Dr. Emily DeJong, PhD, LMFT

Executive Director | Counselor

Emily has served Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan since its inception in 2008. She completed her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northwestern University and her PhD at Northcentral University.  She appreciates the challenge today’s society creates for couples, families and individuals working to have healthy and thriving relationships.  In her counseling work, she encounters each family member at their point of vulnerability and helps the entire family find their strengths and work toward a relational cohesiveness.

Emily specializes in working with couples, troubled adolescents and their families, college students and parenting related issues.  She is also trained in the nationally recognized Prepare/Enrich assessment program and enjoys helping engaged couples prepare for a successful future together.

Certified Telemental Health Provider

Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Cofinity-Meritain, Cofinity-Key Benefits, ConnectCare, Coventry, First Health, McLaren, Molina, Meridian, Optum, Physician’s Health Plan

Dr. Joan Hornak, EdD, LP, LPC

Counselor

Joan joined our team in 2014. She retired from the faculty of the Counselor Education Program at CMU where she taught and trained professional counselors. Furthermore, she counseled students at the CMU Counseling Center for many years. While at CMU, Dr. Hornak received not one but three prestigious Excellence in Teaching Awards “… for her respect for students, her integrity, her professionalism, and a vast knowledge of her field.” She also served two terms as chair of the Michigan Licensure Board for Professional Counselors.

Joan has a particular interest in the issues women face throughout their lifespan. She cares deeply about the needs of adolescent girls and the influences that shape their emotional, spiritual, and cognitive development. As a counselor in private practice and in a psychiatric hospital setting, she worked with a broad range of client issues.

Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Cofinity, Cofinity-Meritain, Cofinity-Key Benefits, ConnectCare, Coventry, First Health, McLaren, Molina, Meridian, Magellan, Optum, Physician’s Health Plan

Donna Kriss, MA, LPC

Counselor

Donna has experience in a wide variety of fields before joining CCMM to focus on providing mental health services.  She has worked as a Direct Care Worker, Field Agent for Parole Probation, Foster Care/Adoptive Recruiter, Elder Care Provider, and a court-directed Child/Parent Visit Supervisor. 

She has an eclectic approach to counseling which focuses on Person-Centered and CBT approaches.  Donna is active in numerous volunteer capacities within the Mid Michigan area and is passionate about helping people from a faith perspective. 

Donna works with children, adults, marriages, and whole family units to help create permanent change that will help them both now and into the future.

Brant Piper, M.Div, MA, Student

Counseling Intern

Brant has been an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church, USA for over 30 years and has provided pastoral counseling in a variety of settings. He is currently a student at Central Michigan University where he is working to complete his master’s in counseling. 

He is interested in working with individuals, couples, and adolescents, facilitating the clients’ strengths and spiritual resources, if they so choose, in creating for themselves lives full of meaningful relationships and purpose.