Get To Know Our Therapists
Lora Hoffstetter
M.Ed., LPCC, Owner
Lora Hoffstetter has a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio. She specializes in individual and family therapy for adolescents and adults. Her focus areas are mood and anxiety disorders, self esteem enrichment, anger management, assertiveness training, adolescents who struggle with self mutilation, and individuals and families who need guidance coping with the trauma of divorce. Additionally, she works with couples that desire to enhance their communication and emotional intimacy, as well as those who are seeking alternative parenting strategies for their children and adolescents to enhance parent-child relationships.
Cancer Survivor 2015
Mary Anne Ricci has a Master's Degree in Clinical and Community Psychology from Cleveland State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio. She has additional training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and is a member of the International Academy of Eating Disorders. Mary Anne specializes in working with adolescents and adults who have eating disorders and body image concerns. She has extensive experience with this population in both the individual and group settings. Other areas of expertise include couples and family therapy, mood and anxiety disorders, stress management, life adjustment concerns, and women's issues, including post partum-depression, coping with Cancer, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Mary Anne Ricci
M.A., LPCC
Heidi Larew
LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, ATCS
Heidi Larew is a licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed independent chemical dependency counselor, and art therapist. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University. Heidi has a Master's Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland University and a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from Ursuline College. She uses a variety of approaches depending on each person's needs. These approaches include client centered therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and art therapy. Her clinical emphasis is on teaching skills for emotional stability, providing a listening ear for validation, and emphasizing hope. Heidi also has an expertise in many issues specific to women including post-partum depression, parenting concerns, stress management, and life balance. Heidi is a member of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and participates in committees for the American Art Therapy and the Buckeye Art Therapy Associations. Heidi specializes in clinical supervision for postgraduate mental health professionals.
Renee Tareshawty has a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from the University of Akron. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), an independent license issued for counseling in the state of Ohio. Renee has over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field. With her friendly, caring and compassionate nature, she puts clients at ease as she offers solutions to help alleviate a wide range of mental health concerns. Renee specializes in individual and family therapy for children (ages 6 and over), adolescents and adults. She also has specific training and expertise in the treatment method EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). EMDR has been well researched and is recommended as an effective treatment for trauma, according to the American Psychiatric Association. EMDR is a comprehensive therapy that accelerates the treatment of a wide range of clinical issues related to disturbing events and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, phobias, grief, post traumatic stress disorder and somatic complaints. For more information on EMDR, please visit emdria.org.
Renee Tareshawty
M.Ed., LPCC
Kristin Seil
M.Ed., LPCC
I’m Kristin Seil- a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master of Education from Kent State University. I encourage and empower my clients. When individuals and couples struggle to discover and effectively use their own strengths and skills to improve their lives and relationships, I help them find their way. I create a calm, welcoming, safe place for my clients to assess their concerns, explore different solutions, and find a solid path to wellbeing. My clients learn how to communicate, set healthy boundaries, and be honest in relationships. We will work to increase self-esteem, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression; and get past life’s roadblocks. My background and expertise include helping people with a variety of issues, such as mood disorders, anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, and life stressors. I am an EMDR Certified Therapist through EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). I am particularly passionate about using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing) to aid clients in healing. To support clients in their journey toward feeling fulfilled and satisfied with their lives and relationships, I draw from attachment-based therapies, and I use a mix of approaches, including: EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Polyvagal Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
J.J. Mesko-Kimmich has a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) a license issued for counseling by the state of Ohio. J.J. has over 20 years’ experience in the mental health field working in school based settings as well as with individuals and groups. J.J. enjoys working with adolescents and adults and she utilizes Cognitive behavioral therapies along with brief solution focused models. J.J. helps clients deal with daily challenges, emotional struggles, and relationship difficulties. She specializes in supportive therapy and grief and loss. She has a background in the DD and LGBT populations and having a sibling with special needs, she understands firsthand how challenging this is for families. Her goal is to provide a safe environment for clients to gain insight and move forward. In her spare time, JJ. enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, children and family.
J.J. Mesko-Kimmich
M.Ed., LPCC
Linda Freund
M.Ed., LPCC
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling from the University of Akron. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, anger management issues, self-esteem problems, and problems related to major life adjustments. I enjoy working with adults individually and with adolescents ages 16 and above. My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and both insight-and solution focused. Because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, I work collaboratively with my clients and together we will tailor your treatment based on what works for you. I provide EMDR therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and DBT-informed mindfulness skills-building in an environment of safety, compassion, and encouragement. My purpose as your therapist is to help you to identify and lessen the hold of old beliefs and outdated coping styles that are getting in the way of your healing. I look forward to meeting you and facilitating your journey as you build insight, restore or create a new sense of balance, learn new skills to cope with the stresses of life, and begin to manage difficult emotions more effectively.
