Cassie Starinsky, LISW-S

Co-owner of Renew Wellness
Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Offering EMDR Intensives & individual therapy 
Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist in EMDR
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*ONLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR EMDR INTENSIVES
As owner of Renew Wellness in Columbus, OH, Cassie believes that real change comes from connecting your mind and body, a willingness to change, and positive relationship between client and therapist.

She is a licensed independent social work supervisor, a health and wellness coach, a certified therapist in EMDR, an approved consultant in EMDR  and Registered Yoga Teacher-200. Cassie has been a mental health professional for over 20 years working with families and individuals, schools, as well as community businesses and organizations.   

She specializes in EMDR therapy and FSAP, CBT; these evidenced based therapies are applied in treatment for individuals seeking guidance in addiction and compulsive behaviors, weight loss, relationship concerns, trauma, stress and anxiety reduction, and low self-esteem. She is passionate about the process of EMDR and the effective role it plays in helping clients change.

Cassie also provides EMDR consultation to clinicians working towards their EMDR training requirements as well as certification.  Please contact her directly to schedule individual EMDR consultation.
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Anna Schott, LISW-S

Co-owner of Renew Wellness
Gahanna & Pataskala Office
Offering EMDR Intensives & individual therapy
Trainer, Approved Consultant, and Certified Therapist in EMDR

​*ONLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR EMDR INTENSIVES
As co-owner of Renew Wellnes, Anna Schott believes that real change comes from connecting the mind, body, and spirit utilizing a variety of holistic modalities and interventions. 

Anna is a LISW-S and earned her Masters in Social Work and Masters of Arts in Public Policy and Management through The Ohio State University. She earned her BA in Psychology from Denison University.  She is trained in and utilizes EMDR therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Therapy, and DBT.  Anna is a Certified EMDR Therapist and an Approved Consultant through the EMDR International Association as well as an EMDR trainer and adjunct faculty member of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness.  In addition to her clinical background, Anna is a Registered Yoga Teacher and teaches therapeutic yoga classes to clients of Renew Wellness.  

Anna is passionate about working with individual clients with complex trauma, attachment trauma, PTSD, dissociation, depression, anxiety, and addiction on a weekly basis and also offers EMDR intensive sessions on a case-by-case basis.  In therapy, her specialty is to help clients reprocess negative beliefs about oneself and develop mindfulness skills, overcoming anxiety, depression, dissociation, complex and attachment trauma, addictions, and compulsive behaviors, freeing them to work towards discovering their best self.

Anna also provides EMDR consultation to clinicians working towards their EMDR training requirements as well as certification.  She co-facilitates EMDR basic trainings as an adjunct faculty of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and co-founded Central Ohio EMDR Connection, which provides advanced EMDR therapy trainings.  Anna enjoys expanding clinicians’ knowledge of EMDR therapy and demonstrating how to incorporate EMDR therapy into their own practices.

Monica Ellis, LISW-S

Gahanna Office
​Offering in-person & online sessions
​Trained in EMDR
Monica is a Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor in the state of Ohio. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Pyschology from Kent State University and went on to complete a Masters of Social Work at Youngstown State University. 

Monica has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including outpatient and community based, preschool/daycare centers, school-based settings, partial hospitalization programs, and residential facilities. Monica has practiced in assessment and individual, group, and family therapy modalities. 

Monica is a fully trained EMDR therapist and Dancing Mindfulness facilitator. She also has training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, FLIP IT, and Incredible Years. She uses her knowledge and skills to provide supportive therapy to her clients while incorporating trauma-informed, mindfulness, movement, and creative interventions.

Monica's goal in treatment is to help others feel whole and healthy by their own definitions. She is a calm and compassionate therapist who enjoys yoga, dancing, gardening, and baking. 

Shirron Jackson-Gardner, MSW, LSW, LICDC

Gahanna & Pataskala Office
​Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR
Jackson is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio with a strong educational foundation and a passion for helping individuals heal and grow. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology from The Ohio State University. Jackson is a trained EMDR therapist through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness. She brings 15 years of experience in addiction studies and criminal behavior modification treatment, allowing her to support clients through a variety of complex life challenges.

