Sophia Center Clinical Team

Our team is comprised of experienced, licensed professionals and staff who want to serve for the betterment of our local communities.

Sister Rachel Nijakowski

Psychologist/Executive Director

Licensure

Psychologist, Ohio 4699

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Masters of Social Work in the state of Ohio, certified C-CATODSW, practicing clinical social worker for over 35 years, with a scope in Opioid Treatment Programs for Methadone and Suboxone, Dual Diagnoses, and Pathological Gambling Program

Philosophy

I believe that everyone has the ability and the right to become balanced in their mind, body, and spirit. It is my privilege to walk the journey with them as their life coach.

Diane Sweinhagen

Clinical Director

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-S

Licensure

LPCC-S and LPSC

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Master of Arts in Counseling Master of Arts in School Counseling TF-CBT, Theraplay, EMDR and CPP certified A Healing Journey, Step-up, and STRONG family’s therapy trained

Philosophy

I enjoy working with children, families, and adults using evidence-based treatment modalities to help foster growth, create positive change, and instill hope for the future.

Megan Braida

Licensed Social Worker

Licensure

LSW

Degree/Certification/
Experience

MSW degree in Social Work Licensed Social Worker

Philosophy

I cannot work miracles, nor do I aim to. I aim to listen and help people discover their feelings and how to embrace them, not make them go away. I aim to help others identify their options, not decide for them what they should do. I am here to show others they have the ability to choose, not keep them from making difficult decisions. I am a reource, a tool, a servant, an empathetic listener. I cannot work miracles, but I can show others the miracle of every day.

Ildiko E. Crawford

Clinical Social Worker, LISW, ICDC

Licensure

LISW, ICDC (Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor)

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Master’s in Clinical Social Work, Ohio State University (1989)

Philosophy

Individual, Marriage and Family Counseling- Depression, Anxiety, Self-esteem, Grief, Client Centered, strength based, Cognitive Behavior Brief Therapy

Hayleigh Grega

Counseling Intern

Licensure

Counseling Intern

Degree/Certification/
Experience

BA, Lourdes University Currently in the MA program for Mental Health Counseling at The University of Toledo.

Philosophy

Everyone deserves to have someone to come to for help who will provide them with a safe, non-judgmental, therapeutic atmosphere. I strive to be that person as we work to help you grow to be a happy and healthy individual through evidence-based and ethical therapeutic approaches like CBT and TF-CBT.

Daniel Kennedy

Counseling Intern

Licensure

Counseling Intern

Degree/Certification/
Experience

BA, Boston College MA, St. Louis University MDiv, University of Toronto. Currently in the MA program for Mental Health Counseling at John Carroll University.

Philosophy

I believe we never stop growing and learning about ourselves, others, and the world—often with lessons coming from difficult moments in our lives. It is an honor to accompany clients as they identify their goals and strengths as they meet these challenges. I look forward to helping clients find well-being in their mind, body, and spirit. I work out of the Cognitive-Behavioral, Solutions-Focused, and Existential therapy orientations. For those who are interested, I am happy to integrate a client's religious or spiritual views into therapy.

Melinda Kostecky

Art Therapist

Licensure

Board Certified Art Therapist

Degree/Certification

Master of Science in Art Therapy with Concentration in Counseling

Philosophy

Melinda is a nationally Board-Certified Art Therapist specializing in working with individuals and families, primarily with ages in adolescence through older adulthood. Trained in trauma-informed, compassion-focused, and person-centered approaches, Melinda integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with body-based practices using verbal and creative expression, as well as mindfulness and somatic interventions. Her specialties include strength-based goal setting and skill building with concerns related to stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, attachment relationships, and medical illness such as cancer and other health conditions.

Danielle Malczewski

Social Work Intern

Licensure

Social Work Intern

Degree/Certification/
Experience

- Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University - Master’s in Clinical Social Work, Cleveland State University (in progress)

Philosophy

Everyone’s struggles are unique to their own life experiences, my goal as a therapist is to provide children and their parents with the coping skills and resources necessary to overcome these struggles and challenges while strengthening the bond between them.

Leisa Morrison

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensure

Licensed Professional Counselor

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Master of Science in Biology Education from Alcorn State University Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology from Kent State University Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health from St. Bonaventure University

Philosophy

As a counselor in training, I am interested in a variety of populations to help clients facilitate change, improve relationships, and promote self-enrichment to create a positive future.

Thomas M. Pokorny

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Endorsement.

Licensure

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Endorsement.

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• EMDR Trained.

Philosophy

I enjoy seeing clients feel better about oneself and have the confidence to lead a full and rewarding life.

Cerenity Reaves

Licensed Social Worker

Licensure

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Masters in Social Work

Philosophy

I believe in providing a safe, open, and accepting environment for all individuals. Through changing our mindset, then we are able to positively affect our emotions and behaviors. I also want to help individuals create and achieve their own personal goals.

