Meet Our Team

Molly Bilich joined the counseling team at Stepping Stones in January of 2024. Molly has experience in different roles within community mental health and enjoys working with different ages, demographics, and everything in between. She has experience with all ages but tends to gravitate toward working with children, teenagers, and young adults. Molly utilizes Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy within sessions, but always looks forward to changing it up depending on the client. She wants the client to feel comfortable and one of her most “famous” sayings is: “You can ask me anything. You are telling me so much about you and therapy is so personal, feel free to ask any question that you have!” Asking these questions allows the client to get to know the person they are talking to on a weekly basis.

Molly received her bachelor's and master’s degrees in social work from Aurora University. While Molly is an MSW (Master of Social Work) and QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional), she is currently working towards her clinical licensing so she can become an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).

When Molly is not working, you can find her at home with her cat, Ellie. If you have been in her office, you have surely seen a picture of her. While Molly enjoys spending most of her time with Ellie, she also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Some of her interests include traveling to National Parks, hiking, reading, cooking, baking, and gardening. Her favorite park to visit was Grand Teton National Park and her favorite thing to bake is homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Samantha Gaffey (she/her) joined the Stepping Stones of Rockford outpatient counseling team in June 2022. She is a Masters Level Social Worker who has extended training in the areas of loss and trauma, neurodivergent population, and child and adolescent development. Samantha primarily works with children and adolescents who struggle with emotional regulation, stress, loss, and trauma. She also provides treatment for individuals struggling with symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Samantha received a B.S. in Sociology and Anthropology with an emphasis in Social Work from Rockford University in 2006 and her MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers). She worked a number of years as a School Social Worker before joining the Stepping Stones team. 

Samantha prefers to spend her personal time outdoors, traveling to National Parks, cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Cubs, and being with her family and close friends.

Christopher W. Kauten, MA, MFT has been a therapist for the past six years working with a wide range of populations. He started out working in substance abuse at a residential facility with young adults, which has extended his knowledge about the effectiveness of 12 step work and medications. He then started working with children and their families for the next four years. In that time, he has also facilitated group work on a myriad of topics. Most recently he started working with adults at the individual level, most often addressing issues of trauma. He also expanded his knowledge of EMDR therapy recently, and plan to continue to expand his resources to aid the clients to the best of his ability.

He has an associate and bachelor’s degree in psychology, and received his master’s from Adler University in couples and marriage therapy. In that time, he also completed his internship where he had the opportunity to also work with couples. His approach to therapy is considering the system in which you, and or your family, work within as being both part of the problem and the solution. He will often apply solution focused and contextual therapy, but not limited to these styles as he is well versed in both CBT and DBT.

He spends his time practicing what he also encourage his clients to do themselves. He works out often, whether that be lifting weights, doing cardio, or engaging in any physical activities that he can engage in like going for a hike. If he is found at home, he spends time with his family, he takes the time to 3D print and paint unique items either for himself or his friends. Most recently he added PC building to his list of skills as he is an avid gamer and enjoy role playing games such as DND. He finds these activities to be very important for any individual and or relationship, and strongly encourage others to find what they like in this life; and if you can, share it with those close to you.

Danielle is passionate about working with adults facing addiction and mental health. She is motivated by challenges to pursue and gain clinical knowledge and expertise in mental health, trauma treatment, and licensure. Danielle strives to make a positive impact in the lives of those she serves, offering comprehensive and empathetic care as she supports individuals on their path to recovery and healing. She enjoys walking, being in nature, and spending time with her family and friends.

Danielle’s experiences allowed her to work with a variety of populations including First Responders, families (in a residential setting), women’s specific, and young men’s.  Her career began with interning at Rosecrance and Haymarket in 2015.  She gained valuable, residential and outpatient, experience in addiction treatments from these sites.  Danielle began working in residential at Rosecrance in 2016 as a Unit Counselor, and later became an Addiction’s Counselor. Danielle began interning at Stepping Stones in 2023 and became full time at the start of 2024. 

Danielle holds a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) since 2016 and a Co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorder Professional (CODP-I) since 2020.  She is currently waiting approval from the state for her Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) from the state.

Danielle’s educational history includes receiving a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2023, a Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Western Illinois University in 2011, and the Addictions Counseling Certification Program at the College of DuPage in 2015.

