Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Cleveland, OH covered by Cigna

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.

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.

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.

• I’m in your corner. I’m not here to judge, fix, or control. I’m here to understand, challenge when needed, and help you grow.
• I will tell the truth. Kindly, clearly, and without fluff. Progress requires honesty.
• I value structure and clarity. We will set goals. We will measure movement. We won’t just “vent and vibe.”
• I integrate evidence-based approaches. I lean heavily on CBT and Motivational Interviewing, with EMDR techniques when appropriate. Therapy with me is practical and action-oriented.
• I respect faith. If spirituality matters to you, we can thoughtfully integrate it. If not, we won’t force it.
• I believe people are more resilient than they think. My job is to help you access what’s already there.
• I hold both accountability and compassion. Growth happens in that tension.
• I’m human. I don’t claim perfection. I show up present, prepared, and fully invested in your development.

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'm a warm, inquisitive and open minded soul, with a lifetime of challenging personal experiences. You are not alone and I would be honored to support you in your journey to peace, healing, and resolution.

You may be functioning well on the outside while quietly feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or unable to slow down.

You may be the person others depend on while quietly feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from yourself. At Milton’s Place Counseling, therapy offers a supportive space to slow down, process what you are carrying, and identify practical next steps. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and major life transitions. You do not have to wait until you are in crisis to seek support.

If anxiety, depression, grief, or ongoing stress are making daily life feel harder, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with adolescents, adults, and families who feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or unsure how to move forward. Many parents seek support when they notice changes in their teen’s mood, behavior, school functioning, or communication, while adults often come to therapy feeling exhausted, disconnected, or weighed down by life transitions and relationship stress.

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.

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.

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.