William Bonacker, MSW

Bill specializes in the treatment of trauma-related disorders with special focus upon treatment of victims of violence, abuse and stalking and individuals with complex personality disorders. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Graduate School of Social Work, he has worked in public and private mental health settings for more than 35 years. Bill has worked as a graduate practicum instructor for University of Nebraska Counseling and Social Work departments, training graduate students in evaluation and treatment of persons with mental disorders.

Bill has obtained specialized training in the treatment of PTSD, dissociative disorders, and borderline personality disorder and in threat assessment and management. He has extensive experience in evaluation of mentally ill dangerous persons and is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. Prepared in clinical hypnosis by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Bill has completed advanced training. He also holds Level II training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is trained to provide Critical Incident Stress Management. Bill is a Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, Clinical Social Worker, and Certified Professional Counselor.

LauraLee Clinchard, MA 

LauraLee completed a 1992 master’s degree in counseling psychology from the Alfred Adler Institute of Minnesota.

With extensive experience in emergency assessment and crisis intervention, she has specialized in treatment of abuse survivors and individuals with persistent mental illnessess. She has obtained post-graduate training in treatment of trauma disorders and borderline personality disorder and has extensive experience working with LGBTQ and transgender populations.

LauraLee is trained to provide Critical Incident Stress Management and is an ARC certified instructor for disaster volunteers. She is a Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner.

Sheralyn Cox, MSW, Ph.D.

Sherry began practice in 1973 after receiving a masters degree in clinical social work from the University of Nebraska. She earned a doctorate in Community and Human Resources from UNL in 1984. She specializes in the treatment of complex post-trauma disorders, including dissociative identity disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Sherry has obtained extensive post-graduate training in treatment of dissociative disorders. She is certified in clinical hypnosis and an approved teaching consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Board certified in clinical social work by the National Association of Social Workers and the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work, she is a fellow of the American Orthopsychiatric Association. She has obtained Level II training in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is a Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, Certified Master Social Worker, and Certified Professional Counselor.

Sherry’s Notes to New Patients (Please Read)

Mark Hankla, MA

Mark completed his APA-approved internship at VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System in Topeka where he treated survivors of combat-related trauma. Experienced in work with children and families, Mark has worked previously at Lincoln Regional Center, Firth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, and UNL’s Psychological Consultation Center.

With a1998 masters degree in clinical psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Mark is a Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy and has received training in clinical hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

Sharon Knaub, M.S.Ed.

Sharon received her master’s degree in the clinical mental health counseling and school psychology program at the Universiey of Nebraska at Kearney. With over two decades of experience in the mental health field, she is a nationally certified professional counselor and Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner. She has extensive training in the treatment of dissociation and other post-trauma disorders as well as complex personality disorders, emergency crisis evaluation and counseling, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and clinical hypnosis.

Sharon is a member of the American Counseling Association, International Society for the Study of Traumatic Stress, and Association of Private Practice Therapists.

Laurie Patton, M.A.

Laurie obtained her masters degree in counseling from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1986. Before joining Psychotherapy Associates staff, she maintained a private practice, treating adults and children in individual, group and family therapy. She has previously practiced at Child Guidance Center in Lincoln, where she directed the Community Services for Seriously Disturbed Youth program and developed the Extended Day Treatment Program for which she served as Director for many years.

A Nebraska Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, Laurie has obtained specialized post-graduate training in treatment of dissociative and other disorders of traumatic stress. She has completed training in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and has extensive training in clinical hypnosis.

Mark Lukin, Ph.D.

Mark Lukin, Ph.D., is a Nebraska licensed psychologist with over 30 years of clinical experience. Mark holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has worked with the University of Nebraska counseling center and several state, county and private agencies with diverse populations. He specializes in helping individuals with anxiety, depression, life transition and crisis as well as college students. Dr. Lukin has taught over 25 University courses and participated in multiple trainings for mental health professionals. He focuses on helping individuals develop meaning and purpose with the goal of making positive changes to help you become the person you were meant to be. He tends to be direct and supportive, often relying on faith, philosophy and humor to help you find perspective during troubling times.

Mark Lukin, Ph.D.

Meet our Staff!

Cindy Luth, Office & Accounts Manager

Cindy has been with Psychotherapy Associates since 2005 and has been working in mental health offices for over three decades.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and especially enjoys attending her grandchildren’s sporting and school events. Her Shih Tzu’s also keep her busy and she enjoys making a variety of crafts as well.