Beth Lenz is a Qualified Mental Health Professional who recently transitioned to the Stepping Stones Outpatient Counseling Center in October of 2023. Beth started her career at Stepping Stones in May of 2018 as a supervisor on the residential side for chronically mentally ill clients, primarily in the Community Apartment Program. Beth has worked in the mental health field for over 18 years in the community, school, and legal/court related settings. She has experience working with children, teens, and adults for mental health counseling. Beth has training in the areas of trauma, anger, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorders. She continues to learn new research approaches to symptoms and categories of mental illness.

Beth utilizes an educational approach that invites clients to understand their mental health needs and recognize the personal power they possess to make changes. Beth uses multiple approaches in therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, and family therapy to help challenge distorted thinking and focus on problem solving techniques.

Beth received a B.A in Psychology from Columbia College and a M.S. in Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. When not working, Beth enjoys spending time with her family, reading, being outdoors, and having fun with her multiple unique pets.

Janice Mathis BS Care Coordinator at the Maray location. I have been with the company since November of 2023. As a Care Coordinator my job mirrors the duties of a Case Manager. I help oversee the needs of the client alongside their therapist. I encourage participation in life skill groups and classes that will enhance positive productivity in the client’s day-to-day life.  As a Care Coordinator I also assist clients with local resources, court assignments with the client, IEP’s, 504’s, as well as long term solutions like SSI & SSDI benefits.  As a Care Coordinator I walk alongside the client and their therapist. Our goal is to provide the best service for the client and in most cases their family also. So, as a Care Coordinator, I Coordinate Care.

Corrine Mina (she/they) is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and the newest therapist to join the Stepping Stones of Rockford outpatient counseling team. As a music therapist, Corrine has more than eight years of experience working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and elderly folks with dementia. Using therapeutic songwriting and therapeutic beat making techniques, Corrine has also worked with children and teens in the welfare system and unhoused individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues. Corrine is also an activist for the LGBTQ+ community with extensive training working with queer homeless youth and advocating for transgender individuals. She utilizes a trauma-informed approach to therapy which centers the experience of individual, promotes collaboration and empowerment, and strives to restore a sense of safety, wellness, and self-worth.

Corrine received her B.A. in Music Composition at Columbia College Chicago and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialty in Expressive Arts Therapy at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In grad school, Corrine was the recipient of the prestigious and peer-nominated award “Social Justice through the Arts,” using her platform to raise awareness of how systemic oppression affects the mental and emotional health of, well, everyone. As a proud First Generation Filipino-American and child of immigrant parents, Corrine takes a multicultural approach to therapy and the understanding of barriers and stigma of mental health care for people of color.

When Corrine is not at work, she enjoys cooking, eating Filipino food and exploring cuisines from different parts of the world. She also loves NBA basketball (Go Bulls and Celtics!), making music with her friends, and annoying her three cats with love.

Andrea Reed joined the Stepping Stones of Rockford outpatient counseling team in January of 2024. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience working in behavioral health. Andrea received a B.A. in Psychology from Columbia College and an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University.

Andrea works primarily with individuals in adolescence through adulthood who are going through life transitions, stress, loss, trauma, or struggling with symptoms of anxiety or depression. Andrea uses an educational approach that invites you to understand your mental health and recognize the personal power you possess to make the changes you desire. She uses an eclectic blend of cognitive behavioral, person centered, solution focused, and dialectical behavioral skills approaches while focusing on your identified strengths and personal goals.

When Andrea is not working, she enjoys spending her time traveling, hanging out with family and her 2 Siamese cats, working in her yard, watching movies, and attending community events. Favorite quote “Where focus goes energy flows”.

Luke Salberg is the Associate Director of Services at Stepping Stones of Rockford. Luke joined the agency in October of 2022. He oversees the Outpatient Counseling Center as well as the Community Support Services program. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts.

He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree. After several years working in the concrete construction industry, Luke felt a need to do something different with his life. He made a list of jobs he would do even if there was no such thing as money. One of the jobs listed was a social worker, so he set out looking for a new career. The rest is history.

Luke has worked in the field since 2003. He fell in love with people-helping and went back to school and completed his master’s degree in counseling psychology at Trinity International University in 2007. Luke has worked as a case manager, therapist, social worker, supervisor, administrator, and director. He has focused on child and family issues throughout his career.

Luke was born and raised in the Rockford-area and graduated from Guilford High School. He has a passion for our community and is committed to providing high-quality services to those who ordinarily would have difficulty finding the help they deserve. He has three sons who he enjoys playing games with, laughing with, and watching them mature as young men. When Luke isn’t working, he is probably thinking about work. Otherwise, he enjoys working in his yard, hanging out with his dog, and listening to music.