Now Hiring!
Looking to add a member to our CORE Team. Position open for an Ohio Licensed LPC, LPCC or LISW. Call for more information!
419.681.4241
Child and Adolescent Counseling
Here at CORE Counseling and Consulting, our passion is simple; to empower our clients. Our therapeutic process is client driven to meet the needs of each individual with modalities including; Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Play Therapy. We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact with all of our young clients and their families. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join sessions and be an active part of their child's therapy. CORE welcomes families of divorce, custody changes and other court involved situations working closely with local county courts and child welfare services.
Why Play Therapy? http://www.a4pt.org/page/ptmakesadifference
Adult Counseling
Empowerment and Clarity
At CORE, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive changes for you. Through support, empowerment, and progress, our therapists will guide you through making the changes you want to see. We welcome relationship work, career challenges and coordination with court required sessions.
Meaningful Time. Building Positive Experiences.
Parenting Consultation
Being a parent or guardian today means being ready for any number of challenges, changes and events that occur in our children's lives. We believe every parent can benefit from sharing insight about their child with a professional to better understand their child's needs. Whether needing support working through a situation, processing thoughts following a change or event, or just the desire to better understand your child, we offer parent consultation meetings to fit your needs.
Distance Counseling
Distance counseling is growing in popularity as an alternative form of therapy. However, it is important that you understand the benefits and limitations of distance counseling.
Benefits
• Convenient and provides access to services when you are unable to leave your home due to illness or weather
• Permits more flexibility in scheduling appointments
• Allows you to meet with therapists that specialized in certain issues that may not be as geographically accessible
Limitations
• Easy to miss visual cues like facial expressions or posture
• Requires the accessibility of internet and computer
• Not ideal for suicidal individuals or people struggling with severe mental illness
• Counselor may not be as familiar with community resources and referrals
• There may be disruptions in service (i.e. video freeze, internet disconnects)
• Some insurances do not cover distance counseling
CORE offers distance counseling when appropriate through use of a HIPAA compliant video counseling platform.
Educator Consultation
CORE offers consultation to schools, teachers, and others who work with children and adolescents. With the ever changing diagnoses and various challenges that we face meeting the social emotional needs of children and adolescents, we offer seminars and professional development opportunities to meet your needs. Call for more information on professional development, staff consultation, seminars and and other opportunities to meet your needs.
CORE Staff
Julia Copley, LPCC-S, LSC, RPT-S
Clinical Director and Clinician
Julia is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor, a Licensed School Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist serving children, adolescents, adults, and families. She earned her Master’s of Arts in School Counseling at Kent State University and her Clinical Counseling Degree at the University of Akron.
Julia has been working with children and adolescents in a professional capacity for over 20 years and adults for 15 years.
Julia has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in both the clinical and the school setting often coordinating services for more comprehensive care. Her experience covers most youth challenges including but not limited to adjustment issues, anger management, attachment, abuse, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavioral issues, depression, divorce, grief, relationship difficulties, school refusal, social anxiety and trauma.
As a Registered Play Therapist, Julia has a passion for utilizing play therapy as one of her treatment approaches also incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy including Mindfulness, and Systems Theory in her practice. As a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Julia is licensed to supervise future play therapists.
Adult clients can find support with family issues including communication and parenting, balancing roles of career, family, caregiver and other demands.
Julia has additional training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, CBT Trauma Based Therapy and received her Legal and Ethical Specialist Certification from the American School Counseling Association. She also teaches for the University of Akron as an adjunct faculty in their school and clinical counseling programs.
When not with clients, Julia enjoys life with her family and all of the activities her children enjoy, her family pets, running, being outside and traveling.
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ and RPT-S™ are trademarks identifying credentials exclusively issued by the Association for Play Therapy, Inc.
Rachel Smithburger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Rachel has her Masters of Education, with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. She obtained her degree from The University of Akron’s dual-licensing program, allowing her to gain both her Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counseling Licenses. Additionally, Rachel studied psychology, sociology and child & family studies at Ashland University.
