Lesnick, LMSW
- Shelly Molnar, LMSW, ACSW
- Miriam Seagle LMSW, CSW
- Diane Shoda, LMSW, CAAC
Andrew Blinder has been in the mental health and human services field for over thirty years. His varied experiences have included work in the non-profit sector, in mental health case management, and as a clinical therapist.
Mr. Blinder began his career working for Common Ground. An eleven year stay included an array of positions including Emergency Services Coordinator. He subsequently worked as a gate keeper and supervisor managing mental heath and substance abuse services for a large Michigan HMO. For over twenty years he has provided mental health and substance abuse treatment to individuals – children, adolescents, adults, and families as well.
A native Detroiter, Mr. Blinder attended public schools there and received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in Sociology and Anthropology. A Masters degree in Clinical and Humanistic Psychology was awarded from The Michigan School of Professional Psychology. Mr. Blinder has been a twenty year certified Addictions Counselor and has had extensive training in gambling addiction. Mr. Blinder has been affiliated with Pioneer Counseling since their inception in the outpatient field in Michigan. He is available for Appointments Tuesday – Thursday or by appointment. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Marilyn Cameron graduated from Oakland University with a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She is a trained cognitive behavioral therapist. For 12 years Marilyn has worked in a clinic setting in addition to 3 years in private practice. Marilyn specializes in treating many conditions and issues including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, sexual abuse, women’s issues, and coping with physical handicaps and pain. Marilyn works well with both adults and adolescents. With a background in special education and child development, Marilyn has a special empathy and interest working with children as well, including Aspergers disorder. A holistic treatment approach when possible. Marilyn views herself as a life coach. She is in the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and by appointment. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Patricia Fridman is a Master Level Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of clinical and social work practice experience. Patricia holds a post Masters degree Certification in Family and Couples therapy.
Her work experience includes hospital social work with expertise in maternal and child healthcare, general medicine and psychiatry. She has also been a social work student supervisor at both masters and bachelors levels.
Patricia works with adults and adolescents in either individual, family or couples modalities. She takes an eclectic approach to treatment, assessing client’s needs, strengths, expectations and goals to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Patricia believes in a collaborative approach between therapist and client and views her clients from a strength-based perspective. She enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds and is bilingual Spanish.
Areas of interest and clinical expertise include the treatment of mood disorders (such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder), anger management, coping with illness, grief counseling, immigration and acculturation issues. In addition, couples therapy (developing healthy communication, healing after affairs, infertitility issues, sexual dysfunction, divorce), family therapy and development of parenting skills.
Patricia works Monday thru Friday – flexible hours. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899. You can also reach her for questions via email patfridman@comcast.net
Susan Greenblatt earned her Masters in Social Work in 1992. She brings 17 years experience in providing therapeutic services to clients experiencing in providing therapeutic services to clients experiencing stress and a variety of life challenges. Susan specializes in treating many conditions and issues including chronic pain management (specialty with migraine and gastro intestinal illness), adoption/infertility concerns, gender identify issues, depression, anxiety, self –esteem, and independence. She treats adults, couples, and adolescents 14 years and older.
Susan utilizes a variety of clinical intervention strategies and modalities including cognitive, person-centered, behavior techniques, collaborative, and psychodynamic. Her philosophy in working with clients includes identifying and understanding triggers and precipitants to symptoms in order to promote the establishment and ability to engage in effective coping techniques to eliminate or decrease the frequency and/or intensity of symptoms. Susan is in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Mary Kali earned her Masters in Social Work from Wayne State University in 1997. She brings 12 years of experience in providing therapeutic services to clients experiencing stress and a variety of life challenges. Mary specializes in treating many conditions and issues including grief and loss, trauma, school issues, depression, anxiety, adjustment and support. She treats children, adolescents, and adults.
Mary utilizes a variety of clinical intervention strategies including cognitive behavioral therapy. Her philosophy with working with clients includes a cognitive approach. Mary is available Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Laurie Kimmel is a masters level clinical social worker who has extensive experience (25+ years) working with children, as young as three, through the aged population. She is a certified EMDR practitioner.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological method for treating experientially based disorders and emotional difficulties that are caused by disturbing life experiences, ranging from traumatic events such as combat stress assault and natural disaster, to upsetting childhood events. EMDR is a complex method that brings together elements from well-established clinical theoretical orientations including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and client centered.
Another specialty of Laurie’s is OCD and anxiety disorder treatment. She was trained to use ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) as first line treatment to help people improve their quality of life, as well as decrease the “wasted time” involved with compulsive rituals.
Laurie is very successful utilizing EMDR and CBT to treat conditions such as social phobia, accident traumas, sexual abuse, PTSD, excessive grief, etc.
She is available Monday through Thursday and by appointment. For more information, her website is www.lauriekimmel.com
If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
David Klein earned his Masters in Social Work from Wayne State University. He brings 25 years of experience in providing therapeutic services to children, adults, and seniors experiencing a variety of life challenges. David specializes in treating many conditions and issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, family issues, oppositional and defiant behaviors, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). David also treats substance abuse and is pursuing accreditation through the Michigan Certification Board of Addictions Professionals.
