Clinicians

Jeffrey S. Berman

MEd, MSW, LISW-S

  • I received a Master of Social Work from Tulane University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing Arts from State University of New York at Oswego. I have worked in community-based mental health as well as private practice. Before counseling, I taught in schools in New Orleans and Boston, working with students with disabilities. I am located in Ohio and am also licensed to practice virtually in Florida.

    I currently provide individual, couples and family therapy to adolescents and adults ages 12 to 65+. My areas of specialty include anger management, social skills, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities/ school issues, depression disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    I specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. I am trained in trauma informed care, aggression replacement training and cognitive-behavior interventions for substance abuse. I utilize mindfulness-based practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as a solution-focused, strengths-based approach.

Tracy Kohls

MSW, LSW, LCDCIII

  • Reaching out to talk can be both a difficult and scary first step towards healing and restoration. However, my goal through therapy is to help you feel as if you never have to do it alone. I am here to ensure that you feel comfortable, safe, and respected as you navigate through your personal circumstances with my hope being that you become the best version of yourself. I make it a personal goal to help my clients feel validated and affirmed in each session while reinforcing positive skills sets to utilize in daily living.

    I am a Licensed Social Worker and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor receiving both a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Akron. I enjoy working with clients as young as 5 years old all throughout adulthood and specialize in disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and trauma. I offer individual, couples, and family counseling both through telehealth and in-person at the Lorain office.

    I specialize in techniques such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Strengths-Based approaches to care.

Nicole Podgorski

MSW, LSW, LICDC

  • Hello, I’m Nicole Podgorski, a licensed social worker and chemical dependency counselor. I have been in this field since 2016, studying the impact of trauma on individuals. I have received my Bachelors in Social Work and Masters in Social Work from Cleveland State University. I am also trained in EMDR and I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II. 

     My previous experience includes working in community settings as well as private practice. I have worked with adolescents age 16 and up, adults, family, and couples. These individuals seek help in substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, Bipolar I and II, and LGBTQ issues of coming out and living as an individual in the community. 

     My office hours are primarily during the day and I have a hybrid schedule that includes in person or telehealth services. I truly feel privileged to help others heal their trauma, improve their quality of life, and succeed in their goals. I look forward to guiding you in this process.

Yasmeen Prince

MSW, LSW

  • Are you ready to make a life changing decision? You’ve been silently battling feelings of depression and anxiety. Maybe your trauma has been weighing you down. Are you tired of just merely existing as you navigate everyday life feeling alone and misunderstood. You’ve tried almost everything to deal with the pain, hurt and disappointment of yourself and others. You are probably wondering if therapy is even worth it, and it is because you are important and deserve happiness. Remember you don't have to go through this alone. I want to provide you with a safe and nonjudgmental space where you can become the best version of yourself.

    I can help you pinpoint and learn coping skills to alleviate your symptoms. And to identify the psychological root causes of distress so that you can function better. Rather than focusing on a narrow problem, I consider mental, physical, and spiritual factors that influence a person’s well -being and seek to help people heal and flourish on a deeper level.

    I can see you virtually or face-to-face. I am dedicated to helping you have a fulfilling life. I work collaboratively with my clients on their person-centered goals. My belief is that you are an expert at your own life. My goal is to guide you toward the greatness that you are destined to be. The journey to self-discovery and healing is so worth it!

Amber Smith

LISW-S, LICDC

  • Hello, I’m Amber Smith, an independently licensed social worker and chemical dependency counselor, as well as a Peer Supporter Supervisor. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Akron in 2015; however, I have been in the helping field since 2009.

    My previous experience includes working in domestic violence and homeless shelters, psychiatric and medical hospitals, and in the community. A majority of my experience focused on crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and safety planning for individuals and families in a mental health or substance use crisis. Areas of focus are anxiety, depression, substance use, dual diagnosis (both substance use and mental health), PTSD, and secondary trauma. Services are offered both through telehealth and in-person at the Lorain office. I prefer to work with adults but am willing to explore working with other age ranges if we’re a good fit

    In addition to the above, I have significant training in providing services to first responders, mental health providers, and other professionals, including completion of Achieving Competence in the Treatment of First Responders, A Firefighter’s Life, QPR for First Responders, and have assisted with multiple Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) trainings for Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties.

    I believe individuals are the most knowledgeable about themselves, and utilize person-centered, strengths-based modalities in therapy, such as solution focused approaches and Motivational Interviewing. I’m also an experienced presenter of mental health, substance use, suicide prevention and related topics and can work with your agency or group to tailor a training for you. Together we can come up with a plan that will help you meet your goals.

Joellen Woodring

LPCC-S

  • Hello, I’m Joellen Woodring, a licensed professional clinical counselor with more than 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Baldwin-Wallace University and my Master of Science in Community Counseling from the University of Akron.

    My previous experience includes working in community and residential counseling settings as well as private practice. I have worked with individuals, families, and couples to find healing from issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, struggles with coming out and/or living as a LGBTQ person, and many other issues. I provide counseling by telehealth or in a first floor, handicapped accessible office space in Lorain Ohio. My office hours are primarily in the evening. My goal is to help people overcome adversity and build on their strengths so they can achieve their goals. My approach is to hear what the concerns are, develop goals together, and provide support and skills to help people on their journey to wellness. I know people are individuals and I approach treatment as an individual process that does not look the same for everyone.

    I focus on collaboration and building on strengths to overcome adversities. The process begins with an assessment so I can get a full view of anything that may be impacting a person. At the end of the assessment, we discuss goals so we can stay focused on the important issues and help find relief from the problems as quickly as possible. After the assessment process, sessions focus on working together to achieve those goals and build a balanced life. My success comes from helping others heal from inner struggles and build healthy and helpful connections in life.