Meet Our Therapists At Shalom Counseling & Mediation Center

Kerry Beck, MSW, LISW-Supv, Clinical Supervisor

Archbold - Bryan - Montpelier/Bryan Schools

A NW Ohio native, Kerry earned a BA with a major in Social Work from Goshen College and an MSW from Florida State University. For the past 25 years he has worked in a variety of positions with-in clinical settings. The majority of his professional career has been in New England facilitating individual and group therapy as well as administrative work in residential treatment programs. He specializes in work with adolescents and young adults, and enjoys collaborating with schools and other outside entities this population may be involved with. An interest in music, sports, the outdoors and a sense of humor help him to connect with the people he meets with. Kerry always feels honored and privileged to “walk along” with people in their life’s journey.

Rich Sherman, IMFT, LPC Therapist

Archbold - Bryan

Rich received his Bachelors Religious Education at Great Lakes Christian College in 1983 and his Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University in 1986. His clinical Coursework was done at Heidelberg College. Rich has been a practicing therapist for more than 25 years. He has a heart for helping people and brings a wide range of competencies to those he serves including: Personal and social counseling, child and adolescent counseling, marriage and family counseling, pastoral counseling, employee assistance counseling, mental health counseling, chemical and dependency counseling, consultation, supervision, administration, and diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.

Katie Sprow-Arend, LISW, MSW, BSW, Therapist

Bryan

Katie received her Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bowling Green State University. She has eleven years experience in family assessment and treatment for individuals and families in the field of foster care and adoption. She has an exceptional record of in-home counseling and out-patient therapy to adults, adolescents, children, families and groups. Katie’s area of competence and experience are in play therapy, the treatment of mental and emotional disorders, Psychosocial Assessment, Intervention Planning, the treatment of children and adolescents, family and individual counseling and clinical supervision.

Stefanie Rockey, MSW, LISW, CCTP Therapist

Bryan

Stefanie received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Toledo, OH and did her undergraduate studies at Defiance College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social work. Stefanie has 11 years experience as a licensed social worker and a total of 22 years in the social work field. Stefanie is licensed through the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapy Board and is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Stefanie has been trained in EMDR, "Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing Model" and uses this therapy to treat PTSD, C-PTSD, Depression, Anxiety and other mental health issues with adults and children.

Stefanie has received trauma-informed training and is a certified clinical trauma professional, CCTP. Stefanie is passionate about helping those who have been through various traumas to heal and become their most healthy self. In 2011 Stefanie was recognized with the distinguished alumni award through Northwest Community College and is proud to represent NSCC.

Over the years Stefanie has conducted intensive and non-intensive chemical dependency groups, individual sessions and assessments for adults with chemical dependency or substance issues. She has also provided intensive home-based Functional Family Therapy working with youth involved in criminal justice systems and their families. As Shalom’s Mental Health Counselor she brings all of her experiences, compassion, love of people, skill and training as she provides Bio-psychosocial Assessments, conducting individual, marital, and family counseling to all ages of clients. Stefanie enjoys working with a wide range of mental health issues including PTSD, C-PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, ADHD/ADD, anger problems, life transition issues, and alcohol/drug issues. Stefanie believes in clients rights to choose what their counseling journey looks like and respects each client's independence and resiliency.

Dr. Lisa Jewell Michael, PH.D., Clinical Psychologist

Archbold - Bryan

Dr. Jewell Michael received her Master's Degree and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago.

Dr. Jewell Michael's areas of expertise are in working with individuals, couples and family therapy for adults and adolescents, using clients-based cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches and offers a range of psychological testing. She is trained in EMDR.

Karen Tuck, BA, LSW, Therapist

Archbold - Wauseon

Specialty: Mental Health Counseling for individuals, youth, adults and couples doing assessments, diagnosis and treatment.

Karen is a graduate with a double major in Social Work/Psychology with honors from the University of Montana at Missoula. "Over the years I have been privileged to work in the mental health field doing what I love, which is helping people navigate relationships with themselves and others. I truly believe that everyone deserves a "good family" that supports and understands one another."

