Strength of Mind



		Jeffrey McIlroy, M.D. Dr. Jeff McIlroy began his practice in Claremore in July, 1991 with Dr. Clayton Roger’s as his ‘mentor’ in learning the healing art of mental health care within a small community. Dr. McIlroy’s experience in private practice and as Medical Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at the Claremore hospital quickly taught him the need to address treatment in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary fashion. This understanding led to his creation and founding of Strength of Mind in 2004. This organization has quickly grown to be a comprehensive outpatient practice of over a dozen providers capable of treating the very young to the very old. Moving beyond the confines of the office walls, he works in developing effective Internet-based psychiatry and telepsychiatry. He also enjoys traveling on Thursday’s to Fairfax, OK to work as Medical Director of their intensive outpatient geriatric psychiatry program, stopping by on the way home to see patients at the OSU Medical School’s psychiatry clinic in downtown Tulsa. Dr. McIlroy is Board Certified in both General and Geriatric Psychiatry.

		Tracy Loper, M.D. Dr. Loper completed his medical school training in Ireland and then came to Oklahoma for dual residency training at OU-Tulsa in Family Medicine and Psychiatry. He is now board certified in both specialties, enjoying working with adults as well as children and adolescents. When Dr. Loper is not practicing medicine here in Oklahoma, he is serving in the United States Army as a reserve soldier on 3-month tours once every 2 years or so.

		Ashlee Graham, P.A.-C Ashlee graduated from Northeastern State University with a Bachelors degree in Organismic Biology and a minor in chemistry in 2000. She then completed a Master of Health Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2003. She has been practicing as a Physician Associate since 2004. She started out her career in Cardiology and has been in Psychiatry since 2007. At Strength of Mind, Ashlee’s focus is on meeting the medication needs of children thru adults. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family.

		Maria Arquisola, M.D. Dr. Arquisola received her medical degree from MHAM College of Medicine, Southwestern University in Cebu City, Philippines. She completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Tulsa. She is board certified in general psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Arquisola's clinical interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, thought disorders, and personality disorders in adults.

		Bonnie Johnson, Ph.D. Bonnie Johnson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in psycho-educational assessment, consultation and psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Dr. Johnson has more than thirty years of experience working in both private practice and the public school systems as an administrator, psychologist and teacher of children with disabilities. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University and her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in School Psychology from Oklahoma State University.


		Susan Waters, LPC Susan Waters is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has earned a master’s degrees in education with a specialty in reading and learning disabilities. Susan worked as a reading, learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder specialist for 8 years. Susan also holds master’s degrees in counseling psychology and clinical psychology. Susan was employed in the mental health field in Tulsa for several years before going into private practice in 2001. Susan joined Strength of Mind in 2008. Susan has additional training and experience in drug and alcohol counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Marriage and Family Therapy. Susan utilizes her knowledge in these various modalities to individualize treatment for each client. One size does not fit all. Through the American Psychotherapy Association, Susan is board certified as a psychotherapist and holds additional certification as a relationship specialist. Susan is also a supervisor for professional counselors in training. Susan has been working in the mental health field since 1983. She has significant experience working with children, adolescents and adults struggling with: ADHD, depression and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, recovery from alcohol and substance abuse, bi-polar disorder, parenting and marital issues, as well as personal development. Susan’s approach to her psychotherapy practice is holistic, and very like her approach to life. She encourages her clients to find ways to de-stress their lives by paying attention to diet and exercise, evaluation of work and leisure life activities as well as their spiritual path. Susan lives on a small ranch outside Skiatook where Tall Grass Prairie winds blow over pristine ponds and old pecan trees. Susan rescues and rehabilitates small equines, plays music, and studies the medicinal properties of native plants in her leisure time. She has studied equine-assisted psychotherapy and has formulated research directed toward the understanding of the companion-animal/human relationship.

		Janice Ross, M.S., LPC Janice Ross, a Licensed Professional Counselor, graduated from Northeastern State University with a Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Science degree in Counseling Psychology. She has 17 years experience working with adults and families in outpatient behavioral health services. She began her career as a case manager for severely mentally ill adults at Bill Willis Community Mental Health Center in Sallisaw and Tahlequah. After completion of her graduate degree, Janice was invited to join the staff at Green Country Behavioral Health Services in Muskogee as a supervisor for adult programs and progressed to focus on the design, development and implementation of service programs for children and families effected by abuse and neglect. Janice focuses her practice on adults and families who are motivated and prepared for change in their personal and/or professional lives. She has special interests in Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, as well as Career and Life Coaching. She is credentialed to provide supervision for clinicians working to attain licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors.

