Staff Directory

 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. 

 Karsen received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University, and a Master’s degree in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities from Western Kentucky University. Karsen is currently providing therapy for youth in Jackson County with the Southern Illinois Resiliency Project. She has a background in crisis intervention and support, and mental health and substance abuse counseling in both community and clinical settings. Karsen has received training in Managing and Adapting Practices, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Botvin Life Skills Training 

Laterriea Martin received her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2019. Followed by her advance standing Master of Social Work Degree in 2020. Laterriea has numerous experiences with SIU’s learning programs, Laterriea was able to join the student body support group known as Social Work Student Association (SWAS) in 2018. Then also attended the National Association Social Work- Advocacy Day in 2017 and 2019. Laterriea strives to dedicate her time to helping her community. Consequently, she became graduate student of the class of 2020 doing so.  Laterriea’s need to help the upcoming generations exceeds in her work. Laterriea severed as an aid to the Carbondale Community High School students through the Attucks Community Services Board (ACSB). An after school free lunch program that assist the students with food nutrition, assistance with homework, and guidance when needed. Laterriea was committed to helping the student's succeed with ACSB. Students were able to learn and navigate strategies to help guide them throughout their path in high school. While committed to the Doctoral program at Capella University she has learned a lot about new and innovative learning techniques and educational breakthroughs. Laterriea utilizes all her supports along side an array of community resources to navigate community members on her down time. Laterrieas’ goal, through continued education and the development of community-based programs, is to one day play a part in the development of a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone has the chance for the full expression and realization of their God given talents and abilities.   

 Lindsey has her B.S. in early childhood Ed, specialization in Child and Family services and an M.S. in C&I,  specialization in leadership, both from SIU-C. She is currently working on a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Cumberlands. Lindsey has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, evaluative and developmental assessments, and early intervention. Throughout her 10 year career she has worked with children, teens, and families that have experienced crisis, trauma and were victims of abuse.  Lindsey has worked on crisis teams for children and youth with emotional and behavioral health issues as well.  She is passionate about working with children, youth and families to build resiliency as they heal from trauma. 
Lindsey's current role is to provide mental health counseling, substance use counseling, high fidelity wrap around services and intensive case management for youth and their families.   

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.   Octavia's role at the center involves providing administrative support. Octavia also participates in the Resiliency Project providing clinical services and assistance. Octavia's clinical focus is to empower and encourage individuals through resilience. 

Darlene received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1983. While teaching elementary school, she pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, after which she became a Certified School Counselor. Darlene has 30+ years of professional experience in counseling and administration. Some of these experiences include: Assistant Director of the Career and Counseling Center at SIUC, Director of SIUC School of Law Placement Center, School Counselor at several school districts, Mental Health Therapist at Egyptian Health Department, and Social Emotional Learning Specialist at Egyptian Health Department. Darlene currently serves as a Trauma Focused Treatment Therapist at the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center through the Southern Illinois Resiliency Project. In this position, she provides therapy for children up to the age of 18 and their families in Franklin County. Darlene is a Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer and has presented the program throughout southern Illinois. Darlene is trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Managing and Adaptive Practices (MAP), and is currently receiving training in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Darlene is passionate about providing services to children and teens who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s). In her spare time, Darlene enjoys spending time with her family, working in her yard, playing the piano and serves on the Board of Directors for Franklin & Hamilton County CASA.  

Dr. Diane King has spent decades working with children, families, educators, and professionals in the areas of child development, trauma, social-emotional learning, temperament and personality, and family systems. She has developed college courses embedding topics such as adverse childhood experiences, trauma informed practice, trauma informed care, brain development, and developmental trauma to support professionals in learning how to apply that knowledge into working with young children (birth to 5). Dr. King has been an advocate for social and emotional wellness in early childhood for 20 years - since the inception of the "Social Emotional Program", now commonly known as "The Pyramid Model.” As a National Head Start Coach Mentor and Early Childhood Consultant, she was an early trailblazer in this work with administration, teachers, and families to implement the program. 

