Ryan Lindsay is the chief operating officer and co-founder of the St. Louis Center for Family Development. After graduating with a Master of Social Work from The University of Michigan School of Social Work, he completed a Post-Master’s Fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry and Social Work at the University of Michigan Health Center.  Mr. Lindsay worked on the team with Dr. Ken Silk while there, and was mentored by JoAnn Heap, LMSW. Through this fellowship, Mr. Lindsay gained extensive knowledge of multiple evidence-based models of treatment, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents and families, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Behavioral Activation, Unified Protocol, Family Systems, and Motivational Interviewing. Mr. Lindsay was intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Anthony DuBose, Ph. D. and Katie Korslund, Ph. D. in 2005. He completed the advanced intensive training with Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. and Sheri Manning, Ph.D. in 2008.  Mr. Lindsay received his certification from the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification along with the first national cohort in 2015.   He is an expert and trainer in the treatment of suicidal behavior and self-injury, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotion Regulation, and Motivational Interviewing. Mr. Lindsay also serves as an adjunct professor at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.

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Emotion Regulation in Mental Health Treatment: Where are we going as a profession?

Brandon Costerison, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Communication and from Gonzaga University with an MA in Communication and Leadership. He moved to Missouri in 2007, working in politics. Brandon began working as a public awareness with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – St. Louis in October 2015. One of his primary roles in public education on heroin and prescription drug abuse in the region.

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Amy Steven – Amy Stevens is currently the Chief of Children’s Community Operations for the Western and Southwest Regions. In this role, Amy provides oversight, program development, and strives to enhance the continuum of services available to the children in her region. Prior to her role with DMH, Amy worked as a hospital social worker, an investigator of child abuse and neglect, and a hospice social worker. She also served as an officer in the Air Force. Amy has a Bachelors in Social Work from Baylor University, a Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently in a PhD program for clinical social work with the Institute of Clinical Social Work located in Chicago.

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Melissa Smyser: As Chief of Children’s Community Operations for the Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health, Melissa provides consultation, technical assistance and training to the Community Mental Health Centers in the Central Region. She coordinates state wide policy, planning and administration for community outreach services under the Director of Children’s Services for the Division of Behavioral Health. Melissa has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Central Missouri State University and received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Missouri. Melissa is a Licensed Master of Social Work.

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