Meet Our Staff

Megan Palmer is a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) in South Dakota, with over thirteen years of experience. As the CEO of Angel Oak Consulting, Megan provides alcohol and drug screening and diagnostic assessments, treatment placement, clinical supervision, training, and technical assistance. 

After graduating from Oglala Lakota College with an associate degree in human services, Megan kickstarted her counseling career as a Chemical Dependency Counselor Trainee with Southern Hills Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center. There she developed proficiencies in administering alcohol and drug assessments, as well as facilitation of Intensive Outpatient Treatment groups. Following, as an LAC Megan joined the Division of Social Services of South Dakota's Department of Correctional Behavioral Health to provide counseling services to clients within a maximum-security prison. 

In 2017, as head of Social Services and Activities for a 12-bed hospital and 44-bed nursing home Megan oversaw the social services department’s accordance with current federal/state/local standards, guidelines, and regulations. As a social services designee, Megan was a devoted patient advocate, assisting patients and residents with yet not limited to Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income applications, burial trusts, and individual counseling services.

Following, Megan has held prominent roles as a Treatment Coordinator for the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment and prevention program, Anpetu Luta Otipi, and as a Clinical Supervisor for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Methamphetamine Rehabilitation Program. Megan has dedicated her professional skills to working with a diversity of populations in varying behavioral health capacities and settings from State probation/parole, adult alcohol/drug/gambling treatment, 12-step program facilitation, intimate partner violence, and community and correctional delivery. Additionally, Megan is an elected board member of the Great Plains American Indian Credentialing Board.

Throughout her career, Megan has developed a well-rounded depth of experience in various behavioral health settings from clinical community-based programs to state prisons. Megan’s professional philosophy is meeting clients where they are, developing honest and open communication, and the strong use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her counseling. 

I am licensed in Arizona and Nevada with over 14 years in the social work field and 6 years of psychoeducation experience. I have experience in helping clients with LGBTIA+-related issues, trauma, and abuse, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence.

"Without having the Triangle of Self-balance of the Mind, Body and Spirit, one has not truly aligned oneself.”-Ebony Brushbreaker, PhD, LCSW 

Dr. Ebony Brushbreaker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who graduated Summa Cum Laude from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s in social work. Prior to working in Social Services, Dr. Ebony served in the United States Army for eight years and received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the 1st of the 159th Aviation Brigade. After obtaining her master’s in social work (Summa Cum Laude), she began her journey in the Medical Social Work field. For over 12 years, she worked with geriatric clients and adults with complex medical conditions in various settings including Long Term Care, Hospice, and Home Health. She recently obtained a PhD in Health Administration and Health Care Leadership with honors (Summa Cum Laude) and is committed to increasing access to medically necessary services. In addition to clinical work, she served as a Regional Director of Social Services in the Long-Term Care discipline.

An enrolled member of the Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe Lineage on her Maternal Grandmother’s side, Dr. Ebony is a strong advocate for mental health services in the Native American/Indigenous population. Her culture, upbringing, and lived experiences have informed her clinical work, where she believes in cultivating the Being of a person from not only the physical side, following the medical model of treatment, but with an awareness of the inner Spirit. She believes in her traditional ways and her culturally informed treatment is wholistic, empowering, and sensitive to the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) experience. Her approach to mental health and well-being is eclectic and incorporates elements from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), expressive arts, structural, and solution-focused therapy.

Dr. Ebony works with individuals (age 13+) and families with a wide range of clinical concerns, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, history of sexual trauma, grief, adjustment to aging, adjustment to chronic illness, and end-of-life issues.

Meet Toni Wounded Foot an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. With a bachelor’s degree in social work from Oglala Lakota College, Toni has gained years of experience in the Substance Abuse field as a counselor aid and clinical support technician. 

With her unwavering dedication to providing compassionate support and guidance to those in need of services, Toni is confident in her ability to assist individuals in achieving their goals through her assertive approach and compassion to her traditional Lakota values. 

