Johanna Ciak, MSW, Director
Johanna received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University with a concentration in Children and Family Services. Johanna has worked in the Social Work field since 1983.
Johanna started the William A. Presti Center for Families and Youth because she wanted to provide a caring, empathetic, and supportive environment for people that are struggling with emotional and mental health issues. She also wanted to provide services at an affordable price to make it easier for people to access services.
In her career, Johanna has worked with people experiencing anxiety, loss, low self esteem, depression and other emotional and mental health issues. She has worked in a variety of environments, including mental health, education, and residential. Johanna has provided services as a Therapist, Coach and Case Manager. She has also supervised programs for the chronically mentally ill and head injured adults. She was an Assistant Director and Director for a proprietary school. Currently, Johanna’s sole focus is the ongoing development of the center. She is proud of the Therapists, Coaches and support staff at our center. They are a truly committed, dedicated , group of professionals who care about providing a variety of services to the community. Our team is honored to serve the Livingston County and surrounding communities.
Johanna lives locally with her husband and her 15 year old dog! She loves long walks, reading, and collecting jewelry!
Email: jo@wapcenter.org
Arica VanGelderen, MSW, Operations Director
Arica VanGelderen, Operations Director, received a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Kalamazoo College and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Loyola University.
I’m her role as Operations Director, Arica oversees and manages all daily operational tasks at the center. She monitors caseload reporting and records, employee onboarding, and compliance with business practices. She provides ongoing operational training and support to our staff.
Arica lives with her husband, three dogs and two cats. She enjoys art projects and loves sharing her creativity with her friends, staff, and family!
Email: arica@wapcenter.org
Kisha Hath, LMSW, Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Kisha received her Master's in Social Work from Michigan State University. Kisha also received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Baker College.
Kisha specializes in working with children and teens, but has experience with all age groups. She has worked with children as young as two, teens as old as 17 and adults. Kisha specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and sexuality. Her passion is to help children, teens, and adults heal from emotional pain. Kisha strives to help her clients live an empowered life. Kisha utilizes evidence-based practices with her clients. She incorporates mindfulness, play and art therapy in her work with children and teens. Kisha always validates her client's feelings and listens to everyone's "story."
Whether in-person or virtually, Kisha provides a safe, welcoming, and judgement free environment. She works with your strengths to achieve your goals. Kisha understands that life is everchanging. She helps her clients work through feelings of helplessness, fear, and anger. She is an empathetic and caring clinician.
Kisha lives in Howell with her five year old Pomchi and her one year old cat. She enjoys traveling, concerts, crafting, and spending time with friends. She is an avid movie fan, especially horror movies.
Email: Kisha@wapcenter.org
Marcie Reznik, Accredited and Certified Life Coach
Marcie is an accredited and Certified Life Coach. She works with couples struggling with unhealthy communication, long standing unresolved, conflicts, intimacy issues, trust issues, pre marital exploration. She offers a supportive, solution focused approach to resolving conflicts. Marcie works with adults experiencing life transitions, including divorce, grief and loss, career changes, feelings of isolation, low self esteem, and spiritual exploration. As a Certified and accredited Life Coach, Marcie is passionate about helping her clients discover their true potential and guiding them towards success. She believes that everyone has the power to create the life they desire, and her role is to provide the tools and support necessary to make that happen.
She has always had a strong desire and affiliation for connecting to people. Her own personal life experiences over the last 50 plus years ended up heightening her strong sense of compassion and empathy towards people, especially those who are dealing with emotional and physical pain. Marcie utilizes a wide array of healing modalities that help support and facilitate growth and transformation. She wants to help all of her clients achieve self fulfillment as individuals and in their relationships. Marcie works collaboratively with her clients to create a warm, and welcoming environment. It is important to Marcie that her clients feel seen and heard to promote personal empowerment and growth.
Marcie currently lives in Wixom with her husband and one of her daughters. Her hobbies are working out, being outside in nature and spending her time with her family and friends. She looks forward to meeting you!
Email: Marcie@wapcenter.org
Mitchell Brown, CLC, BS, and Masters level candidate
Mitchell Brown, BS in Psychology, Certified Life Coach and Masters Level candidate. Mitchell received his Bachelor's in Psychology from Grand Valley State University. He is a Certified Life Coach and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health.
Mitchell has expertise working with teens experiencing anxiety, depression, low self esteem and relationship issues. Mitchell also has background working as a Behavioral Specialist with children and teens diagnosed with autism. He has mentored teens in a sports setting teaching mutual respect of each others gifts and the value of working as a team.
Mitchell works with children, teens, and young adults. He specializes in anxiety, depression, low self esteem, relationship issues, emotional management, peer relationships, socialization issues, and life transitions. Mitchell focuses on developing a warm, trusting, and collaborative relationship with his clients. He helps his clients gain clarity and new, healthy, perspectives with the issues they are struggling with. He will help you design a new path in life to achieve your goals. Mitchell believes that everyone has the ability to positively transform their lives!
In his spare time, Mitchell loves to travel, fish and enjoys boating. He loves playing sports! Mitchell has a great enthusiasm for life and energy to live every day to the fullest! He would love to share his enthusiasm with you and help you live a fulfilling, empowered, life. He looks forward to working with you!
Email: Mitchell@wapcenter.org
Starr Howland, BS, CAADC-DP, Master's Level Intern
Starr holds a Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Anthropology from Central Michigan University, where she is also currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Starr has a clinical background with children and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, family and peer conflict, anger, autism, and trauma. In addition, Starr works with adults and teens struggling with addiction issues.
Specifically, Starr worked with children and young teens ages 5-12, diagnosed with Autism. She utilized applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques as a Registered Behavioral Technician. In this role, she supported children in reducing dysfunctional behaviors, enhancing social interactions, and teaching essential life skills.
Additionally, Starr served as a Senior Associate Therapist at an outpatient opioid recovery center, where she provided counseling to adults struggling with substance use disorders. By incorporating mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, she helped individuals identify triggers and overcome barriers that impeded their recovery.
She believes that all individuals are unique and she is ready to help you become your authentic self again. While grounded in empathy, patience and kindness she creates an engaging and comfortable environment for all individuals, including children, teens, and young adults.
Outside of her professional work, Starr enjoys traveling, spending time in nature, and cherishing moments with her family.
Email: starr@wapcenter.org
Suzette Presti/ Intake Manager
Suzette brings a wealth of experience to our Center. She has an Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and a Bachelors Degree, with an emphasis in Management, Communication and Fine Arts. She has worked in Healthcare, higher education and business settings in professional, administrative, and management capacities.
She is happy to be able to utilize these skills to match clients with the therapist or coach best suited to their individual needs and connect people to resources for a better future!
Suzette is also a professional vocalist and choir director. She enjoys people, pets, travel, new experiences, and the great outdoors in her leisure time.
Email: Suzette@wapcenter.org