Joe Humphries is the Clinical Director for Preferred Care Counseling. He specializes in treating patients recovering from chronic pain and injury. He’s also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and National Certified Counselor.Joe earned his bachelor’s in psychology in 1990 and a master’s degree in education in community counseling in 1994 from Youngstown State University. While attending college, Joe served as the Instructor and Program Manager for the Rehabilitation Department at Goodwill Industries of Mahoning and Shenango Valley. During this time, he was promoted to Coordinator of Services for the Visually Impaired and implemented a first of its kind program that brought blind and visually impaired people into the facility. Joe also spent time with Valley Counseling Services specializing in Crisis Intervention and Assessment having worked with severely mentally disabled clients. In addition, he served as the Director of Residential Services for a 35 bed Adolescent Residential Unit of Belmont Pines Hospital, and spent seven years in private practice as a therapist and clinical director.Joe is available at our Howland, Poland and Canfield, Ohio offices.

Michele Hawn received her bachelor’s in psychology from Youngstown State University in 1999 and a Master of Educational Guidance and Counseling specializing in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Akron in 2002. For the past decade, Michele has worked with a variety of mental and behavioral health issues. She is a supervising counselor and earned a Post-Master’s School Counseling Program Development Certification. She also is specialized in Level 2 training in EMDR-Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing for trauma, phobias, depression, anxiety, anger and dysfunctional patterns of interactions. Michele has a variety of experience working with adults, families and children of all ages as well as for a variety of facilities including as a Clinic Director and Counselor for PsyCare and providing residential substance abuse counseling services for Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic in conjunction with the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center.Michele is available at our Howland, Ohio office.

Tina completed her Bachelors of Science degree from John Carroll University in 2008 and her Master’s of Social Work from Youngstown State University in 2010. Tina is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Prior to working in private practice, Tina worked as a Caseworker at Lorain County Children Services and was promoted to Continuous Quality Improvement Supervisor. Then, she worked for mvi HomeCare and Hospice. Tina works with individuals, couples and families and is dedicated to helping each person in achieving their goals. She creates a warm and accepting environment which fosters openness and honesty. Her skills allow her the opportunity to work well with clients by challenging them to acknowledge and understand their behaviors and motivate them towards change. Martina is available at our Canfield, OH office.

Rebecca “Ru” Griffith is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 10 years experience in the mental health field. She has work with clients of all ages and is currently specializing in adult anxiety disorders, trauma disorders and perinatal/postpartum mood disorders. In addition to her Master of Social Work that she obtained at Boise State University in 2018, she is a trained EMDR therapist.Rebecca is available in our Howland and Poland, Ohio Office

Dr. Aimée Bonar is a licensed Psychologist. She graduated with a Bachelor degree from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in 1998. She earned a Masters of Education in 1999 and completed her Ph.D. from Kent State University in 2007. Prior to working in the counseling setting, she had 15 years experience as a School Psychologist working with students, teachers and parents. Her approach to therapy involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Person-Centered theory to help clients problem-solve issues related to life stress, depression, and anxiety.

 Aimee is available at our Howland, Ohio office.

Marie Bosio is an independently licensed counselor and registered nurse.Marie has experience treating patients with chronic health issues, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, mood disorders and relationship problems.Marie is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

Heather Bowser is a licensed professional clinical counselor.Heather worked in private practice for the last four years. She earned a bachelor’s in art education in 1996 and a master’s in education in community counseling in 2007 from Youngstown State University. She specializes in treating people experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, adjustment disorders, depression, bipolar disorder and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Issues. She employs a variety of therapeutic techniques including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Expressive Arts Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and much more.Heather is involved in creating awareness around issues impacting veterans and has a desire to help those who struggle with the psychological effects of having served in combat. Heather has even traveled to Vietnam to help people understand the ravages of Agent Orange. She has experience helping people cope and live well with a disability, in particular, an individual dealing with a limb loss.Heather is available at our Canfield and Poland, Ohio offices.

I have experience in hospital, school and prison settings. I earned both my Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at Youngstown State University. I am an “EMDR Trained Therapist”. I have experience with clients of all ages. I’m currently specializing in anxiety and depressive disorders, life adjustments, ADHD, trauma disorders, stress management, body image and self esteem, mindfulness practices, grief and loss, LGBTQ. I utilize the best technique based on the client’s needs to ensure every client has a safe, judgment free space to not feel alone. Some examples are strengths based, motivation interviewing, holistic approaches, cognitive behavior health, solution focused, psychodynamic approached, and assessments. Taylor is available in our Poland, Ohio Office.

