Doug Pelcak, MA, LSC

For 33 years, Doug served as an elementary school counselor in Hopkins School District and as a private therapy practitioner in multiple settings and capacities.  He also had a private practice that focused on working with child/families and Adults with ADHD.  Early in his career at Hopkins, Doug forged a relationship with the Park Nicolette Department of Psychiatry to implement a new program to identify and treat students with mental health challenges. Additionally, he partnered with an acclaimed psychiatrist to improve mental health screenings and interventions, including the creation of a first-of-its kind approach to assess ADHD in schools. When Doug transitioned to a faculty position at Adler Graduate School of Counseling, he continued his service by developing coursework to prepare licensed school counselors for their future work with students and families. He was pivotal in expanding the school’s Service Center, creating a school counselor internship and placement program, which has led to numerous interns being hired full-time by schools throughout Minnesota, including eight public charter schools which had never had counseling programs before. Doug has kept student mental health at the forefront of his work, making lasting contributions to school cultures and communities.  He enjoys fostering collaborative instructional relationships with students while emphasizing individual strengths in his teaching and Didactic instruction.