school-based care

Mental Health Program.


Learn more about school-based mental health services below. If you are concerned about the mental health needs of your child or would like to enroll, please speak to your school guidance counselor.

Students Experience:

- Improved academic performance and social functioning
- Reduced suspensions, detentions, unexcused absences, and symptoms
- Significant progress towards treatment goals

Why School-Based Mental Health?

- Eliminates transportation costs
- Services are delivered regardless of ability to pay
- On-site therapy reduces missed appointments and classroom time
- On-site therapy provides greater opportunity for care coordination & case management
- On-site therapy encourages self-referrals and referrals by peers

Providing Access To Healing (PATH)

Lakeshore Community Health Care partners with the Sheboygan Area School District, United Way, and Mental Health America to offer school-based mental health care to nearly all schools in the district. The Providing Access to Healing (PATH)program offers school based mental health services designed to support students within the school day and remove stigma and barriers to accessing care.

PATH Impact Report

School-Based Mental Health in Howards Grove and Manitowoc

Lakeshore Community Health Care is also partnering with the School District of Howards Grove and a few schools in the Manitowoc Public School District to provide mental health care and therapy for students during their school day. We're able to provide a comprehensive approach of school based behavioral and mental health services designed to support students within the school day and remove stigma and barriers to accessing care working together with the family, student and the school.

We hope to expand school-based mental health services to more schools in the future.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

920-395-2981 x112

Meet Our School-Based Therapists

Frank Simac, LPC, CSAC

Frank has experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and their families and specializes in providing them support with anger management, anxiety, depression, mental health, and substance dependency.


David Ohrmund, LPC

David has years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and their families to provide support with stress management, anxiety & depression, complex mental health , and substance abuse prevention.


Sarah Apfelbeck, LPC

Sarah has experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and families. She specializes in trauma-informed care, helping support children and families who have experienced a trauma or chronic stressors.

Cooper Elementary, Grant Elementary School, James Madison Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Early Learning Center, and   Longfellow Elementary

Kayla Ostermann, LPC

With many years of experience, Kayla works with adults, children, adolescents, and their families in settings such as parent education, autism therapy, crisis counseling, in home therapy and an inpatient psychiatric unit.


   Kristen Wlodek, LPC

Kristen’s experience is with anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, complex mental health concerns, integrated care, relationships, and substance use concerns. Students will learn to improve their lives and achieve their goals.


School-Based Therapists.

Frank Simac, LPC, CSAC

I'm a licensed professional counselor and clinical substance abuse counselor with over 7 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and their families in a wide variety of settings.

I use a range of clinical approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and specialize in working individuals and their families to provide support with anger management, anxiety & depression, mental health, and substance dependency. I also have experience facilitating groups focused on anger management, substance dependency, self-esteem, and anxiety & depression.

Practices in the Manitowoc Public School District and Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

David Ohrmund, LPC

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, BA in Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Masters in Counseling

I have over 10 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and their families in a wide variety of settings. My clinical approaches include person centered care and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

I enjoy working with individuals and their families to provide support with stress management, anxiety & depression, complex mental health concerns,and substance abuse prevention. I have experience facilitating groups focused on stress management, substance abuse prevention, and anxiety & depression.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Sarah Apfelbeck, LPC

Cardinal Stritch University,
Masters in Clinical Psychology

I'm a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings.

I use a range of person-centered approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parent-child therapy, and play therapy. She has specialized in trauma-informed care, helping support children and families who have experienced a trauma or chronic stressors. Sarah has experience facilitating groups focused on emotional regulation, anger management, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Kayla Ostermann, LPC

University of Wisconsin - Stout,
BA in Human Development & Family Studies
Lakeland College, Masters in Community Counseling

I'm a licensed professional counselor with over 12 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents and their families in settings such as parent education, autism therapy, crisis counseling, in home therapy and an inpatient psychiatric unit.

I have training in narrative attachment therapy, trauma informed care, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, alcohol and other drug addictions,and sensory concerns effecting children. I have experience working with all ages regarding anxiety, mood disorders, attachment, trauma and stress.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Kristen Wlodek , LPC

Pacific University in Oregon

I have over eight years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and families, I started my career working in homeless services in Portland, OR. Special areas of clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, complex mental health concerns, integrated care, relationships, and substance use concerns.

With  an integrated approach, mostly focusing on trauma informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, patients learn to improve their lives and achieve their goals. I believe everyone deserves to be heard and I approach each individual with genuineness, kindness and understanding. With support, healing is possible.

Practicing self-care is very important to me in order to be a great provider in this community. I enjoy traveling and the outdoors, cooking, crafting, and spending time with my family.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Erin Meyer, MSW, APSW-IT

Northern Michigan University, Bachelors in Social Work
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Masters in Social Work

I was originally born in Virginia, but my family moved to Wisconsin when my dad retired from the military. My husband and I enjoy country living just outside of Fond du Lac.

I previously worked in child welfare for several years and participated in various internships, including medical social work, school-based mental health counseling, domestic violence advocacy, and a nursing home.

I enjoy reading, watching TV, traveling, and being outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather (for the brief period of time it comes to Wisconsin). I have a bucket list of travel destinations in the US & internationally, that I have started crossing off slowly, but surely.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Alexia Samsal, LPC

Lakeland University, Bachelors in Psychology
Lakeland University, Masters in Counseling

I have lived in Sheboygan County my whole life. I moved from Sheboygan in 3rd grade to Sheboygan Falls and I graduated there. I now live in Howards Grove.

My goal is to help people help themselves. I want to offer healthy skills and tools that anyone can use. I listen to clients so I can  understand what therapy will suite them. I want to help people see that they can get through tough times and know they are not alone.

I was interested in the PATH program because the program helps a population I'm interested in helping - high school students and young adults.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Madison Dowidat, LPC-IT

Marian University, Bachelors in Psychology
Lakeland University, Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling  

I’m a recent gradate of Lakeland University. During my internships I had experience in the Fond du Lac area with children, adolescents, and adults.

Even though I am still developing my own style as a counselor, my preferred clinical approaches include client-centered focused, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), stress management, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based counseling, art therapy, play therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

During my college experience, I coached competitive swimming for seven years until taking a position with the PATH program in Sheboygan.

Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District (PATH Program).

Kayla Johnson, LCSW

University of Wisconsin- Green Bay, Masters in Social Work

Most of my life I thought I would be some form of medical doctor. Once I started working with adolescents with disabilities and the juvenile justice system, I discovered there were so many other ways to support a person beyond their medical needs. When I learned about social work and the systemic approach, including not just medical but so much more, I knew I found my fit.

I've worked in School Based Mental Health since 2019. I think the model is a great way to overcome systemic obstacles to traditional treatment. I enjoy working with special populations, including children, the elderly and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

I am a former gymnastics and swim coach and continue to enjoy both sports when I can. I have a goal to run one race a month for a full year, which has been the goal for a few years now. I enjoy traveling and visiting the lesser known parts of states. I read, garden, and paint in my free time.

Practices in the Manitowoc Public School District.

Alayna Freis

Coming soon...
Practices in the Sheboygan Area School District

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