Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Brandy Kruse - M.A. L.CPC.

Brandy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. She earned a Master Degree in Counseling from Ball State University. Since 2009, Brandy has assisted individuals of all ages in overcoming setbacks, navigating life changes, strengthening relationships, and restoring balance to their lives. Brandy has worked in a variety of settings and has received specialized training on grief, trauma, play therapy, & trauma-focused CBT. Throughout treatment, Brandy aims to create and maintain a safe and playful environment so healing can occur. Brandy incorporates a variety of techniques to help clients achieve their individualized treatment goals. One can expect understanding, connection, and empowerment, combined with education and skill-enhancement when working with Brandy.

We are all struggling to make sense of who we are, who we want to be, and where we are going. Yet being seen, heard, accepted, and cared about… makes all the world of difference!

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Courtney Miller - LCPC, LPC

Courtney is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri. She earned her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Counseling from Quincy University. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Courtney has experience with the foster care system, as well as trauma and attachment issues. Courtney works with the beliefs that all clients are capable of success and reaching their fullest potential, and that clients will achieve their goals through both the client and therapist putting in the work to accomplish them. Courtney is a Nationally Certified Counselor and has been trained in the following interventions and approaches: Theraplay, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).

I seek to understand clients and meet them where they’re at. I focus on providing empathy, validation, and support along a client’s journey. They don’t have to do this alone. There are people like me willing and wanting to help.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Misty Bliven - MSED, LCPC

Misty earned her degree in Elementary Education and Masters in Counseling from Quincy University.  She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.  Misty was employed at Blessing Hospital for over 16 years,  She left her work as an Inpatient Crisis Intervention Therapist on the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services Unit to pursue a career in outpatient counseling.  Most of her focus has been with Children and Teens, but she is looking forward to assisting clients of any age with discovering their strengths to deal with issues that life throws at all of us.  Misty wants the sessions to be client directed and the environment to feel comfortable, safe, and nonjudgmental.

I want clients to know they are not judged. I want them to feel understood, heard, and not alone. We all have our own unique stories.

THERAPIST

Trina Vogel - MSW, LCSW

Trina is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois. She attended University of Illinois in Springfield earning a Bachelors degree in Social Work. She took a break from her studies to work in the Illinois Child Welfare System addressing the complex needs of parents, caregivers and children. Then she furthered her education by earning a Master degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a focus on Children, Youth and Family Services. Trina also has specialized training in Play Therapy, Child and Adolescent Trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy.

Helping children and their families gives me the greatest satisfaction. I use creative and playful techniques to meet kids on their level to help them gain those skills they’ll need to have a positive and successful life.

Executive Director

Dr. Melissa McKelvie - PhD

Melissa McKelvie

Melissa McKelvie is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the field of mental health. She has worked in various settings, including: a university clinic, a nonprofit agency serving children and families, an organization specializing in the assessment and treatment of ADHD, and her own private practice. Melissa enjoys using her skills to help clients clarify their values and goals and to overcome the painful thoughts and feelings that keep them
from creating a rich, full life. Melissa is dedicated to keeping Cornerstone a vital part of Quincy and to honoring its 75-year tradition in the community. Cornerstone was never designed to be the biggest, shiniest place in town; it is meant to be a place where clients feel safe and understood, the staff feel valued, and the entire agency provides a meaningful experience for the people who trust us with their care.

Marketing & Development Director

Drew Quintero

Drew Quintero

Drew Quintero graduated from Quincy University with a BA in Communications/Public Relations in 2005. He spent his year after graduation working for the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Pa in the Marketing/Public Relations Department. He brings with him a diverse background in marketing and fundraising. Drew is excited to dive back into the world of non-profit and is glad it is with Cornerstone.

Cornerstone's mission of providing skills, support and hope is so important and I am thrilled to share it with the community.

RECEPTIONIST

Elena Lock

Elena Lock - Cornerstone Receptionist

It has been my pleasure to enter into such a supportive and successful group of therapists and staff. I was born in Cuba, but my family relocated to Quincy early in my childhood, where I have lived since. I graduated in 1984 from Quincy University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. As a young adult, I worked as a bookkeeper for a local business. Later I went on to work for a doctor in the area for 14 years. I am currently the receptionist for Cornerstone. On a day to day basis, I enjoy the opportunity to interact with clients as well as assisting staff members and clients in facilitating the therapeutic process. I have three grown children who are the center of my world. Also, I am very involved at church and I love to garden, I love to meet new people, and after growing up in a Cuban household.

