Therapy: Counselors & Social Workers (22+ Years)

The mission of the Achievement Centers for Children is to enable and empower children with disabilities and their families to grow, learn, play and prepare for lifelong achievement in society. The agency serves children from birth through adulthood, with a special focus on children from birth through age five.

Their unique, comprehensive service model weaves together education and autism services, therapy services and Intensive Therapy Clinic, and family support services to meet the needs of the entire family and provide the best outcomes.

Achievement Centers has a wide range of summer programs and camps for both children and adults, that range from residential camp (“overnight” camp) to day camps, sports and recreation programs, horseback therapeutic programs, and weekend respite camps. Visit their website for more information.

Offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care focusing on evidence based treatment, education, research and advocacy for children with the diagnosis of an ASD, from first diagnosis through age 22.

Services include:
Intensive Behavioral Intervention (ABA)
Behavioral Consultation
School Support Services
Asperger’s Counseling Services
Asperger’s Social Skills Groups
Parent Training

In addition there are therapy, diagnosis and counseling services available through other hospital departments.

Accepts all commercial insurance, waivers, Autism Scholarship, private pay, Medicaid and Medicare insurance.

They support children, adults, and families who face abuse, grief, neglect, trauma, and mental health challenges. Specialties include early childhood, trauma, ADHD, mood/anxiety disorders, co-occurring disorders, sexual behavior problems, and adult services.

Services include: Individual, group, family therapy, and services for younger children. Respite, case management, intensive home-based therapy, assessments for children, 24-hour emergency services for clients, F.I.R.S.T Program for older adolescents and young adults with early onset psychosis.

If a family member is in crisis, you can text the keyword “4HOPE” to 741741 and expect a reply from a trained Crisis Counselor within five minutes. The message is confidential, anonymous and secure.

Several locations available throughout Summit County.

Practice serving Northwestern Ohio containing psychiatrists, counselors and social workers who have extensive experience in Child/ Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry.

Accepts Medicaid, Medicare and CareSource insurance plans.

Note that this resource offers a therapy that is not evidence-based. Milestones only promotes evidence-based therapies, and we encourage anyone who is not familiar with what those therapies are to contact our Helpdesk.

The Comprehensive Care Program sees patients with a variety of chronic health problems, including developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. They cover all aspects of care, from basic physical exams to accessing community services. Each patient is assigned an RN Care Coordinator, who helps with coordinating appointments and helps the patient (and their family) find any resources they may need.

The MetroHealth Autism Assessment Clinic (MAAC) evaluates developmental and behavior concerns, including autism. People meet one-on-one with a comprehensive care physician who is board-certified in neurodevelopmental disabilities and behavioral pediatrics. The Behavior Assessment Clinic is typically held once a month.

Your child doesn’t have to be a patient of the Comprehensive Care Program or a MetroHealth patient to use MAAC. You can just make an appointment, or you can get a referral from your child’s doctor. After you schedule your first appointment, a care coordinator will contact you.

There are Spanish-speaking professionals available. Hay profesionales de habla hispana disponibles.

The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DDBP) has programs for specific developmental needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (The Kelly O’Leary Center). They also partner with sub-specialists in child psychiatry, child neurology, and pediatric gastroenterology to ensure children receive quality care in a coordinated manner, with specialists who have expertise in seeing children with different developmental profiles.

They offer evidence-based care for individuals from birth through transition to adulthood.

Diane Eden M.D. and Associates, Inc. is an independent behavioral health care group with mental health clinicians made up of independent contractors who provide evaluation and treatment of emotional, behavioral and psychiatric problems in an outpatient setting.

Tina Bulucea is trained as a clinical social worker and works with adults and geriatric-aged individuals. Her areas of specialization include depression and anxiety disorders.

Accepts private pay and many insurance carriers, including Medicare.

They help families find the best, safest, and most effective out-of-home placements for adolescents and young adults whose needs are not being met locally.

They can help families choose appropriate:
Therapeutic programs
Wilderness programs
Schools for students with learning disabilities
Drug and alcohol programs
Programs for young adults (drug and alcohol or transitional living)

They have no affiliations to any program and never accept commissions.