Rachel has been trained to treat individuals, couples, and families from a systemic perspective. Rachel's area of specialty is with Perinatal Mental Health; she has completed her training with Postpartum Support International (PSI) and holds her Perinatal Mental Health Certificate. Rachel has been working as a clinician since 2015, gaining experience working with depression, anxiety, divorce, self esteem, family conflict, grief, behavioral concerns, and other various presenting concerns. Largely, Rachel's focus has been helping mothers/families adjust to the changes, hardships, joys, and pressures introduced with pregnancy--whether it be infertility, prenatal depression, miscarriage or loss, or postpartum mood disorders. Rachel is passionate about aiding her clients during their therapeutic journey and recognizing the worth and value in themselves, as well as experiencing relief in distressing symptoms. Additionally, Rachel is partially trained in EMDR; looking to complete her training in 2022.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her very active toddler, husband & pups; while binging [too many] shows and working on crafts.
Barb Frye is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Barb has her Masters of Education, with a focus in Clinical Counseling. She obtained her degree from The University of Akron. Additionally, Barb works as a school-based counselor at a local high school.
Barb has been trained to treat individuals, couples, and families. Barb is also trained in addiction therapy with a background of working in rehabilitation programs.
Barb has been working as a clinician since 2012, gaining experience working with depression, anxiety, attention deficits, divorce, self esteem, family conflict, grief, behavioral concerns, addictions, drug and alcohol abuse and other various presenting concerns. Barb relates to the journey we have as both individuals and members of families, occupational groups and society.
In her spare time, Barb enjoys spending time with her son, her pups, and her family.
Barb is seeing clients via telehealth only at this time.
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Katherine Collins, LPC
ATR Provisional
Clinician
Katherine is a Licensed Professional Counseling Intern, Counselor in Training and Provisional Registered Art Therapist. She is in pursuit of her credential as a Registered Art Therapist in addition to her Independent License. She received her Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline college in 2021 and her Bachelor’s degree in Art and Psychology.
Katherine has worked with children, teenagers, and adults in many different settings, including in schools and at court. She specializes in art therapy and has experience using art media with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Katherine has experience working with issues such as: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, chronic pain, emotion regulation, attention deficits, behavioral concerns, addiction, and life transitions. She firmly believes in the power of therapeutic healing through self-compassion, growth, and creativity.
In her spare time, Katherine enjoys spending time with her family, working on various art projects, and playing with her 2 rather large cats.
Jamie Billie, LPCC
Clinician
Jamie (she/her/hers) is a licensed professional counselor and is currently working to become a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor. Jamie has her Master’s in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Cleveland State University and received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Cleveland State University.
Jamie has worked in a community mental health agency located in Cleveland that assisted dual-diagnosed individuals to address their addiction, mental health, and trauma. Jamie has also worked alongside her agency in a men’s jail to assist with improving anger management skills, decreasing re-offending, and providing addiction services. Jamie has also previously volunteered her time at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center as an advocate for those who needed additional support.
Jamie has been trained to work with individuals of trauma, especially those who have been affected by domestic abuse, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She also works closely with individuals who would like to build anger management skills to increase their personal well-being.
Jamie uses an eclectic approach along with trauma-informed care when working with her clients. Jamie believes she has the privilege of holding people's most painful moments and supporting them in move forward with courage and resiliency. Regardless of your story, she looks to provide you with a safe space to share your experience and to write them together. Jamie’s goal is to be an individual who instills hope in your healing journey.
In her free time, Jamie volunteers at her local animal shelter and fosters cats. Jamie spends most of her off time with her own cats and her life partner.
Rocco Capra, LPC
Clinician
Rocco (he/him/his) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Capella University graduate
earning his degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Rocco spent 24 years in the
Information Technology profession with a desire to always become a counselor. It so happened that in 2020 the opportunity opened up for him to take the leap and pursue his dream.
