Staff information
Our clinical staff represents a variety
of disciplines including psychology and social work. Our therapists have experience
in the fields of individual, marital, family and group therapy
for a wide variety of issues. Our office staff will be
happy to assist you in scheduling appointments and answering
your questions.
Barrie
Mariner Arachtingi, Ph.D.
“Dr. Barrie” is a licensed psychologist and currently
the Executive Director of CPS. She received her Ph.D. in
Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas, her M.S.
in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin, and a BSW from
the University of Minnesota. She works with adults and
adolescents, families, and couples.
Primary areas for psychotherapy interest include anxiety, depression,
increasing self-esteem, eating disorders, relationship difficulties,
pre-marital, ADHD, chronic illness, and managing pressures associated
with balancing work and motherhood. She enjoys assisting
individuals with finding their strengths and accepting themselves
for who they are, not for who they think they should be. Dr.
Barrie also believes that spirituality for people should be a
place of comfort and peace and she enjoys assisting people in
finding freedom in their spiritual life. In addition to
psychotherapy, Dr. Barrie specializes in the area of psychodiagnostic
assessment in which psychological tests are utilized for diagnostic
clarification for children and adults. She performs these
services to assist with the therapeutic process and to provide
treatment direction for clinicians and physicians. In addition,
Dr. Barrie provides evaluation services for the courts. She
is initiating a program at CPS that involves utilizing evaluation
in a manner that assists families that are going through the
painful process of divorce.
Dr. Barrie has served as an adjunct faculty member with the University
of Kansas and has taught doctoral level practicum and psychodiagnostic
assessment to doctoral students in the Psychology Research and
Education Department. She has also been elected as the
Practice Service Representative with the Kansas Psychological
Association.
Recently, Dr. Barrie joined Comfort the Children International
to provide humanitarian efforts in Kenya. Initiatives include
microfinance efforts, helping women to develop business opportunities,
and community organizing.
Dr. Barrie has been with CPS since 1991 and has enjoyed the years
assisting the agency through changes and growth. She is married
and has three children.
Paul Cox, LSCSW
Paul Cox is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
who has been a clinical therapist since 1980. He has been
fortunate to have gained expertise with all age groups. He
enjoys working with children and adolescents, having a great
deal of experience with ADHD and oppositional behavior. Paul
is also knowledgeable and experienced with adults, couples and
family therapy, focusing on healing and resolution of life issues. Paul
follows the belief that the Holy Spirit can direct our souls
on the path to healing and emotional well-being.
Kristine
McIver Johnson, Ph.D.
Dr. Johnson completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at
the University of Kansas in 2001, following a business career. She
holds a BBA in Accounting and a MA in Clinical Psychology, both
from Washburn University. Kris joined the CPS staff in
2000 and feels blessed to be part of an agency where she can
facilitate God’s grace and meet people where they are spiritually. She
enjoys working with adults, couples and families across a variety
of clinical issues. Areas of concentration include Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit Disorder
(ADD) in adults, depression, anxiety, grief, premarital counseling,
and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Kris is available
in both the Lawrence and Topeka offices. She and her husband
are parents of a college-age daughter and a high school-age son.
Debra McQueeney, Ph.D.
Dr. Debra McQueeney has a Ph.D. in Clinical
Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in business, both from
the University of Kansas. She has over twenty years experience
practicing cognitive therapy and over eight years of experience
working in inpatient settings and performing psychological assessment. She
has specialized skill in cognitive therapy for depression and
anxiety, marital therapy, and psychotherapy with business executives
in transition. She appreciates her association with CPS
because her clients often demonstrate the power of spirituality
to move their lives in the direction they desire.
Verdell
Taylor, Jr., MS
Rev. Verdell Taylor, Jr. is a native of Leavenworth,
Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education
in 1968 and a Master of Science in Counseling in 1972 from Emporia
State University. He has been with Christian Psychological
Services since 1996. He enjoys working with all people
and helping them reach spiritual fulfillment. Verdell has
a special interest in working with adolescents and couples. He
has been ordained as a pastor since 1980, and he has been the
pastor of St. Luke A.M.E. church in Lawrence since 1995. He
is married, and has two daughters and three
grandchildren.
Kristin Teasdale, Ph.D.
Dr. Kristin Teasdale received her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas in 2009. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Southern Methodist University in 2003. She comes to CPS following an internship at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center, where she worked with individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, Bipolar Disorder, relationship/family conflict, bereavement, life transitions, posttraumatic stress, and substance abuse. She works largely from cognitive-behavioral and positive psychology approaches and enjoys helping individuals and families find their own strengths to help them make positive changes in their lives. Prior to her internship, she served as managing editor for the Encyclopedia of Human Development, Encyclopedia of Measurement and Statistics, Encyclopedia of Educational Psychology, and Encyclopedia of Research Design. She comes from a place of hope and is grateful to be working with the CPS family.
Angela Thiesen, LCMFT
Angela is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
who is dedicated to providing meaningful and effective therapy.
Angela enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, couples,
and families. She has over nine years of experience and has worked
in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Angela possesses expertise
in play therapy, grief and loss, overcoming trauma, childhood
and adolescent mental illness and behavioral issues, family and
couples therapy, substance abuse treatment, step-family dynamics
and treatment, domestic violence, and parenting after a divorce.
Angela approaches her work from a place of grace and acceptance
and is honored to practice in an environment that allows her
to share in her client’s faith. Angela is married and has
one son.
Laura VanSickle, LCP
Laura began work at CPS in 2002. Previously,
she served as the director of a university counseling center. She
has also counseled children and adolescents with emotional and
behavioral issues in residential and day treatment schools. Laura’s
internship was at a center specializing in treating sexual abuse. Laura
earned her M.A. in clinical psychology at Wheaton College in
1992. In 1998, she completed an eating disorder training
program at National Louis University. Laura’s special
interests are in working with trauma, eating disorders, self-harm
behaviors and anxiety (especially in children). College
students, stressed out parents of children/adolescents and Christian
clients who desire to integrate their faith in therapy are among
Laura’s favorite client populations. Laura is married
and has two children and two cats.
Board
Bob Bowline
Colleen Darnell
Steve Flory
Glen Mack Harnden
Rodge Moore