Sister Eileen Marie Ripsin, OSF

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Licensure

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• Master of Arts in Education • Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Sister Eileen has experience working with all ages on a variety of life issues including: anxiety, depression, addiction, grief and loss, and issues of self-worth.

Philosophy

Reverencing the resilience of the human spirit, S. Eileen provides a strengths-focused approach in therapy using a variety of modalities to help engender self-compassion, hope and a willingness to change while discovering deeper meaning and purpose in life.

Nicole Roytek

Licensed Social Worker

Licensure

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Master of Science in Social Administration

Philosophy

I specialize in working with youth (as young as age 4), young adults, couples, and families. I am also a certified clinical trauma practitioner. My therapeutic approaches provided are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, psycho education, psychodynamic, trauma therapies, and solution focused therapy. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, behavioral/emotional disorders, and trauma disorders. I follow a client centered approach in being able to allow clients to explore relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to aid in discovering dysfunctional thought patterns leading to self-destructive behaviors and beliefs.

Clifford Sweinhagen

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Licensure

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowling Green State University, • Master of Arts in Counseling from Heidelberg University

Philosophy

Everyone has challenges and struggles that they face throughout their lives. I hope to be a support and resource during those difficult times to help you utilize your resiliency to learn, grow, and find a sense of peace.

Polly Taylor-Gerken

Program Director/School Psychologist

Licensure

Ohio Board of Psychology: Licensed School Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• B.S., M.Ed., Ed.S • 15 years K-12 Education • 9 years private practice

Philosophy

As a School Psychologist I understand that barriers to success in educational endeavors – across the life span – can and should be responded to. Supporting social-emotional development, learning challenges and mental health problems that interfere with school and learning is among the most important work we can do. As Sophia’s Program Director I work to oversee grant funded programs that help build and restore respectful family relationships, help prevent and reduce violence in the home and prevent or reduce youth penetration into the Juvenile Justice system. We work with courts, schools, law enforcement and other providers to provide youth resiliency building programs and parent education opportunities.

Sophia Center Support Staff

Sister Judy Ann Beaudry

Executive Administrative Assistant

Degree/Certification/
Experience

- Bachelor of Education 40+ years of teaching in Elementary Education

Sister Claudia Bronsing, OSF

Testing Assistant

Degree/Certification

BA in Education, Parish Administrator/ Associate for over 35 years in Ohio and North Carolina.

Philosophy

As a helper for the counselors/psychologists here at Sophia, I try to make their work with clients easier by scoring and graphing tests given to clients. As a Sylvania Franciscan, I welcome the clients I meet with the care Francis would have given.

Joan Dvorak

Psychometric Assistant

Licensure

Ohio

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• Bachelor of Education K-8 • Bachelor of Special Education K-12 • Specific Learning Disability, Severe Behavioral Disorder, Cognitive Delay

Philosophy

To help students of all ages reach their full potential.

Linda Ann Fadden

Administrative Assistant

Licensure

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• Have worked at Sophia Center, Inc. for 28 years (since 1990) • Taught early childhood and special education for 10 years.

Philosophy

Michael Kaucher

Controller

Licensure

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Master of Science (MS), The University of Dayton, Educational Leadership Master of Business Administration (MBA), Tiffin University, Business Administration Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), The Ohio State University, Accounting

Philosophy

Retired after 31 years in Catholic education including positions as Superintendent, Principal, Treasurer, Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Coach with two systems – Tiffin Calvert Catholic Schools and Central Catholic High School, Toledo. Now I enjoy focusing on the accounting functions at the Sophia Center, an organization that allows me to continue serving the Catholic Church.

Linda Kolopajlo

Psychometric Assistant

Licensure

Licensed Social Worker

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Master of Rehabilitation Counseling, Bowling Green State University and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Philosophy

Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.

Sandra Lentz

Administrative Assistant

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Associate of Business Administration (ABA)

Stephanie Pelow

Administrative Assistant

Degree/Certification/
Experience

Associate of Arts- Humanities- Monroe County Community College Bachelor of Science-Healthcare Administration- University of Toledo

Philosophy

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” - Fred Rogers My aim is to be a helper at the Sophia Center to foster peace, love and light to our community.

Bonnie Schrock

Psychometric Assistant

Licensure

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio and Michigan

Degree/Certification/
Experience

• Bachelors degree in Psychology from Lourdes University • Masters of Art in Counseling from Bowling Green State University (BGSU)

Philosophy

I have been Sister Rachel's psychology assistant and psychometric assistant for over 30 years. In that span of time Sophia Center has assisted many people. We conduct assessments on children and adults, looking at all aspects including educational and emotional well-being. We also offer tools that will strengthen mind and spirit.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

“Our daughter struggled through her middle grades to keep up with her peers and her grades. Thanks to the great team of testers and especially the way results were explained to us by Dr. Nijakowski. She is now succeeding academically with a 504 plan and medication for her ADHD/Inattentive type.”