-1.jpg/:/rs=h:1000,cg:true,m)
Our Team
GREG TANGARI, LSCSW DCSW
Greg is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, with nearly 25 years of experience in the field, focusing extensively on therapy with children, families, and couples. He is a diplomate of clinical social work (DCSW), the highest earned certification available to social workers. He specializes in working with adolescents and younger children, as well as divorce therapy, custody, and foster care. He has published in a nationally recognized journal and presented on topics of family therapy, ethics and supervision both locally and nationally. He is past president of the Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and is vested in improving the access of Kansans to mental health and social work services.
DAVID BARNUM, PHD
Dr. Barnum is a licensed psychologist. He specializes in the therapy of younger children, couples and families as well as psychological evaluation. Dr. Barnum has 10 years of experience in this field (5 at the post-doctoral level) and is especially skilled at working with teenage boys on behavioral, psychological, emotional, and scholastic issues. His other specialty is working with young children in family and individual play therapy. He is so popular with his clients that he frequently receives personal referrals, making his schedule a bit challenging at times. He is also a highly regarded supervisor of psychologists and a popular therapist. His warm, honest, interpersonal style makes it easier for clients to become comfortable, even if this is their first time working with a therapist. He has published and presented on several topics.
LESA WEST, LMFT
Lesa received her master's degree in family therapy in 2003 and has worked with families and young children in home, school, and agency settings. Certified as a parent educator and member of the Kansas Association of Infant Mental Health, she is engaged in ongoing specialized training in infant mental health.
Lesa's area of emphasis is infant mental health with the focus of treatment on the following:
Helping families with young children address healthy attachment
Reducing chronic stress in the family system
Promotion of positive social and emotional development
Ensuring babies and young children are meeting milestones across all developmental domains.
MARK SMITH, LCPC CCSAS
Mark received a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Mark uses motivational strategies, cognitive and cognitive-behavioral tools, group work, and spiritual development to help clients rewrite the story of their lives and redefine themselves as an individual and as responsible members of their family and society. As a Certified Clinical Sexual Addiction Specialist, Mark specializes in helping individuals and couples overcome the destructive outcomes of sexual compulsion and sexually addictive patterns of behavior. He is trained in the MultiModal Partner Trauma Model and incorporates this partner sensitive approach into sex addiction recovery treatment for individual, couple and group therapy. Additionally, Mark has extensive training in cognitive-behavioral therapy plus multiple hours of training in motivational strategies, both proven methods for treating various mood disorders, psychological issues, and relationship difficulties. Mark is also recognized in Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
BECKY CHEEK-KING, LCP
Becky has been working in the mental health field for over 26 years. She attended Vanderbilt University and then received her masters in clinical psychology from the University of Tulsa. She worked for years at community mental health centers where she gained experience treating a large variety of clinical issues. Becky knows the challenges families face today and she understands the resources available for children and families here in Lawrence. She has a way of building rapport quickly, making clients feel supported and understood while working to help them make changes. Becky is comfortable treating children, adolescents and adults as well. She likes working with depression, anxiety, and sexual abuse. Becky is skilled in working on family issues and helping parents improve their home lives. She is very invested in the Lawrence community. Becky went through Leadership Lawrence in 2009 and has served on multiple boards of directors for local child serving agencies. She has given talks on ethics for professionals and on effective communication with schools for parents.
MARY LU EGIDY, MSN APRN BC
Mary Lu has a master’s degree from the KU School of Nursing. She is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Adult Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing (American Nurses Credentialing Center). She has 20 years of experience in a variety of mental health settings and is skilled in providing evaluations of behavioral and mental health. As a advanced registered nurse practitioner, Ms. Egidy may write prescriptions for psychiatric medication under protocol with her supervising psychiatrist. She has recently attended training on the treatment of ADHD and bipolar disorder in children and teens and is especially adept at the pharmacology of these disorders. She is one of FTI Midwest's greatest assets, in that she allows us to carefully integrate treatment with medication management. She is extremely popular with her clients because she makes a good connection and spends the time necessary to understand their concerns.
785.550.3524 - This number is to be used for emergencies or medication questions/requests. Mary Lu requires all clients be seen every three months in order to obtain a medication refill. If you need to contact her at this number, please text with your name, date of birth, and request.
BRENDA PATZEL, PHD APRN BC
Brenda has a doctorate degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Nursing, a Masters Degree and a Post Masters Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Kansas. She is Board Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She has over 20 years of experience in a variety of mental health settings. As an advanced practice registered nurse, she completes assessments and diagnoses of adults as well as prescribing psychiatric medication under protocol with her collaborating psychiatrist. Her practice includes both individual therapy as well as pharmacological therapy.