Meet Catholic Social Services Talented Team Members

The life-changing work done by Catholic Social Services of Rapid City would not be possible if it weren’t for our team’s relentless commitment to offering uplifting services and support for the people we serve in the Black Hills and across South Dakota.

Counseling

James T. Kinyon, MS, LPC-MH, LMFT, QMHP

Executive Director and Counseling Director

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Jim Kinyon, executive director, earned his Master’s in Counseling from SDSU in 1990. He has been the executive director at Catholic Social Services since 1992. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPC-MH) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Because of his administrative duties, his counseling time is limited, but his passion for helping marriages is still strong. Jim leads workshops on Marriage as a Mission, Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Boundaries and Conflict Resolution, Personalities in the Workplace, and Poverty and Justice in SD. He also facilitates retreats such as Marriage Matters, Men’s Spirituality, and Reflections on Michelangelo’s Art and Life.
John Olenyik, MDiv, LPS, QMHP

Outpatient Therapist

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Hi, I am John Olenyik. I am a mental health counselor for Catholic Social Services. I have been with CSS since March 1, 2019. Previously, I was a mental health counselor in Wyoming for ten years. I came to CSS to be in Rapid City where my wife and I plan to retire. Before getting into mental health work, I was a United Methodist pastor for nearly 25 years. My approach to counseling is just that – I listen, I ask questions and then I counsel or give advice based upon my years of experience and my educational perspective. I approach the counseling experience as short term, solution based, meaning we identify the issue you want to work on, develop a plan of action and then get after it. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to get at the distorted thinking that might be causing you distress. I enjoy doing what I do and most folks say I am pretty good at it, so if you are seeking some help with your life, let’s get together and make things better.
Jennifer Mayforth, MS, RPh, LPC, NCC

Outpatient Therapist

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Jennifer grew up in Aberdeen, SD then attended SDSU where she earned a degree in pharmacy. After working as a pharmacist in the Black Hills for decades she felt called to consider serving people in a more personal way and decided to pursue a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from SDSU. After graduating, she chose to maintain her pharmacy license while shifting careers to counseling and is presently enjoying the transition as she walks out her values utilizing EMDR, Solution-Focused, Person-Centered, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy counseling theories. Loving people and developing genuine therapeutic relationships with her clients guides her day to day.

In Jennifer’s spare time she enjoys reading, playing piano, and getting together with family and friends. She and her husband also love to travel and be outside camping, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and biking. They raised their four kids in Rapid City and appreciate spending time with them, their spouses, and their dogs whenever they can.
JON PETERSEN

Counseling Intern

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My name is Jon Petersen. I am the husband of my beautiful wife, Karen, and the father of our four incredible kids, Keziah (9), Joseph (6), Olivia (3), and Elijah (9mo). I am also a pastor with Bible Fellowship Church here in Rapid City. I have been in pastoral ministry for just over ten years, working predominately with youth, young couples, and families. I love young people. Just recently I joined the team at Catholic Social Services as a counseling intern.

Several years ago, I felt the need and call to broaden my skills in pastoral counseling. Two years ago, I registered for classes and began studying with the Counseling and Human Resource and Development Program at South Dakota State University. When I started the program, I knew I would need to find a place to intern where I could maintain commitments both with my church as a pastor and with my personal faith and values. When I reached out to Catholic Social Services, I found just that. It is an honor to be part of the team here at CSS Rapid City.
Erika Kling, MS, LPC-Supervisee

Outpatient Therapist

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Erika is a student at Chadron State College where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling while balancing working as a Counselor for Catholic Social Services. Raised in Spearfish, South Dakota, she attended Black Hills State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education. She parlayed that degree into teaching for a decade in grades K-12.

An overwhelming calling to serve the community drove her to pursue the field of mental health and wellness. Her counseling practice utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy as well as acceptance and commitment therapy. Erika’s therapeutic style is collaborative, honest, warm and understanding. She believes every person has dignity, wisdom, and worth, and thus, views the therapy process as a collaboration between therapist and client.

Uplifting Parents

Shawn Edwinson, MS

Uplifting Parents Director

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Edwinson's background is in early childhood and parent education/mentorship where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees as an only parent. Shawn has spent a majority of her professional life serving families and children through teaching, relationship-building, and program leadership in early education programs.

In an educational capacity, Edwinson has taught college level courses in Child Development and Early Childhood Education for 9 years. “I am thrilled to share my experiences in parent mentorship by supporting student-parents in the Uplifting Parents program.”
MARISSA LAYTON

Uplifting Parents Mentor & Community Liaison

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Marissa is a single mom herself with a passion for supporting other single parents and their families to thrive. Marissa has two children, an energetic pre-teen and a sassy toddler. Can't forget the fur babies--a cat of 12 years and dog of 9 years. When she isn't working, you can find Marissa gardening both indoors and out and exploring the outdoors with her kids.
Pratt Anspach

Uplifting Parents Mentor

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I am a graduate of Black Hills State University with a BS in Human Services with a Minor in Psychology. I cherish spending time with family and friends and have one daughter who’s beautiful family has blessed me with 2 handsome grandsons. I enjoy being outdoors and take every advantage to soak up the scenery of the amazing Black Hills. I am passionate about the human spirit and dedicate a lot of time volunteering with non profit organizations in the community, giving back to others when the opportunity arises. Smiles are contagious

Disaster Relief Services & Community Outreach

Dominique Tigert

Disaster Relief & Community Outreach Director

Trinity Pregnancy and Adoption

Kelli Whartman, BSW, LSW

Trinity Pregnancy and Adoption Department Head

Lakota Circles of Hope

Neva Zephier, MPH

Lakota Circles of Hope Director

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Neva is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Nation. She achieved a Masters in Public Health Administration and Planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Having retired in 2020, Neva decided to re-enter the work force and join the Catholic Social Services team as the Director of the Lakota Circles of Hope program.

With extensive experience in the fields of health and education, Neva brings necessary skills to launching the redesigned and updated LCH curriculum.

Learn more about the Lakota Circles of Hope Program