SAGE Counseling, Inc.
History, Management, Vision, Mission & Values

History

SAGE Counseling, Inc was formed in 1998 specifically to provide services to the criminal justice system and court-mandated clients.  Almost all of our clients are under court supervision or referred by Child Protective Services.

 

Currently, we have multiple contracts with Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts, Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the City of Phoenix, the Department of Economic Security/Child Protective Services, and the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.

 

Our high level of customer service is grounded in a strong administration structure.  As a result of our current programs and contracts, we have developed a comprehensive infrastructure that enables us to efficiently provide the kind of accurate tracking and reporting that criminal justice systems require. This includes an on-line case management system that provides our customers with immediate access to essential data concerning their defendants/clients that have been referred to SAGE.

 

Our treatment programs were developed for criminal offenders and our overall philosophy and clinical approach are grounded in the empirically validated standards for that population.  As is recommended by the leaders in the field of offender treatment, our programs have focused, structured groups, utilize multiple treatment components and methodologies, and emphasize specific skill development, e.g., conflict resolution, stress management, anger management, effective parenting, positive coping, refusal skills, lifestyle balance and change/transition skills.

 

Today, we provide over 50 groups per week in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office jail system; over 150 groups per week for Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Anger Management and Underage Drinking at 15 outpatient locations conveniently located throughout Maricopa County; regularly scheduled DUI Education Classes; plus, we provide in-home Family Preservation case management services to families involved with Child Protective Services.

 

SAGE Counseling, Inc has earned a reputation as a leader in our industry.  We are successful because of the individual contributions made by each of our employees.  Since founding SAGE Counseling, Inc., we have held to a very simple philosophy:  exceptional service to our clients in order to keep our customers.  We want to ensure that these relationships continue well into the future.

Management

Stephen Grams, MA, LISAC ............................................Executive Director

Steve is the owner and Executive Director of SAGE Counseling, Inc., an agency he founded in 1998.  He began working with the criminal justice populations in 1985 serving as a psychotherapist in a maximum security prison in Pittsburgh, PA. Over the course of his career, Steve has worked with a wide variety of criminal justice and social service agencies, and he has served as a counselor, clinical supervisor, administrator, and consultant.  Steve brings a unique combination of business and counseling skills to his role as Executive Director.

Lisa Moody, MA, LISAC ......................................Clinical Operations Director

Lisa manages the operational / contractual aspects of our outpatient programs. Ms. Moody has over eighteen years of experience in the field of counseling and ten years in the management of outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings, most often in the area of substance abuse treatment.  She has worked as a Counselor, Team Lead, Clinical Supervisor and Program Director.  Lisa was chosen to be 1 of 15 professionals (from over 100 applicants from the southwest region of the country) to attend the Leadership Institute in California sponsored by UCLA. She has extensive experience serving both juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system and spent her early career working with children and adults with developmental disabilities, foster care and habilitation services.

Megan Lewis, MS, LMFT .....................................................Clinical Director

Megan brings more than 9 years of counseling experience to the position of Clinical Director. She has worked with clients from many backgrounds, including outpatient counseling settings, and social service agencies. Much of Megan’s professional career has focused on working with adolescents and families, especially in the areas of substance abuse, suicide prevention, and family preservation and reunification. Megan is an EMDR Level 2 Trained Provider.  At SAGE, Megan provides clinical supervision and training, managing the clinical staff, and serving as Director of the Family Preservation Program.

Chris George, BSBA, PHR, AIM ...........................Human Resources Director

Chris has the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) designation from the Society of Human Resource Management and the AIM (Associate in Management) from the Insurance Institute of America. He has more than 20 years human resource management experience, including nine years with Arizona's social services community. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the Social Services Contractor Indemnity Pool.Chris oversees staff recruitment, hiring, compensation, employee benefits, legal compliance, and insurance for SAGE.

Roger Carmona, BAS, A+, MCP  .................................................IT Director

Roger obtained certifications for Systems Administration from Microsoft, as well as certifications for computer hardware from CompTIA.  He holds the Bachelors Degree of Applied Science in Computer Systems Administration from Arizona State University.  Roger directs the implementation of sophisticated technology processes for the everyday operations of SAGE that improve staff efficiency and enhance our customer service.

Richard Yee, BM, MBA ......................................................Finance Director

With his Bachelor of Music degree, Richard completed 12 successful years as an educator in public education.  He earned a Masters in Business Administration and over the next 27 years served as a corporate controller/treasurer in the hi-tech manufacturing industry.  He also developed his own accounting/bookkeeper practice with over 80 clients.  His current and past affiliations include the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Governor Appointment to the Small Business Executive Council, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Arizona Society of Practicing Accountants, and Kiwanis International.

Leander Yaiva ...................................................................Office Manager

Leander has over 7 years experience working for social service and criminal justice programs, particularly in alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Leander supervises the majority of the clerical and case management staff at SAGE and makes sure that we give high quality service to our customers and clients. He manages all our administrative activities that support our focus on client clinical care, including overseeing client files and agency documentation. 

Vision

SAGE Counseling will set the standard for services that promote positive choices, skill development, personal growth, and accountability, one individual at a time for safer families and communities.

The mission of SAGE Counseling is to demonstrate responsible concern in order to advocate for clients, customers, and staff.   We do this by promoting responsible, ethical choices that will lead to long term success.

At SAGE Counseling :

• We value the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
• We conduct ourselves in an ethical manner with integrity-we do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
• We are authentic and genuine.
• We honor, support, and respect spirituality.
• We demonstrate responsible concern and understanding for the psychosocial needs of our clients.
• We are committed to serving our clients with respect and dignity.
• We value doing our job well to help our clients, customers, and staff succeed.
• We lead by example and are accountable for our actions.
• We manage and lead with evidence-based practices and data.
• We are fiscally responsible and seek to achieve a reasonable profit.
• We honor our fiduciary responsibility.
• We are easy to do business with.
• We are innovative and always open to efficient and effective ways of achieving our goals.
• We actively seek input and open dialogue on agency operations from staff, clients and customers
• We value a supportive, empowering work environment
• We seek a healthy balance between personal and professional life.
• We understand that work and fun are not mutually exclusive.