I have great appreciation for diversity in people’s life stories. I am very excited to work with the wide range of people we have the privilege of serving each day.

Family Support Specialist

Jennifer Stephens

Jennifer Stephens

Jennifer earned her BA in Early Childhood Education in 2018 from Grand Canyon University. Her past experiences include working as an Early Head Start Teacher with PACT Head Start for 3 years and Para Educator for Special Ed Pre-k for 2 years. Jennifer was also in the First Steps Program when she had her first child, Noah until he aged out of the program. Jennifer got to see first hand how the First Steps Program works, all the benefits there are to the program, and what an amazing agency Cornerstone truly is.

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband Corey and their 2 children Noah and  Whitley, doing anything creative or crafting, and spending time with family and friends.

Being a parent can be hard. Knowing what to do or where to find the resources can be overwhelming. I get to make that a little easier on parents and share the love I have for littles and making a difference while representing this wonderful agency, Cornerstone Foundations for Families.

Family Support Specialist in the First Steps Program

Kate Schlueter

Kate Schlueter

Kate earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 1990 from Quincy University. Her past experiences include Home Visiting with PACT Head Start for 5 years, Preschool Parent Educator for PACT Head Start for 5 years, & Early Childhood Coordinator for Western Community Unit District 12 for 22 years. Kate’s love for Home Visiting will be fulfilled as a Family Support Specialist in the First Steps Program.

I have been married to Doug for 31 years. We have 2 daughters (Alexandra & Ava), 1 son-in-law (John) & 2 grandchildren (ILA & Chet).
My hobbies are boating at the Lake of the Ozarks, reading, & spending time with my grandchildren.

Finance Director

Kim Parrish - CPA

Kim Parrish - Cornerstone Business Manager

Our Finance Director, Kim Parrish, is a graduate of Illinois State University where she earned her Bachelors degree in Accounting. She spent one more year doing graduate work there and was a graduate assistant in the Department of Accountancy. With over 27 years of experience in the corporate world, Kim’s experience is a real asset to Cornerstone!

It’s so gratifying to work with dedicated people who work so hard to make a real difference in people's lives!

THERAPIST

Lindsey Wood - MS, LCPC, LMFT

Lindsey Wood - Cornerstone Therapist

Lindsey Wood sees clients from all walks of life who face diverse challenges, especially those with family issues. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Marriage and Family Therapist, Lindsey attended Taylor University in Indiana where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Psychology. At John Brown University in Arkansas, Lindsey received her Masters in Counseling and worked in the department as a Graduate Assistant. She believes that by working closely with her clients, their unique strengths can be discovered and lead to the right solution.

My hope is for my clients to experience healing in their relationships and in their hearts. It’s very satisfying to help clients find solutions to the difficulties they face in their family relationships, as well as those experiencing depression, anxiety, and grief.

CASEWORKER

Raquel Kroencke - BS

Raquel Kroencke - Cornerstone Caseworker

Raquel has been employed at Cornerstone since 1995 and involved in the First Steps Program since 2000. Working first as a Family Support Specialist from 2000-2018, Raquel is currently serving as program manager/supervisor. First Steps promotes positive parenting skills and provides information about child health and development. The focus of the program is to support parents in providing a loving, nurturing environment for their children while linking them to community resources and helping them reach life goals. 

“It’s very rewarding to see parents paying it forward by sharing the information they have learned with other family members and friends. The program creates a “rippling effect” in the community, so ultimately we reach more people than we personally serve.”  

It’s very rewarding to see 'my kids' grow up and for their families to make progress with their life goals.

Billing Specialist

Tina Pray

Tina

I have been employed at Cornerstone since December 2015 working with clients and their insurance needs. I have over 30 years of experience working with insurance companies and billing claims. I have always worked in the insurance field and working at Cornerstone I must say, has been the best job ever. In my off time, I love to spend time with my family. My husband, John, and I have 3 children and 6 grandchildren who are such blessings.

It is such a pleasure to be able to work somewhere you love and have such great and friendly people to work with everyday.