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.
https://gregtangarilscsw.clientsecure.me
(785)550-3847
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.
Updated contact information coming soon
MARK SMITH, LCPC CCSAS
Mark received a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. He 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 a responsible member of their family and society. He specializes in helping individuals and couples overcome the destructive outcomes of sexual compulsion and sexually addictive patterns of behavior. He has training in partner trauma recovery work and incorporates this partner sensitive approach into couples therapy. 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. He has extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
(785)330-5344
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.
https://www.turningpointtherapy.biz
(785)856-0676
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.
Elizabeth Harrison, LPC
Liz has a master’s degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University. Prior to that, Liz attended Clemson University and spent several years working in marketing and sales. Liz’s personal experience and passion for helping others eventually led her to the mental health field. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Kansas. Liz has experience working in various settings including a hospital behavioral health unit, a community mental health clinic, and private practice settings. Liz specializes in working with adolescents and adults with a variety of clinical issues. She utilizes an integrative counseling approach, tailoring the therapy process to each individual’s needs and personal circumstances.
https://www.lizharrisoncounseling.com
(785)655-6065
KARLA FLORES HERNANDEZ, M.A, LMLP-T
Karla has been working in the mental health field for over 12 years. She is originally from El Salvador. Her native language is Spanish, and she is also fluent in English.
Karla has a Bachelor's in psychology from Universidad Centro Americana Jose Simeon Canas-UCA in El Salvador. She then attended and received her Master's in Clinical Psychology from the Universidad Dr. Jose Matias Delgado in El Salvador. Karla began her career with Savadorean children and adolescents at her college's Psychological Assistance Clinic. During which time she enhanced her skills treating a large variety of clinical issues, focusing on behavioral and emotional problems. She also maintained a private practice in El Salvador.
Karla is skilled working with children and adolescents. She knows that it is necessary to guide parents in improving their family relationships by helping them understand the specific emotional and psychological needs of their children. Parents often fell de-skilled when "standard" parenting techniques are in-effective, which may lead to frustration and conflict. Karla is good at helping parents build their skills by assessing the child's needs and suggesting effective parenting strategies that best support those needs. She helps families implement interventions with empathy, compassion, and efficacy. Karla utilizes play therapy and other psychodynamic techniques and interventions to help her clients express their feelings, solve problems, and build skills so they can get their emotional needs met. She presently works under the supervision of Becky Cheek-King, LCP.
(785)330-5688
karla@connectionsplaytherapy.com