SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPISTS
Our Therapists
Jolene Pickelman, M.A., LPC - Co-Owner
Jolene Pickelman is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Central Michigan University. She has been working in the counseling field since 1990. Jolene has specialized training in working with adults and adolescents that have addiction and/or mental health issues. Jolene provides individual, group, family counseling, marital counseling and substance abuse evaluations to a wide population of clients. She also assists clients who are in the process of getting a restricted or full drivers license by completing a Secretary of State substance abuse evaluation with them. Jolene utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as motivational interviewing and works well with a variety of clients. When not at work, Jolene enjoys gardening, crafting, and caring for her many animals.
Jolene can be reached at jpickelman@jacounseling.com
Angela Volk, M.A., LPC - Co-Owner
Angela Volk is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Central Michigan University. She has been working in the counseling field since 1989. Angela has specialized training in working with adults and adolescents that have addiction and/or mental health issues. Angela provides individual, group, family counseling, marital counseling. Angela also completes substance abuse evaluations for client with pending legal offenses. She utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as motivational interviewing and works well with a variety of clients. When not at work, Angela enjoys gardening, reading, and caring for her dogs.
Angela can be reached at avolk@jacounseling.com
David Hotopp, MA, LPC
David Hotopp earned his Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree from Central Michigan University and Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Theological Seminary. Dave has specialized training in working with adults and adolescents who have addiction and/or general mental health issues. Dave holds certifications for several behavioral assessments and is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, Professional Motivators Analyst, and Hartman/DNA Analyst with Target Training International. Dave is also certified as a Prepare/Enrich for Couples Workshop Counselor. Dave provides individual, group, family counseling and marital counseling. Dave utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy and works well with a variety of clients.
Dave can be reached at dhotopp@jacounseling.com
Heather Bartlett MA, LPC
Heather is a license counselor and a graduate of Central Michigan Universities, Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling program. She has been practicing in the counseling field since 2008. Heather has training in DBT, EMDR and BSFT, Batter’s Intervention as well as Motivational Interviewing and trauma therapy. She sees individual, adolescences, families and couples and is a group facilitator for several groups. Heather specializes in working with mental health, trauma and substance abuse issues. She enjoys baking and cooking on her off time.
Olivia van der Leij MA, LLPC
Olivia van der Leij is a limited licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree in counseling from Central Michigan University. She first started practicing counseling in 2005 and is returning to the field after a prolonged absence. Olivia utilizes a person-centered approach that draws from multiple modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and trauma-informed therapy. She works with adolescents and adults, as well as couples and families, who are facing concerns such as addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression and relationship issues. She also performs substance abuse evaluations and facilitates support groups that focus on substance abuse recovery and parenting through recovery. When she isn’t in the office, Olivia enjoys spending time with her family as well as painting, biking, traveling and cross country skiing.
JULIE COUSAR, LLMSW
Julie is a graduate from Florida State University where she earned her Masters in Social Work. She has a wide variety of experience working with juveniles and adults who are struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. She also works with couples, families, and offers individual counseling. Julie also provides educational classes that focus on substance
abuse. On her off days, Julie enjoys spending time with her four rescue dogs and her family.
Maisie Beckner, LLMSW
Maisie is a graduate from Saginaw Valley State University where she earned her Masters Degree in Social Work. She has significant experience working with adolescents struggling with mental health issues and with substance use disorder. She has counseled adolescents in the detention center, within the school system, and in the community. She offers individual and family counseling to adolescents and to adults. During her free time, Maisie enjoys spending time with her friends as well as traveling.
Jessica Ostrander, LMSW
Jess is a Licensed Master of Social Work. She got her bachelor’s in social work from Eastern Michigan University and graduated with her master’s in social work from Michigan State University. Jess has a wide variety of experience in the mental health field. She’s worked in the juvenile justice system in several capacities, including drug court treatment and probation. She has a passion for mental health and substance abuse recovery. She sees adults and teenagers dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. Jess uses a holistic approach in counseling, including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, ACT, and DBT skills. In her free time, Jess loves to cook, go to concerts, and spend time with her friends, family, and animals.
JENNIFER HEARD
Jennifer Heard is a state certified recovery coach and an administrative manager at J & A Counseling. Jennifer graduated Midland County Drug Court in November of 2016 and has been in long term recovery since May of 2015. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her 3 children, 2 dogs, and significant other. Her passion is to help people on their journey through recovery. She believes every person with drug dependence deserves a chance to live a life free from the chains of addiction.
Haley Bartlett
Haley is our administrative assistant and billing coordinator at J & A Counseling. She is a recent graduate from Delta College and will be attending SVSU for her Masters in Social Work to become a counselor. On her off time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and reading.
Greg Yancer
Greg (Buddy) Yancer is a trained recovery coach certified by the State of Michigan as a Peer Support Specialist. Greg battled addiction most of his life and is a graduate of the Midland County Adult Drug Court Program. As a father of 6, Greg has seen the affects drug addiction has on a family. Due to this experience, he has dedicated his life to helping those suffering from substance abuse disorder and their families recover. Being a person in long-term recovery himself, Greg is versed in multiple pathways to recovery and continues to expand his knowledge through personal experience.
Joel Hensel
Joel Hensel is a certified peer recovery coach licensed by the State of Michigan. He lived the majority of his live in active use as well as being in and out of incarceration. Joel specializes in working with others that are acclimating back into society from incarceration, those that are recovering from substance use disorder and individuals dealing with issues from being absent in their children’s lives. He is trained in multiple ways of recovery and grateful to be an example that change is possible.
Chancy Eastman
Chancy Eastman is a trained Recovery Coach certified by Connecticut Connection for Addiction Recovery CCAR. Chancy has lived experience with substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder that he draws on and strategically uses when walking with someone trying to get their footing in recovery. He is compassionate and understanding. He supports multiple pathways of recovery. He is continuingly growing, learning and developing and is happy to help others do the same.
Carole Evans
Hi friends, my name is Carole, and I am a woman in long term recovery!
Today what that means to me is I am a mother, & Grandmother that is completely present in my family’s lives. I have completely repurposed my life in the last 3 years to include becoming a State Certified Peer
Recovery Coach. I was so excited to become a Coach for the J & A family so that I could give back to the community in which I struggled with substance abuse the worst. As a graduate of the Midland County Recovery court program, I wanted to help other women find a whole
new way to live, as the program taught me. Since then, I have been grateful to do the same for the Mi hope program. I am also a Coordinator for Peer 360 and provide support and fun events to show others in our community that there is a healthy way to live life after
substance use disorder! Please feel free to reach out if you need me!
JORI VOLK, DOG, PAW
Jori is a chocolate lab four-legged staff member. He has dog years of experience as he has a been a dog his entire life. He has utilized cognitive behavioral therapy to train his coworkers to give him treats on demand. Jori has extensive experience in accepting pets (especially belly rubs) and dog treats. He enjoys seeing all types of clients, including cat owners Jori looks forward to greeting you at our office.
Connor Volk, DOG, PAW
In memory of
****In loving Memory of our friend and colleague Dave Sinclair, MA, LLPC****
Primary Communities Served
Auburn
Bay City
Carrollton
Chesaning
Coleman
Edenville
Essexville
Frankenmuth
Freeland
Hemlock
Kawkawlin
Linwood
Merrill
Midland
Millington
Munger
Saginaw
Saginaw Twp.
Sanford
Shields
St. Charles
University Center
Vassar
Zilwaukee