Brittany Feffer, MSSA, LISW, Victims of Crime Counselor

Bryan

Specialty: Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders, Serving Victims of Crime.

Brittany received her Master's of Science in Social Administration at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She specializes in Mental Health Counseling, Crime Victim Services and Trauma Counseling.

Melissa Avina MSW, LISW-S, Therapist

Archbold - Wauseon

Specialty: Diagnosis and treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders, Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling for children and adults.

Melissa graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in Psychology and Master’s of Social Work. Melissa has her Independent Licensure with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board. She recently received credentialing for Supervision and is now able to provide training supervision hours for an LSW who is working toward their independent licensure.

The last 17 years Melissa has worked with different community mental health agencies for counseling in the 4-county region of Fulton, Henry, Williams, and Defiance counties. Melissa’s scope of practice includes counseling for youth, adults, and families. She has experience working with individuals with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, difficulty with managing behaviors; anger/stress management; substance abuse; trauma; crisis planning; and with other emotional and mental health related disorders.

Michelle Kistner — Archbold, OH — Shalom Counseling & Mediation Center

Michelle Kistner MA-MHC, LPCC-SUPV Therapist

Archbold - Wauseon

Specialty: Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counseling and Mental Health Counseling, Individuals, Couples, Family Counseling.

I am an independently licensed supervising professional clinical counselor. I have been working in the mental health field over 25 years. I completed my Bachelors of Arts Degree at BGSU in 1997. After working in the mental health field for a few years, I decided to go back to BGSU and completed my Master’s Degree, specializing in Mental Health in 2005.

I have since then upgraded my license to an LPCC-S which I’ve had since 2014. My specialty and areas of interest include: working with teens and adults with chronic mental health issues and mood disorders. I have experience working with teenagers, young adults, couples, and loss and grief issues. I have mostly worked in outpatient mental health settings and agencies around the 4 County area.

Amanda Jerger, MA, LPCC, Therapist

Archbold - Bryan - Bryan School

Specialty: Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders, Social Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling, Individuals and Children.

Mandy received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Bowling Green State University and did her undergraduate work at BGSU as well. Mandy has 20 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor through the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapy Board. Throughout graduate school, Mandy had the opportunity to be the Graduate Student Senator for the Guidance and Counseling Program, be a victim’s advocate with the Link program through Behavior Connections, study abroad in Alcala De Henares, Spain for one semester and present at the All Ohio Counselors Conference.

Mandy has a wide range of experiences in the mental health field that include proving group, family and individual counseling. Mandy’s focus has been working with children and adolescents that have experienced trauma. She worked at Adriel Foster Care for 17 years as a foster care consultant and then director of the foster care program. Mandy is a an adoption assessor for the state of Ohio. Mandy feels blessed to have the honor to work closely with people and help be a part of their healing and transformation. Mandy is working towards getting her LPCC licensure. Mandy looks forward to expanding her skills and be trained in EMDR as well as gender dysphoria related issues.

Brittany McClarren, MA, LPC, Therapist

Wauseon

Specialty: Diagnosis, and Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders for adults and children.

Brittany attended the University of Toledo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She then attended The University of Northern Colorado for school psychology, but she soon learned that she had a passion for counseling, so she transferred to Indiana Wesleyan University, where she earned her Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling.

Brittany is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Ohio and has her certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Brittany does counseling work with adults, but mainly works with children and adolescents. She has experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, oppositional defiance disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prior to becoming a counselor, Brittany worked as a graduate research assistant at the University of Northern Colorado, as a substitute teacher in both Colorado and Ohio, as well as worked as a privately hired autism aide for several years.

Alicia Graham, MA-LICSW-S, LICDC, Therapist

Bryan - Montpelier School

Specialty: Diagnosis, and Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders, Social Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling, Individuals and Children.

Alicia is passionate about serving in Northwest Ohio as she was born and raised in Williams County. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. Alicia has been working full time in the mental health field since 2006. Alicia has experience working with all ages to address a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, low self-esteem, substance abuse/dependence, difficulty managing behaviors, codependence, and trauma.

