Therapists in Ohio

My name is Gary Youssef and I have been providing mental/behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and families for 25+ years. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing mental/behavioral health issues impacting children and adults such as: career/school stressors, depression, anxiety, relational issues, parenting, family systems, medical challenges, healthy lifestyles, etc. I worked for 14 years as a therapist and program manager at the central outpatient psychiatry clinic at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego which is ranked as one of the top 10 children's hospitals in the United States by U.S. News and World report. I have helped provide behavioral health services for over 10,000 children, adults and families throughout San Diego County. In addition, I helped support U.S. service members and their families while working as a military family life counselor at Naval Medical Center-San Diego in Pediatrics. I also volunteered at San Diego Unified School District and coached little league. I love being a father to my two awesome sons and I enjoy athletics and cooking in my free time. I am practical and eclectic therapist combining elements from theoretical orientations such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution focused therapy to help clients of all ages. The vast majority of my clients report that they had a good experience working with me and describe me as experienced, professional, friendly, kind, helpful and effective.

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck or just not yourself lately? You're not alone and you don't have to figure it all out on your own. I help people who are juggling too much-whether it's the demands of work, parenting, school or personal struggles. By working together, we can help you find clarity and stronger sense of self. With over 20 years in the mental health field as a Licensed Independent Social Worker, I have had the privilege of working with children, teens and adults in diverse settings including hospitals, residential programs and schools. My approach is practical, supportive and tailored to you. I draw from evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Strengths-Based Practice while keeping sessions conversational not clinical.

Kiersten DeFord, LISW-S : Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor Designation After receiving my masters in social work from Wright State University, I have had the privilege of walking alongside individuals for the past 8 years as they navigate both the heaviness, and hope life brings. Their challenges and the quiet transformations. Based in Dayton, I serve clients across Ohio through virtual therapy, and I’m passionate about creating a space that feels safe, kind, and human. My approach is deeply reflective and rooted in kindness. I believe therapy is less about “fixing” and more about creating space for discovery, healing, and growth. Together, we’ll explore the patterns, emotions, and stories that shape your life—at a pace that feels safe and honoring to you. My goal is to help you not only manage difficult seasons, but also cultivate deeper self-understanding, resilience, and compassion for yourself. I see therapy as a space where you don’t have to carry things alone. My role is to sit with you, listen deeply, and help you untangle the thoughts and feelings that may feel overwhelming. I’m not here to tell you who to be, but to walk alongside you as you figure out what feels right for your life. Clients often describe me as grounding, and compassionate, with an energy that makes it easier to open up. I strive to create a space where you can breathe, reflect, and feel truly heard—like talking with someone who cares about you and your story, and supports you while you reconnect with your strengths and move toward the life you want to create.

After decades of working with children and families as an educator, camp director, and well, wife and mother, I decided to return to school to become a Professional Counselor and Art Therapist. Now, after years of training and experience, I can say that I have developed a unique way of working with clients that has proven very helpful for many of them. I focus on giving people the platform and gentle guidance they need to feel confident and secure in who they are and what they are doing to become the best version of themselves. I am also very focused on relationship building whether that is parenting, working with couples or helping people build social skills and a support system that works for them.

My name is Tracey Warren and I have over 25 years in the field of helping others and mental health. My yearss of experiencee have allowed me the ability to assist those individuals with maximizing their quality of life by learning skills to assist them with being able to function at their best capacity. As a clinician, I specialize in treating those effected by trauma and complex trauma.

At different points in our lives, we may encounter challenges that feel overwhelming. Often, the hardest step is simply reaching out for help. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio, credentialed by the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Malone University (2022) and my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University (2020). I currently serve as Secretary on the Board for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities of Ohio and was honored to be the 2022–2023 Emerging Leader for the Ohio Association for Specialists in Group Work.