Teresa Backman

Ph.D., Board Certified Adult Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Backman earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing from the Ohio State University. She then earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University.

She specializes in the medical treatment of mental health issues including mood disorders, thought disorders, addiction, anxiety, veteran issues, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr. Maximino Cortes

B.A. (Cleveland State), M.S.S.A. (CWRU), has served as is a clinical supervisor for 15 years for a non-profit faith-based organization in the Cleveland area and is a licensed independent social worker (with supervisory endorsement), and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor. He has over twenty years of experience working with the Hispanic/Latino population in outpatient and residential mental health and chemical dependency community-based programs. He currently serves as a field instructor for the undergraduate and graduate social work program at Cleveland State University and the Case Western Reserve University social work master’s degree program. Mr. Cortes is a volunteer with the Youth of Hope Ministry of the Sagrada Family Parish in Cleveland and is a mentor for the Cleveland Big Brother/Big Sisters regional office. He currently utilizes best-practice therapeutic interventions in the treatment of children, youth, and couples.

Toya Owens-Hodge

Licensed Social Worker specializing in the treatment of children, adults, and families. With over 15 years of experience, Ms. Owens-Hodge utilizes research-based interventions in order to teach clients effective solutions. Ms. Owens-Hodge considers a holistic approach when working with individuals and families. Additionally, Ms. Owens-Hodge has a keen knowledge in the areas of school law and is experienced at developing school-based, as well as home-based interventions. Ms. Owens-Hodge is also very adept at helping families manage the adjustments necessary post-divorce. Ms. Owens-Hodge is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Mandell School of Applied Social Sciences.

Kristen Richardson

Kristen Richardson is dual-licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and a School Counselor. Kristen received her B.A. in Psychology at Baldwin Wallace and her M.Ed in Counseling (school and clinical) at Cleveland State University. Kristen has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and adults. Kristen has worked in a variety of settings including mental health and school settings, as well as outpatient treatment for addiction. Some focus areas include school issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and life transitions.

Joyce Robertson

M.Ed., LPCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She provides individual and couples counseling or therapy with adults, and also enjoys working with adolescents. She has facilitated many psycho-educational groups as well, as she believes understanding and knowledge are key factors in the healing of mind, body, and spirit. Her areas of interest include relationships, depression, anxiety, adjustment to life changes, and identifying strengths to promote personal growth. Joyce received her Masters of Education degree in Community Agency Counseling from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace College. Joyce is an experienced Registered Nurse as well.

Karli Ruggiero

LPCC has a BS in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults through individual, family, and group therapy.  Karli strives to make each person who enters her office feel welcome, safe and supported while finding and utilizing their personal strengths and attributes to foster growth, healing, and hope.  Her experience includes, but is not limited to, working with clients dealing with divorce, ADHD, depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, and life transitions.  Karli incorporates a variety of treatment techniques in counseling, depending on the needs of the individual client.  These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic Counseling, and ADHD assessments.

Bonnie Simonelli

Bonnie has been working in the addictions field for over 20 years.  She began her career as a Primary Counselor in a dual diagnosed mental health hospital for young people. She worked for 15 years in the Parma City Schools as the Chemical Prevention Specialist, and now she works in Cleveland as a Guidance Counselor. She enjoys working with young people but will take clients of all ages. She can provide assessments, education, counseling, family counseling for abuse and addictions, she can provide referrals as needed, and she can do large or small assemblies for schools or community meetings.

John Swindell

Mr.John Swindell is a registered Licensed Social Worker (LSW).  John received his Masters’s degree in Social Science at Case Western Reserve University’s MSASS. He likes to take the time to professionally work with clients and help them manage their daily lives all while adapting to personal problems from which they may be going through. John will always consider a very wide range of social variables which must be implemented as well, such as domestic violence, poverty, drug use, past traumatic events, etc. The basic concept he likes to take is identifying the source of the problem(s) and work as best as possible with the client(s) to take a step-by-step approach in healing the wounds which may have been sustained.”

Tara Yung

Tara graduated from Malone University with her M.Ed in Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults through individual and family therapy. She has practiced as a therapist in schools, community settings as well as office-based treatment. Tara has experience working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, school issues, self-esteem, women’s issues, anger management, divorce, life transitions as well as trauma. Tara uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic Counseling, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as Mindfulness approaches in her treatment. Tara believes strongly in a therapeutic relationship that encourages hope and resilience. She supports each individual by meeting them where they are in their journey.