Additionally, Alicia has experience in leading dual diagnosis treatment groups in both outpatient and residential treatment settings and is now facilitating the Moral Reconation Therapy groups at Shalom along with playing an active role in the William’s County Drug Court. Alicia has been participating in the ECHO (Educating Communities on Healthy Opportunities) Coalition to assist in the efforts of Substance Abuse Prevention in Williams County along with collaborating with other Williams County providers with the HEALing Communities grant to address the opioid crisis. Alicia enjoys spending time with her family, going hiking/being in nature, listening to music, canning and working in her garden.

Marisa Wagner, MA, LMFT, Therapist

Archbold - Wauseon

Specialty: Diagnosis, and Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders for adults and children.

Marisa specializes in Mental Health diagnosis, Marriage and Family Counseling, Adults and Children.

Jessica Flores, LISW, MSW, Therapist

Archbold - Bryan

Specialty: Diagnosis, and Treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders, Social Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling, Individuals and Children.

Jessica Flores has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Defiance College and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Toledo. She is trained in trauma-informed care, TF-CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and stays connected with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network to continue to learn evidence-based approaches. Her experience includes working with the children’s hospital to aid children who have experienced trauma, working in a hospital outpatient behavioral health center to assist adults in need, providing a strength-based approach in the public school system, and assisting young adults in college navigating transitions. It has been Jessica’s goal to provide others with a strength-based approach to learning new techniques, build coping skills, identify and challenge cognitive distortions, as well as build on their own self-worth.

Jessica has also been involved in community outreach, working with NAMI, The University of Toledo, and the Black Swamp Art Council. She assisted to coordinate and presented at NAMI’s Latino Mental Health Forum. She assisted in coordinating the University of Toledo Latino Youth Summit. Jessica has also worked as an instructor for the Black Swamp Art Council's mobile art program. She has also used art as a means of self-expression and creativity with survivors of domestic violence.

Julie Sasseen, MSW, LISW, Therapist

Bryan

Julie Sasseen, LISW, MSW, graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Psychology and from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s in Social Work. She is trained to provide EMDR and considers the treatment of trauma and complex trauma an area of focus.

Julie works with Fiona, a loving addition to sessions with Julie. Fiona is in training to recieve her Therapy Dog certification. Her focus of study is in the care and love for all humans. Fiona will provide clients with additional acceptance and comfort, with the hopes to make entering therapy a bit easier.

Lorenzo Mendez, MA, LPC, Therapist

Archbold - Wauseon

Lorenzo was born and raised in northwest Ohio, and he is grateful to have the opportunity to give back to his community here at Shalom as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Before joining Shalom, Lorenzo attended Bowling Green State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in psychology. Following his undergraduate studies, Lorenzo pursued his master's degree in counselor education at the University of Toledo. During his time at UT, Lorenzo had the opportunity to work at the university's counseling center and at the Zepf Center. He has worked with a diverse range of populations, including college students from all walks of life and individuals dealing with substance use disorders. Lorenzo looks forward to working with adolescents and adults during his time here at Shalom.

Self-care is important to Lorenzo. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching movies/television, listening to music, playing tennis, and spending quality time with his wife and cat. Additionally, Lorenzo volunteers as a wrestling coach in his spare time.

Taylor Comer, LISW, Therapist

Archbold - Bryan

Specialty: Diagnosis and treatment of Mental Health and Emotional Disorders, Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling for teens and adults.

Taylor received her Bachelor's degree in social work from Defiance College in 2017, and then went on to obtain her Master's in social work from Spring Arbor University in 2020. She is an independently licensed social worker. She has been working in the social work field since 2017 and has been doing therapy since 2020. The populations she works with are teenagers into adulthood. Her experience is individual counseling for anxiety and depression.

Have a question about our therapists? Call us at 419-445-1552 in Archbold, at 419-636-1713 in Bryan, or 419-330-3522 in Wauseon to learn more.