Cynthia completed her Bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University in 2000 and obtained her Master of Social Work at Case Western Reserve University in 2003. Cynthia is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Prior to working in private practice, Cynthia worked as an outpatient therapist for Valley Counseling Services for the past 16 years and Churchill Counseling for 2 years. Cynthia has also worked for Belmont Pines Hospital as an outpatient therapist in Youngstown alternative school. Cynthia works with individuals and families and is committed to helping her client to resolve their issues as well as achieve their treatment goals. Cynthia currently works with children and adults and specializes in anxiety disorders, depression disorders, anger issues, ADHD disorders, etc. Cynthia is available in our Howland, Ohio Office

 Education and Training:Mr. D’Amore is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Supervising endorsement from the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board.He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH (1979) and a Master of Social Work degree in Clinical Social Work from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (1981). He completed a 3 year post graduate training program in Gestalt Therapy from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, OH (1987). He has received specialized training in: individual therapy, adolescents and families therapy, conjoint/couples therapy, group therapy, community organizing, anger management, mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, anxiety and panic disorders, psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chemical dependency and codependency, developmental disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and chronic pain. In addition to his counseling and social work experience, he also received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from The University of Colorado, Boulder, CO (1991). He worked several years as a studio potter and sold ceramic work in art and craft galleries throughout the country. He states: “studying and making art has provided balance in my life and given me new outlook on therapy.” Professional History: Mr. D’Amore started work as a therapist at Preferred Care Counseling, Howland office in June of 2018 and was promoted to Director of Clinical Services at the Poland office in September 2018. This current position has followed a long career in counseling and Social Work. He has been honored to work with exceptional therapists and professionals at a variety of mental health and social service organizations. These include: Crossroads Adolescent and Family Counseling Center in Mentor, Ohio (1981-90), Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services in Sharon, PA (1994-96), PsyCare in Howland and Warren, Ohio (2001-17), and Alta Behavioral Healthcare in Youngstown, Ohio (2017-18). In addition to his work as a therapist, he taught as an adjunct instructor in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, Shenango campus, Sharon PA (1996-2002). He was promoted to be Clinic Director of the Warren PsyCare office (2006-17). He served as a Clinical Supervisor at Alta Behavioral Health (2017-18). He has been privileged to supervise many excellent social workers seeking their independent licenses and several masters’ level students from Youngstown State University and Case Western Reserve University. Professional Objectives and Theoretical Orientation: Loren has worked with a broad population of adults and adolescents with diverse mental health issues. He tries to customize his therapy work based on a client centered, strengths based approach. He also utilize a variety of evidence based theoretical frameworks and therapy interventions including Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), Gestalt Therapy and Mindfulness. He takes a “holistic” approach to therapy that focuses on the relationship between the mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual aspects of the individual. Building on the client’s strengths allows the therapist to contribute their specialized knowledge in an individualized and tailored way to help the client move beyond their current situation. Health or healing occurs when the individual is able to forgive or let go of past issues, look at their life and symptoms in a new way and build new coping skills and a deeper self-acceptance.He states: “I have learned more about mental health and mental disorders from my experience with clients than from school, books or workshops. I believe that therapy begins with listening to the individual client and then building on how that person already manages their symptoms and copes with their difficulties and life conditions. I share in my client’s healing and self-development as they inspire and teach me to be a better therapist and person.”Loren is available at our Poland, Ohio office. 

Judy Fink is a licensed professional clinical counselor and specializes in mental health disorders, grief issues, medical problems, spiritual conflict and relationship concerns.Judy graduated from David & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She went on to earn a master’s in clinical pastoral counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio and an educational specialist degree in counselor education and supervision from Kent State University. Judy’s also taught psychiatric nursing and other courses at Kent for eight years.Judy has experience in the medical profession serving as a nurse in coronary care, ICU and behavioral health. She believes in a holistic approach to helping people become healthier in all aspects of life.Judy is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

Julie Fitzgerald is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor. Julie has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in mental health for over 14 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2002 from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Community Counseling in 2006 from Youngstown State University. She has worked in a variety of community mental health settings including Family Counseling and Children's Services (Sharon, Pennsylvania) treating children and adolescents with mental health disorders; Community Solutions Association (Warren, Ohio) a dual diagnosis facility offering treatment for the unique needs of both chemical dependency and mental health issues; The Boys and Girls Club of America (Youngstown, Ohio) as a mental health director; and PsyCare Inc. (Canfield, Howland, Warren and Boardman locations) where she was on staff as an independently licensed clinical counselor. Julie became a part of the Preferred Care team in 2011. She has a passion for holistic wellness practices to approach a variety of issues including all Anxiety Disorders, Depression and other Mood Disorders, and Adjustment Disorders (job change, divorce, new marriage, etc). Julie has also developed a specialty in treating the unique needs of the Postpartum period, Infertility issues, and Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss. She is available at our Poland, Ohio office.Julie is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

