Dr. Jen Yensel has a PhD. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University and is independently licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory status in the State of Ohio. In addition to her PhD, Jen has a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University. Jen has experience working in inpatient, outpatient, and school settings. She has had the opportunity to work with a myriad of clients who dealt with a wide range of mental health issues. Jen has also worked at a local hospital where she developed a substance abuse intensive outpatient program for adolescents, utilizing evidence based treatment and motivational interviewing.

Her areas of expertise include career counseling, ADD/ADHD, adjustment, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, self-esteem, motivational interviewing and trauma. Jen has demonstrated an ability to work with younger clients who have trouble connecting and relating to adults. Some of her abilities include being able to help both teens and parents with behavioral concerns, oppositional defiant disorder, substance use, identity and peer issues. Jen has additional training in in marriage and family therapy and enjoys helping couples who desire to improve their communication with each other as well as couples who are seeking premarital and marital enrichment.

Jen teaches at Youngstown State University as an adjunct professor in the Counseling, School Psychology & Educational Leadership program. She applies much of the information she teaches, particularly in her Introduction to Mental Health & Wellness course, into practice with clients. Additionally, Jen acts as the Clinical Director at The Cole Center and runs groups and workshops at Akron Artworks as she enjoys practicing art and mental health. In her free time, Jen enjoys spending time with her family, dogs, and going on adventures with friends and family.

Beth Franczak received her Masters of Science in Education from the University of Akron. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervisory designation (LPCC-S). Beth has been practicing in the community and private practice setting for over 10 years.

Beth uses an eclectic approach to counseling. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of counseling. She strives to help clients feel as though they are hanging out and chatting in a living room or coffee shop, not in a stuffy clinical setting. She incorporates aspects of CBT, DBT, Sand Tray Therapy, and client centered therapy into her work. Her therapy is trauma informed and she has training in trauma focused behavioral therapy and sand tray therapy.

Beth works with adolescents (12 and up) as well as adults. She specializes in treating depression anxiety, adjustment issues, ADHD and trauma. She has a special interest in adoption and enjoys working with all members of the adoption community.

In her free time, Beth enjoys going on adventures with her daughter, reading, doing projects around the house, and watching documentaries to learn cool stuff.

Mark has a master’s degree in nursing from Ursuline College, and is dual-board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. This unique training and perspective, along with his background as an ICU and emergency room nurse, has helped him develop an integrated approach towards the treatment of mental health issues by focusing on the whole person. He has experience working with diverse patient populations in inpatient, community mental health, and private practice settings.

He specializes in providing professional, compassionate care to adults and children with mental health and/or substance abuse issues, and looks forward to helping you address your mental health and medication needs.

Rodney Long Jr. works to bring practical, lasting, real world solutions to client problems.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Malone University and his Master’s Degree from Case Western Reserve University. His greatest hope is that he’s helping clients develop the skills they need to continue working towards their most fulfilled life long after their counseling ends.

In his spare time, Rodney enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and two dogs, Diego and Daisy. He loves all things Cleveland sports and good BBQ.

Julia received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Kent State University. She has experience working in crisis, inpatient, intensive outpatient, and community outpatient settings. She strives to create a safe, supportive, and humanizing experience for her clients throughout the therapeutic process. She has received specialized training in EMDR therapy through The Institute for Creative Mindfulness. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment issues, emotion dysregulation, and identity development.

Gina Parasson received her Master of Science in Education Degree in
Social Agency Counseling from the University of Dayton. She is an independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio with over 20 years of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings as well as private practice.

Gina has clinical training in Behavioral Medicine from Harvard Medical School’s Mind/Body Medical Institute. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer holding specialty certifications in Older Adult Fitness and Lifestyle and Weight Management
with a focus on wellness, holistic healing and the mind/body connection.

Gina utilizes Mindfulness Meditation/Movement Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy to treat people with a variety of chronic health concerns, stress, adjustment issues, depression, anxiety and grief/loss. She has a special interest in Women’s Issues with a focus on infertility, pregnancy loss, post-partum depression and menopause.

Gina’s interest in infertility arises from her personal experience making her empathetic and knowledgeable about this issue. When she is not working, Gina enjoys the outdoors, traveling, fitness activities, music, volunteering and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Amber Ray has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision- Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Akron, where she also received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio.

Amber has experience working in home and office-based outpatient settings, along with child and adolescent crisis intervention in the community. She specializes in couples counseling with additional training in sexuality, including issues in sexual functioning, communication, emotional connection, restoring trust and intimacy after recovery from problematic sexual behavior, and diverse sexual relationships (poly, kink, etc).

In addition, Amber provides individual counseling with adults and children, along with family therapy. As an LGBTQ+ ally, she is passionate about conducting research and working with sexual and gender minority populations. Amber approaches therapy from an Emotionally Focused and Systemic lens, where a safe space is created to look at mental health and relationship concerns in context rather than being seen as something that “needs fixed” within an individual.

Shirley has a PhD. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University. In addition to her PhD., she has a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and has worked as an elementary school counselor for 9 years. Working as a school counselor, Shirley has become comfortable supporting children and families through a wide range of experiences. While obtaining her Professional Counselor license, she appreciated the change of pace as she worked with clients of all ages. Shirley has experience providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling, as well animal-assisted therapy. Shirley especially enjoys tailoring therapy to support her clients’ specific interests and goals. In her free time, Shirley loves to spend time with her family, friends, and dog, particularly while participating in outdoor activities and traveling with them.

Chrissy believes that often times most of us already possess what we need to transform our lives, it’s just that we might need a little help finding the right path. We can learn to look at things from a different perspective and build on our inner strength and use our gifts. From the initial counseling session, Chrissy and her clients establish a comfortable, relaxing, and safe environment where we work to identify goals for treatment and highlight a path of self-exploration towards improved functioning and quality of life. Chrissy’s specialties include treating stress, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and substance use disorders. In addition, Chrissy can help with improving communication, setting boundaries, improving relationships, and increasing self-care and mindfulness.

Chrissy is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor, and received her Master’s degree from Kent State University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In her free time, Chrissy enjoys cycling, photography, baking, spending time with family and friends, and watching Cleveland sports.

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