WES CRENSHAW, PHD is a Kansas licensed psychologist and holds board certification in Couples and Family Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Dr. Crenshaw directs the Institute and has 15 years of experience providing therapy to families, adolescents, and adults. He coauthors Double Take: Advice for Teenagers and their Parents, a weekly column in the Lawrence Journal World. He is a popular therapist with teens and young adults and specializes in working with them and their families on issues of depression, anxiety, sexuality, interpersonal conflict, eating, oppositional behavior, substance abuse, and academic achievement. As have all staff at FTI, Dr. Crenshaw has additional training and specialization in ADD/ADHD and bipolar disorder in youth and children. He also works extensively with couples, unmarried, married and divorced. Dr. Crenshaw has unique specialization in foster care and adoption therapies. He has published papers in numerous peer-reviewed journals and is the author of the Brunner-Routledge book Treating Families and Children in the Child Protective System and a video from the American Psychological Association entitled Working with Children who have Experienced Abuse and Neglect. Dr. Crenshaw is currently working on two new books, one for children in the foster care system and the other for parents of teenage girls. He has served as a training consultant and supervisor for numerous agencies in Kansas, Colorado, and Virginia. Clients of all ages enjoy Dr. Crenshaw's sense of humor and honest, direct style. He is available for evening and daytime appointments.

"When people come to therapy they don't want to talk to a therapist. They want to talk to a person who knows how to do therapy. It doesn't matter how well you are trained or how much you know. If a therapist can't talk with kids and families like a regular person, they won't be able to communicate the important ideas of therapy. That's how I try to work with my clients -- like a real person who knows something useful that could bring about change."

Dr. Crenshaw OP-EDs and News Bits:

San Francisco Chronicle September 13, 2005: Rescuing Kids from Foster Care

Kansas City Star March 25, 2005: Profit shoudn't drive foster care

Columbia Missouri Tribune, April 7, 2005: Blunt's take on foster care is flawed regardless of aim.

Boston Globe February 8th, 2005: Protecting vulnerable children

Magic Valley (Idaho) Times-News March 23rd: Block stands firm for foster care

MARY LU EGIDY (ee-ghee'-dee) MS CS ARNP has a master’s degree from the KU School of Nursing. She is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Adult Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing (American Nurses Credentialing Center). She has 17 years of experience in a variety of mental health settings and is skilled in providing evaluations of behavioral and mental health. As a advanced registered nurse practioner, Ms. Egidy may write prescriptions for psychiatric medication under protocol with her supervising psychiatrist. She also provides individual, couples and family therapy and has received specialized training in strategic therapy, EMDR and psycho-educational processes. She has recently attended training on the treatment of ADHD and bipolar disorder in children and teens and is especially adept at the pharmocology of these disorders. She is one of FTI Midwest's greatest assets, in that she allows us to carefully integrate treatment with medication management. She is extremely popular with her clients because she makes a good connection and spends the time necessary to understand their concerns.

"Well used, medication can be a powerful intervention. I see my job as integrating medicines with therapy. We work closely at FTI to be sure that all treatment fits together...not meds here and therapy there."

DAVID BARNUM, PHD is a licensed psychologist. He specializes in the therapy of younger children, couples and families as well as psychological evaluation. Dr. Barnum has 10 years of experience in this field (5 at the post-doctoral level) and is especially skilled at working with teenage boys on behavioral, psychological, emotional, and scholastic issues. His other specialty is working with young children in family and individual play therapy. He is so popular with his clients that he frequently receives personal referrals, making his schedule a bit challenging at times. He is also a highly regarded supervisor of psychologists and a popular therapist. His warm, honest, interpersonal style makes it easier for clients to become comfortable, even if this is their first time working with a therapist. He has published and presented with Dr. Crenshaw on several topics. Dr. Barnum is available on Saturdays and evenings for your convenience.

"I think it is important to provide psychological interventions in the language of everyday life. Whether I am working with kids, adults, couples or families, I find that my clients want practical ideas that speak to their lives, not psychological jargon or stock interventions. I tailor my work to the way my clients think, feel, and act."

GREG TANGARI, LSCSW DCSW is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, with nearly 13 years of experience in the field, focusing exclusively on therapy with children, families, and couples. He is a diplomate of clinical social work (DCSW), the highest earned certification available to social workers. He specializes in working with adolescents and younger children, as well as divorce therapy, custody, and foster care. He has published in a nationally recognized journal and presented on topics of family therapy, ethics and supervision both locally and nationally. He is the president-elect of the Kansas National Association of Social Workers, and is vested in improving the access of Kansans to mental health and social work services. Mr. Tangari is available Saturdays and evenings for your convenience.

"Many times clients come to therapy feeling things couldn't get much worse. I work hard to help my clients find a sense of hope and optimism for change. We'll stay with it until we get there."

CRYSTAL MCCOMAS, LSCSW is a graduate of San Diego State University.  She has 6 years of clinical experience. She previously studied Greg Tangari at FTI Midwest until receiving her Kansas licensure for independent practice in 2005. Ms. McComas sees children, adolescents, adults and families at FTI Midwest. She works especially well with very young children as well as children and families who have been involved with adoption, foster care, trauma and loss. She also has great interest in working with adolescents and adults in managing mood, attention deficit, and anxiety disorders.  Ms. McComas is an adjunct instructor in the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas where she teaches Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Ms. McComas serves on the executive board of Kansas National Association of Social Workers, where she is working to improve service provision and access to social work and psychotherapy services for all Kansans.

“Often, parents who come to therapy are trying to understand about how their children are impacted by life’s challenges – at home, in school or in the community. I am always working to help families understand how their kids experience the world. I make every effort to support and encourage the best ways of interacting in that world and fostering healthy development.”

Cari Chapman, MA, LCP is a graduate of the Clinical Psychology program at Washburn University and holds advanced licensure as a master’s level psychologist. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kansas State University. She has practiced for 9 years at a community mental health center in Leavenworth, KS and also served as the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program Manager prior to joining FTI this year. While she is experienced with a wide variety of presenting issues and clients, Cari particularly enjoys working with and connects well with adolescents (and their parents!) to successfully manage the challenges at this intriguing time including relationships, sexuality, identity, and achieving healthy independence. She also works well with children and adults on a multitude of issues including mood, ADHD, anxiety, divorce, trauma, self-injury, parenting and behavioral concerns. Cari has specialization in helping individuals of all ages and their families affected by sexual abuse. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.

"I believe therapy is about joining with clients in a trusting, genuine way to help them gain a sense of empowerment and competence. Success happens when a client feels he or she can implement positive change and truly feel confident in saying, ‘I’m ready to move ahead on my own.’ Sometimes we just need a little nudge to help us get there.”