OUR STAFF

KAREN CIMINI, PH.D.

Clinical Director, Board of Directors, and Therapist

Karen specializes in relationship and family therapy, sexual function and dysfunction, gay/lesbian bisexual/transgender issues, divorce recovery, dependency and addiction, adjustment disorders, mood disorders, chronic illness and grief.

JOYCE GIOVANNELLI, PH.D.

Administrative Team, Board of Directors, and Therapist

Joyce specializes in Asperger's, high functioning Autism, counseling children, adolescents, families and couples, women's issues, depression and anxiety.

JOHN LEEDY, D.MIN, LPCC

Administrative Team and Board of Directors

John joined Akron Family Institute as a therapist 35 years ago and became a part of the Administrative Team at its inception. He is now retired from therapy.

MICHAEL S. SMITH, PH.D.

Administrative Team, Board of Directors, and Therapist

Mike specializes in forensics, marriage, divorce, court evaluation, custody, treatment of court mandated cases, depression, chemical dependency, families, and adult psychological testing.

MANDY KIRSCH, MA, LPCC-S

Administrative Team, Board of Directors, and Therapist

Mandy specializes in family issues, depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, self-harm, adjustment disorders, women's issues, and mood disorders.

ETTA BROOKS, MSSA, LISW-S, LICDC

Therapist

Etta specializes in counseling children, adolescents, couples, families, co-dependency, grief, dependency and addiction, anxiety, depression, sexual abuse, women's issues, gay/lesbian issues, step-families, and adjustment issues.

AMANDA A. COLE, MA, LPCC-S

Therapist

Amanda specializes in LGBTQ, trauma, grief, women's issues, anxiety, and depression.

AMY D. FRANKEL, PH.D., LPCC

Therapist

Amy specializes in anxiety and panic, depression, grief, divorce, gay/lesbian issues, sexual abuse, co-dependency, and couples.

MICHELLE N. GARY, MA, LPCC

Therapist

Michelle specializes in trauma, family systems, counseling children, sexuality, anxiety, and depression.

KRISTEN HAMILTON, M.ED., LPCC

Therapist

Kristen specializes in families, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, co-dependency, ADHD, stress management, and spirituality.

ASHLEY HOLBERT, PH.D.

Therapist

Ashley specializes in counseling adults, couples, depression, anxiety, forensic issues, psychological assessments & testing and substance abuse.

JOHN HOVAN, MA, LPCC-S, LICDC

Therapist

John specializes in anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, ADHD, PTSD, adolescents, marriage & family, personality disorders, grief, trauma, spiritual issues, substance abuse and behavioral issues (gambling, sexual, gaming).

MELISSA KHOURY, M.ED., LPCC-S

Therapist

Melissa specializes in counseling couples and families, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency addiction, co-occurring issues, grief, trauma, forensics, co-dependency, LGBT, stress, and life issues.

KRISTEN KRIVACH, MA, LPCC

Therapist

Kristen specializes in anxiety, trauma, depression, ADHD, grief & bereavement, chemical dependency, expressive/art therapy, adjustment issues, and LGBT.

MATTHEW MONTAGNER, LISW, LICDC

Therapist

Matt specializes in anxiety, depression, PTSD, chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, anger and stress management, couples and family therapy.

TARI ANN RILEY, MS, LPCC

Therapist

Tari specializes in counseling adolescents, couples, families, step-families, co-dependency, divorce, gay/lesbian issues, chemical dependency, grief, women's issues, anxiety, and PTSD.

CYNTHIA A. SALWAN, MSSA, LISW-S

Therapist

Cindy specializes in counseling children, adolescents, couples, marriage, families, co-dependency, divorce, grief, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

JOSEPH F. SALWAN, PH.D.

Therapist

Joe specializes in learning and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents, substance abuse and dependence in adults and adolescents, treatment of court-mandated adolescents and adults, school consultations and functional behavior assessments for special needs students, developmental disabilities (including groups for children and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome), couples and family therapy, adolescent and adult sexual addiction, and sport psychological services (performance enhancement and treatment).

SHERI WALTERS, MA, LPCC

Therapist

Sheri specializes in anger management, co-dependency, boundary issues, communication skills, PTSD, issues of grief and loss, mood disorders, and women's issues.