From his personal life journey, Rocco understands that every individual is uniquely shaped by the influences of their heritage, environment, and life experiences. Rocco believes people are inherently good and, given a chance in a healthy environment, will make decisions that help themselves and others. Additionally, Rocco understands that we all desire connection on a deeply human level, to be affirmed that we have something to offer and are loved and accepted for who we are. Some of us sometimes need a little help to make sense of our neglected, traumatic, or adverse experiences in life.
The foundation of Rocco’s integrative therapeutic approach is built on the core principles of Person-Centered Theory, including empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. Working with the client in a safe, professional environment to assess their emotional, mental, physical, social, and relational health, integrating therapeutic interventions according to their specific and unique needs and desires. Working in collaboration with the client to enhance their skills with strategies focused on their resilience, self-awareness, self-esteem, mindfulness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, stress tolerance, and other factors to achieve optimal mental and emotional health and overall wellness.
Rocco will continue his professional journey pursuing training and certifications in Attachment Theory, Trauma Informed care, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and more as he builds his experience. In his personal time, Rocco loves to spend time with his fiancé, whether it's rocking at her band's gigs or
hiking together at one of the many trails in the region. Rocco also loves to travel from unique places here in Ohio, the mountains out west, or the great wall of China. Rocco loves to meet new people andlearn about their amazing life stories.
Mindy Armbrust Beach , Ph.D., MFT-S, LPC, AAMFT-AS
Clinician
Mindy Armbrust Beach is a dually licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Akron and is an AAMFT approved supervisor.
Mindy has experience working with families, couples, children as young as 2-years-old, and individuals dealing with diverse clinical issues. She specializes in parenting/co-parenting issues and enjoys working with couples, children, and families, both nuclear and blended, experiencing difficulty with behavioral, relational, emotional and/or spiritual issues. She works from an attachment based/EFT lens with a strong belief that no behavior is “bad”. It is simply a means to filling a need. If healthy behaviors do not work to meet their needs, individuals will turn to other behaviors that do. These behaviors can and often do result in ineffective interpersonal relationships within the couple and family system.
Mindy has pursued additional education and training in the subjects of trauma, play therapy, medical family therapy, sex therapy, high conflict co-parenting and psychopharmacology. The majority of her research surrounds adverse childhood experiences and their intergenerational impact on relationships and parenting.
In her spare time, Mindy enjoys spending time with her five children, family, and friends, as well as crocheting and reading. She is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Akron.
Chase Bills, CT
Intern
Chase Bills is a graduate student at Walsh University, studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is being trained to work with all populations and on track to graduate soon! Chase has experience working with children in many different capacities throughout the years. She has previous involvement in the mental health field as an office manager for a private practice. After graduation, Chase hopes to continue her education by becoming a certified play therapist. In therapy, her focus is to listen to the client with an empathetic heart and open mind. She believes that everyone deserves a voice and support system to live a happy and health lifestyle.
In her spare time, Chase enjoys reading, listening to music, and hiking. She is big on quality time with family and friends. She loves to meet people and create new hobbies whenever she can!
Rachel Smithburger, MFT, LPCC-S, PMH-C
Clinician
Not accepting new clients at this time
Barb Frye, LPCC
Clinician
Tele health clients only
Will I be able to afford care?
There are several ways to pay for the mental health treatment you receive based on your health insurance status and plan. We do accept most major insurance companies. At this time, we do not accept Medicaid plans but we do offer a sliding scale for these clients.
Insurance Benefits: Core is accepted as a provider for most major insurance companies. If you choose to access your insurance benefits, we will help you determine which services will be covered and whether preauthorization is needed. Most health insurance policies provide mental health benefits.
Out Of Pocket: You may choose to pay out of your own pocket. If you do, you will be free to select the provider that best matches your needs. Because there are no billing costs to us, we are able to offer you a discount.
Out Of Network: We will provide you with documentation if you wish to submit receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement. Most plans have an out-of-network policy for reimbursement. We also offer a sliding scale to these clients.
Welcome to our office!
