Get To Know Our Therapists
Lora Hoffstetter
M.Ed., LPCC, Owner
Lora Hoffstetter has a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio. She specializes in individual and family therapy for adolescents and adults. Her focus areas are mood and anxiety disorders, self esteem enrichment, anger management, assertiveness training, adolescents who struggle with self mutilation, and individuals and families who need guidance coping with the trauma of divorce. Additionally, she works with couples that desire to enhance their communication and emotional intimacy, as well as those who are seeking alternative parenting strategies for their children and adolescents to enhance parent-child relationships.
Cancer Survivor 2015
Mary Anne Ricci has a Master's Degree in Clinical and Community Psychology from Cleveland State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio. She has additional training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and is a member of the International Academy of Eating Disorders. Mary Anne specializes in working with adolescents and adults who have eating disorders and body image concerns. She has extensive experience with this population in both the individual and group settings. Other areas of expertise include couples and family therapy, mood and anxiety disorders, stress management, life adjustment concerns, and women's issues, including post partum-depression, coping with Cancer, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Mary Anne Ricci
M.A., LPCC
Heidi Larew
LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, ATCS
Heidi Larew is a licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed independent chemical dependency counselor, and art therapist. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University. Heidi has a Master's Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland University and a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from Ursuline College. She uses a variety of approaches depending on each person's needs. These approaches include client centered therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and art therapy. Her clinical emphasis is on teaching skills for emotional stability, providing a listening ear for validation, and emphasizing hope. Heidi also has an expertise in many issues specific to women including post-partum depression, parenting concerns, stress management, and life balance. Heidi is a member of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and participates in committees for the American Art Therapy and the Buckeye Art Therapy Associations. Heidi specializes in clinical supervision for postgraduate mental health professionals.
Marc Blair has a Master’s Degree from Case Western University and is a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. He is a licensed practitioner providing individualized treatment to adults and couples. He specializes in couples and marital therapy and the many unique situations and issues that couples face early in their relationships and through the years of their marriage. Couples address problems such as communication difficulties, infidelities, emotional disconnection, lack of intimacy, and confronting hard decisions about the future of their marriage. He has expertise in working with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, grief and loss. Anger management is also an area with which he has experience. He helps individuals improve their coping skills and adopt workable approaches to stressful job and academic challenges as well as significant life events. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) with an approach that is warm and conversational.
Marc Blair
LISW-S BCD
Renee Tareshawty
M.Ed., LPCC
Renee Tareshawty has a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from the University of Akron. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling in the state of Ohio. Renee has over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field. With her friendly, caring and compassionate nature, she puts clients at ease as she offers solutions to help alleviate a wide range of mental health concerns. Renee specializes in individual and family therapy for children (ages 6 and over), adolescents and adults. She also has specific training and expertise in the treatment method EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). EMDR has been well researched and is recommended as an effective treatment for trauma, according to the American Psychiatric Association. EMDR is a comprehensive therapy that accelerates the treatment of a wide range of clinical issues related to disturbing events and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, phobias, grief, post traumatic stress disorder and somatic complaints. For more information on EMDR, please visit emdria.org.
Stephanie Heck is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist. She earned her Master's degree at Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles, Ca. Stephanie works with individuals, families and couples in distress. She takes a very collaborative approach to therapy and considers herself the expert on the therapeutic process, but the clients the experts on themselves. Stephanie uses a variety of different approaches based upon what is needed for each individual case and believes the therapeutic relationship and trust are the foundation of good therapy. She is trained as a family therapist, therefore she uses understanding one's family history, including seeing patterns passed down between generations, as a spring board for understanding how one functions today. Stephanie's experience has been in private practice, leading group therapies (including art therapy), and she has also been the Director of an outpatient adolescent chemical dependency program. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on such issues as anxiety/depression, creating healthy relationships, overcoming chemical dependency and addictions, sexual identity and self-worth issues, and healing from childhood trauma as well as men's issues.
Stephanie Heck
IMFT/ATR
Kristin Seil
M. Ed., LPCC
I’m Kristin Seil- a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master of Education from Kent State University. I encourage and empower my clients. When individuals and couples struggle to discover and effectively use their own strengths and skills to improve their lives and relationships, I help them find their way. Encouragement and empowerment distinguish my services from other therapists. I create a calm, welcoming, safe place for my clients to assess their concerns, explore different solutions, and find a solid path to well being. My clients learn how to communicate and be honest in relationships; increase self-esteem; reduce stress, anxiety and depression; and get past life’s roadblocks. My background and expertise includes helping people with a variety of issues, such as mood disorders, substance abuse, relationship concerns, anxiety, grief, workplace difficulties, and life stressors. I also have experience teaching anger management and parenting skills. I’m particularly passionate about helping parents of small children develop and practice the skills to effectively parent as their children grow. To support clients in their journey toward feeling fulfilled and satisfied with their lives and relationships, I use a mix of techniques, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Motivational Interviewing.
