About Us

Emily Mack MSW, LCSW/LICSW

Director and Founder

What has been the best part of starting Highlands?

The best part of starting Highlands has been the ability to love people and to love people well. My goal has always been to show the love of Jesus to everyone, especially those that are hurting. Sometimes that means housing people, providing for people, and sitting with people. But sometimes that also means having hard conversations, setting boundaries, and working collaboratively with someone’s entire support team. Love calls us to higher, and sometimes that means growing through difficult things. At Highlands it’s not uncommon for someone’s past hurts/traumas to collide with stability/hope for a better future and that's my favorite place to be!

What does your average week at Highlands look like?

I spend most of my week with people! Every Monday I participate in our house meetings, and facilitate mental health groups Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. When I’m not in group I can be found doing therapy sessions in my office with people of all ages and backgrounds, doing paperwork (the bane of my existence), or networking. I love connecting with people so this is always fun for me. In my free time I volunteer once a week to facilitate a mental health group in our local jail.

What are some fun facts about you?

• I LOVE to travel. I have been to 34 states and 6 countries.
• My favorite hobbies include walking the beach (I love rock and sea glass hunting) or being outside hiking.
• My favorite weather is rainy weather.

Lynn E. Women's House Manager

Tell us about your recovery journey.

My recovery journey started in the summer of 2023 when I went to an inpatient treatment facility for two months. Upon returning home I continued with intensive outpatient treatment for the following 8 months. I continue with chemical dependency counseling on a regular basis and attend many support meetings throughout the week. I have a tremendous network of supportive and sober friends and family. I love being a member of and working in the recovery community.

What do you do as a house manager?

As one of the house managers at Highlands Wellness and Restoration I am in continuous contact with the clients that reside here by also living here. I conduct weekly house meetings, provide community resources, schedule chores, and enjoy talking over a cup of coffee or a round of cards on house family game night.

What are some fun facts about yourself?

• I can’t turn down a game of cribbage.
• I love spending time outside in nature at the beach or in the woods.
• I look forward to keeping honey bees again in the near future!

Catrina R. Women's House Manager

Tell us about your recovery journey.

In 2023 I decided to make a big life change to be with my daughter, her husband, their children, and my grandchildren. This means I made a geographical move from California to Wisconsin. While I was making the trip to Wisconsin I ended up catching a drug case. That is when I acquired 7 months clean. After going through the court process for about 7 months they sentenced me to 5 years in prison. Due to good time I had to only serve 8 months, which led to me now having 16 months clean and sober. Once I was released from prison I had the opportunity to reside here at Highland Restoration and Wellness. After participating in the program as a client I was offered the opportunity to become a recovery residence house manager.

What do you do as a house manager?

As a house manager I have multiple responsibilities. My number one priority is to stay clean and sober, and encourage other women to stay sober. Other things I do is help make sure the ladies are up for the day, that their rooms are cleaned, their beds are made, and assign daily chores. I enjoy helping find resources to keep residents on track and sober which helps them become self-sufficient. I also facilitate weekly house meetings, which are mandatory for program participants.

What are some fun facts about you?

• Some fun facts about myself are that I have 5 granddaughters. Grandmother of Girls over here!!
• I love to do arts and crafts and yard work.
• My favorite food dish is BBQ'd red meat.
• I love shoes!

Carina Barker MSW, LICSW/LCSW

Youth AODA Clinician

Tell us a bit about your professional background.

I have been a clinical social worker for over 20 years. I am so grateful for the work that I have chosen. I have been trained in various trauma interventions; worked with lots of different populations over my career and keep finding ways to increase my knowledge so I can best support clients. I am also an instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth in social work. I am passionate about supporting new therapists in the field.

What made you interested in providing substance use therapy?

Managing our mental health is challenging and sometimes we try to find ways to cope; even if they are not the healthiest ways to cope. I strive to increase my clients mental health toolbox so they can manage difficult emotions and challenges without chemicals. Being present, experiencing the full range of emotions and not having the rollercoaster of substance use (emotional crashes and increased depression) is such an empowering way to live. I want to support clients to find that peace and that sense of strength.

What is one fun fact about yourself?

• I love to sing Karaoke. I don't know if others want to hear my singing, but I have so much fun singing. (Fun fact, Carina is also the owner of the Encouragement Clinic!)

Foster

Therapy dog