Clinicians

Renee Althof, R.N., M.S.N.,C.N.S

Education:
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
B.S.N. New York University, New York, New York

Licensure/Certifications: Clinical specialist in child and adolescent psychiatric mental health. Nursing. Prescriptive Privileges, Ohio Board of Nursing

Experience: Renee has been in private practice since 1986. She was previously the Clinical Administrator at The University Hospitals of Cleveland and Program Director at Ridgecliffe Hospital. She specializes in the therapy of children adolescents and adults.

Kareen Caputo, LISW-LICDC

Education:
M.S.S.A. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
MS in Psychology, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
BS in Psychology, University of Grenoble, Grenoble, France

Licensure/Certifications: Kareen holds both an Independent Social Work License and an Independent Chemical Dependency License.

Experience: Kareen has been counseling adults and adolescents since 1995. She has worked with individuals suffering from Depression and anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD and Chemical Dependency. She has also conducted Dual Diagnosis groups in hospital setting and outpatient ADD/ADHD adult psycho-education and support groups. Finally, she has experience with marital and family conflicts using a variety of approaches.

Education: Donna Fragapane received her Bachelor of Fine Art in drawing and photography from The Ohio State University
in 1986. In 1995, Fragapane earned her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Ursuline College.

Licensure/Certifications:
Donna earned her Chemical Dependency Credentialing and Art Therapy Registration in 2003. She became a Licensed Counselor
and was Board Certified in Art Therapy in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Experience
Fragapane received her internship experience from The RapArt Center for Families and Children, Laurelwood Counseling Services of Beachwood, Community Assessment at St. Alexis Hospital and The Art Studio, Inc. at MetroHealth and Fairhill Institute.

Fragapane has worked as an Art Therapist and Primary Counselor at New Directions Inc., a chemical dependency treatment center for adolescents and their families and Laurelwood Hospital.

She has presented workshops on Art Therapy to numerous populations as well as done volunteer art therapy work, participated in the Katrina/Rita Hurricane relief project and has also taught art classes.

More information can be found on her website at http://www.donnafragapane.com. Donna has a genuine passion for helping others through the use of art therapy and finds tremendous satisfaction in helping her clients gain the insight they need to improve their lives. She finds challenges encouraging and is always rewarded when a new creative idea is produced to address challenging issues.

Kenneth Gerstenhaber, Ph.D.

Education:
Ph.D. Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
MA Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
BA Pennsylvania State College, Pennsylvania

Licensure/Certifications: Dr. Gerstenhaber has been a licensed psychologist since 1980. He is a clinical instructor at Case Western Reserve University. He has specialized training in Applied Biofeedback, hypnosis and relaxation and treats chronic pain.

Experience: Dr. Gerstenhaber has experience providing assessment and treatment of chronic pain. He specialized in depressive disorders, stress management and health and wellness issues. He also provides psychological evaluation and psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families.

Louise Gottlob, L.I.S.W.

Education:
MSSA - Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
BA - Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Licensure/Certifications: Louise has been a licensed independent social worker since 1995. She has had extensive training and specialized supervision in the areas of sexual abuse, victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder, and solution focused psychotherapy. Louise is also trained in critical incident stress debriefing.

Experience: Louise has been a psychotherapist since 1992. She is trained in solution focused psychotherapy, goal-focused psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. She also has extensive experience in treatment of victims of sexual abuse.

Jane Domb, M.D.

Education:
MD, Harvard Medical School, 1987
BA, Yale University, 1981

Licensure/Certifications: Board certified by the American College of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1993. Cleveland Clinic Foundation residency program in psychiatry 1987-1991.

Experience: Dr. Domb has been practicing general adult psychiatry since graduating from her residency in 1991. Her clinical experience includes inpatient and outpatient services, nursing home consultation, and ECT consultation. Her areas of expertise are affective disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and women's mental health.

Christopher James, D.O.

Education:
D.O. from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
M.P.H. from Temple University
B.S. from Rutgers University

Licensure/Certification:
Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
General Psychiatric training completed at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship completed at Northwestern University/Children's Memorial Hospital

Experience:
Specializing in both adult and pediatric mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, ADHD and PTSD

Roula Kontos, L.I.S.W., A.C.S.W.

Education:
M.S.W. Grove Williams College, Downers Grove, Illinois
BA Macalester College, St. Paul

Licensure/Certifications: Mrs. Kontos has been a Licensed Independent Social Worker since 1986. A member of the National Association of Social Workers since 1976, and also a member of the Ohio Society for Clinical Social Workers since 1990.

Experience: Mrs. Kontos has a social work career of 35 years serving in several capacities such as Director of Social Work, Adjunct Professor for Case Western University and Cleveland State University. Psychiatric Social Worker for several hospitals in Chicago and Cleveland. She has been a psychotherapist in private practice since 1992. Utilizing several modalities such as solution focused psychotherapy, goal-focused psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, marital and individual counseling. She also provides psychotherapy to late tens, adults and seniors of any ethnicity.

Mary Ann Kovacs Lannoch, L.I.S.W.

Education:
M.S.S.A. - Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
BA - Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Licensure/Certifications: Mary Ann has been a licensed independent social worker since 1986. She is certified by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).

Experience: Mary Ann has been practicing psychotherapy for over 20 years, and has a social work career of over 30 years. She has served as a clinical instructor in the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University; Supervisor and clinician at Akron Jewish Family Service; and mental health clinician at Kaiser Permanente. Her areas of expertise and interest include women's issues, relationship issues, marital and family counseling; as well as mood and anxiety disorders.