David utilizes a variety of clinical intervention strategies including cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapy. His philosophy in working with clients includes the goal for clients to achieve personal growth. David is available for appointments Wednesdays, Fridays and every other Saturday. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Joan Lazar received her Masters Degree in Clinical and Educational Psychology from Wayne State University. She has also obtained three years doctoral level training and coursework, post-masters.
Joan graduated with highest distinction from Wayne State University. She has received many Academic Honors including a Merit Scholar Award, Award of Merit from the National Deans List, and an Exceptional Accomplishment and Award in Psychology. She is a member of Psi Chi National Honorary Society in Psychology as well as the Golden Key National Honors Society.
Joan has been providing quality care to adults, children, and adolescents for over 20 years. She specializes in psychotherapy for depression and mood disorders, anger management, anxiety, phobias, obsessions/compulsions, panic, eating disorders, family and marital relationship problems, and school problems such as ADHD and behavioral problems. Joan is in the office Monday through Thursday and is available for evening appointments. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Sharon G. Lesnick, LMSW, is an experienced, dedicated and passionate psychotherapist with specialties in the areas of chronic illness and pain management, anxiety/panic disorders, substance abuse/dependency (including dual diagnosis) and habit management such as smoking, weight control, etc. She treats adolescents and their families, couples and individual adults.
Most of us are impacted by changes in our lives, and Ms. Lesnick utilizes many tools and therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, stress-management strategies, self-hypnosis and more, to enable the development of coping skills for now and for the future. She is a Certified Life and Business Coach, and a member of the National Association of Clinical Social workers (NASW), American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) and the Michigan Society of Clinical Hypnosis (MSCH). Ms. Lesnick has been in the behavioral health field since 1982, and received her MSW degree from the University of Michigan.
If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Shelly Molnar is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a MSW from the University of Michigan and 29 years of experience. Her approach is practical and based on changing the negative thinking patterns that keep the client from making positive changes in his/her life. Shelly is compassionate, flexible, and creative in treatment. The treatment plan is based on the individuals needs.
Shelly’s specialties include treatment of depression and mood disorders, post partum depression, anxiety, gay and lesbian issues, stress management, work issues, life transition issues, and anger management. In addition, Shelly has a special interest in working with those who have chronic pain and/or chronic illness. Shelly is also a Medicare provider. She is available for appointments Monday through Thursday. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Miriam Seagle graduated from Arizona State University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She is a trained cognitive behavior therapist, as well as a certified EMDR* therapist. In her over 21 years of experience as a clinician she has had the opportunity to work in hospitals, schools, and outpatient behavioral health clinics. She enjoys working with individuals, couples and families from all backgrounds and sexual orientations, using strength based approach. Her expertise includes adults and adolescents presenting with symptoms of the full anxiety spectrum, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, health issues, (including pain management) sexual addiction, women’s issues, and eating disorders. Miriam works collaboratively with health practitioners-both traditional and alternative, and others, to develop the most comprehensive plan of care.
Additionally, Miriam incorporates both traditional western psychology with eastern philosophies of healing, weaving the connections between body and mind to help her clients decrease many of their symptoms and to find personal growth. Utilizing body work and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), clients report a quick relief from symptoms.
*EMDR successfully treats those who have experienced trauma such as natural disasters, war and combat-related atrocities, automobile accidents, rape, sexual and physical abuse, and the everyday traumas of growing up and daily living. Miriam has had a great deal of success in working with those in the above categories. Miriam sees clients by appointment Sunday through Thursday at both the West Bloomfield and Clinton Township locations. If you are interested in an appointment, call Pioneer Counseling Center’s West Bloomfield office: (248) 539-0899.
Diane Shoda is a graduate from Wayne State University School of Social Work with a Master’s Degree. She has obtained her LMSW and CAAC (Certified Advance Addictions Counselor). She has experience working in several settings including inpatient, in a partial day program, methadone clinic, and various outpatient clinics.
Diane enjoys working with adults of all ages who have found that their emotional quality of life is not where they would like it to be. She has successfully helped people alleviate symptoms of hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, low self-esteem, anxiousness, unfulfilling relationships, unresolved feelings of grief & loss, and utilizing strengths to build skills to cope with chronic physical pain.
Additionally, she has worked with individuals and caregivers for those who are coping or dealing with depression, bipolar, chemical/alcohol issues, cultural/racial issues, gay & lesbian issues, and physical/emotional/verbal abuse.
Diane utilizes various modalities of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, Psychoeducation, Behavior Modification, and helps people to identify and utilize their strengths.
Clients tend to tell Diane that she is someone who really listens to them, is caring, trustworthy, and thinks “outside the box.” If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Diane, she is available Friday and Saturday at West Bloomfield at 248-539-0899.