About Us

Meet Karen Bergbower & Her Associates!

Email KarenKaren Bergbower, LMSW, CAADC, CPC-M

Karen Bergbower is the Program Director and Clinical Director of KBA. She received her master of social work degree from the University of Michigan and is a licensed master social worker (LMSW). Karen has almost  20 years of experience working with adults, youth, and families. She works with both mental health and substance abuse issues and is a certified advanced addiction counselor (CAAC). Karen is actively seeking training to provide trauma-informed assessments and interventions. She has also provided counseling and consultation for adult and juvenile courts, as well as schools, including implementing a juvenile drug treatment court and a student assistance program.

In addition to her clinical work, Karen is a local leader in prevention initiatives. She is a certified prevention consultant (CPC) and was one of the founders of Key Alliance and its Executive Director from 1994 to 2005. Karen currently serves as the Coordinator of the Livingston Community Prevention Project, which is a WCHO-funded collaborative that enhances and strengthens the local substance abuse coalition using model programs to reduce underage drinking, reduce youth access to and use of tobacco, reduce adult binge drinking, and increase awareness of the negative consequences of opiate use.

Karen lives with her family in Livingston County and is active in the community. She was appointed to the Human Services Collaborative Body by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and is a member of several of its workgroups, including the Substance Abuse Workgroup (Livingston County Community Alliance) and the Community Needs Assessment Workgroup.

Email DeniseDenise Geroux

Denise Geroux is the President of Operations and brings over 30 years of customer service and office management to KBA. She has worked with Karen for the past 11  years and understands the unique needs of our clients. As a Livingston County resident, Denise knows what resources and services are available within the community, which enhances her ability to assist clients.

Email EmilyEmily Preston Rahim, LMSW, CTTS-M

Emily Preston Rahim has her master’s in social work from The University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her focus was in community organizing and health with a special concentration in international health and social development. She has spent many years working in tobacco treatment and is a master’s level certified tobacco treatment specialist, obtaining this degree from The University of Massachusetts.  She has spent a summer working for Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee located in Dhaka, Bangladesh and worked on insuring the uninsured at Children’s Defense Fund in NY, NY.

Email PeterPeter Girz, MSW

Peter obtained his master’s in social work from the University of Michigan and since graduating, has worked in the field of substance abuse prevention and treatment. He has a registered development plan on file with the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals to obtain his certified advanced addiction counselor crendential. Through both educational and professional experience, Peter has worked in a variety of settings with adolescents, adults, and families at risk. He has facilitated both short and long term didactic support groups for adolescents and adults struggling with substance abuse issues. Peter has a history of developing good rapport with community stakeholders and human service agencies. He has worked with Karen to develop community-wide programming to address underage drinking and adolescent reckless behavior. As an undergraduate, Peter worked full -time as a Community Advocate for the Community Action Network in Ann Arbor and assisted in the development of programming and collaboration among community partners.

Currently, Peter coordinates WARP (Washtenaw Alcohol Reduction Project), provides therapeutic and assessment services for adolescents and adults, co-facilitates Crash Course, and coordinates tobacco compliance checks as required by the Synar Amendment.

Email ErinErin Murphy, LLPC

Erin Murphy is a Prevention Specialist for Karen Bergbower & Associates.  She received her Masters of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing her Professional Counseling Licensure (LPC) and Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) certification.  Erin is the Project SUCCESS Counselor for Chelsea, Manchester and Pinckney schools.  She has served the Chelsea and Manchester communities as Project SUCCESS Counselor and active Community Outreach Coordinator for the past two years, working with the Manchester Voices coalition and the SRSLY Coalition of Chelsea.  This is her first year as Project SUCCESS Counselor in Pinckney and looks forward to working with the high school and the community as a member of The Pinckney Coalition.  Erin also co-facilitates Crash Course, a day-long experiential learning program that impacts teenagers under age 18 who have demonstrated risk taking behaviors including reckless driving and substance use.

Russell Stratton, LMSW,  CAADC, CMT, ADS                                                                                                                Email Russell

Russell Stratton received his master of social work degree from Eastern Michigan University with a concentration in child and family services. He is a clinically Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), and is recognized through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) as a certified Auricular Detoxification Specialist (ADS). He is a Community Prevention Specialist within the Livingston County area, coordinator of The Pinckney Coalition, and therapist at KBA. Russell has lived primarily in the Livingston County area since the early 80’s and is an active member of community interest groups with his family. He is thankful for being able to work in various capacities related to the mental health and substance abuse field since 1990, which includes working with children, adolescents, adults, and families.  He is actively seeking training to provide trauma-informed assessments and interventions. Russell brings a lot of energy to our team, due to his interests in extreme sports. 

If you are interested in services for you or a family member, or to become involved in a community-wide prevention initiative, please call Karen Bergbower & Associates at 810.225.9550 or email us at