Cassie Starinsky, LISW-S
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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. |
Anna Schott, LISW-S
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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. |
Felix Schott, Therapy Dog
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Felix is a 6 year old boxer/lab/beagle mix. He was adopted by the Schott family in 2015 from the Licking County Humane Society as a puppy and was raised alongside his human brother and sister. Being that his name means “Happy”, Felix’s sunny and friendly disposition made him the perfect candidate to be a therapy dog at Renew Wellness and earned his certification through Therapy Dogs International. He will be working out of Anna Schott’s office and assisting with her clients. You may also see him around the office as he visits the other clinicians and staff members. Felix hopes to bring a smile to our clients’ faces as well as to help them feel grounded and comforted. In his free time, he likes to nap, take long walks with his family, and go on car rides.
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Monica Ellis, LISW-S
Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR
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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. |
Leah Kistler, msw lsw
Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR
She/Her
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR
She/Her
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Leah is a Licensed 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. 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 has training 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. |
Kelly Lee, LICDC-CS, LISW-S
Pataskala Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
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Kelly is a licensed independent social work supervisor, a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor clinical supervisor, and certified EMDR therapist. Kelly earned her Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Tarleton State University in Texas and AAS of Mental Health at Central Texas College.
Kelly started her social work career as a case manager of a homeless shelter program, then went on to work as a hospital discharge case manager. While earning her Masters in Social Work, Kelly began working for a non-profit addiction and mental Health agency, where she led intensive outpatient groups, worked with special docket courts, provided individual counseling and supervision. It is there that Kelly gained a special place in her heart for those suffering from trauma and saw the progress that they could make utilizing EMDR therapy. Kelly incorporates EMDR therapy along with other evidence-based therapeutic modalities, such as CBT, CT, MI, to provide strengths-based counseling that meets the needs of her individual clients and creates an environment of healing. Kelly is especially passionate about walking the journey of healing with adult clients struggling with childhood and adult traumas, PTSD, CPTSD, dissociative identity disorder, anxiety, and depression. She believes there is nothing more empowering than becoming self-aware and making positive changes in yourself that creates a new environment for living your best life. |
Krystal McDonald, LPCC
Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
Offering in-person & online sessions
Certified Therapist in EMDR
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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
Offering in-person & online sessions
Consultant-in-Training and Certified Therapist in EMDR
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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.
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valerie Murphy, LPCC-S
Virtual Office
Offering online sessions
Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist in EMDR
She/Her/Hers
Offering online sessions
Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist in EMDR
She/Her/Hers
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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. 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. |
eMilee Ortman, MSW, LISW
Gahanna Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR therapy
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR therapy
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Emmy is a professional Ohio licensed social worker. She attended the university of Miami in Oxford, Ohio to obtain a bachelors degree in kinesiology and health. After graduating, she found that she wanted to give back to the community who has given so much to her. She discovered social work was the perfect fit and decided to further her education by earning a Masters of Social Work degree at Indiana Wesleyan University. She is also trained in EMDR.
Previously, Emmy has worked on the women and children’s floor at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio. Focusing on women’s mental health during pre- and post-natal care. She also was able to work closely with women battling substance addiction during their pregnancy. She then went on to work at a nonprofit agency allowing her to gain experience with a vast variety of clientele. Emmy also worked for an in-patient facility increasing her abilities to work with patients who are in need of crisis stabilization. Emmy has been able to experience many different sides of the mental health field and has found her strengths being best able to assist patients dealing with substance abuse, PTSD, and anxiety. She genuinely works to create a safe and nurturing environment, allowing clients to heal and grow. In her free time Emmy enjoys yoga, hiking, family, and reading. She also has a lovable rescue dachshund named Ollie. |
Jim Sherfey, LPC
Pataskala Office
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR therapy
Offering in-person & online sessions
Trained in EMDR therapy
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Jim is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a diverse background in education and mental health. He dedicated 22 years to teaching physics and math and spent 10 years as a high school counselor before transitioning to mental health counseling.
Jim earned his master’s degree from the University of Dayton, along with additional coursework to become an LPC. Over the past several years, he worked in outpatient community mental health as well as in a nursing home where he gained extensive experience working with clients facing a wide range of mental health conditions. Jim believes counseling is a collaborative effort between client and counselor focused on achieving the client’s therapeutic goals. He employs a range of treatment approaches tailored to the client’s individual needs including EMDR therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy. With extensive experience in treating depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, grief, and low self-esteem, Jim meets clients wherever they are in their personal journeys. |
Megan Svendsen, LISW-S
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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
Offering in-person and online services
Certified Therapist in EMDR
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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. 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. |