LCA Welcomes Melissa Saunders, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

LCA News and Information
Melissa Saunders, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist at Lake Country Associates.
Melissa Saunders, CPRS

Lake Country Associates welcomes Melissa Saunders to the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) team in Park Rapids and Menahga. After graduating from an intense training program at the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge Program in Minneapolis and passing her exams at the Minnesota Certification Board, Melissa joins Lake Country Associates as our first ever Board Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS).

A CPRS is someone with lived experience in recovery who partners with people in need of additional support in their own recovery. The role of a CPRS is not the same as a sponsor. A CPRS focuses on being an advocate, a role model and a mentor. They work in partnership with mental health and substance abuse counselors and help people overcome barriers to recovery.

Melissa grew up in Hubbard County. She has one adult son and is an animal lover. She has been in recovery for over five years and is very passionate about the recovery journey. Melissa believes that with the proper tools, help with utilizing resources, and a healthy support system, recovery is possible. She believes in compassionate support, helping people break their goals down, and taking them on step by step.

More About Peer Recovery Services

For more information about CPRS services or any of LCA’s services for people with chemical dependency, call Lake Country Associates at 218-366-9229. You can also follow this link to LCA’s Substance Use Disorder program page.

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Feedback from LCA clients:

My child's therapist is awesome!  So helpful and relates well to the whole family.

Meeting with my therapist has been making my life and relationships a lot less stressful.

It is a very comfortable atmosphere.  Everyone is flexible and understanding!

When we come in for an appointment, the reception staff always has a friendly smile on her face.

The receptionist knew my name after the second visit...very friendly!

My therapist was very, very kind and is an awesome problem solver.

You are all warm, welcoming and so very helpful!  Thank you!!

I found scheduling flexible to my needs.

Location is great and the staff is excellent with customer service.  Therapy is also professional and comfortable.

Talking with my therapist is helping, instead of holding it all in.

My ARMHS staff is awesome!  She has helped me make progress in many areas of my life.  I have better relationships now.

The front desk staff had a positive attitude and was patient with me.

I have a great therapist.  I appreciate her assistance!

Everyone was very helpful.  I'm glad I called to get help!

My children's counselors are awesome.  I've seen huge progress in both my kids.

I appreciated being treated normally, even though I was getting help with a difficult situation.

The appointment times work well with my schedule.  My children get along well with their therapists.

She's thinking through things with me instead of just giving directions.  It shows that she cares.

My son and daughter are making steps toward our family goals!

They were open to my opinion of which counselor I see.

The staff members are always well informed and ready to help/answer questions.

Easy to work with.  Made me feel comfortable!

My therapist understands my child's needs and listens.

I had a person to talk with about my problems and my problems are getting better.

All the staff were friendly and helpful.  They answered all my questions.

Greatly appreciate having the option of Christian Counseling and being able to filter issues through that lens!

I love the comfortable feel in the office.

Easy to work with.  You can tell they genuinely care about their clients.

I'm so appreciative of my therapist's knowledge, skill and understanding.

Easy to get to.  Very friendly people willing to help.

Good location, feels very professional and confidential!

Quick and easy to get an appointment.  Friendly, helpful staff.

They matched me with the perfect therapist!

The staff have good attitudes and open minds.

They work with your schedule and do whatever they can to help you.

I always feel that my therapist is listening to what I have to say and helping me come up with practical ways to deal with things.

Friendly and helpful atmosphere.  Feel at ease walking in.

My therapist is a life saver! :-)

I appreciate the text/phone reminders.

I am so thankful I was directed here!

I like that the staff are flexible with scheduling.

The receptionist staff have been amazing.  They are friendly and caring.  You can tell they enjoy their job.

Her thoughtfulness and her knowledge of helping people with depression is what I need to achieve my goals!

Listens to both my child and me.  Getting us through some very difficult times with care and compassion.

My therapist is great!  Of all the therapists we've had over the years, she understands our family and kids the best.  Very helpful!

I love coming to LCA.  Everybody is so friendly and make you feel so much better.

Therapy at LCA has helped my progress immensely!

Our counselor wanted to meet our entire family to find out how to better help our son.  She offered lots of suggestions and things to help us in the long term.

My counselor helps me out when I need it most.  I can always count on them to say the right things, even when I don't want to hear it.

They gave me hope for the future.  Life saving.

Very welcoming place.  We love our therapist!

Resources

LCA Brochure

May 2024 Activities Calendar

June 2024 Activities Calendar

Community Resource List 1.8.24

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Office Hours

Park Rapids Office

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
    8:00 to 5:00
  • Wednesday
    8:00 to 7:00
  • Friday
    8:00 to 1:00

Bemidji Office

  • Monday – Thursday
    8:00 to 5:00
  • Friday
    8:00 to 12:00

Menahga Office

  • Open by appointment

LCA offices may be closed over the noon hour. 

Important Numbers

Park Rapids Office Phone:
218-366-9229

Bemidji Office Phone:
218-444-2233

Menahga Office Phone:
218-564-9229

LCA Fax Number (all offices):

218-237-2520

24-Hour Crisis Line:
800-422-0045

LCA News and Information