Hello, my name is Bobbi White, and my Lakota name is Ta oyate owicakiya, Helps her people. I am a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe; I was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies, with a minor in American Indian Studies, from South Dakota State University. I furthered my academic pursuits by completing a dual master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling from South Dakota State University. I am actively accumulating supervised hours as part of my professional journey toward obtaining my credentials as; a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Dakota.

McKenzie earned a Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies from the University of South Dakota (SD) in 2012, followed by a Master of Social Work in 2017. She holds independent licenses in both Addictions and Social Work. Her career began working with inpatient adolescents through the Volunteers of America nonprofit organization, which provides a wide range of social services, including housing, addiction recovery, mental health support, and programs for veterans, seniors, and vulnerable populations. 

Later joining the SD Division of Behavioral Health, she dedicated seven years of service across various roles. After which, McKenzie transitioned to inpatient care at Avera Behavioral Health. Following a relocation with her family to western SD, she served as the Clinic Social Worker at Monument Health’s Sturgis Clinic. 

Presently, McKenzie is an active Clinical Social Worker for the SD Army National Guard in Rapid City, where she has served for 19 years and currently holds the position of Behavioral Health Officer. McKenzie’s ample behavioral health expertise makes her a valuable asset to the OL-DBH clinical team.  

James Richards is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He was born and raised on the reservation and graduated from Red Cloud Indian School. After graduation, James enlisted in the United States Army and served for 20 years. During his time in the Army, he spent 3 and a half months in Iraq and became Airborne qualified out of FT. Bragg, during his Army career, he had the opportunity to travel the world. Upon retiring in 2009, James returned home to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

When he returned home, he began his working career as a correctional officer, working with juveniles in the detention center. James entered the addiction counseling field working as a counselor trainee servicing alcohol and drug counseling services on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for five years. During this period, he established a rapport with his community and conducted drug and alcohol assessments. He was responsible for conducting outpatient and aftercare treatment sessions, and partaking in cultural activities with the clients.

My name is Brooke Pond, and I am a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. I grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota.  

In 2017, I obtained a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in American Indian Studies. With a strong interest in behavioral health, I acquired a master’s in clinical mental health counseling (MC) from South Dakota State University in 2020. Following my educational pursuits I have held behavioral health roles such as an Addiction Counselor and Mental Health Counselor working with youth and their families.  

Currently, my professional focus is achieving both a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials through the state of South Dakota.  

Hello, my name is Karlee Provost, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and resident of the Thunder Valley community on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I am known as the "baby" of the family. My mother is the late Gloria Pourier-Cournoyer, and my father is Orren Provost. I have 4 children of my own. I enjoy the outdoors hunting, playing sports, and horseback riding just to name a few. 

As a Client Navigator with the Oglala Lakota Division of Behavioral Health, I assist clients’ path in seeking our professional services. My educational background includes several college credit years towards a Nursing degree, CNA training with SD Pathways to Healthcare, and clinical work via the Oglala Lakota Nursing Home. Presently, I am working towards an online medical assisting certification as I continue to look forward to helping my people in the best way I can. 

Wopila 

Hello, my name is Kimberly Janis, and I am a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. I have held a variety of positions over the years, including working in an alcohol and substance use treatment center. 

In the past, I have faced personal experiences with drugs and alcohol, which ultimately resulted in incarceration and successful treatment. I was able to put my life back together and continue to follow the Red Road.

Valeria Chirco is a Clinical Psychologist trainee currently employed at a California (CA) Men’s State Prison, completing the final stages of her CA PsyD licensure. In this role, she provides individual therapy, group psychoeducation, and assessment to incarcerated people.  

Over the years, she has built experience with a wide range of populations in various environments, ranging from low-income pre-schools, nursing homes, and community mental health agencies, to correctional facilities. Her professional interests lie in continuing to serve underserved populations and cultivating her knowledge in trauma-informed care.  

Currently, Valeria is a professional volunteer with OL-DBH providing community family support groups for those struggling with loved ones with addiction.   

When engaging in self-care, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, visiting national parks, or cultivating various interests, which recently has been power-carving wood!