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
Experience
Ph.D. (Ball State University 1990), Masters of Education (Bowling Green State University 1982)
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
Licensure
LPCC-S and LPSC
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
Master of Arts in Counseling
Master of Arts in School Counseling
TF-CBT, Theraplay, 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.
Shana Bentley
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-S
Licensure
LPCC-S
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
• Bachelors degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University (2013)
• Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bowling Green State University (2016)
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Philosophy
I specialize in working with those in their early stages of life – from early childhood to adolescents to transitional youth. I strive to create a safe, fun, and engaging environment to examine and explore emotional and behavioral issues. I will walk beside you as we navigate the rough waters while working together to create a more positive future.
Megan Braida
Licensed Social Worker
Licensure
LSW
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
BSW 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.
John Brindley
Licensed Social Worker
Licensure
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio and Michigan
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
• Bachelors degree in Psychology from Lourdes University
• Masters of Art in Counseling from Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Philosophy
Every person deserves to succeed in life given the right tools.
Ildiko E. Crawford
Clinical Social Worker, LISW, ICDC
Licensure
LISW, ICDC (Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor)
Degree/Certification/
Experience
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
Linda Kolopajlo
Counselor for Lourdes University students
Licensure
Licensed Social Worker
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
Philosophy
Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.
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.
Cerenity Reaves
Intern
Licensure
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
BS in Social Work, Univ. of Toledo
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 Counselor
Degree/Certification/
Experience
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.
Rachel Shields
Licensed Independent Social Worker-S
Licensure
LISW-S
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
Masters of Social Work (MSW)
Philosophy
Rachel helps clients to work toward their goals using a variety of evidence-based practices with a strengths-focused, person-centered, holistic foundation.
Polly Taylor-Gerken
Program Director/School Psychologist
Licensure
Ohio Board of Psychology: Licensed School Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Degree/Certification/
Experience
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
Administrative Assistant
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
• Bachelor of Education
• 40+ years of teaching in Elementary Education
Sister Claudia Bronsing, OSF
Administrative 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
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
NA
Degree/Certification/
Experience
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
NA
Degree/Certification/
Experience
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.
Sandra Lentz
Office Manager
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
Associate of Business Administration (ABA)
Bonnie Schrock
Psychometric Assistant
Licensure
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio and Michigan
Degree/Certification/
Experience
Experience
• Bachelors degree in Psychology from Lourdes University
• Masters of Art in Counseling from Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Philosophy
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.”
