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 family 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 a 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.