Zara is a registered art therapist (ATR) and independently licensed clinical counselor with supervisory designation (PCC-S). Zara uses an individualized, humanistic approach to therapy integrating eclectic, creative interventions mixed in with some humor to best meet clients’ needs. She recognizes in a fast-paced world it can be challenging to make time for yourself and ensures an inclusive space where clients are able to feel comfortable and heard in order to make the positive changes they are aiming for. Zara has comprehensive experience in working with children, teens and adults. She has training in a range of treatment modalities including, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Zara specializes in treating trauma-including those impacted by domestic violence and child abuse; LGBTQ+ concerns; anxiety and mood disorders; self-esteem and empowerment struggles; and stress management.
Zara Geiger
LPCC-S, ATR
Sterling McGrew
M.Ed., LPCC
Sterling McGrew earned his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Akron and is independently licensed by the State of Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). He works with children, adolescents, adults, seniors and families providing individual, group, couple, and family therapy. Sterling has experience working in the community at nonprofit organizations with children, adolescents, and adults as well as with residents in assisted living and nursing facilities. He employs a Humanistic approach to work collaboratively with clients and utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused, and Motivational Interviewing interventions to address clients’ presenting concerns. Areas of focus for Sterling include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, communication and assertiveness training, self-esteem, anger management, Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias, and stress management. His goal is to promote a warm and accepting environment for clients to address their presenting concerns, to assist clients in gaining insight, and to promote client growth. In his spare time, Sterling enjoys cooking, painting, and exercising.
Phoenix Mussalow has a Master’s degree in Counseling from East Tennessee State University and is currently a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the State of Ohio and is under the current supervision of Zara Geiger, (LPCC, ATR). Phoenix utilizes an individualized approach via Humanistic Counseling to integrate Narrative, Solution-focused, Cognitive Behavioral, trauma informed care, and mindfulness approaches to assist clients in writing their stories. She works with pre-teens, adolescents, emerging adults, adults, seniors, couples, and families to provide holistic, client-centered, wellness-based treatment. Phoenix’s work history includes inpatient rehabilitation, college, and community-based settings. She specializes in working with those who identify in the LGBTQ2S+ community, anxiety and mood disorders, mindfulness and meditation, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She is currently enrolled as a doctoral candidate at Kent State University and her goal is to provide quality clinical care and educational trainings.
Phoenix Mussalow
M.A., LPCC
Bill O'Boyle
M.Ed., LPCC
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. After a career as a corporate buyer, I returned to The University of Akron to finish a B.A. in Psychology in 2002. I went on to earn my Master’s Degree in Community Counseling in 2007. I have over 15 years of clinical experience in serving teens, couples, and adults who are living with addiction and mental illness. I have worked in a variety of settings, including college counseling centers, residential settings, outpatient community mental health clinics, Employee Assistance Programs, and private practice. I utilize several therapeutic modalities to help my clients meet their goals. I am trained in EMDR and utilize techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory and motivational interviewing. My areas of clinical expertise include the treatment of trauma, PTSD, addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, gender, and sexuality. I pride myself on providing non-judgmental support as we work together to address your concerns. In addition, I enjoy supporting individuals and couples who are experiencing life transitions or other significant life events. I will provide a therapeutic relationship where you can feel safe and celebrated for who you are.
Dawnel Snyder
M.Ed., LPCC
Theresa Murgola
M.A., LPC
Hi, my name is Theresa Murgola and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with you! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University. I recognize that we all face challenges in life and sometimes we need someone to walk with us in those challenges to provide support and ask questions that help us regain our power. While I have a particular love for working with teens, young adults, and couples, I have a great deal of experience working with children and families as well. I help clients grow through a variety of issues including life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep problems, relationship problems, anger issues, social and family conflict, and self-esteem. I always try to be flexible and adapt my approach to the needs of each individual client in that particular moment (you are the expert on you, after all!), but tend to draw most from narrative, CBT, ACT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing approaches. I love to harness each client’s individual strengths and interests including music, spirituality, reading, creative writing, anime, and video games to help identify your values and goals.
Brian earned his Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Community Agency Counseling in 2004 and earned his Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential in Ohio soon after. He provides Counseling (aka Psychotherapy) to children aged 10 and up, adolescents, and adults with specific strengths in treating: Anxiety; Stress Management; Minimal Needs Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Level 1 ASD (Also known as High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome); and Parents of children with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder; ADHD; and gifted students. Brian practices eclectically with emphasis in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Structural Family Systems Therapy modalities. When not helping others, Brian enjoys reading, listening to music, exercising, martial arts and spending time with his family.
Brian Starcher
M.Ed., LPCC
