Elyse Nicole Etapa MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Owner of Thrive Counseling Services and Billing Specialist
Elyse@thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Extension #2

Elyse graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary in 2010. She has experience working in several different areas including schools, community agencies, psychiatrist offices, and several other private practices. Elyse opened Thrive Counseling in 2014.

Renee Barker MA, LPCC-S

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Renee@Thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 403

Renee is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. She received her Bachelors in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and her Masters of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Walsh University. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, she specializes in working with children, teens, young adults and families. She has experience in school and private practice settings. Renee believes that when we focus on our strengths, we can then become who we are meant to be.

Peyton Eaglowski MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor
Peyton@Thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 512

Peyton Eaglowski is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. Peyton received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Akron and her Master of Education degree from Kent State University. Peyton has experience working as a Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment provider in which she worked closely with children and families in home and school settings. She has experience in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, struggles with self-esteem and attention difficulties. Peyton is passionate about working with people of all ages and has a special interest in approaching treatment utilizing creative and expressive (art) methodologies. Peyton strives to create a warm and safe environment that focuses on Client growth.

Danielle Novak, MEd, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor
danielle@Thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 401

Danielle is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. She received her Bachelor of the Arts Degree at the University of Toledo and her Master of Education Degree from Malone University. Danielle's scope of practice is stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. She has experience working with a diverse population of adolescents and adults. Danielle's experience working with teens, their families, and other providers within a school setting can provide comprehensive care for symptoms that impact the client's academic work. Her primary approach to counseling is person-centered and strength based. She believes the more comfortable a client feels in session, the more they will benefit from treatment. She facilitates client empowerment so they feel confident working through obstacles. Danielle believes a vital part of the therapeutic relationship is unconditional positive regard and providing a safe space for individuals seeking support.

Jeri Sampson, MSW, LSW

Master of Social Work
jeri@Thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 402

Jeri is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the state of Ohio. She received her Associates degree in community support from The University of Akron, her Bachelors degree in Social Work and her Masters degree in Social Work from The University of Akron. As a Licensed Master Social Worker, she specializes in working with children, teens, young adults, couples and families. She has experience working in school settings, correctional facilities and non profit outpatient therapy. Jeri believes that meeting people where they are gives them the best opportunity to step forward. Jeri works remotely, doing sessions through Doxy

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Ben Nelson, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor
ben@Thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 400

Ben is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. He received his BA from Kent State University and his MA from Walsh University. He has experience working with adolescents and adults, as well as treating co-occurring substance use. Ben also specializes in a wide variety of mental health disorders including mood, anxiety, personality, and psychotic disorders. He prefers to use an existential humanistic orientation in his practice that focuses on building a strong therapeutic alliance, and encouraging clients to explore and pursue whatever gives them a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives . He's focused on creating a safe space for his clients to feel like they can share anything with him, and encouraging resilience, learning, and a mindset of healing and growth.

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Jamie LaMonica, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor
Jamie@thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 501

Jamie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts degrees in Counseling and Human Development: Clinical Mental Health (2022) and Student Affairs for Higher Education Specialty (2017) from Walsh University. Jamie has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples. With a lifelong passion for mental health, Jamie finds immense joy in helping others discover the best version of themselves. Jamie has worked with individuals across various cultural backgrounds and enjoys facilitating an environment of learning and growth for both the client and the counselor. Jamie believes that each person deserves to find peace, passion, and purpose in life, and she is thrilled to be an advocate and supporter for clients every step of the way.

Kelsey Albert, MA, LPCC-S

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
kelsey@thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Press 405

Kelsey is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology and her Master of Arts in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walsh University. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, she specializes in working with children, teens, young adults and families. She has experience working as a School Based Mental Health Counselor and as a Counselor in crisis situations. Kelsey's scope of practice includes depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, adjustment, and more. She strives to create a safe environment for her clients to work through past struggles and develop the skills necessary for meeting their future goals.

Melanie Meissner DNP, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Melanie is a Nurse Practitioner in the state of Ohio. She received her Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification in 2010, Her Bachelor's Degree in 2012 from ohio University, her Master/Nurse Practitioner Degree from Walden University in 2015, Her Doctoral Degree in 2019 from Walden University, and her Substance Abuse Practitioner Certification in 2022. Melanie's journey in the medical field began as a nursing assistant. She worked in both the hospital setting, and nursing homes while attending nursing school. It was in this role where she truly valued the interaction with patients during their time of need. Once she became an RN, she worked in both the emergency room and intensive care unit where she advanced from floor nurse to house supervisor. From there, she became a nursing director and  participated in opening the intensive care unit at a partnering hospital. She then advanced to nurse practitioner . In this role, she hsa worked in addiction medicine, emergency medicine, internal medicine, primary care, and mental health. 

 

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Office Staff

Charlene Ross

Office Manager
Charlene@Thrivecounselingohio.com
330-703-6578 Extension #1

Interns

Brooke Steiner, CT (Counselor-In-Training, Intern)

brookesteiner@thrivecounselingohio.com

Brooke Steiner is a master's student studying Clinical Mental Health at Walsh University. She received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University. Brooke has a passion working with children and young adolescents who struggle with issues that include anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, self-esteem, and more. She was also an intern at Summit County Juvenile Court where she was able to work with individuals of all different backgrounds. Her goal is to create an environment where her clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and to provide advocacy throughout her counseling journey.

Julie Thornberry, CT (Counselor-In-Training, Intern)

julie@thrivecounselingohio.com

Julie is working towards her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walsh University. She has an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from the University of Mount Union. Currently, she works as the Assistant Director of Professional Advising at Walsh University and enjoys helping students transition from high school to college. Prior to this role, she worked for 15 years in client management across different industries. She is excited for the opportunity to be an intern at Thrive Counseling and looks forward to helping empower clients to reach their mental health goals.

Natalie D'Amato, CT (Counselor in Training, Intern)

Natalie@thrivecounselingohio.com

Natalie D'Amato is a graduate student at Walsh University, where she is working toward master's degrees in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. She previously received her bachelor's degree in Psychology (Community/Clinical) from Walsh University in 2019. Natalie has since had opportunities to work in the mental health field, specifically with adolescents and adults recovering from substance abuse. Currently, Natalie works at Walsh University as the Graduate Coordinator for Residential Campus Ministry. She passionately believes in healing the whole person and is excited to intern at Thrive Counseling Services!