Dr. King and Dr. Buckman, PhD., Licensed Psychologist, Executive Director, Stress & Trauma Treatment Center have been collaborating for over four years to coordinate and deliver outstanding professional development events to early childhood professionals in southern Illinois. In 2019, Dr. Buckman and Dr. King co-taught "The Neurosequential Model for Education." This course provided an in-depth study of the neurosequential development of young children (birth through age five) and effective teaching practices to enhance development. 

Over the past school year, Dr. King has conducted presentations on Staff Wellness/Self Care, worked with Prevention Initiative infant toddler staff and Pre K staff concerning individual children, assisted administrators with program consultations, and worked with individual families. She serves as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant for the school districts in the southern sixteen counties. She continues to provide consultations and act as a mentor for educators supporting them to explore effective strategies in the classroom, staff development, family engagement, and optimal whole child development. She is a Pyramid trainer for Preschool and Infant Toddler as well as a trainer for the new Trauma Informed Care (TIC) eModules program and has an extensive network of relationships in the southern 16 counties of Southern Illinois with many school districts, Head Start programs, and child care programs.  

Dr. King received her Bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in Psychology from Western Illinois University one course short of a double major. She maintains active Illinois teacher licenses for Early Childhood and Elementary Education and has taught PreK, Kindergarten, first, second, and third grades and substituted in Special Education. Dr. King’s Master’s degree is in Knowledge Management with a specialization in Organizational Development/Early Childhood Leadership and Management from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She completed her Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration – Management of Programs for Children and Youth at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 2010. Her research study, “Facilitating the Professional Development of Early Childhood Program Administrators Through an Online Education and Mentoring Program” was conducted with 25 southern Illinois administrators.

Dr. King is the vice president of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). Dr. King is also vice president of the Southern Illinois Early Childhood Action Team (SIECAT). She is the treasurer for the Southern Illinois Chapter of Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (SILAEYC).

 Karla has her bachelor’s degree in social work and currently working on her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Throughout her 23-year career Karla has worked with teens in a residential setting, assisting with life skills training, trauma, and behavioral challenges. She became a licensed foster parent and fostered children for nearly 11 years leading to adoption. She has experience working with foster/adoptive parents and children in the foster care system or who have been adopted. Karla has experience working with young children through Early Intervention for 12 years, focusing on children with Autism, and received certification in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). She has experience working with children with feeding challenges and received training and certification in the Save Our Ship (SOS) feeding Approach. Karla has experience working with children, as well as the families of children, who have experienced trauma, sensory challenges, and a variety of developmental delays.
Since coming to the Stress and Trauma Therapy Center Karla has taken part and is working with MAP, TF-CBT, and PCIT therapy. Karla has a passion for children who have experienced trauma, and enjoys working with children, families, and adults.   

Megan is a Southern Illinois native with ten years of experience in child-serving systems including work in the realm of child welfare, alternative education, domestic violence advocacy, and clinical services. Megan has completed over 300 hours of trauma-specific education. Additionally, Megan is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy, Child Parent Psychotherapy, and Managing Adaptive Practices. Additionally, Megan enjoys providing training and education to community organizations around the subject of trauma and childhood adversity. When Megan is not working with children and families, she can be found chasing her three small children or spending time at home with her high school sweetheart.   

Elena graduated from SIU-C in 2021 where she received her Bachelors in Social Work along with a Bachelors in Psychology. She also graduated with Associate degrees in Rehabilitation Services and Neuroscience. Elena is currently working towards her MSW with a focus on mental health, from SIU-C. She is also a current Fellow in the Trauma Based Behavioral Health Fellowship. Elena's role at the center includes meeting with clients as well as working with children in the Therapeutic Day Care. Elena enjoys meeting and working with a diverse population of clients. After completing her Master's degree Elena plans on working towards her licensure to become an LCSW before pursuing a PhD. 

Ian (they/them) received their Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 2019. Ian is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in children, youth, and families. Ian is further completing a graduate certificate in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Ian is participating in the Trauma-Based Behavioral Health Fellowship. 

Ian seeks to empower clients through sociological mindfulness and a psychological imagination. Ian uses evidence-based research and techniques to help clients realize and reach their fullest potential. Ian is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Treatment in Schools and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Ian uses these techniques and trainings to help individuals with mental health issues and strengthen family systems.