Team Members

Amanda Cole, MA, LPCC-S

Therapist

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

Etta Brooks, MSSA, LISW-S, LICDC

Administrative Team, Board of Directors, 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.

Joyce Giovannelli, PhD

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.

Kristen Krivach, MA, LPCC

Therapist

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

Michelle N. Gary, MA, LPCC

Therapist

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

Amy D. Frankel, PhD, LPCC

Therapist

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

John Hovan, MA, LPCC-S, LICDC

Therapist

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

Karen Cimini, PhD

Clinical Director, Board of Directors, and Therapist

Karen specializes in relationship and family therapy, sexual function and dysfunction, LGBTQ issues, divorce recovery, dependency and addiction, adjustment disorders, mood disorder, chronic illness and grief.

Mandy Kirsch, MA, LPCC-S

Administrative Team, Board of Directors and Therapist

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

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.

Ashley Holbert, PhD

Administrative Team, Board of Directors, Therapist

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

John Leedy, D.Min, LPCC

Chief Operating Officer, 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.

Kristen Hamilton, M.Ed, LPCC

Therapist

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

Matthew Montagner, LISW, LICDC

Therapist

Matt specializes in anxiety, depression, PTSD, chemical dependency, 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.