Our Team

Brenda Owen, MSW, LCSW, LCAC

Executive Director

Brenda is the founder of Summit Counseling Services and serves as a key consultant for the agency. She is dedicated to expanding access to behavioral health care across western North Dakota and beyond. She is dually licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor and provides leadership in operations, public relations, and program development.

Focus areas:

• Behavioral health program development
• Community partnerships and outreach
• Integrated mental health and addiction services

Sara Fries, MSW, LMSW, PMH-C

Located in: Bismarck and Telehealth

Sara is a Licensed Master Social Worker seeing clients in Bismarck and through telehealth across North Dakota. She specializes in child and family support and is certified in perinatal mental health. Sara uses strengths-based counseling and developmentally appropriate techniques, including play-based approaches for children.

Supports clients with:

• Anxiety and depression
• Pregnancy and postpartum mental health
• Stress management and self-esteem
• Grief, trauma, and healthy relationships

Raelene Lemer, LAC

Located in: Bismarck

Raelene began her career with Summit as an addiction intern and now serves as one of our addiction professionals. She conducts evaluations and provides individual and group sessions. She also works with adolescents and supports clients throughout the recovery process.

Services include:

• Substance use evaluations
• Individual counseling
• Group sessions

Lizzie, LMSW

Located in: Bismarck

Lizzie is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the Bismarck office. She blends her passion for mental health with extensive social services experience to support meaningful progress. Her approach is client-centered and tailored to each person’s goals and life circumstances.

Jessica

Receptionist, Located in: Bismarck

Jessica is a returning member of our reception team. She brings strong insurance knowledge and years of experience working alongside behavioral health and medical professionals. Jessica helps clients feel respected and supported from the first call forward.

Julie Mehlhoff, LMSW

Located in: Bismarck

Julie is a Licensed Master Social Worker with experience across a wide range of clinical and administrative settings. She works with all age groups and brings experience in clinical supervision,
foster care, accreditation, and leadership roles. Julie offers daytime and evening hours.

Hannah Thomas, LMSW

Located in: Bismarck

Hannah works with youth and adults and is known for building strong rapport with clients. She sees clients in person in Bismarck and supports remote clients through Summit’s satellite offices.

Sarah Wegner, LMSW

Located in: Bismarck and Telehealth

Sarah supports clients ages 3 and up in Bismarck and through telehealth. She has experience working with children and adolescents and provides strengths-based, client-centered care. She is also supportive of clients in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Supports clients with:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and life adjustments
• Relationship concerns
• Play-based approaches for children

Dr. Robert Baer

Dr. Robert Baer is a licensed clinical psychologist and behavioral health specialist with decades of experience. He specializes in marital and family therapy and supports clients with anxiety,
depression, grief, and other concerns. He works with adolescents, adults, and couples and has experience providing disaster mental health support.

Amanda

Amanda is located at our Dickinson office and has experience in insurance and healthcare settings. She enjoys helping clients access services with respect and compassion, whether in person or by phone.

Cordie

Insurance Specialist and Receptionist, Located in: Williston

Cordie helps clients understand coverage and supports credentialing and claim submissions across insurance providers. Summit clients and staff benefit from her knowledge and attention to detail.

Jessica Rundle-Conell, LAC

Telehealth

Jessica is a Licensed Addiction Counselor with experience in private practice, community-based transitional housing, and institutional settings. Her counseling approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and Motivational Interviewing. She also has experience with peer-based support after critical incidents.

Chelle LeMier

Telehealth

Chelle provides mental health services through telehealth and is working toward her clinical social work license. She supports adolescents and adults, including clients in the LGBTQ+ community,
using person-centered approaches such as ACT, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing.

Guadalupe Crawford, LCAC

Telehealth

Guadalupe is an enrolled member of Spirit Lake Nation and has supported clients in eastern North Dakota since 2006. She is also a licensed minister.

Patrick Esposito, LAC

Remote

Patrick has supported individuals facing addiction and mental health concerns for more than 8 years. He is a disabled veteran and works with remote clients in outpatient sites and the residential unit.

Elizabeth Castillo

Nurse Practitioner

Elizabeth is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and provides psychiatric care for individuals 12 and older in office and via telehealth. She offers medication management for a range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, ODD, and OCD.

Elizabeth has completed MAT training and provides substance use treatment with medication options when clinically appropriate. Learn more about our MAT services.