STAFF THERAPIST

Francesca “Frankie” Stringer, LLMSW A Black woman in glasses smiles in the camera. She's wearing a black top with a beige sweater and her curly hair is in a high bun.

Frankie earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in African and African American studies and then her Master’s Degree in Social Work both at Michigan State University (MSU). During graduate studies she completed certificates in Child Welfare and Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment through the university. She is currently working towards national TF-CBT certification. 

Frankie’s professional experience includes working with youth and adults in various settings. She has worked with MSU’s Daughters of the Collective where she mentored 6th through 8th grade Black girls, MSU’s Adolescent Diversion Program where she was able to work with and advocate for youth in the Juvenile Justice system, at St. Vincent Catholic Charities as a lead youth advocate for youth in the foster care system as well as interned in their child welfare department working with families who were working towards reunification, and at End Violent Encounters (EVE Inc.) as a sexual assault advocate, providing supportive services and resources to individuals and families. 

Although she has experience working with folx of all ages and backgrounds, Frankie’s heart lies within her work with children. Being able to bear witness to and actively listen to the stories youth would tell her during her early career in social work led her down the path of becoming a mental health therapist. She believes that there needs to be more spaces for youth to openly share their experiences and be heard because sometimes all they need is someone to listen, someone who offers them a space to heal. She reflects on her own life and challenges and embodies the person that she needed during her childhood to help create a space of healing and light for youth today. She recognizes that the world is full of challenges and hopes to encourage youth to overcome what overwhelms them. 

Frankie’s goal as a mental health therapist is to support youth on a path towards healing because therapy is about meeting you where you are and collaboratively working towards healing. As a professional, she tends to use an integrative or holistic model which combines various therapeutic models and includes empowerment as well as strengths-based approaches. Her methods take into consideration the person as a whole, all of their life experiences up until their work together and even after. She believes that centering you and your experiences while working collaboratively and building a healthy therapeutic relationship creates a healing space that promotes accountability, resilience, and growth.

REFERRAL THERAPISTS

Deborah Delcamp

Deborah Delcamp is a Licensed Clinical Master Social Worker. She has 10 years of experience working with traumatized youth and families, ages 0-17, including 8 years of utilizing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has experience working with issues such as trauma/PTSD, sexual/physical abuse, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, relationship/attachments issues, and supporting families. Deborah graduated from Michigan State University in 2006 and 2007 with a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work. She worked with families involved in the child welfare system at St. Vincent Catholic Charities 2007-2015 and at Community Mental Health since 2015. She has a passion for helping traumatized youth and families, including supporting parents through the difficulty of caring for these youth.

Deborah also completed a 200 hour teacher training in November 2016 with Belinda Thurston at Just B Yoga. Part of Deborah’s training was in trauma sensitive yoga and she has been assisting with Community Mental Health’s trauma-informed yoga alongside Belinda since fall 2016. Her yoga practice started as a compliment to her long-distance running and has turned into an important self-care practice. Combining her hobbies and work has been truly rewarding.

Amanda Dubey-Zerka

Amanda Dubey-Zerka, LMSW received her Master’s Degree from Michigan State University in 2006. Amanda is an Instructor for MSU School of Social Work and co-owns Wise Willow Counseling & Consulting in East Lansing, MI.  Amanda is Nationally Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT – PTSD), and has over 15 years of experience working with children, teens, and adults who have survived trauma. Amanda utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, play therapy and creative art techniques in her work with survivors. Amanda is a Master Trainer for the Michigan ACE Initiative and regularly provides training on the impact of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences. Amanda has volunteered with The Firecracker Foundation since 2013 by serving on the Board of Directors in the past and with the Program Development Committee. Amanda additionally provides supervision and support to the foundation’s clinician and interns.