Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Akron, OH

With a strong foundation in both social work and law enforcement, I bring a compassionate, grounded, and practical perspective to therapy. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and spent eight years in law enforcement, primarily working patrol. This experience gave me the opportunity to support individuals and families during some of the most challenging and vulnerable moments of their lives.

Through my professional work—and my own lived experiences with critical and traumatic incidents—I developed a deep commitment to helping others heal from trauma. I specialize in trauma-focused therapy and work with individuals navigating life’s challenges, processing difficult past experiences, and building resilience for the future.

My approach blends clinical expertise with real-world understanding to create a space that is supportive, nonjudgmental, and genuine. I strive to ensure clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. Whether you are working through trauma, adjusting to life transitions, or seeking healthier coping strategies, I aim to help you gain clarity, strengthen your inner resources, and move forward with confidence. I’m here to support you every step of the way on your path toward healing and personal growth.

As a Licensed Independent Mental Health Therapist and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, I believe prioritizing your mental health is one of the most important steps toward stability and growth. Reaching out for help is not always easy, so I truly commend you for considering it.

I work with adults who are struggling with stress, life challenges, trauma, and addiction. I focus on helping clients build confidence and develop healthy coping skills. To enrich and gain enhanced satisfaction in their lives. My goal is to walk alongside you as you create meaningful and lasting change.

You might feel alone in this struggle but you don’t have to be. My work, which has been shaped by my own experiences of suffering and clinical training, is more than a career, it is a calling. I help people move from surviving to living with intention, calm, and confidence.

I have an undergraduate degree in psychology, and a master’s in clinical social work. I specialize in treating OCD and other anxiety disorders with Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy. I use this therapy because I’ve seen it help people begin living the lives that they want to live without fear being the driving force.

I also have a background in working with parents who are experiencing challenging situations. Whenever I work with children, I work with the caregivers as well in order to improve family unity and create lasting change.

I am very trauma-aware in that I recognize the role that past experiences have had in shaping who we are today. My philosophy is that these experiences don’t have to hold us back, but that healing is a journey to be embraced.

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, I bring a compassionate and understanding approach to mental health care. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of working in a wide range of settings, including pediatrics, family medicine, cardiology, correctional health, emergency medicine, and education.

I believe that meaningful care starts with truly meeting patients where they are. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to be your authentic self. Together, we work toward practical, personalized solutions that support your mental and emotional well-being.

When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cultures, visiting amusement parks, going on cruises, or spending quiet time at home with my husband and our two dogs.

About me

I am licensed in Ohio with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support you in that journey.

I have been practicing as a therapist for 13 years, and have had a wide range of experience within that time. I have worked with at-risk youth in shelters, supported young adults and teens with mental health treatment after hospitalization, to now providing individual therapy in an outpatient setting. I earned my Master's in Social Work in 2014, and have been practicing with my LISW. I have mostly worked with mood disorders, like anxiety and depression, or with trauma (PTSD). As a lesbian with ADHD myself, I also specialize in neurodivergency and LGBT+ issues.

Welcome! If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, you don’t have to go through it alone. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can slow down, make sense of your experiences, and begin to feel more in control.

I specialize in helping individuals work through all forms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma, as well as complex interpersonal issues such as navigating difficult family dynamics, healing from narcissistic abuse, or rebuilding after domestic violence.

I have 18 years experience working with teens, adults and later in life populations.

What was your path to becoming a mental health provider?

I always had a desire to understand people and didn't realize there was a profession centered around my curiosity until college. I was also very intrigued with trying to understand my emotions growing up and because I struggled, I developed a desire to help others through their life challenges. I started providing support services to families and volunteers through a mentoring agency, which later led to interning at a psychiatric outpatient facility, to working with foster children providing therapy and to also growing my private practice here with Alma working with adults and children.

What should someone know about working with you?

I believe I am relatable and open to the sharing of myself with the understanding and expectation that you will be entrusting your vulnerabilities with me in session. I will challenge your thoughts, your patterns and your assumptions, and I give homework routinely as an extension of our time together to keep you active and engaged until we meet again.

How do you continue learning and building new skills?

I am committed to being a life-long learner. I take courses and trainings annually, listen to and learn from seasoned clinicians and try to stay afloat of new groundbreaking research related to treatments and techniques surrounding mental health.

"Success for me, is helping others create the wellness they desire."

Hi there, my name’s Ephraim and I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 20+ years of experience. My specialties consist of relationships, men’s issues, career counseling, and psychosomatic illnesses.

Whether it's individuals or couples, I'm happy to get to work with whomever comes my way. I do my best to facilitate a warm, trusting environment. I received my Bachelors degree in Child Psychology, working initially with the adolescent population before transitioning over to adults. I then received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Looking forward to meeting with you soon!

Life can feel overwhelming at times, and reaching out for support is a courageous step. I am dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care in a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and challenges openly. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or other personal concerns, my goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and supported.

Hello, I am Darlene Neal, a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 35 years of experience. My clinical work has been devoted to Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Life Transitions.

I am a mother of 3 children with autism. I have completed my undergraduate studies at Kent State, My graduate studies at Capella University where I did residency in Chicago and Atlanta. I have almost 7 years of experience in the field working in collaboration with ODJFS to help children and families. I live on a small hobby farm in Ohio and enjoy the outdoors.

Hiya! Thank you so much for taking the time to patiently sift through many profiles to find me. Now that you're here, I will give you my best elevator speech. I specialize in anxiety, depression, and substance use - all the messy, complicated parts. Over 17 years, I’ve done everything from case management to clinical supervision at a community mental health agency and crisis intervention at a managed care company. As a biracial person (Filipina and Polish), I bring personal understanding to those navigating cultural identity, family expectations, and the feeling of not quite fitting in anywhere.

I am a double board-certified family and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. As a Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I believe that healing begins with understanding. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can share your story without judgment and work toward meaningful, lasting change. I provide individualized, evidence-based care for adults facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorders, ADHD/ADD, and sleep disorders.