Rosecrance Living

George Gibson is a Crisis Residential Center Team Leader for Rosecrance Central Illinois. He has over 14 years of experience in mental health and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Eastern Illinois University. His expertise lies in providing therapeutic groups and individual sessions that focus on coping strategies. He is also known for teaching mindful meditations to help clients cope with stress. In recent years, Gibson’s favorite approach to therapy has been Dialectical Behavior Therapy. He joined Rosecrance in 2016

Melissa Loesch oversees and leads client care and team operations in Boone County and McHenry County, Illinois. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Loesch has more than a decade of experience in McHenry County social services. She has honed her leadership skills as a team lead, substance use coordinator, and clinical supervisor for mental health and substance use.

Denita Lynde directs operations at the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus. She completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Walden University and has more than 30 years in the behavioral health field with both clinical and administrative experience. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Denita is responsible for the development and oversight of programming for adolescent and adult residential services, and the adolescent recovery home at the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus. Her approach is focused on implementing evidence-based programming and counseling interventions that build upon clients’ strengths and enhance their resilience through a holistic approach.

Danielle Murphy oversees the team of recovery specialists at Rosecrance Lakeview in Chicago as they support clients in a safe and structured environment. She also manages the admissions to the recovery home and serves as a liaison between the recovery home and clinical team. Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Governors State University and a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in mental health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. During her master’s program, she participated in the Integrated Behavioral Health Treatment Program, helping with the incorporation of behavioral health and substance use services in hospital settings and MAT programs. She joined Rosecrance in 2015 as a clinical intern for outpatient services in Frankfort, Illinois, and completed multiple internships providing both case management and clinical services to clients in a wide variety of settings. Murphy joined the Lakeview team in June 2016 when the location opened its doors. She enjoys working with folks of the emerging adult age and all that comes with it. Murphy takes a relational and collaborative approach to working with clients and enjoys using treatment modalities such as DBT, CBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy. As a leader, she has a passion for empowering those in the helping field to grow and reach their full potential. Away from work, Murphy is a huge Chicago sports fan and loves to catch a game or talk about fantasy football in her free time.

Melissa Pappas is the Executive Director of Rosecrance Central Illinois, overseeing behavioral health programming in over six different counties. She has over a decade of experience working within the behavioral health field and began her career as an addiction counselor in southern Illinois. Much of her direct service career was as a clinical therapist within the state criminal justice system before becoming a clinical supervisor for a residential treatment program serving youth sex offenders. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who holds a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Tammie Ruff has served people in many capacities, including people with mental and developmental disabilities, as well as domestic violence survivors and individuals who are homeless. Ruff has a passion for helping others bring out the best in themselves. She is a published poet and currently serves as Team Lead in Rosecrance’s Supervised Residential Program.

Craig A. Stallings is the Regional Vice President of Operations for Rosecrance Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in social work from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in counseling from Northern Illinois University. With more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health, he is both a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Additionally, he has extensive experience working with first responders and young adults as well as individuals and families seeking treatment for opioid use disorders and medication-assisted treatment. He joined Rosecrance in 1997.