Our Team A-B

Alexandria Anderson is a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) in the Wasserman Day Treatment Program in Clermont County. She joined Child Focus as an intern in August 2024. Alexandria is completing her bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Cincinnati and working toward becoming a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). She plans to pursue her master’s degree in social work at the University of Cincinnati, with the goal of becoming a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).

Isabella Asbrock, MSW, LSW, earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Cincinnati and her Bachelor of Social Work from Wright State University. She is a Licensed Social Worker in Ohio with experience serving children ages 5–12 in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. Her background also includes volunteer work supporting children ages 3–18 through community programs and hospice.

Outside of work, Isabella enjoys attending concerts, spending time with friends and family, playing with her dogs, and photography.

Katie Barker BA, QMHS is qualified mental health specialist providing services in the Clermont county area. Katie earned her bachelor degree from Bellevue University.  Katie began working for Child focus in 1997 in the early childhood division, providing services for children birth to 5 years old. Katie left Child Focus to stay home with her family and then returned to work in the mental health division in September 2019.  Outside of Child Focus, Katie enjoys camping with family, watching soccer and hiking to see waterfalls. 

McKenna Benjamin, MA, LPC, is a therapist in the Wasserman Day Treatment Program. She previously served as a Qualified Mental Health Specialist at Clermont Northeastern (CNE) Local Schools, providing Community Psychiatric Support Treatment (CPST), Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS), and prevention services. McKenna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati in 2019.

With experience supporting children with behavioral challenges in school settings, McKenna enjoys working with adolescents and uses humor and a strengths-based approach to build connections and encourage positive change.

Jase Beasley, M.Ed., LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor providing outpatient therapy at the Mt. Orab office. He earned his Master of Education degree from Lindsey Wilson College. Jase has experience working with adolescents and adults and uses person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches to support clients in achieving their counseling goals.

Lucas Blackwood, MSW, LISW, serves as the Coordinator of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) for Brown and Adams counties, where he also provides services as part of the MRSS team. He earned his Bachelor of Science in religious studies from Ball State University in 2020 and his Master of Social Work from Miami University in Ohio.

Lucas previously served as a Qualified Mental Health Specialist and Social Work Apprentice at Child Focus, providing Community Psychiatric Support Treatment (CPST), Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS), prevention, and stabilization services. His background also includes experience as a summer camp counselor and director.

Maria Bockhorst, MSW, LSW, is a Licensed Social Worker providing school-based therapy at Fayetteville Perry Elementary School. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2023 and joined Child Focus in July of that year.

Maria supports children and families experiencing mental health concerns, behavioral challenges, and difficult family circumstances. She works with children referred for concerns including trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In her work with young clients, Maria incorporates elements of bibliotherapy, play, art, and mindfulness. She also serves on the Brown County Crisis Response Team.

Akemi Brewer, Psy.D., completed her graduate training in clinical psychology in the field of health psychology at Spalding University, Louisville, KY. Her internship training was at University of Louisville, School of Medicine: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, The Bingham Clinic, Louisville, KY. The training included provision of individual/family therapy and group therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. Rotation included inpatient pediatric consultation-liaison services, psychiatric day treatment services, inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry and outpatient clinic services, and emergency room assessment as well as psychological testing. Dr. Brewerhas been working at Child Focus, Inc. since 2010 and completed her fellowship training at Child Focus, Inc. She obtained licensure as a clinical psychologist in November 2014. She provides individual/family therapy, psychological testing, and crisis intervention. She has a lot of experiences with different populations (from children to adults) and settings (e.g., elementary school, private practice, adult inpatient hospital, primary care setting, community mental health center). While Dr. Brewer uses integrated treatments to fit each client, her theoretical orientation represents the importance of attachment, meaning-based communication process, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Jennifer Brinkdopke, MA, LPCC-S, completed her graduate training in Community Counseling at the University of Cincinnati in 2000.  Her internship training was at Child Focus, Inc.  This training included diagnostic assessment of mental and emotional disorders, child and adolescent counseling, individual counseling, family counseling, and group counseling.  Ms. Brinkdopke has been in practice in the Outpatient Division of Child Focus, Inc. since 2000.  Ms. Brinkdopke serves at the Director of Compliance and Performance Improvement which includes the shared role as a Privacy Officer for the agency, a leadership role in internal Quality Improvement efforts, and responsibility in securing compliance with CARF and OMHAS standards.  This role also includes that of Triage Coordinator, through which Ms. Brinkdopke reviews registrations and transfers of Child Focus, Inc. clients to ensure they are properly assigned to providers who are trained to meet each client's individual needs, with a focus on the application of Evidenced Based Treatment Strategies.  As a Clinical Supervisor, Ms. Brinkdopke provides weekly supervision to several staff who are working on their independent licensure or are in counseling graduate programs.  In her role as a Community Mental Health Therapist, Ms. Brinkdopke provides diagnostic assessment of mental and emotional disorders, child and adolescent counseling, individual counseling, family counseling, and group counseling for children on the Autism Spectrum. Ms. Brinkdopke has received special training in the areas of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as having attended several trainings on working with children on the Autism Spectrum.

Kristin Brown, Qualified Mental Health Specialist, joined Child Focus in 2022 as a before- and aftercare staff member in Early Learning before transitioning to Behavioral Health in 2024. She has more than nine years of experience supporting children with behavioral challenges in school settings and enjoys helping young people thrive.

Outside of work, Kristin enjoys cheering on her three daughters at their sporting events, playing sand volleyball, spending time near the water, and hiking with her dogs and fiancé.

Tessa Bruner, BA, QMHS, is a Qualified Mental Health Specialist with the Resilience Grant, supporting clients and their families in building resilience across Clermont, Hamilton, and Brown counties. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice with a minor in psychology from Northern Kentucky University in 2019.

Before joining Child Focus in 2022, Tessa served as a social worker providing case management services, gaining experience in assessing trauma and developing prevention and treatment plans. She plans to pursue a Master of Social Work degree and become a Licensed Social Worker.

McKenzie Burton joined Child Focus in 2024 as a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) in the Wasserman Day Treatment Program in Clermont County. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Morehead State University and is pursuing her Master of Education in mental health counseling at Lindsey Wilson College, with the goal of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Renae Butcher, M.Ed, LSW, is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio. She is currently working as a Mobile Crisis Responder and Jail Liaison on the Crisis Services Team at Child Focus, Inc. Renae earned her Master’s Degree in Social Agency Counseling from the University of Dayton in 1993. She earned additional certification in the Treatment of Juvenile Sexual Offenders from the University of Louisville. Renae has an extensive history providing assessment and mental health services to clients in both community and residential setting. Renae joined the Child Focus Inc. team in June 2015.  She received a 2018 NAMI Excellence in Mental Health Care Award for Criminal Justice/Mental Health.