About Michelle Culley M.Ed., LPCC-S
Owner, Middle Path Counseling Services LLC
Michelle is the founder of Middle Path Counseling. She specializes in helping anxious adults, parents, teachers, and caregivers find and maintain calm and confidence in a chaotic world. As a parent of three young adults and a former teacher, she knows how stress can sometimes take over and make daily life harder than it has to be. Using Mindfulness and Meditation along with Active Listening she guides individuals back to their authentic selves so they can rediscover the joy in their lives. Michelle founded Ride It Out LLC an equine facilitated growth and learning program, where she worked with Portage County at-risk youth and adults. Before opening Middle Path, Michelle used to teach high school English and journalism at McKinley Senior High School in Canton, Ohio. As a teacher, she received the Fulbright Scholarship and traveled to South Africa as part of an international education summit.
About Joan Lucci M.Ed., LPCC
With a deep commitment to her clients and through compassion and clinical excellence, Joan empowers clients to be at their best during a challenging time in their lives.
By integrating her education, specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy and grief therapy, and her personal life experiences, she collaborates with clients to identify, address, and ultimately overcome obstacles to a better and more meaningful life.
Joan specializes in helping clients overcome anxiety, anger, depression, grief, addictive behaviors, and low self-esteem. She offers a personalized approach for each of her clients in a safe and supportive, therapeutic atmosphere.
Because relationships are a huge part of what makes our lives great or miserable, Joan’s passion is helping individuals and couples improve their relationships by cultivating intimacy and learning collaborative communication and conflict resolution skills.
When she’s not working, Joan can be found socializing, playing tennis or on a hiking adventure with friends.
Dawn Leymon, LPC
Dawn believes that every client is stronger than they realize and are capable of significant change. She feels sometimes we all need a little help discovering the tools necessary for making improvements in our lives. Though Dawn often works from a strengths-based approach, incorporating components of CBT and Mindfulness, she always works collaboratively with clients to see what goals and techniques work best for them. She strives to develop a safe and inviting environment for clients to feel comfortable expressing themselves. Along with encouraging openness and authentic communication, Dawn incorporates patience, understanding, and humor in her work with clients to develop a strong therapeutic relationship, which she believes is a crucial stepping stone to promoting change.
Dawn has spent time in the Middle School/High School setting as well as College Counseling Centers working with clients struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, and self-esteem issues. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Akron, a Master of Arts in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a School Counseling License from the same institution.
In her free time, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family, reading when she has the chance and cheering on her favorite Ohio sports teams.
Brittany Castilow Ed.S., LPCC
Brittany is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision designation, working with clients as young as 3, through all ages and stages of life. She utilizes Adlerian therapy, CBT, DBT, IPT, mindfulness, and strengths-based counseling. Brittany is open minded and flexible, utilizing movement, art, reading, or a classic game of uno, for all ages! Brittany specializes in perinatal mental health, children, LGBTQ+ care, and life transitions, including retirement.
Brittany is a PMH-C (perinatal mental health certified) therapist through Postpartum Support International. This rigorous training prepared Brittany to provide specialized care for clients struggling with fertility, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. Taking care of mental health through reproductive care is vital and Brittany is honored to walk alongside her clients.
Gottman Level 2 trained, Brittany brings light and perspective to relational issues, a part of most individual therapy! Brittany has also received additional training in LGBTQ+ care, trauma, sand tray therapy, and opioid use prevention. She is a member of Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society, and professional memberships include: American Counseling Association, Ohio Counseling Association, Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, and Postpartum Support International. Brittany is a part-time instructor in the Clinical Mental Health Master’s Program at Kent State University.
Brittany received her Educational Specialist Degree in counseling from Kent State University and Master’s in Counseling from the University of Akron. Through her previous work as a Licensed School Counselor, she gained experience working with children as well as invaluable insight into stress, interpersonal relationships, self-worth, self-esteem, and burnout.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, board games, movies, reading, and spending time with her family.
Lesa Bauer, LPCC-S
Lesa has her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Malone University. Lesa has over ten years experience in the school setting, outpatient setting, and substance abuse residential setting providing individual and group counseling to a variety of populations.
Lesa has a passion for helping those struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and trauma. She connects to her clients through personal experiences, empathy, and compassion. Lesa enjoys the relationship building process with clients. In her free time, Lesa enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Jason Miller, Ph.D., LPCCS
With over 20 years of experience in counseling, Jason continually strives to assist clients in working to meet their goals and face the challenges that life throws at them. Working from primarily an existential framework, Jason also incorporates cognitive-behavioral techniques to encourage exploration and growth for clients. Jason believes the foundation of all counseling is the therapeutic relationship and he works to facilitate the growth of that relationship through genuineness, transparency, honesty, and humor. Jason has a masters degree in counseling and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of New Orleans. He has taught at several universities and worked with the college-aged population for many years. He also enjoys working with couples to improve relationships and adults who are facing any number of mental or emotional struggles. In his free time Jason enjoys spending time with his family and serving within the church he attends.
Morgan Kaliszewski
Morgan is our Client Care Specialist and a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from Kent State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology. Continuing her education at Kent State, Morgan is a full-time student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program. As an aspiring counselor, Morgan is eager to gain field experience and grow in both her role as a graduate student and a coordinator for our practice. Morgan has a strong advocacy for late adolescence and early adulthood which she focuses on in her academic career. In her free time, Morgan enjoys grabbing coffee from local spots in downtown Kent, spending time with her loved ones, and going to concerts. Morgan looks forward to connecting with you and answering any questions you might have about our services.
Cara Krause
Cara is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kent State University and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Akron. With an individualized and person centered approach to the counseling process, Cara strives to create a safe, comfortable, and collaborative space for clients to freely express themselves without judgement. Cara is dedicated to supporting individuals navigating the challenges and complexities of being human through the use of a variety of evidence based practices such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches to help clients move towards their goals. Cara has experience working with folks to address concerns related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, stress, and trauma. Cara enjoys working with individual clients from ages 6 to adulthood and is a proudly LGBTQ+ affirming counselor. Some of her favorite ways to practice self care include spending time with her partner and dog, practicing yoga, hiking, and watching TV shows and movies.