Return to clinicians & leadership >

Melissa serves as an outpatient therapist with Lindner Center of HOPE, focusing her work on individual therapy. She worked on LCOH’s residential facility for six years teaching both psychoeducational classes and completed individual work with residents, with emphasis on Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy and maladaptive overcontrolled behavior. From there, she transitioned to outpatient where she continues her work with RO-DBT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She enjoys working with a variety of ages and feels especially passionate towards young adults.

Prior to coming to Lindner Center of Hope, Melissa worked in an Indianapolis school providing school-based therapy to elementary and middle school aged children. She also provided developmental information and skills to mothers of newborn babies.

Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts from Butler University, majoring in sociology, minoring in Spanish. She continued her education at Covenant Theological Seminary, receiving her Master of Arts in Counseling. She enjoys incorporating her knowledge of sociology and spirituality when helping her patients navigate their stories.

Office location at:  One Waterstone Place. 9435 Waterstone Blvd., Cincinnati, OH, 45249

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Dannielle Stewart serves as the Manager of Social Work, Recreational Therapy and Spiritual Care at the Lindner Center of HOPE.

Dannielle has 17 years of clinical experience in the mental health field. Prior to working at Lindner Center of HOPE, Dannielle has worked with the forensic population at two State Psychiatric Hospitals, a community mental health residential treatment setting, ACT Social Worker, Therapist in a Partial Hospitalization Program and Social Worker on an inpatient unit at two local behavioral health hospitals. In addition to working as a Social Worker at the Lindner Center of HOPE, Dannielle worked as a Mental Health Specialist soon after the hospital opened their doors in 2008.

Degree(s):

• B S. Social Work, Miami University Oxford, OH
• MSW Social Work University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH, IL

Internship:

• MSW Internship with Summit Behavioral Healthcare, Cincinnati OH

Licensure and Certification:

• LSW, Licensed Social Worker, Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board
• 2023 LISW-S Supervising Licensed Independent Social Worker, Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Nik Raju, MD is a staff psychiatrist at Lindner Center of HOPE. Born and raised in the Greater Cincinnati region, Dr. Raju completed his undergraduate degree at Duke University and his medical education as well as psychiatry residency training at Chicago Medical School. While in residency, he trained at a variety of healthcare facilities throughout the Chicago area, including the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center/North Chicago VA, Ascension Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, State of Illinois Elgin Mental Health Center, Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center, and the Horizons Behavioral Health outpatient clinic. He was recognized by the residency program’s faculty members and residents with the Mark Fahami Award for Passion in Psychiatry and Clinical Care in 2021, and he served as Chief Resident of Medical Student Education from July 2022 until his graduation in June 2023. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association, and the Ohio State Medical Association as well as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Dr. Raju treats adults in the outpatient and neuromodulation (ECT/TMS) clinics. He believes in providing individualized, holistic, and evidence-based care, with the goal of helping patients optimize physical and mental wellbeing. He has experience treating patients with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and psychotic disorders. He has specialized interests in nutritional psychiatry, neuromodulation (ECT/TMS), and the connections between climate change and mental health.

This provider offers telehealth visits for those residing in Ohio or Illinois.

Degree(s):

• 2010-2013 B.S. Environmental Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC
• 2015-2019 M.D., Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL

Internship and Residencies:

• 2019-2023 Residency in Psychiatry, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL

Licensure and Certification:

• 2021 Medical License, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Medical Board
• 2023 Medical License, State Medical Board of Ohio
• 2023 Board Certification in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Nancy serves as an Outpatient Therapist at the Lindner Center of HOPE.

She describes her work with patients as being grounded in empathy, genuineness, and kindness.  She has particular expertise in facilitating hope, growth and change related to depression, anxiety, and trauma.  Her clinical experience prior to joining the Lindner Center of Hope included three decades of work as a therapist in various settings, including community mental health, the Regional Campuses of Miami University (serving both traditional and non-traditional age students), and a local rape crisis center. Her approach to working with patients incorporates CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and other evidence-based treatments.  She utilizes a psychodynamic/ family systems lens and has a holistic view of health and wellness.

Nancy sees her role as helping her patients tell their stories, examine their situations, and consider changes in their thinking or actions that could support wished-for outcomes such as improved mood, lowered anxiety, and greater peace.  She sees herself as walking alongside patients: working hard to understand her patient’s perspectives, feelings, and beliefs; serving as an ally and guide in considering new approaches to the difficult issues they face; and offering feedback along the path to change.

