Corporate Mission Statement:
We serve the community by providing quality services to
individuals, couples, and families utilizing a family systems perspective.
Early in 1984, mental health clinicians Steven Perkins, Karen Cimini, and Mark
Silling began meeting to discuss the establishment of a psychotherapy practice.
Their vision was to create a practice that would fulfill the simultaneous roles
of providing services to individual, couples, and families with a family systems
perspective and also offer opportunities for practitioners to learn family
systems therapy skills.
In April 1984, a single suite was leased at the Old Church Professional Building
at 3451 South Arlington Road in Akron. Dr. Perkins became the Director and owner
and the practice was named Akron Family Therapy Associates. In that first year,
Tari Riley, John Leedy, and Mary Erikson were invited into the practice to
complete the initial therapy staff.
The practice began to grow from a part time to full time endeavor. In 1985, the
name of the practice was changed to Akron Family Institute. Other therapists
were added to the staff and more office suites were leased. By 1991, Akron
Family Institute had grown to 16 full and part time therapists and the institute
was utilizing the entire three-floor facility at the Old Church Professional
Building.
Up until this time, Dr. Perkins had acted as both director and therapist,
managing all the administrative responsibilities. In 1992, an administrative
team was formed from among the therapy staff. The five individuals chosen would
continue to serve as full time therapists and also oversee the administration of
the practice. Steven Perkins – Director, Karen Cimini, John Leedy, Tim Riley,
and Tari Riley became the first administrative team at Akron Family Institute.
It became advantageous to incorporate the Institute and on January 1, 1994, the
practice was incorporated and the name changed to Akron Family Institute, Inc.
The original administrative team was appointed as the Board of Directors with
Steven Perkins, President and John Leedy, Secretary/Treasurer, serving as the
two officers of the Corporation. The present board includes those two
individuals along with Karen Cimini, Tari Riley and Michael Smith. These five
individuals serve a dual role as the Board of Directors and as the
Administrative Team.
The next major change took place on
February 10, 1996, when Akron Family Institute, Inc. moved into its new 7000
square feet facility at 3469 Fortuna Drive, Akron, Ohio. The two story facility
with 17 therapy rooms, kitchen, conference room, a large administrative suite,
and ample waiting room, continue to provide the space needed to fulfill the
original vision.
Today, Akron Family Institute, Inc. has 16 full time and 1 part time therapists. Along with Steven Perkins, Karen Cimini, Tari Riley, and John Leedy who all began in 1984, the other 13 therapists include Amy Frankel (1990), Cindy Salwan (1990), Larry Schwartz (1989), Mary Schwartz (1989), Etta Brooks (1993), Michael Smith (1996), Christine McCorkle (1998), Rhonda Martin (2001), Joe Salwan (2002), Susan Stocker (2002, Angela Earley (2008), Marsha Fields Jones (2006)
The Institute
has also continued to expand its support staff from one part time secretary in
1987 to its present staff of four full time support staff. Krista Lemire serves
as Office Manager (2000). The rest of her staff includes Christy Halvorson-Aus,
Billing Coordinator (2000), Leona Singel, Receptionist/Intake Specialist (2004),
and Sandi Black, Office Assistant (2008).
From its beginnings in 1984, Akron Family Institute, Inc. continues to maintain
its dual vision. Utilizing a systems therapy perspective, the institute provides
individual, couple, and family therapy for approximately 1400 hours of service
per month. Over the years, the Institute has provided internships and workshops.
Workshop offerings to mental heath professionals and the public will expand and
become an increasingly important part of our future.
