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Meet Our Counselors

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Tonya Schaeffer
Bio

Tonya is a dedicated mental health professional and a member of the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. She has served as an adjunct professor at Xavier University in the Master of Counseling Program and has published several articles on mental health. Tonya actively collaborates with community leaders on mental health education and suicide prevention, serves as a board member of 988, hosts a mental health podcast, and recently began working with the National Board for The Counselor Compact.

Maggie Gehler
Bio

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I hold a Master’s degree in Agency and Community Counseling from Xavier University. I believe that each person has the power to make changes and the ability to transform their own life. My goal is to facilitate growth through a caring approach that balances processing core issues, exploring feelings, and making a plan for change.

I am committed to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges through evidence-based therapeutic techniques. I work with both adults and children, addressing a variety of challenges, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, and OCD. I also have extensive experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum, and I specialize in supporting neurodivergent couples. My work focuses on helping them overcome communication barriers, foster understanding, and build stronger connections.

My aim is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can openly explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I believe strongly in the power of therapeutic relationships, and I collaborate closely with my clients to develop personalized treatment plans that promote healing, growth, and resilience.

Steven Gehler
Bio

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) with over a decade of experience in the mental health and substance use disorders fields. I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Xavier University, where I developed a passion for helping individuals navigate their personal challenges.

Currently, I serve as the Manager of Outpatient Services at a community mental health agency in the Greater Cincinnati area. In this role, I oversee the delivery of high-quality mental health services while maintaining a commitment to client-centered care. My professional journey has taught me that our belief systems are significant drivers of our behaviors. By gaining increased awareness into how we perceive and process the world, clients can achieve greater freedom and make more informed choices in their lives.

My therapeutic expertise includes working with adults and couples, facilitating group therapy for mental health and addiction topics, and extensive diagnostic work. I have successfully supported clients and worked with them through a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, personality disorders, psychosis, anger management, and relationship challenges.

I offer appointments on Saturdays to accommodate diverse schedules. My goal is to empower clients to understand the ways in which their lives have shaped the lenses through which they experience the present, and unlock their potential for insight and healing.

Dana Hurd
Bio

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with over fifteen years of experience in the mental health field.  I have worked with children, adolescents and adults.  I specialize in working with clients to address a wide range of challenges, including trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, mood disorders, and family conflict.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and completed my Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Cincinnati. My educational background and extensive hands-on experience have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to provide effective support and guidance to my clients.

My passion lies in helping people make progress on their personal goals. I believe that through counseling and support, I can assist clients in gaining a better understanding of their emotions and developing healthy ways to express and communicate them. Creating a safe and supportive environment is central to my approach, allowing clients to explore their feelings and build resilience.  I am deeply committed to making a positive impact in the lives of the children and families I work with, providing them with the tools they need to thrive.

Dakotah Pavelek
Bio

I am currently a graduate student at the University of Xavier, working towards my license as a Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Since August 2024, I have been practicing as a counselor in training, providing support to individuals and couples facing a variety of emotional and mental health challenges.

I believe that everyone has the potential to flourish in their lives, and my goal is to help clients build the confidence and tools needed to make meaningful, positive changes. My counseling style is warm, genuine, and conversational, creating a relaxed atmosphere while still allowing space to explore and address difficulties.

Drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I help clients connect with their emotions in a way that makes their struggles feel more understandable and manageable. I have worked with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, anger, and the many adjustments life throws our way, empowering them to find clarity and strength in the face of challenges.

We utilize techniques that aim to help our clients improve their ability to manage their emotions, enhance their communication skills, and develop more effective coping skills. Our commitment is to facilitate greater understanding of the problem and instill confidence in order to cope with stressors in an effective manner. We strive to help each individual and family reduce the level of stress in their daily lives, as well as improve the overall quality of their relationships.

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