Catch us at our best!

 Kasey Buckman is the office manager at The Stress and Trauma Treatment Center. Kasey has a bachelor's degree in business management and has spent most of her career working in the public and serving our community in different ways. Kasey has lived in Saline County her entire life and enjoys working here where she grew up. Kasey enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is always willing to help others in any way possible. 

Aleza Sitarz (she/her) is the Director for Resilience Education. She grew up in Southern Illinois and has recently returned home to be closer to her family. Aleza has worked with school systems in Illinois and Texas for the last 15 years as a teacher, a school counselor, a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Writer, and an SEL Specialist. Aleza is thrilled to be working with this team to support resilient youth, families, and communities in Southern Illinois. 

 Maranda received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Greenville University.  She is currently attending Case Western Reserve University to obtain her Master’s degree in Social Work.  Maranda has a varied background offering support services to parents, early childhood children , and adolescents facing many different and adverse circumstances.  Maranda will be providing therapeutic child care services and therapy services. 

 Amy Coan is originally from West Frankfort, Illinois. She graduated from Frankfort High School in 1998 and attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois. She studied Social Work and worked with the America Reads and AmeriCorps program throughout her college career. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Social Work and started working with the SASS Program at the Community Counseling Center in Alton, Illinois. She also worked with One Hope United as a Functional Family Therapist (FFT) and Children's Home and Aid Society before returning to the area and working with Lutheran Social Services in Mt. Vernon. She obtained a Child Welfare License through the State of Illinois and continued her work at Centerstone and the Nights Shield in West Frankfort. Amy currently works as a Wraparound Facilitator at the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center in Eldorado and utilized the skills she has acquired to help children and adolescents in the community in need of services 

 Flor received her bachelor and master’s degrees in Social Work, specializing in Mental Health, with a minor in Psychology from Southern Illinois University. Flor has extensive experience and training working with children and other populations throughout her career. Before pursuing her education, Flor and her family were self-supporting missionaries in the Philippines. She is a partner of a local church there to this day. The decision to become a social worker stemmed largely from personal and her experience as a missionary. Flor is compassionate and empathetic. She takes delight in empowering others. Flor strives to impart hope because she believes that hope is alive and that no matter what, there is always hope available to all. 

Kaci Peek is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Trauma Therapist at the Stress & Trauma Treatment Center. She received her BSW at Murray State University and then went on to obtain her MSW at Southern Illinois University. She participated in The Trauma Based Behavioral Fellowship at SIU when she was completing her master’s degree. This experience contributed to her passion for learning and treating youth and families who’ve experienced adversity. Kaci also has a background in child welfare as well as school and community based mental health counseling. She has received training in many different evidence-based practices including EMDR, TF-CBT, and MAP practices. Kaci’s therapeutic approach is strength-based and believes everyone can create change in their lives through self-determination and resilience.   

  Kelsey received her Bachelor's degree in psychology from Illinois State University, where she stayed to pursue her doctoral degree in School Psychology. She is currently working to complete her doctoral internship at Egyptian Health Department and WOVSED.  Throughout her training, Kelsey has provided services to children, adolescents, and families in the school and clinical settings. She has worked with clients with a variety of presenting emotional, behavioral, academic, and cognitive concerns. Kelsey worked as a graduate assistant at The Autism Place (TAP), where she provided both individual ABA and group-based social skills services to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Additionally, Kelsey has experience in providing comprehensive evaluations for children and adolescents with suspected emotional, behavioral, academic, and cognitive concerns. Kelsey has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Early Intervention, family therapy, and a variety of cognitive, academic, and social-emotional assessments. She aims to use this training to provide direct intervention as well as evaluative services to children and adolescents and their families. She uses a strengths-based and client-focused approach to help clients meet their full potential. 

Role: Octavia participates in the Resiliency Project providing clinical services and casework. Octavia's clinical focus is to empower and encourage perseverance through empathy, support, and guidance. Octavia uses EMDR, TFCBT, and MAP as methods of treatment within clinical sessions. 

Education: Octavia graduated SIUC with her Master's degree in Social Work. Octavia participated in the Trauma Based Behavioral Health Fellowship through the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.