Specific areas of focus and experience include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Faith integrated psychotherapy for people of all faiths
• Trauma (including mass shootings, sexual assault, childhood abuse, other crimes, first responder trauma, vehicle accidents, weather disasters, fires, medical trauma, refugee experiences, war and genocide)
• People living with medical challenges (autoimmune disorders, diabetes, cancer, etc.)
• Parents of medically fragile children
• Care for nurses and physical therapists
• Elder caregiving
• Relationship concerns
• Relationship loss
• Grief for lost loved ones (including our animals)
• Shame and self-compassion
• Transgender and gender diverse individuals (in particular, concerns around adjustment during transition and living authentically)
• Twins
• Bias and bigotry harm (Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Asian hate crimes, systemic racism and discrimination experiences)
• Impacts of family trauma (such as families impacted by incarceration, border separations and issues of DACA recipients, intergenerational abuse, Native American/Indigenous experiences including Indian schools, Holocaust survivors, and military service-related deaths and injuries)
• The American immigrant experience and culturally resonant treatment issues

and

• Psychotherapy for psychotherapists

Nancy has extensive experience training and supervising other clinicians.  She has taught graduate and undergraduate university courses related to psychotherapy, diversity in marriages and families, and the art and science of relationships that work.

Her volunteer roles have included: development and delivery of training for the first nationwide sexual assault and abuse intervention program in the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies (in cooperation with the United States Peace Corps and the Dominican Ministry of Health); screener of applicants for GRRAND (Golden Retriever Rescue and Adoption of Needy Dogs); President/Chair of the Board of Trustees for S.A.N.E. of Butler County, a forensic science non-profit;  Board Member for the Oxford Museum Association;  and United Nations Envoy/ Global Goals for Sustainability Champion.

In her spare time, Nancy is an artist, gardener of mixed success, and caretaker of a family that has included many animals, including dogs, cats, hens, and an Arabian horse.  She lives in a farmhouse that was built in 1867 and loves old things.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Degrees:

• 1990 A.B. Brown University, Providence, RI
• 1992 M.S.W, Clinical Mental Health, Cincinnati, OH

Internship:

• 1990-1992 M.S.W. Internship, Child and Family Division of Central Psychiatric Clinic, University of Cincinnati, OH

Grants:

Most recently, Nancy was a Principal Investigator for a 3-year SAMHSA suicide prevention grant. Over the course of her career she was awarded 74 additional grants from various government and philanthropic entities related to sexual assault and abuse survivor services and prevention/risk reduction.

Publications:

Piercey, J., Ferguson, N. “Looking for Love: Exploring Teen-Adult Relationships.” Documentary video and psychoeducational curriculum manual (Campbell Foundation, 1998).

Documentary concerned the dynamics of relationships with significant age disparity.

Awards:

In May 2000 Nancy was recognized with a Special Achievement Award by Ohio Attorney General and the United States Department of Justice for “outstanding service on behalf of crime victims”.

Return to clinicians & leadership >

As President & CEO of the Lindner Center of Hope, Dr. Groat provides strategic leadership to fulfill the organization’s mission of transforming lives through expert mental health care, cutting-edge research, and the education of future clinicians. He works closely with a dedicated team, community partners, and supporters to advance innovative treatments, expand access to care, and sustain the Center’s financial health for long-term impact. In addition, he actively engages in strategic outreach across the United States and frequently lectures on topics such as mental health recovery, therapeutic engagement, and suicide prevention.

Dr. Groat believes that relationships are at the heart of recovery. "Feeling safe and not judged is essential to any healing relationship. At the Lindner Center, we are committed to creating that experience for our patients. We see the whole person, recognizing each individual’s unique strengths, and avoid categorizing people as a diagnosis or a symptom." He emphasizes that the combination of highly trained professionals with genuine warmth, compassion, and skill makes treatment effective. "One size does not fit all. Helping each person requires time, understanding, and a willingness to embrace the complexity of their lives. I am privileged to lead a team that really listens, so we can most effectively support recovery from depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and more."

Dr. Groat sees his role as President & CEO as advancing the success of his team and improving the lives of the patients and families the Center serves. "The best mental health care comes from excellent teams, and I am fully committed to ensuring our staff has the support they need to excel. I am proud of our interdisciplinary teams—nurses, physicians, psychologists, social workers, expressive therapists, chaplains, and more—all dedicated to seeing the whole person and embracing the richness and complexity of each individual. It is an honor to support their work and help those who turn to the Lindner Center of Hope rediscover hope, purpose, and connection."

