THE BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS GROUP - Key Persons
Ashley Perkins is a psychology trainee working towards her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. She is supervised by Dr. John Glovan, Psy.D at The Behavioral Wellness Group (BWG). Ashley offers individual and group therapy at BWG. She has experience leading groups and is co-facilitating Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) at BWG. Ashley has training in trauma-informed care and utilizes a collaborative and compassionate approach to counseling to foster hope, healing and resilience. Ashley is passionate about helping others while using solution-based approaches. She believes in integrating various treatment therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to best meet the needs and goals of her clients.
Ashley received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology and a Masters of Social Work degree, both from Clark Atlanta University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Atlanta GA. She is currently enrolled at Meridian University as a third-year doctoral student.
Ashley's clinical background includes working with children, adults and families experiencing challenges related to general loss, including children with incarcerated parents, life transitions, behavioral problems, ADHD, and complex trauma. As a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) therapist, Ashley is passionate about creating an open and safe space for BIPOC individuals.
Job Titles:
- Marta Spires, LISW Kayla Walter
Ms.Knezevich's goal as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor is to help people live a more fulfilled life, whether they are managing emotional issues or life challenges. She works with older teens, adults and seniors; individually, as couples and families. She also runs a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adults with more difficult emotional, behavioral or life challenges. Ms.Knezevich's style is to balance acceptance with change to help people explore feelings and behavior patterns and make significant changes in a supportive environment. Some specialties are EMDR (with a professional referral), a powerful therapeutic technique originally designed for trauma survivors; mindfulness and meditation, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), DBT, art therapy, and solution focused therapy.
Ms.Knezevich obtained her Master's Degree from Cleveland State University, in community and agency counseling. She has worked in private practice since 1994 and has established 2 DBT IOP therapy programs as well as co-facilitated a dual diagnosis IOP. Ms.Knezevich has advanced training in critical incident stress debriefing and has volunteered as the assistant clinical director of the Lake-Geauga Critical Incident Management Team for 18 years. She has worked as a social worker and case manager at Laurelwood Hospital, a therapist in the outpatient Victims Resource Program, and started her career as a volunteer for the program.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Lisa McDonough
Dr. Kotkowski is an independently licensed clinical psychologist. She provides formal psychological testing assessments for individuals aged 6 and up with an approach that is both supported by research as well as culturally sensitive. She also provides therapy for individuals aged 11 and up using an integrative approach in her work with clients providing psychoeducation, skill-building, and a safe space in which individuals can explore and process new or difficult thoughts and feelings. Dr. Kotkowski has experience working with a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, and with the LGBTQ+ community. She has also spent many years researching and working with women who have experienced depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression, and trauma associated with difficulties during pregnancy.
Dr. Kotkowski applies psychological formal assessment to gain insight and provide recommendations for children, youth, and adults experiencing difficulties in academics, interpersonal interactions, or engaging in a fulfilling life. She is competent in assessing clients' intelligence, personality, ADHD, Autism, and symptom profiles. Dr. Kotkowski is also well-equipped to aid clients in navigating the process of Gender Affirming Surgery and is experienced in evaluating readiness.
Dr. Kotkowski earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from The University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio. She earned her master's degrees in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Clinical Psychology and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. She has engaged in therapy and assessments in several private and community-based agencies in the D.C. area, completed her predoctoral internship at Cleveland State University's Counseling Center, and her postdoctoral training here at Behavioral Wellness Group.
Elizabeth Caldera is a clinician who is supervised by Dr. John Glovan. Elizabeth has training and experience working with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, adjustment difficulties, poor self-esteem, panic attacks, and stress management. Elizabeth pulls from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy to teach clients how to regulate emotional responses and bodily sensations that arise from mental health struggles. Elizabeth is committed to building a positive and supportive relationship with her clients and creating ongoing, collaborative treatment plans which help her clients to accomplish their intended goals.
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Cleveland State University in 2019 before earning her Master of Arts in Psychology (Clinical Psychology Specialization) from Cleveland State University in 2021. She completed her practicum at a local practice, co-facilitating a Dual Diagnosis Intensive Outpatient Program.
Elizabeth is currently accepting clients who are 18 years of age and older.
Emma Wolfe [she/her] is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who is supervised by Erin Pawlak, LPCC-S. She provides individual counseling to adolescents (12+) and adults. Her areas of focus include depression, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, relationship problems, suicidal ideation, self-harm, chronic illness, LGBTQIA+ specific issues, and trauma. Emma's therapeutic style is compassionate, creative, and affirming. She incorporates CBT, DBT, solution-focused, motivational interviewing, and personcentered modalities to provide a unique counseling experience for each client.
Emma earned her Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies from the University of Puget Sound in Washington state and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration on substance use from John Carroll University. Emma completed her internship placements at The Centers for Families and Children in Cleveland, OH in addition to The Behavioral Wellness Group where she co-facilitated the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program.
In her free time, Emma enjoys knitting sweaters and hats, reading non-fiction, and playing with her cat, The Muffin Man. Emma loves to spend time with friends and family trying new restaurants and playing Scrabble.
Dr Nathan completed her residency in Psychiatry at The University Hospitals of Cleveland in 1999. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
She has been working with adults in the Cleveland community in emergency psychiatric services, community mental health and in private practice. Her areas of interest include diagnosing and treatment of mood disorders, attention deficit disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, addiction and psychotic disorders.
Dr Nathan believes that everyone deserves to receive a comprehensive assessment with compassion and respect and then offering the best treatment plan for the patient.
Dr. Ezzo maintained a private practice in Lake County for many years prior to accepting a position as Director of Training in an APA approved doctoral internship program in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Child and Adolescent Psychology. Dr. Ezzo has also been the Director of Family Evaluation Services in Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court and Associate Director of the Diagnostic Clinic in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. He is an adjunct faculty/instructor at Case Western Reserve Department of Psychiatry and is a faculty at the Judicial College, Supreme Court of Ohio. Dr. Ezzo is Board Certified in Couple and Family Psychology and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (American Board of Professional Psychology). He is Past President of the American Board of Couple and Family Psychology, The Academy of Couple and Family Psychology, and Past President of the Couple and Family Psychology Specialty Council. Dr. Ezzo coauthored the 2018 Council for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology Renewal Petition in the specialty of Couple and Family Psychology. He has made national presentations in the areas of juvenile risk assessment, allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and child maltreatment. He has published articles in peer reviewed journals in child maltreatment focusing on parental risk and protective factors, use of the Jesness Inventory in identifying oppositional and defiant children/adolescents, in comparison to adolescents with conduct disorders. He has conducted research comparing MMPI-2-RF profiles in high conflict divorces with cases involving termination of parental rights. Dr. Ezzo has published several articles on juveniles' competency to stand trial.
Dr. Ezzo received the Ohio Psychological Association's Distinguished Psychologist Award for 2012 for his clinical and research contributions and advocacy with children, adolescents, and families. In 2013 he was elected a Fellow in the American Psychological Association for his contributions to psychology on a national level and presented a Fellow's Address at the American Psychological Association's AnnualMeeting in August 2014. In June 2014, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Ohio Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and was appointed chair of the Educational Committee. The American Psychological Association, Division 43, Society for Couple and Family Psychology awarded Dr. Ezzo the 2017 Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Ezzo has participated in a National Institute of Mental Health research project on pediatric bipolar disorders. His clinical interests involve the treatment of children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families using evidence-based practices; with a special interest in the role of expressed emotion within the family in maintaining or alleviating the symptoms of a family member.