Our counseling team is equipped and specialized to help you through whatever life throws at you.
Katherine (Katie) Koncilja,
MA, LPCC
Katie is the founder and owner of New Leaf Counseling Services, LLC. She has over 20 years of experience working with patients of all ages. Katie received her bachelor's degree from Purdue University in Psychology and Law & Society with a minor in Child Development & Family Studies. She earned her master's degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Her areas of specialty include depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, school issues, OCD, adjusting to life transitions or stressors, women's issues, and building better communication. Katie's main approach to counseling is through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lens, but she also uses techniques from DBT, Gestalt, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Motivational Interviewing.
Katie currently sees patients twelve years and older out of our Westlake office.
Nicole Stacey,
MSW, LISW-S
Nicole is New Leaf’s Director of School-Based Services as well as a clinical social worker. She has almost 30 years of experience working with children and adolescents. Nicole received her bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University in developmental psychology, earned her master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University, and is a Licensed School Social Worker with the Ohio Department of Education.
She specializes in working through behavioral issues, parenting, trauma, depression, and other areas through solution-focused, short-term therapy.
Nicole currently sees patients out of our Avon Lake office and offers school-based services with our partnering school districts. She also provides sessions remotely via telehealth.
Jeannette M. Ellis,
MEd, LPCC-S
Jeannette is New Leaf’s Director of Continuous Quality Improvement. She earned her Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Cleveland State University and her Bachelor of Art degree from The University of Toledo. She is a dual-licensed mental health service provider in the State of Ohio as both an independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor and Licensed School Counselor.
Jeannette has been counseling children, adolescents and adults since 2004. She has worked with a diverse population in a variety of therapeutic settings including: an outpatient community mental health organization, a residential treatment facility partial hospitalization program, multiple school districts within Lorain County and solely in private practice since 2011 providing outpatient and school-based counseling services.
She has experience in treating childhood abuse issues, trauma recovery, grief and loss, coping with divorce, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, ADHD, giftedness related issues, relationship/family problems, and assisting parents on expanding their parenting skills to resolve behavioral issues. She focuses on the healing and growth of individuals aged 10 years and older and their families out of our Amherst office and offers school-based services with our partnering school districts.
Lee Strouse,
LPCC, CNS
Lee started her professional career graduating with a bachelor’s in nursing from Kent State University in 1985. She has past medical experience in medical and oncology nursing. Lee then received a master’s in nursing in 1990. Initially she worked with young women in their child-bearing years teaching them parenting skills and good mental health. She returned to school and obtained a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Ashland Seminary in 2012. She has worked at New Leaf since 2013.
Her specialties include working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, relational issues, past trauma, grief, pregnancy loss, and advanced aging. Lee’s main counseling approaches are person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy. She also uses family systems theory and treats from a trauma perspective.
Lee sees clients eighteen years and older at our Avon Lake and Amherst offices.
Kara Poth,
MA, LPCC-S,
LICDC-CS
Kara is a licensed professional clinical counselor and licensed independent chemical dependency counselor. She has over 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages. Kara received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Malone University with minors in Community Health Education and Biblical Studies. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Community Counseling from John Carroll University.
Her areas of speciality include depression, anxiety, trauma, dual-diagnosis, substance use, relationship issues, adjusting to life transitions or stressors, self-esteem, women's issues, improving communication, and grief and loss. Kara's approach to counseling includes an eclectic framework; she will use techniques from Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and has training in various relationship-enhancing modalities.
Kara currently sees patients fifteen years and older remotely via telehealth.
Shauna Dewey, MEd, MSW, LISW-S
Shauna is a Clinical Social Worker at New Leaf Counseling Services, LLC. She has many years of experience working with children, adolescents and families in a wide variety of settings. Shauna received her bachelor's degree from Baldwin Wallace College in the Science of Psychology. She earned her master's degree in Social Work at Cleveland State University and her master's degree in education in the foundations of behavior analysis at University of Cincinnati.
Her areas of specialty include: Early Childhood Mental Health, Trauma, Autism and Neurodevelopmental Behavior disorders, anxiety, attachment, adoption issues, and depression
Shauna's main approach to counseling comes from an attachment and Family systems lens, but she will also use techniques from CBT, Trauma Informed Care, Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy, Zones of Regulation, Integrative therapies, and Solution Focused therapy
Sara Caserio,
MSW, LISW-S, LICDC
Sara has over seven years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from Cleveland State University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D.
Her areas of specialty include trauma (individual, family, community, and systematic), substance abuse, anxiety, depression, conduct and oppositional behavior challenges, sexual acting out behaviors, and adjustment issues. She has experience and training with various techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Gestalt, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and Motivational Interviewing. She is also certified as an Anti-Oppression Informed Practitioner.