Kathleen Garchar is a licensed professional clinical counselor and is a certified social worker in the state of Ohio.A graduate of Youngstown State University, Kathleen earned her bachelor’s in education in 1978 followed by a master’s in education/community counseling. She also received additional post-graduate education in the field of counseling and psychotherapy. She’s worked at YSU as an instructor to dislocated workers and served on an advisory board for the first certificate program in entrepreneurship offered by the university.Kathleen’s been independently licensed by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board as a Professional Clinical Counselor since 1995. She maintained a private practice at PsyCare for over 20 years as a psychotherapist. Kathleen also had an extensive clinical experience with in patient consultation on the psychiatric unit of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio.Kathleen is currently part of the team at Preferred Care Counseling with a broad base of clinical experience; particularly with relationship problems, anxiety and mood disorders and adolescent issues. She is a lifetime member of Chi Sigma Iota, a counseling honorary dedicated to scholastic and professional excellence.Kathleen is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

More information coming soon.  Lisa is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

Patricia Hatala is an independently licensed clinical counselor with more than 20 years of experience in the mental health profession including anger management, anxiety, chronic illness, couples counseling, depression, domestic violence and women’s issues.Patricia graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and earned a Master of Education in Community Counseling from Youngstown State University. She’s worked for a variety of counseling services, including a facility in Utah.Patricia is available at our Howland, Ohio office.

Kara Hunt is an Independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She received her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Kent State University in 2013. She has nearly 10 years of experience working in the Mental Health field. She worked with children and adolescents in a residential facility that focused on treating victims of abuse and trauma for her first two years in the field. Kara continues to work with children, adolescents, and adults struggling with anxiety and panic disorder, anger management, adjustment disorders (e.g. divorce, becoming a parent, retirement), mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, couples counseling, eating disorders, ADHD, etc. She has experience with people struggling with chronic mental and emotional disorders. Kara employs a variety of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavior Therapy, and Solution Focused. Kara is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from YSU and then graduated with my master's of Social Work from YSU in 2018. I specialize with children and adolescents and have worked with individuals, families, and groups in both outpatient and residential settings, as well as experience with children who struggle with behavioral issues within the school and/or at home. I also have experience with depression, anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders. Raffaela is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

Julie is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervision designation and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor. She obtained her bachelor’s in Psychology and master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Youngstown State University and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Akron.  She has worked in the counseling profession as a counselor, supervisor, and educator for over ten years. She specializes in women’s wellness, anxiety disorders, depression and mood disorders, perinatal and postpartum disorders, youth and young adult issues, trauma and stressor-related disorders and substance use disorders.Julie is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

Aimee received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Youngstown State University in 2009 and a Bachelor of Social Work in 2001, also from Youngstown State University. Aimee is a Licensed Social Worker, who has experience in case management and clinical social work with teenagers, adults, and families. She also specializes in working with anxiety disorders, depression, grief, women's issues and addiction.Aimee uses a variety of theoretical approaches in treatment which are adapted to the client's current symptoms. Some examples are; Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which identifies the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and actions to increase the client's ability to cope with their life stressors. Also, Solution Focused therapy is often used to help clients in developing their own solutions and looking at how successful their attempts are in the process. Reality Therapy is used to help people gain insight into their actions and recognize they are in control of their behavior. Motivational Interviewing is used to help guide client's through the stages of change. Lastly, a Strengths Based approach as well as Mindfulness are also key components of therapy. Each intervention is geared specifically towards each client and their individual needs.Aimee is available in our Poland, Ohio Office

Alexis McAndrew is a licensed professional clinical counselor who has been working within the mental health field since 2015. She has earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work and Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling both from Youngstown State University. Alexis has experience working with both Adults and Adolescents with: severe persistent mental disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Trauma and Addiction. Alexis is compassionate, caring and straight forward with her counseling approach. She utilizes a variety of techniques to best suit her patients. Some of these techniques include: Psycho dynamic Therapy, CBT, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.Alexis is available in our Poland, Ohio Office.

More information coming soon. Rob is available in our Poland, Ohio office.

