MSW, LSW

Max Balakoff, MSW, LSW

Max Balakoff joined NFP in 2022 as a behavioral health clinical therapist. He earned his master of social work degree from Louisiana State University. Before joining NFP, Max interned in outpatient community mental health and inpatient behavioral health settings. His clinical interests include helping patients with interpersonal dynamics, social anxiety, and emotional/psychological abuse.

LISW-S

Megan Brinker, LISW-S

Megan Brinker joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2019 as a behavioral health therapist. Megan earned her master of social work from Cleveland State University and her bachelor of arts from Miami University. She has a decade of experience working with children and adults. Megan previously worked at FrontLine Service as a trauma therapist and at University Hospitals.

Certification(s): Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

LISW-S

Michael Cohen, LISW-S

Michael joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2021. He entered the mental health profession after nearly 20 years in retail. He holds master’s degrees in psychology and social work. He has worked in suicide prevention, homeless shelters and in group homes. He believes that access to mental health services is a basic human right.

LPCC, MFT

Noha Elsayed, LPCC, MFT

تتكلم العربية

Noha Elsayed joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2018. She earned her master of arts in marriage and family therapy/counseling and her bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Akron. Noha is interested in providing quality clinical services and guidance to individuals, couples and families.

MD Psychiatry

Richard Hill, MD Psychiatry

Dr. Rick Hill received both a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and an M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He has served as Medical Director for Ravenwood Mental Health Center and as Chief Clinical Officer of Geauga County. He has many years of clinical experience treating adult patients. Among his many community activities, he serves as a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Cleveland. Dr. Hill serves as a supervisor for staff physicians, fellows, residents and medical students and is a faculty Senior Clinical Instructor at Case Western Reserve University.

Director of Behavioral Health Informatics and Office Support

Paul Hirschel, MSSA, LISW-S

Paul Hirschel joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2016 and is director of behavioral health informatics and office support. Paul graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Case Western Reserve University with a Master of Science in social administration. Paul’s professional experience includes a counselor at Bellfaire-JCB, disaster action team volunteer at American Red Cross and several counseling positions at FrontLine Service.

Senior Director of Behavioral Health Clinical Development

Wendy Hunter, LPCC-S

A new provider has been added to the NFP family! Wendy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and public health from University of the Cumberlands and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Walden University. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for many years, working in hospitals, stabilization units, community mental health, opioid treatment clinics and private practice settings. Along with formal training in trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT) and other fields Wendy’s specialty areas include mental health counseling, child abuse treatment/prevention, crisis intervention/management, substance use, trauma, race based traumatic stress, counselor development/supervision, domestic violence, self-care, and women’s issues.

Vice President - Behavioral Health and Care Integration

Peggy Keating, LISW-S

Peggy Keating received a master’s degrees in psychology and social work from Cleveland State University. She has been a practicing clinical social worker in Ohio for many years. She has had extensive training and experience working with issues related to trauma, sexual and physical abuse, addiction to alcohol and other drugs, disabilities, anxiety and depression. Her specialty areas include LGBT, women’s issues, and substance abuse/dependence.

LPCC, Registered Art Therapist

Madeleine Keller, LPCC, Registered Art Therapist

Se habla español

Madeleine Keller joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2020 as a behavioral health therapist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in studio art from Earlham College and her master’s degree in counseling in art therapy from Ursuline College.  Before joining NFP, she provided art therapy and counseling in community mental health settings, specializing in sexual abuse and other issues related to trauma.  Madeleine sees individuals of all ages.  

LISW

Kathleen Kilcline, LISW

Katie Kilcline joined NFP in 2022 as a licensed independent social worker. She earned her bachelor degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her master of social work degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Before joining NFP, Katie worked as a therapist with an immigrant and refugee service agency in St. Louis focused on treating war trauma, depression and anxiety.