		Elaine High, LMFT Elaine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who graduated with honors from Northeastern State University with a Master’s Degree in Education. Her past experience includes serving ten years as a Secondary Education Teacher. In the field of Mental Health she has experience with Severely Mentally Ill consumers in a clubhouse model facility, counseling Adolescents in a behavioral health setting, and managing a Transitional Living Facility while counseling women and children from homes where there was Domestic Violence. Currently, she is part of a Private Behavioral Health group practice where she is available to offer individual, couple or family therapy. She also leads groups on Building Interpersonal Relationship Skills. Elaine has completed over 220 additional Continual Education Units on Trauma related issues and has experience providing services and counseling for clients in crisis. She received training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as EMDR, both of which have been found to be effective with populations diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has completed the training and supervision required to provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy which includes helping parents connect with their children and learning positive discipline techniques. She is a member of the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative and as such helps conduct workshops on PREP which is a program to help couples develop healthy relationship skills to strengthen their marriages. This program is appropriate for those planning to get married as well as those who have been married for some time and just want a better relationship. Elaine’s work in the mental health field has given her a deep respect for the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. If you are interested in individual, couples or family therapy or would like to be involved in an Interpersonal Relationship Group or Prep Marriage Skills Training Workshop you can call our office to schedule an appointment.

		Stephenie Craig, LCSW One of my greatest life passions is assisting individuals and families in finding healing and wholeness that enable them to experience life more fully. I became a therapist because it has been a natural life role for me to be a warm listener and an intuitive helper. I value learning others' life stories and am honored when my role as a therapist allows me to join in those stories. A native Tulsan, I have been married for 10 years and have 2 children under the age of 6. A combination of my natural attributes, life experience, and professional training have equipped me to provide therapeutic counseling to individuals, families, and couples wishing to address issues of healing, conflict, concern, or desired growth in their lives. I have 7 years experience providing therapuetic counseling in both school and office settings with individuals, couples, families and children.

		Brooke Gage, LPC Brooke graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She completed her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. Brooke has 10 years experience working in a hospital setting with pediatric hematology and oncology patients and families. Much of her work focused on grief issues, crisis counseling and parenting, coping with chronic and terminal illness, pain management, and healthy lifestyle changes. Brooke also has specialized training and experience in premarital and grief counseling. She has a passion for assisting clients who are coping with various losses. Brooke is a wife and mother of two and has lived in the Tulsa area for the last 10 years.

		Deb Stone, LCSW, CNS Deb Stone began life with a desire to serve others and to be one with nature. As a child she rescued bugs and birds and watched nature unfolding. As an adult her interest and intrigue continue to focus on the natural world including humans, individual and family systems. Deb's academic journey began in medical school in 1981 but ended in 1983 prematurely when the desire to explore the meaning of life took hold. In 1987 when answers to life's questions remained nebulous, and clearly more gray in hue, Deb completed a Masters in Social Work, followed by a BSN and Masters in Science. Deb is currently licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) an advanced practice nurse degree. She is also certified as a Faith Community Nurse (parish nurse). Her clinical experience include two internships at the Veteran's Administration, inpatient and outpatient social work therapy, psychiatric nursing, outpatient psychiatric clinic medication management and psychotherapy, geropsychiatric program director, and regional clinical consultant for psychiatric units in 15 southeastern state hospitals. At the heart of Deb's practice is the desire to help each individual find their internal wisdom and balance. Such balance comes from adhering to a lifestyle focused on wellness in the physical, spiritual, and mental spheres. Medication and cognitive behavioral therapy can be a part of the continuum of treatment, along with diet, movement, spiritual centering. She believes individuals are a part of a system and thus treatment oftentimes involves other family members and resources. Outside of the office Deb actively serves others as a parish nurse, and volunteer at community support services. She spends time being nurtured by 3 loving dogs, 1 Cockatoo, a garden, and art.

		Clarissa Siragusa, LCSW Clarissa Siragusa, a licensed clinical social worker, graduated from Wichita State University with a Master's Degree in Social Work in 2002. Clarissa has worked in various settings of private, public and government arenas. In addition, Clarissa has been a director of inpatient geriatric psych services, clinical coordinator of a private Christian Outpatient Mental health clinic, has had successful private practices, and has worked at a PTSD specialist for the VA. Clarissa offers individual, group and couples therapy to populations 12 years of age and older. Clarissa has completed extensive training and experience with veterans suffering with combat and military sexual trauma and related family symptoms of PTSD. Clarissa is certified in Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapies, 2 of the primary evidenced based treatments for PTSD. Clarissa has had training in DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder and also offers DBT for emotionally constricted, overly controlled persons and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. Clarissa has received a certificate of training in CBT, a highly effective treatment for depression. Clarissa offers a non-judgmental and caring environment where the therapist and client meet as equals, collaboratively and effectively resolving and working through problems/symptoms.