LifeWay Staff:
LifeWayʼs professionals include, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, clergy, and social workers. Our staff has treated over 25,000 individuals and have decades of personal, trained experience.
Dr. David Smith, Ph.D
An evangelical Christian and licensed Psychologist, Dr. Smith has enjoyed close to a 30 year career as a Child Clinical Psychologist at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center within the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (formerly known as the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders, or CCDD). He jointly held an adjunct associate professor appointment in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati, teaching a graduate course on Ethics in Clinical Psychology and Introduction to Psychology. Dr. Dave, as he is known to his child & teen patients, has been involved in clinical services, professional training of advanced psychology students, and research in addition to teaching/presenting at lay and professional venues on a host of topics. His clinical services to children and teens embrace a family-centered model, often seeking to equip and empower the parent(s) to address the concerns raised. He has been at the forefront of using an increasingly new generation of behavioral therapy, originated at his postdoctoral residency program at the (Portland) Oregon Health Sciences University, called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). This approach essentially molds the parents to learn how to behaviorally shape their child, while enhancing their relationship. Parents learn in a practical way how to enhance prosocial behaviors, give more effective commands and implement punishment in order to facilitate change. Dr. Smith has years of experience in an interdisciplinary diagnostic setting that specialized with children and youth who have neurodevelopmental disorders, bringing sophisticated diagnostic approaches to assist with differential diagnostic questions as well as facilitating the best plan of care based upon current scientific evidence. Dr. Smith has published several scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and other scholarly products. He is an elder at his church, where his wife currently serves as the Director of Families with Children. They are blessed with two daughters, one of whom is in college and the other is employed with Campus Crusade for Christ.
Dr. David Groh, Ph.D
Originally from Wisconsin, Dr. Groh is a Ph.D. licensed psychologist who has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and music from the University of Minnesota. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from DePaul University in Chicago. He has experience working in a wide variety of settings including community mental health centers, prisons, housing projects, schools, hospitals, and presently, private practice. Dr. Groh has experience conducting psychological evaluations on children and adults in a variety of areas including ADHD, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, emotional disorders, and personality disorders. He conducts individual, group, and family therapy with adolescents and adults who may have a range of concerns, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, eating disorders and personality disorders. He is also interested in working with individuals with relationship concerns such as codependency as well as survivors of abuse. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Groh has supervised students and therapists, conducted research and program evaluation, and published in scholarly journals on substance abuse recovery.
Dr. Kristen Godenick, Ph.D
Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Dr. Godenick is a licensed psychologist who trained at two Christian institutions. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington Adventist University and her Ph.D. from Loma Linda University in Southern California. Dr. Godenick completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral training in the Wisconsin state prison system, working with incarcerated adolescents, men, and women with serious mental illness. In the community, Dr. Godenick has experience conducting a wide variety of psychological evaluations, having done a lot of testing with children with ADHD, learning disorders, or other school-related difficulties. She conducts individual therapy with adults working on a wide range of concerns. She has particular training on successful outcomes for anxiety, trauma and PTSD and is certified in family trauma therapy. This therapeutic model is a collaboration between the therapist and the entire family that aims to restore a healthy family environment and improve child developmental outcomes and family relationships following family events such as physical or mental illness, difficult separations, or other traumas.
Dr. Owen Clutterbuck, Ed.D, LISW
Received his Master’s Degree in Social Work at the Kent School of Social Work in Louisville, KY and his doctorate in counseling from the University of Cincinnati. He has expertise in marital and family therapy, depression, anxiety and specialized in the area of ADD/ADHD. Owen works with adolescents and adults.
Mary Huhn, MSSW, LISW, LCSW
Mary graduated from the University of Louisville in 1990. She spent 13 yrs. at Christ Hospital working primarily in Outpatient Behavioral Health, where she ran the Partial Hospital Program and the Intensive Outpatient Program. Mary has had a private practice since 1992 and does marital, couples and individual therapy. She also sees children over the age of 8. Mary has three grown children and four grandchildren.
Elisabeth L. Howcroft, MS, PCC
Elisabeth received her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and her Bachelor degree in Psychology from Lee University. She also obtained her licensure in School Counseling from the University of Cincinnati Her experience includes parenting, pre-marital, couples, family, domestic abuse recovery, grief and bereavement, children, adolescents, depression, anxiety, and stress management. Elisabeth works with adults, couples, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Megann Alberts MA, LPC
Originally from Colorado, Megann is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her undergraduate degree from Biola University in California and her graduate degree in Counseling at Regis University located in Denver, Colorado. Megann has experience working in a variety of mental health settings, including an Animal Assisted Therapy facility. Most of her experience was gained working at Children’s Hospital Colorado as a Mental Health Counselor in their inpatient psychiatric unit for over five years. Megann works with children, adolescents, and adults. When working with children, Megann specializes in behavioral issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related disorders, primarily using the modality of Play Therapy. Megann is also passionate about working with young adults during difficult life circumstances, providing a safe environment to help people work towards a greater sense of self, meaningful relationships, deeper fulfillment, and purposeful living.
Dr. Gary W. Jacobs, D.Min, M.Div., MSW, LISW
Gary is a clinical therapist with a broad range of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. He has upward of 25 years experience working with individual, marriage, and family concerns. As a pastoral counselor, he speaks, leads groups, and conducts life-support workshops, as well as providing consultations, personal and ministry assessments, and lay-counselor training. He received his B.A. degree from Cedarville University with an emphasis in Christian Education. He completed his M.Div. at Grace Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry at Baptist Bible Seminary, specializing in spiritual development and practical theology. He is a licensed social worker, having earned his MSW degree from the University of Cincinnati, specializing in mental health, including anxiety, depression, and addictions. With a compassionate approach, Dr. Jacobs has assisted many by providing spiritual support, professional insight, and clinical care toward a greater sense of life-purpose, enhanced relationships, career satisfaction, and restoration of personal health and well-being.