Julie Lynne LaMarco, MA, PCC

Education:
BA Psychology, Baldwin-Wallace College
MA Counseling Psychology, Boston College

Licensure/ Certification:
Professional Clinical Counselor

Experience: Julie is independently licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor and works individually with children, adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, self-esteem, and anger management. Julie also has extensive experience working with individuals with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, ADHD, and has training in Career Counseling and Behavioral Modification. Julie works with clients from a person-centered and cognitive behavioral theoretical orientation.

Barbara Levine, LSW

Education:
M.C.A.T. Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA
BS Emporia State University, Emporia, KS

Licensure/Certifications:
Barbara has been a licensed social worker since 1996. She is also a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor.

Experience: Barbara has been practicing social work since 1996. She has experience in counseling adults who have both acute and chronic psychiatric problems. She is also experienced in facilitating movement and group therapies. One of her specialties is counseling people going through infertility issues. She is also trained in supervision of the Milton Erikson philosophy/therapy hypnosis. In addition, Barbara attended numerous seminars with the Eriksonia Foundation.

Erika Nathan, MD

Education:
MD - Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio
BS - Cleveland State University

Licensure/ Certification:
Dr. Nathan completed her residency at The University Hospitals of Cleveland in 1999. She is board certified from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Experience: Dr. Nathan has experience working with adults in the Cleveland community. Her areas of expertise include psychiatric diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders and dual diagnosis with MRDD.

Shari Ridge, Ph.D.

Education:
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology - Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
M.A. Clinical Psychology - Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
B.A. Psychology - Occidental College, Los Angeles, California

Licensure/Certifications: Dr. Ridge has been licensed to practice clinical psychology since 1991. She completed an internship at the Cleveland Veterans Administration Center. She has also had additional training from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.

Experience: Dr. Ridge has been in private practice since 1991. Her areas of expertise include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorders and psychological testing.

Gina Sinito, PCC, ATR-BC

Education:
BA Psychology, Cleveland State University, 1989
MA Art Therapy, Ursuline� College, 1992.
Master of Education in Community Agency Counseling, Cleveland State University, 1998.

Licensure/ Certification:
Professional Clinical Counselor

Experience: Gina is independently licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor.� She is also a Board Certified Art Therapist.� Gina is comfortable working with children utilizing art and play therapy to help children work through issues that seem to have negative implications for their lives.� Gina's work with children includes parental support, education, and empowerment to help ameliorate emotional and behavioral disturbances common in childhood development. Gina also works with adult females and the elderly population dealing with mood disorders, low self-esteem, relationship problems, and bereavement issues.� Gina embraces a client-centered approach as she encourages clients to reach their highest quality of life possible.

Education:
Ed.D., 1999 Youngstown State University
M.S.Ed.,1981 Lake Erie College B.S.Ed., 1979 Lake Erie College

Licensure/Certifications:
Dr. Spiesman has been a Licensed Social Worker since 2005. He is a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, with interests in spiritual journeys, and has additional training in Parental Alienation Syndrome, Suicide Prevention, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and counseling related to sexual issues. In addition, he is licensed as a K-12 educator in the State of Ohio, and as a Reading Specialist.

Experience: Dr. Spiesman has 30 years experience as an educator in the Ohio public schools. He has private practice experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both individual and group settings. Dr. Spiesman has experience in pastoral counseling, as well as expertise related to issues involving parental divorce. He is available evenings and weekends.

Jennifer Walter, LISW-S

Education:
BA Sociology, Bowling Green State University
M.S.S.A. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Licensure/Certifications: Licensed Independent Social Worker with supervisor endorsement.

Experience: Jennifer has practiced in a variety of settings since 2004. Her areas of expertise include working with adults, family and children in both individual and group settings. Commons areas of treatment include, but are not limited to: treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, dual diagnosis, and suicide prevention. Jennifer utilizes several treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy and skills training.

Janice Carrick , D.O.

Education:
D.O.: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
B.A.: New College, Sarasota, FL

Licensure/Certifications:
Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1990
Completed residency in psychiatry, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 1989

Experience: Dr. Carrick has been in practice since 1989. Her areas of specialization in general adult psychiatry include the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders and sleep disorders. In addition, Dr.Carrick has a separate practice of medical acupuncture.

Barbara Padgett , LISW-S

Education:
M.S.W.: The Ohio State University, 1985
B.S.: Muskingum College, 1982

Experience: Barbara Padgett is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the supervisory designation. She has almost 30 years of post-graduate experience and has worked with both adults and children in both rual and intercity settings. Shas also worked as a therapist in children's residential treatment and well as with children placed within the foster care system. She was supervisor of outpatient therapy for an agency in Lorain County for 3 1/2 years and supervisor of children's case management for an agency in Ashtabula County for over a year. She recieves most satisfaction from direct work with clients in psychotherapy and is particularly skilled and experienced in working with issues and behaviors related to trauma. She also has intensive experience with children and is trained in advanced play therapy as well as family therapy and parenting issues.

Justin Simons, PCC

Education:
BA Theatre, The Ohio State University
Masters in Community Counseling,  University of Dayton, Dayton OH

Licensure/Certifications: Professional Clinical Counselor.

Experience: Justin is experienced in working with adolescents, adults and couples. Justin utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness therapy and psychodrama techniques to help clients find relief from depression, anxiety, adddictions, low self esteeem, marital problems and mens issues.