Additional location in Columbus:
130 Northwoods Blvd, Ste A
Columbus, OH 43235
Phone: 614-231-1957

Counselors work with individuals, couples and families, offering therapy and counseling.

Laura Vajdich, PCC,ATR,CTS is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio and a Registered Art Therapist, in addition to being a Certified Trauma Specialist with The National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children. She specializes in autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, in addition to several other specialties.

Fit Mind accepts most independent insurance, including CareSource.

Offers behavioral counseling along with a wide variety of counseling services. They are located on the west side of Cleveland.

Accepts most insurance plans, with the exception of Anthem, Summacare, Cigna and Medicare.

Additional office locations:
Ohio City Office
3000 Bridge Ave. Suite 4
Cleveland, OH

Rocky River Office
20525 Detroit Rd. Suite 5
Rocky River, OH

Home Remedy provides an alternative for families who have found little relief from traditional therapies or are considering out of home placement. The treatment providers are Master’s level clinicians who are trained in evidence-based in-home therapy models.

The approach is an intensive, short-term, home-based therapeutic model that targets the specific challenges of individual families in the context of their home, school, and community.

Direct and immediate crisis support is also available.

Licensed psychologists working with children, adolescents and adults.

They offer the following services:
15 different social skills groups ages 6-26 (ongoing — join any time)
Alternative Education Program- Perspectives Academy
Advocacy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In home services
Individual, group and family therapy
School Consultation
Testing

Also offers a weekly social club for ages 8-18. Parents can drop off and leave their child for 3 hours. Kids will be divided by age. Reservations preferred by calling the main number listed below.

Note that this resource offers some therapies that are not evidence-based. Milestones only promotes evidence-based therapies, and we encourage anyone who is not familiar with what those therapies are to contact our Helpdesk.

Additional Mentor location: 7200 Center Rd Suite 204, 44060

Insurance is accepted: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Cleveland Clinic EHP, Humana, Medical Mutual, Sumacare, United Behavioral Health, Oscar. Autism and Jon Peterson scholarship provider.

JFSA is guided by traditional Jewish values of communal responsibility and social justice. They offer several programs to assist teens and adults with disabilities with residential services, employment services, community inclusion, and family advocacy.

The Horvitz YouthAbility program offers volunteering and job training opportunities for disabled and at-risk youth and young adults.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services help people prepare for employment based on their skills and interests.
Adult Day Program offers group and individual day respite activities.

Individual and family therapy services for teens with social deficiencies related to autism is offered. Counseling services for a variety of other issues, including women’s issues, depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and self-esteem and bullying issues are offered for individuals ages 10 and up.

Assessments and counseling services available to help support children, teens, and adults.

She provides mental health therapy services to Westlake, Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Rocky River, North Ridgeville, and the greater West Cleveland area.

Specialties include treating children and adolescents, providing assessments, moderate to severe mental health issues, spiritual and relationship concerns, and strength-based counseling. Jacob has also worked with families and partners of those suffering from a variety of issues. He is accomplished at assisting others gain coping skills, symptom and behavior management, and system navigation.

His treatment experience has covered an array of presenting problems including anger management, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, domestic and sexual abuse (both victims and perpetrators), personality disorders, developmental disorders, autism, and spiritual issues.

Professionals specializing in the assessment and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Conditions, Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, Depression, behavioral concerns, developmental issues, and chronic medical problems.

Early Identification of Autism Clinic — they will evaluate children under the age of 3 years (36 months) for a potential autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The multidisciplinary team includes a clinical psychologist and a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who can accurately and efficiently assess your child and provide recommendations for growth. Families can expect to complete information gathering/prework by phone or video conference and meet for a single, 3-to-4-hour evaluation appointment. The appointment concludes with diagnostic feedback and families will receive a brief report that day with diagnosis (if applicable), recommendations, and guidance that can be used to seek necessary interventions. A detailed report will be mailed within two weeks.

Teen/adult Services — they offer an executive functioning clinic and a teen emotional regulation clinic.

Dr. Heather Dukes-Murray specializes in the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning differences, and complex clinical presentations. She is the Clinic Director of the Early Identification of Autism Clinic at Meghan Barlow & Associates and works with individuals from toddler-hood to adulthood.

Social skills groups are available for a variety of ages.