Jackson works from the belief that each client is the expert of their own experience and already holds the answers within. Her therapeutic approach integrates talk therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), faith-based/existential therapy, Psychodynamic-ACES, and solution-focused Interventions (SFBT). Through these modalities, she helps clients explore their inner consciousness, build resilience, and achieve meaningful personal growth.
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Outside of her professional work, Jackson is a devoted mother of three, a supportive wife and sister, and deeply values family. She has a strong interest in “wholistic” therapies, incorporating mind-body spirituality into her practice. She provides health and nutrition education, self-esteem building, and practical tools to help decrease anxiety, depression, co-dependency, and negative cognitions.

Ceta Gugliemotto, MSW, LSW, LICDC

Pataskala Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Ceta Gugliemotto, MSW, LSW, LICDC, is a licensed social worker and chemical dependency counselor dedicated to helping adults and teens navigate life’s challenges with compassion and purpose. She brings over seven years of experience supporting clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use recovery in outpatient, residential, and community-based settings. Ceta earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from The Ohio State University and her Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University. Her approach is holistic and strengths-based, integrating mindfulness practices with evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Ceta strives to create a safe, collaborative space where clients can build resilience, restore balance, and rediscover their capacity for healing and growth.

Emily hammond, LISW-S

Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
​Emily is a Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor in the state of Ohio. She received a Bachelors of Social Work from Youngstown State University and a Masters of Applied Social Sciences (MSW equivalent) from Case Western Reserve University. 

Emily has experience working with children, adolescents, families, and adults in a variety of settings including school based therapy, grief therapy, inpatient psychiatric services, and outpatient services. Emily specializes in working with depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD, CPTSD, dissociation, and issues related to self esteem and self worth. 

Emily is an EMDR certified therapist through the EMDR International Association and utilizes a Trauma Focused lense with all clients. While Emily utilizes a variety of evidence based interventions in her practice, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused therapy, EMDR, mindfulness practices, and relational therapy, Emily considers herself to be a relational and strengths based therapist. Her goal is to meet the client where they are and to work to empower clients to see their own strength and resilience. Emily believes the therapist and client relationship is important to the process and is dedicated to providing a safe and non judgmental space for healing. 

Kendra Hovey, MSW, LSW

Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR
Kendra believes that the therapeutic experience is a collaborative journey where clients can safely explore, heal, and reconnect with their inner strengths to lead more empowered lives. A professional licensed social worker, trained in EMDR, Kendra earned her MA in social work and art education through the Ohio State University, and a BA in Philosophy from Occidental College in Los Angeles. Kendra has extensive experience in the non-profit sector working with people and communities impacted by the justice system.
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Kendra practices with an awareness that every person’s coping mechanisms and trauma responses are powerful, protective reactions developed in response to difficult experiences. Rather than seeing these as pathologies, she recognizes them as signs of resilience. Her approach centers on helping adult clients gradually release old patterns that may no longer serve them and build new, empowering strategies for well-being.
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Her approach is deeply informed by depth psychology, somatic practices, and a nuanced understanding of individual and cultural trauma. Specializing in complex trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic loneliness, chronic stress, adjustment issues and attachment challenges, Kendra is honored to walk alongside each of her clients on their path to greater thriving.

Leah Kistler, lIsw

Gahanna Office
​Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
​She/Her
Leah is a licensed independent social worker in the State of Ohio with a Masters of Social Work from The Ohio State University.
Leah considers herself to be a humanist, existential, eclectic therapist. In other words, she pulls from a variety of evidence-based practices in meeting clients where they are.
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​Leah’s work with clients is built on empowering her clients, believing each person already possesses the capacity for change. While Leah possesses a wide array of coping skills and tools she passes onto her clients, her primary goal in providing therapy is to create deeper, longer lasting healing. This means getting through the surface to the core themes that lead to the continuance of pain and struggle. Leah believes that as we are all in this unique, mysterious human experience together, each equally entitled to love and belonging in our one precious life.

Leah utilizes a variety of interventions – including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems-influenced parts work. She also is certified in EMDR and loves seeing clients’ natural healing abilities at work.
Leah has experience working with a diverse caseload of adolescents and adults, working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, OCD, adjustment and life event issues, narcissistic abuse, and grief. She also has an interest in spiritual abuse/religious trauma –a topic she has done significant research in and enjoys leading therapy groups for survivors. Leah holds a special place in her heart for the LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent communities – two communities she is a member of herself – and is committed to providing affirming, strength-based care.​

Krystal McDonald, LPCC

Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
​Krystal is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in 2016. She began her career working for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center as a Trauma Therapist. After living in Cleveland for 6 years, she returned home to Columbus to work in private practice. 

