Drake Counseling Services in Detroit Lakes would like to welcome Kelsey Wentler, LADC.  Kelsey will be providing substance abuse treatment services at Drake Residential Treatment Center (DRTC) in Detroit Lakes.  Kelsey completed her Master degree in Addiction Studies at Hazeldon Graduate School.  We are very excited to have Kelsey as part of our team!!!

Drake Counseling Services in Detroit Lakes also welcomes Sarah Kennedy, MSW as the Facility Manager of DRTC.  Sarah has experience working with adolescents in various residential and transitional living programs.  We look forward to working with Sarah at DRTC!!!

Our Detroit Lakes services have continued to evolve over the past year.  We recently have started an adolescent aftercare group and intend further expansion of adolescent programming.  Currently, we are providing outpatient mental health services for adults, adolescents and children in our Detroit Lakes Office.  In addition, our adult substance abuse/dependency intensive outpatient program continues to meet the chemical health needs of the community.

As of January 4th, 2008, the Grand Forks office of Drake Counseling Services, Inc. was relocated to the Aurora Medical Park. This move opened up new and exciting opportunities, including a more centralized location with greater access for clients, increased networking opportunities with other local health care providers at the medical park, and the possibility to explore providing a substance dependence component to a dual diagnosis program.

DCS is now providing mental health services to adolescents, adults, and families. Julie Starkey and Janelle Meidema, both Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers, provide clients with a complete Biopsychosocial Assessment in order to make a professional recommendation based on individual needs and strengths.

Our Detroit Lakes, MN office is now open!!! Julie Starkey, LICSW, currently provides outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents and adults. Beginning January 2, 2008, we will be providing outpatient substance abuse/dependence (SA/D) services to adolescents and their families. The SA/D services will include an evening outpatient program, parent education group, individual and group family counseling and peer group. Adolescents in our SA/D programs who have mental health needs may be served in-house and in cooperation with their SA/D services.

Beginning June 1st Drake Counseling Services is an approved provider of substance abuse services for recipients of Medicaid.

Drake Counseling Services in both Fargo and Grand Forks offers North Dakota state sanctioned 16-hour DUI seminars on a monthly basis. Beginning in January of 2006, our Fargo office will offer the DUI seminar twice per month. Classes take place Monday -Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:30pm. Please contact our office in either Fargo (701)293-5429 or Grand Forks (710)746-8414 to get further information on dates, cost, and to register for the class.

Drake Counseling Services is now offering a free one-hour education program to any persons concerned about their own or a loved ones chemical dependency/substance abuse. This program is offered every Monday evening (excluding holidays) from 6:00-7:00pm. Please join us anytime, no need to call ahead.

P.O.W.E.R. (People Offering Wellness Enlightenment Renewal)Group is a free support group that is open to everyon meeting every Monday from 6:00-8:00pm at Drake Counseling Services. The purpose of this group is to offer support by means of *accurate information, *education, and *mutual support to families and friends affected by alcohol and other drug use.

Drake Counseling Services offers an internship program to any student interested in the field of mental health and/or substance abuse. Please contact our office for further information if interested.