Pamela P. Gerdes, MSW, LISW-S
Pam is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work’s specialized mental health program. Her passion includes helping people resolve issues related to: abuse and trauma; anxiety, depression, anger, and mood instability; relationship and personality difficulties; addictions; and the challenges of daily life. Pam practices from a strengths-based, positive psychology approach. She is certified in EMDR Therapy, Reality Therapy, Rational Living Therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy) and Rational Hypnotherapy. Pam has completed the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy certificate courses. EMDR Therapy is designed to relieve the pain of past hurts and trauma; increase one’s ability to better handle current situations; and reduce stress related to future expectations. Her experiences in community mental health, education (public and Catholic schools), business, volunteer work and personal life provide an appreciation of life’s opportunities, as well as its challenges. Pam warmly joins each person as desired goals are identified and attained, and distress is transformed into insight, empowerment and well-being.
Christina Lohner, MSW, LISW-S
Is life not how you pictured? Are you struggling with finding contentment and joy or having the life you hoped for? Let Christina help you find that joy and balance. She believes therapy is a collaborative interaction with a non-judgmental exchange of conversation, thoughts, and ideas between the client and therapist. She enjoys working with teens and adults dealing with a variety of challenges from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorders, adjustment, codependency, stress management, anger management, grief and loss, parenting, and family issues. She also works well with couples navigating daily marital experiences, as well as adoption and infertility challenges. She utilizes a variety of treatment concepts such as Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Biopsychosocial Theory, Family Systems Theory, Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Brief Therapy. She has a masters degree from the University of Cincinnati and currently holds an independent license with a supervisory designation in social work in the state of Ohio.
Leanne Myers, MSW, LISW-S
As both a Christian and a clinician, Leanne believes that each person is unique – having value by virtue of their own special gifting and humanity. She recognizes the different seasons of life – the changing continuum of joy and pain – and strives to meet people where they are in their journey, coming alongside to offer counsel and support.
Leanne utilizes a variety of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systems Theory, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Christian counseling, depending on the needs and the situation. While familiar with a variety of issues, Leanne particularly focuses on working with women who are struggling with personal issues including self esteem, anxiety, depression, past abuse, and relationship challenges. Leanne also enjoys working with individuals, couples and families, teens and adults, who are dealing with concerns similar to the above, as well as bereavement/grief, parenting issues, and values/goals clarification.
Leanne has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University, and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the Supervision designation. Leanne has been practicing for 27 years, with over 14 of that in the counseling field.
Brooke Asbury, MA, LPCC-S
Brooke is a Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervisory designation, licensed by the State of Ohio. She has had experience working in a variety of treatment settings including Community Mental Health, Private Practice settings and with Faith Based organizations. She has a passion to treat the whole person, addressing mental, emotional and spiritual needs or concerns when appropriate. She enjoys working with adults who are struggling to cope with various life stressors, traumas, depression, anxiety or relationship issues.
Brooke also has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and families, helping them to problem solve, communicate and improve their interactions with one another. She uses a variety of counseling approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy, and seeks to collaborate with each individual client towards their goals and dreams. Brooke considers it a privilege to come alongside others to help them in their healing journey.
Jill Nutter, LISW-S
Jill worked for thirty-one years at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati; first as a social worker with patients on dialysis and then as the college counselor at Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science. She’s also counseled adults and adolescents in both out-patient and in-patient psychiatry settings. Jill is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory privileges. She graduated from Bethany College, West Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and West Virginia University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Jill has dedicated her career to helping others cope more effectively with anxiety, stress, depression, chronic medical conditions, and life balance issues. Jill considers counseling a privilege and is prepared to help you discover tools to become increasingly resilient in the face of adversity and identify strategies for developing peace in the midst of chaos. Jill is the author of three Christian fiction novels. She enjoys helping others find creative outlets for coping with stress.
Kathleen Monday, RN, MA, LPCC
Kathy is a Professional Clinical Counselor as well as a Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of Ohio. She is a Christian and a firm believer in the mind, body and spirit connection. This holistic model offers an integrative approach to mental health therapy which can include; mindfulness, meditation, healing touch and aromatherapy. Kathy likes to involve her Clients in forming a plan of care that will encourage success and positive change. She includes structured as well as non-structured methods for healing, assisting the Client to break free of destructive behavioral patterns which can lead to an improved state of overall health. Kathy has over thirty years’ experience working with families, couples, children and the elderly. As an RN she worked with families and newborns in Labor and Delivery and the NICU, then later in a Pediatric office as a Triage RN and ADD/ADHD specialist with CHMC. She obtained a BA in Religious Studies from Mt. St. Joseph and an MA in Pastoral Counseling from the Athenaeum of Ohio. Specialties include; individual therapy, teens and children, elderly, abusive relationships and recovery, marital counseling, hypnotherapy, play therapy, grief, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD. Her life includes three daughters and twelve grandchildren, a golden retriever and two cockatiels. She likes to garden, travel and enjoys cooking. Kathy understands life’s struggle to find balance and would like to offer you help finding that balance on your journey.
Medical Consultants
Dr. Christina Wise, MD
Received her undergraduate degree from Harvard and earned her medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed her Residency in General Psychiatry and a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky. She has expertise in working with adults, children, adolescents, and families. She is enthusiastic about working together with the patient and their therapist to use an interdisciplinary approach that allows for holistic treatment for her patients.
Dr. Jerome J. Kelly, MD
LifeWay Medical Director
He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He specialized in working with adults and adolescents age 12 and over and emphasized a working relationship between doctor, patient, and therapist to enhance holistic treatment for his patients.