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).
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.
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.