Education

• Miami University
• University at Albany, State University of New York
• Rice University, Non-Profit Executive Management Program

Postdoctoral Training

• Austen Riggs Center, Four-Year Clinical Psychology Fellowship

Professional Experience

• Former President & CEO, CooperRiis, Asheville, NC
• Former Chief Clinical Officer, Silver Hill Hospital, New Canaan, CT
• Former Director of Adult Services, The Menninger Clinic, Houston, TX

Academic Affiliations

• Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• Former Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine
• Former Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine

Professional Memberships

• American Association of Suicidology, American Psychoanalytic Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology

Board Memberships

• Board Member, Mentalizing Initiative
• Board Member, American Psychoanalytic Association

 

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Whitney Peters is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and serves as an outpatient therapist at the Lindner Center of Hope.

She is a member of the Lindner Center of Hope OCD Treatment Team and is a specialist in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, ADHD, Body Focused Repetitive Disorders such as skin picking (excoriation disorder) or hair pulling (trichotillomania), Body Dysmorphia, Mood and Depressive Disorder, and PANS/PANDAS.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at The Ohio State University and later went on to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wright State University. She has received extensive post graduate training and education in the field of Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Anxiety, and OCD through the International OCD Foundation, TLC Foundation, and the CHADD Organization.

Prior to joining the Lindner Center of Hope, she worked as an outpatient counselor in community mental health, mental health court, private practice, and telehealth practice in Columbus, Ohio. She is a member of the International OCD Foundation and is a Grassroots OCD Advocate, a member of the TLC Foundation for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the PANS/PANDAS Network, and The Tourette Association of America.

She has written articles and educational materials about OCD, presented at the International OCD Foundation annual conference, presented professional trainings, was invited as a guest speaker on the topic of anxiety for wellness summits, hosts a monthly OCD consultation, and fundraises for continued OCD research, awareness, and treatment with the annual One Million Steps for OCD Walk in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Degree(s):

• 2007 - 2011 B.A. Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• 2012 - 2014 M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Wright State University, Fairborn OH

Internship and Practicum:

• 2014 Counselor Practicum, Marion Area Counseling Center, Marion OH

Licensure and Certification:

• 2014 Counselor Trainee, Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board
• 2015 Licensed Professional Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board
• 2019 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board

 

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Dr. Dillon serves as a staff psychologist and Director of Family Therapy at the Lindner Center of HOPE. He has a generalist practice, treating families as well as individual adults, children, and adolescents in the Outpatient department.

He has been associated with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine since completing a postdoctoral fellowship in 1999. He holds the rank of Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience.

He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, with extensive training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy as well as Family Systems therapy, taking a Competence Approach to understanding patients and families, with balanced attention to both pathology and strengths. His dissertation research focused on the long-term benefits for families using divorce mediation versus traditional adversarial court to resolve issues related to custody, support and visitation. This line of research led to working closely with divorce attorneys in the Cincinnati region in collaborative divorce, a multidisciplinary process for assisting families to made decisions about their future outside of court, in the most dignified and respectful manner based on their highest-level goals and values. Dr. Dillon became the first non-attorney to serve as Co-chair for the Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Prior to joining the Lindner Center of HOPE in 2023, he practiced as a generalist in the UCHealth Psychiatry department outpatient practice. Dr Dillon was awarded the Excellence in Mental Health Award as Exemplary Therapist of the year 2018 by the Southwest Ohio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). He is past president of the Cincinnati Society of Child Clinical Psychologists and has served on the board for the Cincinnati Academy of Professional Psychologists.

His teaching has focused on psychotherapy, providing lectures to medical students and residents on this topic, and supervising psychology graduate students and psychiatry residents in their training in individual, couples and family therapy. He developed and directed the UC Family Guidance Clinic, which provided a unique and innovative training model while providing excellent mental health services for the Medicaid population. This clinic provided live supervision with bug-in-ear input for the training therapists from a supportive team of fellow trainees, observing one another’s casework and therapy styles. The richness of the training and the quality of care was significantly enhanced by this team approach.