Senior Director of Behavioral Health

Maryann Kuzila, LPCC-S

Maryann Kuzila began working at Neighborhood Family Practice in 2013 as a behavioral health therapist. She previously worked at Recovery Resources as a mental health assessor, clinical therapist, group facilitator and alcohol and drug therapist. Maryann has over 15 years in the field and holds a bachelor of arts in Psychology from Cleveland State and a master of arts in Counseling and Human Services from John Carroll University.

Certification(s): EMDR

LISW

Beth Meeker, LISW

Beth Meeker received a bachelor of arts degree in social work from Cleveland State University and a master of social work degree from Boise State University. Prior to earning her master’s degree, Beth worked as a behavioral health intern at Neighborhood Family Practice.

Certifications(s): LICDC

APRN-CNS

Susan O’Brien, APRN-CNS

Susan O’Brien began serving at Neighborhood Family Practice as a behavioral health clinical nurse specialist in 2014. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master of science in psychiatric mental health nursing from the University of Rochester. Sue previously worked at University Hospitals and Recovery Resources, treating mental health issues.

Behavioral Health Therapist and Epic Content Builder

Catherine L. Posendek, LISW-S

Catherine Posendek joined NFP in 2017 and is the Epic content builder. Catherine earned her Bachelor of Science in hearing, speech and language from Ohio University and her Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University. She has almost a decade of diverse experience in social work. Before joining Neighborhood Family Practice, Catherine worked at Catholic Charities in various capacities, including community based interim director.

LISW-S

Molly Rehak, LISW-S

Se habla español

Molly Rehak began working as a behavioral health therapist at NFP in 2021, bringing extensive experience in helping immigrants and refugees deal with complex mental health and medical issues. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Xavier University and her master’s degree from the University of Akron. Prior to NFP, Molly worked as a behavioral health specialist for Cleveland Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services.

LISW-S

Natalie Stark, LISW-S

Natalie Stark earned master’s degrees in social work and bioethics from Case Western Reserve University. Natalie has worked in a variety of settings, including residential facilities, hospitals and outpatient community mental health with a focus on trauma, anxiety and mood problems. She has extensive experience in trauma informed care and is an adjunct faculty member at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Natalie joined the NFP Behavioral Health team in 2019 as a behavioral health therapist.

LISW-S

Holly Cliffel Thomas, LISW-S

Se habla español

Holly Cliffel received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Social Administration and Certificate of Non-Profit Management from Case Western Reserve University. Holly is a bilingual social worker with almost 20 years of experience in case management, community organizing and specialized training. Holly works at NFP as a behavioral health therapist.

LPCC

Lauren Tucker, LPCC

Lauren Tucker joined NFP as a behavioral health therapist in 2021. A licensed professional clinical counselor, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, then attended Ursuline College where she earned a master’s degree in counseling and art therapy. Prior to joining NFP, Lauren worked at OhioGuidestone for several years as a school services therapist, helping primarily adolescents and teens. The use of art in treatment is very important to Lauren, as it can have a powerful impact. She is also an advocate for underserved populations, women, children and victims of abuse and domestic violence.

PMHNP-BC

Selah Westfall, PMHNP-BC

Selah Westfall is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric mental health. She graduated in from Walden University in 2018 with a master’s degree. Selah worked in an emergency department as a trauma nurse before joining NFP in 2019. She is excited to be a part of a practice that integrates medicine and mental health services for the most effective care to the community, and is passionate about providing quality, compassionate and comprehensive mental health services to adolescents and adults.

LPCC

Caroline White, LPCC

A licensed professional counselor who earned her education specialist degree in clinical mental health counseling from Loyola University (Chicago) and a bachelor’s degree from Miami University, Caroline has experience with crisis stabilization, trauma and complex mental health concerns. Prior to joining NFP in November 2022, she worked in various settings including inpatient hospitals, foster care agencies, outpatient community health and as a member of the psychiatric response team in the emergency room and the community.