Kaitlyn Merwin is a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelor and Master’s of Social Work degree from Youngstown State University where she was a collegiate Track and Field athlete. She holds experience working with adults in the Department of Corrections and youth struggling with behavior. She sees individuals of all ages struggling with depression, anxiety, confidence, sport performance issues, life adjustment concerns, marital issues and conduct disorders. Kaitlyn combines compassion, empathy, and therapeutic challenging in her approach to reach client goals. Clinical techniques used include Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Solution Focused Therapy.

 Kaitlyn is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

More information coming soon.  Kristie is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

"My goal for the counseling relationship is to create a safe environment while offering support to clients struggling with feeling alone, misunderstood, or lost. I show up for clients with an open mind and an opportunity to share their thoughts, express their feelings, and explore their experiences. Everyone deserves the opportunity to speak their truth and be heard and affirmed in return.I have experience with a wide range of mental health and addiction concerns. I specialize in the LGBTQ community, as well as being kink-friendly, CNM-friendly, and sex-positive. I also maintain an affirmative mindset towards neurodiversity, dissociative disorders, and attachment-related concerns. I consider myself thoughtfully eclectic in my approach and am a certified trauma professional." B is available in our Poland, Ohio office.

Jennifer is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor with experience in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, relational problems, substance abuse, medically assisted treatment, disordered eating, outpatient-level eating disorders, self-esteem, poor body image, life transitions, and emotional regulation concerns. Jennifer has specializations in Applied Behavior Analysis and working with early-intervention and school-aged children on the Autism Spectrum, alongside their families for over 12 years. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Mount Union where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Family Studies then went on to Youngstown State University, where she earned her Master of Science in Education degree in Counseling. Jennifer utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in treatment and believes holistic treatment approaches support long-term resolution and healing.  Jennifer is available at our Howland, Ohio office.

Diane Palumbo is an independently licensed social worker with experience in clinical supervision.Diane has her bachelor’s and master’s in social work from Youngstown State University. With over ten years of experience, she’s worked with adolescents and adults, including individual, group and family therapies. The focus of Diane's clinical work involves substance use, severe and persistent mental health, feeding and eating disorders, court directed treatment, medically assisted treatment and the chronically homeless. Diana developed a passion for sports psychology and wellness having played collegiate soccer at YSU.Diane is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

Shannon Rozycki is an Independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She received her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Youngstown State University in 2000.She has over 19 years of experience working in the Mental Health field. She has worked extensively with children and adolescents in a residential facility that focused on treating victims of abuse and trauma.She continues to work with children and adolescents experiencing behavioral issues at home and/or school and adults having difficulty coping with trauma. Shannon employs a variety of therapeutic modalities to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Behavior Therapy, and Solution Focused. Shannon approaches therapy with a great deal of caring, compassion and acceptance for the individual and their personal experiences.

Shannon is available at our Howland, Ohio office.

Elida Schiavone is a licensed independent social worker and licensed professional clinical counselor.Elida has a master’s in social work and is licensed as a social worker, counselor and chemical dependency counselor with more than 25 years of experience. She’s worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with adults and adolescents and has practiced group and family therapy. In addition, she’s helped treat people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction as well as a variety of mental health issues.Elida is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

VALERIE TREISCH-CHIRDON, MSW, LISW-S is a licensed independent social worker supervisor. She has over 25 years of experience working with teens, adults and families struggling with relationships, life transitions, stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief and loss, abuse and neglect, women’s issues, and parenting concerns. Her experience includes working in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings including residential treatment, foster care, psychiatric hospital, IOP, and private practice. She utilizes mindfulness-based strategies (CBT, DBT) emphasizing self-care to foster self-awareness and improve coping skills in order to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Valerie is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

Michelle Tringhese is an independently licensed clinical counselor.Michelle has more than 12 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She’s treated patients with trauma, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, depression, grief, along with relationship issues and providing treatment to people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse.Michelle is available at our Howland, Ohio office.

Kimberly Wess is an independently licensed social worker.Having graduated from Youngstown State University, Kimberly earned a bachelor’s in education and master’s in social work. She has experience in treating addiction, depression, anxiety and grief and loss in both inpatient and outpatient settings.Kimberly is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

More information coming soon.  Eddie is available in our Howland, Ohio Office.

Heather Whyel is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor and serves as a crisis and sexual trauma intervention counselor for both inpatient and outpatient clients.She specializes in grief and traumatic life events and utilizes a systematic, eclectic approach with a strong grounding in psychodynamic therapy. Heather also has experience treating individuals suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, relationship issues, substance abuse and life transition problems.Heather is available at our Howland, Ohio Office.

More information coming soon  Jeff is available at our Poland, Ohio Office