Dr. Dillon has also dedicated himself to burn-out prevention in the field of mental health. He developed the Program for Enhanced Engagement and Peer Support (PEEPS) at UC's Psychiatry department, an innovative burn-out prevention model using weekly small-group wellness accountability sessions in which providers share stresses that "drain batteries" as well of successes that "charged batteries," in order to catch early signs of burnout and support connection and work vitality.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Office location at:  One Waterstone Place. 9435 Waterstone Blvd., Cincinnati, OH, 45249

Presentation Topics:

• Psychotherapy
• Family Systems and Parenting
• Depression and Anxiety

Degree(s):

• 1986--1990 B.A. Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame. IN
• 1992-1998 Ph.D. Clinical psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• 1999-2000 Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry

Internship and Residencies:

• 1998-1999 Generalist Internship in Clinical Psychology. Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL

Licensure and Certification:

• 2000 Ohio License in Clinical Psychology
• 2022 PSYPact Member

 

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Mary Montemayor is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Lindner Center of HOPE in the child/adolescent outpatient services and Esketamine Clinic.

She has received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Loyola University Chicago and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health from Maryville University St. Louis.

During her career as a nurse, she has worked in both medical and psychiatric settings. Her experience in psychiatric settings consists of inpatient adult general mental health, adult eating disorder, child/adolescent general mental health, and child/adolescent eating disorder. Her clinical experience as a nurse practitioner has been working with all ages and diagnoses ranging from eating disorders, anxiety, depression, OCD and ADHD in the outpatient setting.

Her approach towards patient care was reinforced by her undergraduate education at Loyola University, emphasizing the concept of “Cura Personalis” – care for the whole person. She believes that a holistic approach is important, and the most effective care considers the body, mind, and spirit.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Degree(s):

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Loyola University Chicago
• Master of Science in Nursing Maryville University St. Louis

Licensure and Certification:

• State of Ohio Board of Nursing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License
• American Nurses Credentialing Center – Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Laura serves as a clinical dietitian at the Lindner Center of HOPE. She provides services to inpatients; outpatients; individuals staying on the residential units, Sibcy House and William’s House; as well as those participating in the partial hospitalization programs.

Laura earned a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from the University of Kentucky and completed her dietetic internship at University of Kentucky Hospital and Veterans Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Prior to joining the Lindner Center of HOPE, Laura worked as a dietitian in a variety of settings including a large acute care system specializing in kidney transplants and nutrition support, food service management and consulting.

Degree:

• 2000-2004 Bachelor of Science, Dietetics, University of Kentucky

Internship:

• 2004-2005 Dietetic Internship, University of Kentucky Hospital/Veterans Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky

Licensure:

• 2005 Registered, Licensed Dietitian

Return to clinicians & leadership >

Karly is a full time Residential Therapist, serving  Sibcy House at Lindner Center of Hope. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Xavier University.

With undergraduate degrees in both Theatre and Interpersonal Communication, Karly employs an innovative, interpersonal, and systems-based approach to therapy. As an avid arts practitioner, she utilizes expressive and creative interventions to initiate change and healing, while increasing inter- and intrapersonal efficacy and functioning. Further, she is passionate about creating a collaborative therapeutic alliance, coupled with evidence-based practices to assess, and address, mental health concerns along the spectrum of the DSM.

Karly has worked in a variety of settings, providing both clinical and consultative services and trainings, short- and long-term treatment, and in varying levels of care. She began her career right at UC Health working in the Employee Assistance Program. She then worked as a Residential Therapist at the Center for Addiction Treatment. After a brief stint in private practice, she has returned to working in Residential Treatment to continue providing excellent clinical care through an ecological and team-based approach.

Karly is planning to combine her areas of study, and advance the field, through further development, outreach, practice, and study within the intersection of theatre, communication, and the art of therapy.

Areas of specialty:

• Trauma & Domestic Violence
• Addictions
• Couples & Family Systems
• Personality Disorders

Special Training:

• Developmental and Relational Trauma Theory (DARTT)
• Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic Embodiment

Degree(s):

• 2012-2016 B.A. Theatre, Miami University, Oxford, OH
• 2012-2016 B.A. Speech Communication- Interpersonal Communication, Miami University, Oxford, OH
• 2017-2019 M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH

Practicum & Internship:

• 2018-2019 Counselor in Training, UC Health EAP

Licensure and Certification:

• 2019-2021 Licensed Professional Counselor
• 2019 Certified Career Counselor
• 2021 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
• 2024 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor