Our Team
Karla Jones, LISW-S, LICDC
I am a graduate of The Ohio State University with my Master’s in Social Work. Go Buckeyes! I am both a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. My therapeutic philosophy is becoming grounded and balanced in one’s personal and professional life to achieve a higher level of growth. I understand that we are faced with challenging life events and need help steering back into the right direction. Let me join you on this road to a healthy and balanced life. I use mindfulness and eclectic approaches to help you overcome a variety of challenges such as childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, family discord, blended family concerns, self-esteem, work/life balance, personal identity and development, stress, and life transitions.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: Saturday
Shavonda Johnson, MSW, LISW-S
I am Shavonda, a proud two-time graduate of The Ohio State University. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work and have been a practicing clinician since 2017. My experience encompasses both adults and juveniles with a focus on understanding the experiences that trigger mental illnesses. I serve as a passionate advocate for those affected and use both my education and my Christian faith to support the wellness of my clients. Learning recognition and coping techniques are not limited to a clinical diagnosis. I believe everyone can benefit from guided support. My training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) for depression, anxiety, women’s issues, substance abuse, and co-occurring mental illnesses. I am also trained in EMDR trauma therapy.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: Monday and Thursday
Tiffany Pressley, MSW, LISW-S
I am a graduate of The Ohio State University and have a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I am a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. I have been afforded the opportunity of over 14 years working with individuals, groups, and families in various mental health settings. My clinical experience has helped me develop a trauma-informed approach to support you in building coping skills, and resilience and to promote overall well-being. My passion is to invest in the lives of others through education, advocacy, and service. I consider it a privilege and a pleasure to guide and assist others in their journey of mental and emotional healing.
Pronoun: She / Her / Hers
Availability: Tuesday and Thursday
Mallorie Davis, MSW, LSW
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and received my Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University. My clinical experience includes providing supportive care to families and/or individuals who need help managing their emotional and mental distress due to a medical illness, young adults who have a history of trauma and/or behavior disorder, and assisting individuals with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. I am committed to helping individuals overcome depression, anxiety, trauma, and other stressors. I’m a firm believer that healing is a collaborative effort that requires compassion and support to help individuals overcome obstacles and thrive.
Because every individual is unique, I utilize a variety of therapeutic methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and their situation. My therapeutic approaches include Solution-Focused, Trauma-Informed, Cognitive- Behavioral, Constructive Narrative Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I also have experience in crisis intervention and de-escalation, stress management, and grief and loss.
Life challenges don’t define who you are - they are something you experience. My goal is to help you navigate through the past, present, and future. I am dedicated to providing a safe and judgment-free atmosphere where you can comfortably reflect and express your feelings. Let me help you to understand and redefine your experiences.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Nina Banks, MSW, LSW
I am a Licensed Social Worker and graduate from The Ohio State University. I have several years experience working with individuals of all ages. I am passionate about working with youth, young adults, and their families. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, past traumatic events, self-esteem, behavioral concerns and parenting challenges. I'm devoted to partnering with you to build healthy parent/child relationships, improve family dynamics, overcome mental health irregularities and manage life circumstances.
"Stand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances."
- Maya Angelou
Whether you're seeking individual services for you, your child or family, I take a collaborative, strength-based wellness approach to customizing treatment to help you achieve your goals.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: In-person and online
Gwendolyn “Gwen” Wright, MA, LPC, NCC
I completed my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC). I also have a MA in Psychology from American Public University Systems and a BS in Social Psychology and Human Resources Management from Park University. I am a military veteran and seek to be of service to those navigating through the challenges they face in life. I am passionate about working with couples, families, adolescents, women, and veterans dealing with depression, anxiety, traumatic stressors, and relationship conflict. I collaboratively work with individuals from an integrative framework while utilizing a variety of therapies such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, humanistic, Gestalt, interpersonal, Gottman, and EMDR.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: Monday through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Steven S. Sharp, MSW, LISW
I am a Cleveland, Ohio native, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and have a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker and have been in the field for more than 10 years, working with children, individuals suffering from severe mental illness, the incarcerated population, and as an inpatient and outpatient group therapist. My therapeutic approaches include Solution-Focused, Trauma-Informed, Cognitive- Behavioral, Constructive Narrative Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I also have experience in crisis intervention and de-escalation, stress management, and anger management. I believe in the power of the person, and that each of us has the answers that we seek inside of us already, we simply need to flesh them out in order to utilize them. I look forward to assisting you on your personal journey to wellness.
Pronouns: He / Him
Availability: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Nataly Gutierrez, MSW, LSW
I am excited to work collaboratively with you to explore what your goals are to address your needs. I am a licensed social worker with experience in mental health and have worked with clients as young as 8 years of age. I received my Master's degree in Social Work and 2 bachelor’s degrees (Psychology and Sexuality Studies) from The Ohio State University. I provide an eclectic style by using techniques from trauma-informed care, CBT, DBT, solution-focused, client-centered, and play therapy theories. I have worked with those who have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, and more. I enjoy learning about my clients, watching them grow, and empowering them to use the skills and concepts they learn in therapy in their daily lives.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: In-person and Online
Tanisha “T” Richardson, MSW, LISW-S
Greetings and gratitude on this journey of enhancing your life. My name is Tanisha and I obtained a Masters in social work, and have been a practicing clinician since 2017. I Graduated from Walden University and decided to continue my education as a candidate for PhD in Human Service. I have professional, therapeutic experience in community mental health counseling working with severe mental disorders (SMD). I have significant experience working with teens and adults who are navigating through their mental irregularities. I have a devotion for those who want to improve their mental health, supporting and guiding individuals who are facing mental anguish. Together we can develop a restorative approach through the use of one on one interventions, tailored coping techniques, and personalized methods to assist in moving forward. I have a passion for meditation and mindfulness, it is my theory that these methods can help educate individuals in finding the mind, body connection. It is my intention to support you in mending your mind, strengthening your spirit, and creating your life.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Availability: Full - November 2022, Not Accepting Clients
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule an appointment with us today and let us help you cultivate change and learn how to deal with life’s challenges. We’d love to meet you.
CONTACT USMEET THE INTERNS
Anna Swift, MSWII Intern
The Ohio State University
I am a second year Master of Social Work student. My passion in this field has always been helping people, particularly people that belong to minority groups who traditionally do not have the same opportunities to receive mental health care as those who belong to non-minority groups. I am studying to be a therapist, and I plan to adopt specializations in modalities of interest once I officially enter the field, including EMDR and other trauma-focused specialties. I have a special interest in affirmative practice with LGBTQ+ individuals. I am being trained and supervised by a diverse team of phenomenal therapists who have provided me with the confidence and skills that will allow me to begin my journey as a mental health professional.
Pronouns: She / They
Availability: In-Person and Online
Diarra Richardson, MSWII Intern
The Ohio State University
I am a graduate of the Ohio State University working to get my Masters in Social Work. I have an interest in working with clients struggling through anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, grief and loss and trauma. I want to create an environment that feels safe and encouraging and I want clients to feel heard, respected, and not judged. As your counselor, I will do what it takes to best serve you. I use modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, solution-based therapy.
Pronouns: He / Him
Availability: In-Person and Online
Carlos del Rio, MSWII Intern
The Ohio State University
I am in the final year of pursuing a Master of Social Work specializing in substance use and mental health. After years of working as a meditation and yoga instructor I wanted to take steps to further support the wellbeing of my communities. I look forward to completing my degree and learning new modalities, like EMDR, to support my clients.
I am passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ and trauma survivors using mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other modalities that help people reconnect with themselves and others. During my practicum year I have been shadowing other therapists to learn from their experience.
My clinical approach is rooted in a sincere belief that you are the expert on your own life. Together we will develop trust and a plan of care where I provide the support and tools to assist you in your self-care and self-knowledge.
Pronouns: They / Them
Availability: In-Person and Online
Tonisha “Tee” Elder, Counselor Trainee
Walden University
I am a current graduate school student attending Walden University. I am in the final stages of pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I truly believe in total wellness as I received my A.S. in Exercise Science and Kinesiology in 2014, A.A. in Christian Ministries and Counseling in 2015 from Liberty University, as well as my B.S. in Psychology in 2018 also from Liberty. I am passionate about social justice, advocacy, and serving my community to promote the wellbeing of my clients. I like to integrate various theories; however, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is my favorite modality. I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge and continuing my education through certifications in EMDR and other modalities. I truly believe that people are the captain of their own ship in life, and I am here to support and empower as you navigate through it.
Pronouns: She / Hers
Availability: In-Person and Online