J.J. Mesko-Kimmich has a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) a license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio. J.J. has over 20 years’ experience in the mental health field working in school based settings as well as with individuals and groups. J.J. enjoys working with adolescents and adults and she utilizes Cognitive behavioral therapies along with brief solution focused models. J.J. helps clients deal with daily challenges, emotional struggles, and relationship difficulties. She specializes in supportive therapy and grief and loss. She has a background in the DD and LGBT populations and having a sibling with special needs, she understands firsthand how challenging this is for families. Her goal is to provide a safe environment for clients to gain insight and move forward. In her spare time, JJ. enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, children and family.
J.J. Mesko-Kimmich
M.Ed., LPCC
Linda Freund
M.Ed., LPCC
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling from the University of Akron. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, anger management issues, self-esteem problems, and problems related to major life adjustments. I enjoy working with adults individually and with adolescents ages 16 and above. My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and both insight-and solution focused. Because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, I work collaboratively with my clients and together we will tailor your treatment based on what works for you. I provide EMDR therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and DBT-informed mindfulness skills-building in an environment of safety, compassion, and encouragement. My purpose as your therapist is to help you to identify and lessen the hold of old beliefs and outdated coping styles that are getting in the way of your healing. I look forward to meeting you and facilitating your journey as you build insight, restore or create a new sense of balance, learn new skills to cope with the stresses of life, and begin to manage difficult emotions more effectively.
Eli Schwersenski has a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio, as well a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III). Eli works with children 8 and older, and adults. Eli has experience working in an alcohol and drug treatment facility providing counseling to inpatient, outpatient and detoxification clients. Furthermore, Eli also has experience working with clients in a private practice setting as well as in universities, schools and inpatient facilities. Through Eli’s training and work experience she has had the opportunity to work with dual diagnosis clients. Prior to pursuing her degrees Eli volunteered for two years in an orphanage in Jerusalem, Israel where she was a big sister and mentor for young girls between the ages of 8-15. Eli has also shadowed a school counselor for a year working with elementary aged children, crafting and facilitating social skill groups, lunch bunches and individual counseling sessions, involving parents and students. When Eli was in graduate school she was a permanent substitute teacher where she did long term substitute teaching for grades 1-12. Eli used her time with the students to focus on bullying prevention, interpersonal relationship skills and self-esteem building. Eli enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Some areas of expertise include, but are not limited to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders and substance use disorders.
Eli Schwersenski
M.A., LPCC, LCDC III
Zara Geiger
LPCC-S, ATR
Zara is a registered art therapist (ATR) and independently licensed clinical counselor with supervisory designation (PCC-S). Zara uses an individualized, humanistic approach to therapy integrating eclectic, creative interventions mixed in with some humor to best meet clients’ needs. She recognizes in a fast-paced world it can be challenging to make time for yourself and ensures an inclusive space where clients are able to feel comfortable and heard in order to make the positive changes they are aiming for. Zara has comprehensive experience in working with children, teens and adults. She has training in a range of treatment modalities including, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Zara specializes in treating trauma-including those impacted by domestic violence and child abuse; LGBTQ+ concerns; anxiety and mood disorders; self-esteem and empowerment struggles; and stress management.
Sterling McGrew earned his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Akron and is independently licensed by the State of Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). He works with children, adolescents, adults, seniors and families providing individual, group, couple, and family therapy. Sterling has experience working in the community at nonprofit organizations with children, adolescents, and adults as well as with residents in assisted living and nursing facilities. He employs a Humanistic approach to work collaboratively with clients and utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused, and Motivational Interviewing interventions to address clients’ presenting concerns. Areas of focus for Sterling include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, communication and assertiveness training, self-esteem, anger management, Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias, and stress management. His goal is to promote a warm and accepting environment for clients to address their presenting concerns, to assist clients in gaining insight, and to promote client growth. In his spare time, Sterling enjoys cooking, painting, and exercising.
Sterling McGrew
M.Ed., LPCC
Phoenix Mussalow
Doctoral Candidate
M.A., LPC, NCC
Phoenix Mussalow has a Master’s degree in Counseling from East Tennessee State University and is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Ohio and is under the current supervision of Zara Geiger, (LPCC, ATR). Phoenix utilizes an individualized approach via Humanistic Counseling to integrate Narrative, Solution-focused, Cognitive Behavioral, trauma informed care, and mindfulness approaches to assist clients in writing their stories. She works with pre-teens, adolescents, emerging adults, adults, seniors, couples, and families to provide holistic, client-centered, wellness-based treatment. Phoenix’s work history includes inpatient rehabilitation, college, and community-based settings. She specializes in working with those who identify in the LGBTQ2S+ community, anxiety and mood disorders, mindfulness and meditation, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She is currently enrolled as a doctoral candidate at Kent State University and her goal is to provide quality clinical care and educational trainings.
Laurie Miller graduated from The University of Akron in 2005 with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. She sees adolescents (16 and over), adults, couples and families. Laurie has over 15 years of experience working in counseling agencies, psychiatric hospitals, and crisis counseling centers. She utilizes a strengths based approach and is passionate about helping people heal from their past, find their purpose, and reach their fullest potential. Her counseling approach is eclectic, which includes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion focused therapy, and solution focused therapy.
Laurie Miller
LPCC, LICDC