Evaluations are required for most services.

Private pay only.

Mental health and substance abuse services to individuals of all ages. The staff is a multi-disciplinary team with additional training in a variety of different areas, including ADHD, OCD, depression, and social anxiety. They are open 7 days a week.

They have weekly group meetings for teens (13-17) on life skills, and a social skills group for children aged 9-12.

NLA is a preferred mental health and chemical dependency provider for most insurance plans, managed care, and employee assistance programs (EAPs).

Additional locations:
Aurora: 199 S. Chillicothe Road, Suite 206, Aurora, OH
Cleveland Heights: 2460 Fairmount Blvd, Suite 211, Cleveland Hts, OH

Psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists, some of whom specialize in working with people with developmental disabilities.

Accepts Medicare and CareSource insurance plans.

Christina Ren, LISW is a team member who specializes in autism spectrum disorders.
Carol Gee, PhD has specialized training in evaluation and long-term therapy for autistic spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder.

PsychBC is a team of psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses and psychologists, clinical counselors and social workers serving children, adolescents, adults and families in 10 locations throughout Ohio and northern Kentucky.

The following is a list of psychologists that specialize in autism and are in Cleveland-area offices:
Kimberly Bell, PhD
Steve Bell, PhD, LPCC, IAMFC
Nicholas Eilbeck, MD
James Elek, LISW-S
Leah Fellenstein, LPCC
Philip Fischer, MD
Jason Friedman, PsyD
Kurt Jensen, PsyD
Nicholette Leanza, MEd, LPCC-S
Amy Lumadue, LPCC
Amnon Shai, PhD
Peggy Sue Smith, MEd, LPCC

They accept most Medicaid-managed care plans, including United Healthcare. It is recommended that families w/ a Medicaid-managed care plan contact them to see if their specific plan is accepted.

Additional Location in Willoughby:
4212 State Route 306 (Chillicothe Road)
Suite 100, Willoughby, OH
Phone number listed below.

Child and adult therapist that serves individuals ages 5 through adulthood. His specialty is working with individuals age 11-25 who are diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or mood disorders, or are dealing with drugs and alcohol, and grief counseling.

Provides diagnostic evaluations where an autism spectrum disorder is suspected, in coordination with primary care physician.

Able to provide behavior analytic/functional behavioral evaluations where there are concerns about disruptive and other maladaptive behaviors.

Works with individual, parents, other family members, and caregivers, including educators, to develop plans and teach skills for behavior change and other goals.

Assists with autism education and help family members cope with associated stressors.

Extends treatment to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing fears, anxiety, and depression, problems related to ADD/ADHD, and child/adolescent behavioral issues at home and/or school, for assessment and problem-focused/evidence-based treatment.

Accepts Ohio Medicaid and CareSource insurance.

Additional location:
Reserve Psychological Consultants, Inc.
210 Portage Trail Ext. West, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio  44223.
Phone (330) 929-1326.

The Blick Center provides a variety of clinical outpatient, residential, day program services and other support services for individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs and other related conditions.

Services include speech, occupational and physical therapies, day programs, residential services, behavioral health including individual and group counseling, plus case management and representative payeeship services. The Blick Center can also provide behavior assessments from licensed BCBAs and sponsors a social group/day program for adults with intellectual disabilities called College for Living. The Blick Center was awarded the Best Practices Award from the Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities.

Accepts Medicaid, Medicare and CareSource insurance plans.

Offers traditional and holistic forms of therapy to address a wide variety of disorders. Based on a diagnostic evaluation and individual need, services may include any of the following services or in combination.

Ed Becker, LISW-S, BCD is a licensed independent social worker with supervisory designation, board certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work that has experience working with individuals with autism.

Eilene Golub, PCC-S, LICDC, LSW has had extensive experience working with a wide range of adolescents and children. She has a vast knowledge of Reactive Attachment Disorder, family issues, sexual abuse, psychic trauma, severe emotional and behavior diagnoses, PDD, ADHD, ODD and Conduct Disorders.

Note that this resource offers some therapies that are not evidence-based. Milestones only promotes evidence-based therapies, and we encourage anyone who is not familiar with what those therapies are to contact our Helpdesk.