Joe Humphries is the Clinical Director for Preferred Care Counseling.

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.

As a mom and someone who has personally healed through Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic, and attachment-based work, I understand how past experiences can show up in relationships and parenting.

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.

Dr. Aimée Bonar is a licensed Psychologist. She graduated with a Bachelor degree from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in 1998.

Kimberly Caruso 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.

Taylor Cherol has experience in hospital, school and prison settings. She earned both her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at Youngstown State University.

Jacquie is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor and is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

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.

Amy has worked in the community based mental health setting for over 20 years. She received her Master’s degree in Psychology from PennWest Edinboro and her Master’s degree in Social Work at Youngstown State University.

Bob Dunn is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Masters Addictions Counselor (MAC) and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Youngstown State University.

Julie Fitzgerald is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor. Julie has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in mental health for over 14 years.

Lisa Halligan-Heckathorn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Central Connecticut State University and her Master of Social Work from Youngstown State University. Lisa has experience supporting adolescents (high school age) and adults in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Morghan is available in our Canfield, 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.

Larry Lapidus is an independently licensed clinical counselor with more than 25 years of supervisory experience.

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.

Alexis is a Licensed Counselor with extensive experience in the mental health field.

"My goal for the counseling relationship is to create a safe environment while offering support to clients struggling with feeling alone, misunderstood, or lost [...]"

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.

Nicole Pondillo is a Licensed Independent social Worker with a supervisionendorsement from the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Sharla Popadak attended YSU for Social Work and completed her Bachelor's in 2014 and Master's in 2018, and is currently a Licensed Independent Social Worker.

Samantha is available in our Poland, 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.

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.

Ary'Anah Walker is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with supervision designation.

Jeff is available at our Poland, Ohio office.

Steven has been in nursing for over 25 years. He has obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Penn State University along with a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.

Linda Riethmiller is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-S) in Ohio and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania.

Denise Kelley is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervisor designation.

Hello, I am Kathryn Dermotta and I am excited to join Preferred Care Counseling as an LPC intern.

Hello, my name is Karissa Braun, I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a graduate of Youngstown State University.

I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology in 2022 at Southern New Hampshire University. I'm currently earning my master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling, which will be completed in June of 2025.

Charolette is a dedicated counselor trainee committed to providing compassionate and client-centered care. She works with children, adolescents, and adults, offering individual, couples, and family therapy to support clients in navigating life’s challenges. 

Christina is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Professional Counselor driven to facilitate positive change in her clients. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2021 and her Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023 from Youngstown State University, and is currently working towards her LPCC licensure.

Hi, I’m Kristen Pawcio, a clinical counseling intern at Preferred Care Counseling.

Hello! My name is Sharonda Burley, and I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern at Preferred Care Counseling.

Jessica Johnson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University and her Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Youngstown State University.

Madisyn believes counseling is a collaborative process rooted in empathy, trust, and respect. True healing happens when individuals feel safe, seen, and supported, allowing them to explore their experiences and uncover their strengths.

Michael Hickle, PMHNP-BC, MSN, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. He provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management while taking the time to understand each person’s symptoms, experiences, goals, and individual needs.

Jazmine Starcher, CMHC Intern, CT, is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University and is due to graduate in December 2026.

Hello! My name is Brittany Kennedy, and I am a Clinical Counseling Intern at Preferred Care Counseling.

Hello! I am Adrianna Lamonge, and I am a social work intern here at Preferred Care Counseling.