Our therapists offer addiction counseling in Columbus, OH

Lauren Shaak is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 4 years of experience helping adolescents, adults, and seniors manage anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, stress, and self-esteem challenges. She offers individual, couples, and family counseling to clients who are open, motivated, and ready to change their lives for the better. Lauren believes treatment should invite discussion of diverse issues, needs, and goals, and that a positive dynamic between therapist and client is key. The ability to connect with all clients is at the heart of her philosophy of care.

Lauren has a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Alvernia University. She utilizes a variety of approaches including acceptance and commitment therapy, existential therapy, culturally sensitive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and narrative therapy.

Starting therapy can be daunting, but the healing journey doesn’t have to be scary. Lauren offers a space to be seen, heard, and validated at a time when feelings of fear and vulnerability may be at their peak. Please consider the benefits of beginning a healing, therapeutic journey with a counselor who can offer support, empathy, and perspective.

Melissa Elbert is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with over seven years of experience working with clients in their communities as well as in office. She is passionate about assisting clients meet their goals for treatment. She has experience working with adults and couples. Melissa has post graduate training in CBT, DBT, anxiety disorders, trauma-informed care, ADHD, and CPT. Melissa specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders including alcohol use and opioid use.

Melissa completed her MSSA at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Melissa utilizes multiple approaches to therapy in order to find the right fit for each individual client. Some of these approaches include CBT, DBT, CPT, and trauma-informed approaches.

Every person has their own special needs. Melissa is a client-centered therapist that will work with you and your goals to determine which approach best suits your needs. You are the most important person in each session. If you are ready to make a commitment to yourself for better mental health, schedule with her today!

Donisha Austin is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who has over 3 years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and seniors. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral issues, family and relationship conflict, and chronic stress.

Donisha received her Bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Cincinnati. Her professional and life experience have equipped her with the appropriate tools to support and guide others through various challenges and transitions. Donisha utilizes many treatment approaches including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT ), humanistic approaches, existential therapy (ET), person-centered therapy (PCT), multicultural therapy, solutions-focused therapy (SFT), and much more.

Choosing therapy can be challenging, but Donisha believes there is power in stepping into your challenge zone. Trusting a stranger with your most vulnerable pieces can be scary. There is power in being emotional or squishy as Donisha likes to call it. Donisha provides a calm and safe space where she encourages you to be courageous. Schedule an appointment with her today!

Lauren A. Carsten is an independently licensed clinical mental health counselor (PCC) and earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University. Prior to moving back to her native Ohio, she completed BAs in both psychology and behavioral science (an interdisciplinary degree encompassing human behavior through sociology, anthropology and psychology) from San Jose State University in California. She holds competencies treatment of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and grief, and has experience and training using trauma-informed practices. She also has extensive experience working with multicultural populations as well as the LGBTQQIAA population and has given trainings in these areas with a focus on sensitivity and accommodations to treatment approaches. She has also completed the certificate program for Substance Abuse Counseling from the University of Cincinnati and is able to integrate that training into current treatment when needed. She is adept at the treatment of individual clients, couples, as well as families and groups, and welcomes clients to incorporate other people into their sessions if needed and appropriate. Her style is generally relaxed and casual and ascribes to the Gestalt model of client interactions but does pull from several different approaches to find the more efficacious approach for each client individually.

I am a licensed independent social worker (LISW) with 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in supporting children, adults, and families navigating trauma, substance use concerns, anger management, violence, and homelessness. My work focuses on serving women and people of color while creating a safe, supportive space where clients can process challenges, build resilience, and work toward meaningful and lasting change.

I earned my master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University. I am trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. My professional background includes working in a variety of settings and providing both short-term and long-term therapeutic support.

My goal is to provide compassionate, high-quality mental health care while helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. I will work collaboratively with you to identify your strengths, develop effective coping strategies, and create a treatment plan that supports your healing, growth, and overall well-being.

Rebeccah Tacelosky is licensed in Ohio with 30 years of professional work experience. She has experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, and depression. She believes in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She is able to tailor your dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. Rebeccah is here to support & empower you in that journey. She holds a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University.

Rebeccah has professional experience providing support to clients at hospitals, schools, the courts, and in their homes. She has worked in different states and internationally. She considers it a privilege to connect with people, often at the lowest point of their lives, and takes this role very seriously.

Life seems to be more challenging than ever. Sharing struggles in a safe place can help you move from confusion to clarity. In everything she does, Rebeccah brings a deep sense of compassion, warmth, and humor that can immediately make you believe things are going to get better. If you are ready to feel better, schedule an appointment with her today.

Cory Capitini is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York. He has over 7 years of experience providing assessment and services to teens, adults, and couples. Some of Cory’s primary focus areas include depression/anxiety management, anger issues, stress management, life transitions, and career counseling. 

Cory completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the City University of New York, Queens College, where he also received his Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. He utilizes patient-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and motivational-focused approaches to therapy. He is highly adaptable, meeting the unique needs of every client and couple at each stage of their counseling process.

Cory aims to provide a calm, caring, and fun environment for you to develop new life skills and work towards your personal goals. Through engaging conversations, Cory helps pave and navigate your individualized path to success in your counseling journey.