Krystal specializes in all types of trauma including, but not limited to, physical abuse, sexual abuse/assault, intimate partner violence, trafficking, emotional abuse as well as childhood abuse and neglect. Additionally, she has extensive experience with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and issues related to self-esteem and self-worth.

Krystal is a certified therapist in EMDR through EMDRIA, art therapy, play therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy and is experienced working with all ages. Furthermore, she strives to create a safe, empowering and nonjudgmental space that provides clients with choices in their journey towards healing and wellness. 

Rachel McPHerson, LPCC

Gahanna Office
​Offering in-person & online sessions
​Consultant-in-Training and Certified Therapist in EMDR
Rachel L. McPherson is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor whom completed her Master’s degree in Counseling at Freed-Hardeman University in 2006. She specializes in faith-based treatment, grief/loss, depressive, anxiety and compulsive disorders, and perinatal mental health. She is a Certified Therapist in EMDR and a Consultant in Training through EMDRIA. Rachel enjoys practicing yoga, spending time with her husband and son and is active in her church.

valerie Murphy, LPCC-S

Virtual Office
​Offering online sessions
Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist in EMDR
​She/Her/Hers
Valerie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervisor Designation (LPCC-S) in the state of Ohio. She earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Akron in 2010. Valerie began her counseling career in school-based counseling and provided services in a variety of settings, from traditional outpatient to residential settings. Valerie intended to work with children and adolescents, however through her practice, learned that she can better assist children by working directly with the adults in their lives.

Since beginning her counseling journey, Valerie has also become a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and currently holds a 500-hour designation (RYT500). Valerie has also been trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and became certified in 2021 through the Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA). Valerie is an Approved Consultant through EMDRIA as well and provides consultation to other clinicians being trained in EMDR and/or working towards certification.
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Valerie specializes in working with trauma and stress-related disorders, and recognizes that this may present itself as anxiety, depression, dissociation, and other behaviors which lead to distressing symptoms for a person. Valerie views herself as a guide to be with a person on their healing journey. By using the adaptive information processing perspective to address a person’s life experiences she supports the person’s strengths and offers her knowledge and experiential wisdom in the client-therapist partnership.

Megan Svendsen, LISW-S

Gahanna Office
​Offering in-person & online sessions
Offering EMDR Intensives & individual therapy 
​​Consultant-in-Training and Certified Therapist in EMDR

​*ONLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR EMDR INTENSIVES
Megan believes people have an inherent capability to use their strengths to assist them to make positive changes in their lives and by using various treatment modalities can assist them to do so in a safe and supportive environment.  

Megan received her master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University and has been a licensed independent social work therapist with a supervisor designation for more than 20 years.  Megan is also a Certified EMDR Therapist through the EMDR International Association and utilizes this form of treatment in individual or intensive sessions.  In 2022 Megan became a state of Ohio Registered Yoga Teacher-200.  

Having spent all of her clinical time in central Ohio mental health, Megan is comfortable with the treatment needs of many but has developed a strong focus on working with children, adolescents and families.

Rachel Velishek, LPCC

Gahanna Office
​Offering in-person and online services
Certified Therapist in EMDR
Rachel is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. She obtained her Masters in Community Counseling and has been practicing for over 14 years. Rachel specializes in trauma,grief, stress management, mood and anxiety disorders. She is trained in EMDR therapy through EMDR International Association. Rachel is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and is Nationally Board Certified. 

Rachel has experience working with children, adolescence, adults and couples. She has completed level II training of Gottman Method, a type of therapy that is backed by scientific research. Gottman method is an approach to couples therapy that includes an assessment of the relationship  to help couples strengthen the relationship by increasing closeness and friendship behaviors, addressing conflict productively and building a life together. 

Rachel is passionate about helping others recover from past pain, and loss. She uses her diverse professional experience and a combination of  evidenced based learning to guide individuals and couples toward achieving their identified goals. Rachel is trained in strength based counseling, solution focused interventions, Grief Recovery Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Narrative Exposure Therapy  and Compassionate Fatigue for professionals.  
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Her history as a counselor includes residential treatment for adolescents, private practice, community center and outpatient clinical work in hospital settings. Rachel is a direct, yet compassionate therapist who recognizes that we each have a unique story. She strives to connect to her clients while providing  a safe calming space for healing , growth and learning to occur.