Sara is currently seeing patients six years and older at our Avon Lake and Westlake offices.
Whitney Harvey-Bluher,
MS, IMFT
Whitney has worked in the mental health field since 2008. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2007. She earned her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University in 2012.
Her areas of specialty include anxiety, couples, families in crisis, life stage transitions, and parenting stressors. Whitney’s approach to counseling is influenced by Brief Solution-Focused Therapy as well as Functional Family Therapy and CBT. Her couples counseling approach draws from the Gottman method as well as Emotionally Focused Therapy. She is also a certified mindfulness informed clinician-level 1.
Whitney sees patients six years and older out of our Westlake office and remotely via telehealth.
Erin Simonson,
LPCC
Erin has over 11 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She received her bachelor's degree from Tiffin University in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice. She earned her master's degree in Clinical and School Counseling from Heidelberg University.
Her areas of specialty include anxiety, depression, behavioral modification, handling impulsive and compulsive behavior, self-esteem, school issues, adjusting to life transitions or stressors, women's issues, and building better communication. Erin’s main approach to counseling is through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lens, but she also uses techniques from DBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Motivational Interviewing.
Erin currently sees patients five years and older out of our Westlake office and offers school-based services with our partnering school districts.
Christine Henderson,
MSW, LISW-S
Christine has over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She received her bachelor's degree from Miami University in psychology with a minor in Social Work. She earned her master's degree in Social Work from The University of Akron.
Her areas of specialty include depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, school issues, anger management, adjusting to life transitions or stressors, behavioral issues, and building better communication. Christine uses a variety of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, radical acceptance, EMDR, and trauma-focused care.
Christine currently sees patients six years and older out of our Westlake office.
Jaclyn (Jackie) Shlapack, MA
LPC
Jackie earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University.
She sees patients with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment disorder, life changes, stress management, body image, and eating disorders. Jackie has a person-centered approach that incorporates Cognitive Behavioral techniques, coping skills, mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing.
Jackie currently sees individuals twelve years old and older at our Amherst office as well as telehealth.
Under the supervision of Jeannette Ellis, LPCC-S, E.0500204-SUPV
Emilie Barth,
MSSA, LISW-S
Emilie is a licensed independent social worker with over 7 years of experience working with children, adolescents and transitional age youths. Emilie received her bachelors in Sociology and Psychology from Walsh University. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University.
Her areas of specialty include depression, anxiety, safety planning, building communication, trauma, self-esteem, family conflicts, behavioral concerns, school issues, and adjusting to life transitions. Emilie tailors her approach unique to her client’s personal needs and goals by utilizing a variety of evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho-education, behavioral therapy, and mindfulness.
Emilie currently works with patients from four to thirty years old out of our Westlake office.
Brianna Hazelet,
MS, LPC
Brianna received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Trine University and earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University.
Her areas of specialty include depression, anxiety, adjusting to life transitions or stressors, and building better communication. Brianna’s main approach to counseling is through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lens, but she also utilizes other techniques.
Brianna currently sees patients thirteen years and older out of our Avon Lake office and offers school-based services with our partnering school districts.
Under the supervision of Jeannette Ellis, LPCC-S, E.0500204-SUPV
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Gootee,
MA, LPC
Lizzy holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University and a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Cincinnati. Their therapeutic approach is targeted to address each client’s individual needs and is rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration. Lizzy believes in creating a safe space for clients to explore their emotions, challenges, and goals to discover their resiliency.
Lizzy previously worked in the community mental health setting and has experience treating a wide range of mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, as well as providing support during life transitions for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. They are particularly passionate about supporting queer individuals, understanding and addressing the unique challenges they may encounter in their mental health journey.
Continuously seeking growth, Lizzy explores innovative approaches to healing. They have a particular interest in somatic approaches, recognizing the mind-body connection and utilizing the body as a means for holistic healing.
Currently, Lizzy sees individuals 8 years and older at the Westlake office and offers school-based services with our partnering school districts.
Under the supervision of Jeannette Ellis, LPCC-S, E.0500204-SUPV
Raquel Gettis, LISW-S
Raquel has over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults. She studied at Wright State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in social work and later earned her master’s in clinical social work at the University of Cincinnati.
Raquel will work with you to understand the root cause of your struggles and address them with long-lasting strategies, helping you to get closer to the life you have always wanted.
Her areas of specialty include anxiety, depression, adjusting to life transitions, behavioral modifications, self-esteem, compulsive behaviors, grief and loss, trauma and school issues. Raquel uses a variety of tools and strategies including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered approach, Problem-Solving Therapy, Positive Psychology, Trauma-Focused, Stress management and Expressive Arts.
Raquel sees clients 8 years and older at our Amherst office and offers school-based services with our partnering school districts.