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Dr. Hardwick serves as an outpatient therapist at the Lindner Center of HOPE. She provides therapy for children and adolescents, as well as adults in the Outpatient Center. Dr. Hardwick has a passion for helping her patients and families find hope and healing amidst life’s challenges. She believes a collaborative therapeutic relationship is at the core of treatment, one where people are encouraged to focus on the goals and strategies most meaningful to them.

Dr. Hardwick has nearly 25 years of experience in the field of mental health; having served in roles of mental health case manager, clinical counselor, and clinical supervisor; as well as clinical counseling faculty. Prior to joining Lindner Center of HOPE, Dr. Hardwick was an Assistant Professor in a clinical counseling program and provided counseling through her own private practice.  Dr. Hardwick has provided individual, group, and family counseling to children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including public mental health agencies, schools, churches, and private practices. She has also served as the Clinical Director of a college counseling center, as well as Internship/Practicum Coordinator and Faculty Supervisor for clinical counseling students. In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Hardwick has 15 years of experience as faculty teaching and training clinical counseling students.

Dr. Hardwick earned her doctoral degree from the University of Cincinnati and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Training Supervision Designation (LPCC-S).  She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, as well as a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional. Dr. Hardwick is also a trained Disaster Mental Health Volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Dr. Hardwick is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Ohio Counseling Association, the Greater Cincinnati Counseling Association, the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, the Association for Creativity in Counseling, the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, and the International Association of Trauma Professionals.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Areas of Specialty and Interest:

• Child and Adolescent Counseling
• Young adulthood
• Grief and Loss
• Trauma
• Spirituality
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Behavior Disorders
• Abuse and Neglect

Degree(s):

• 1996 Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2004 Master of Arts, Mental Health Counseling, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2013 Doctor of Education, Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Internship and Residencies:

• 2003 NorthKey Community Care, Florence, Kentucky
• 2003-2004 Health Resource Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2004-2005 Gracepoint Church, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2004-2007 Counseling Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2007-2009 Talbert House, Cincinnati, Ohio

Licensure and Certification:

• 2006 Licensed Professional Counselor, CSWMFT Board, Ohio, #C.0600004
• 2009 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, CSWMFT Board, Ohio, #E.0900019-SUPV
• 2014 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Training Supervision Designation, CSWMFT Board, Ohio, #LE-00017904
• 2017 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, International Association of Trauma Professionals
• 2019 Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional, International Association of Trauma Professionals

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Dr. Mecca is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Lindner Center of HOPE. She primarily provides individual therapy in the Outpatient Practice. She has expertise in treating eating disorders (EDO) and is a member of the Harold C. Schott Foundation Eating Disorders Program, where she provides services in the outpatient, adult partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and residential programs at the Lindner Center of HOPE.

In addition to her role in the EDO Program, she is a member of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Radically-Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) treatment teams. She has received extensive training in both DBT and RO-DBT and has additional expertise in the treatment of under-controlled and over-controlled maladaptive coping. Dr. Mecca is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment designed to help people heal from emotional distress that is the result of disturbing life experiences.

Prior to joining the Lindner Center of HOPE team, Dr. Mecca worked at the Eating Recovery Center/Insight Behavioral Health, where she provided individual, family, and group therapy within the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient EDO and mood/anxiety treatment programs. She served as the clinical lead for the Mood and Anxiety Program and supported with program development and management. Throughout her career, she has worked in various settings, including university counseling centers and psychiatric hospitals.

Dr. Mecca works with older adolescents, young adults, and adults. She has experience with a number of presenting concerns, including: depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, self-harm behaviors, body image, self-esteem, and managing life transitions. Dr. Mecca draws upon mindfulness and acceptance based behavioral therapies. Informed by these therapies, she utilizes solution-based and insight-oriented strategies to support individuals with redefining their relationship with their emotions, navigating painful life experiences, connecting with their true authentic selves, and building open and meaningful connections with others. Dr. Mecca recognizes the imperfect, messy, wonderful humanness in you and meets you there with openness. She strives to support individuals in moving towards a valued and connected life that is worth living. She is passionate about supporting and advocating for her patients, as well as fostering awareness and education in the community. Dr. Mecca is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders and American Psychological Association

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Areas of Interest/Specialty:

• Eating Disorders
• Binge Eating
• Body Image
• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Radically-Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Degree(s):

• 2007-2011 B.A. Psychology & Social Work, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
• 2011-2013 M.A. Clinical Psychology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
• 2011-2016 Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH

Internship:

• 2015-2016 Internship in Psychology, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
• 2015-2016 Internship in Psychology, Charis Center for Eating Disorders, Indianapolis, IN

Fellowships:

• 2016-2017 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Eating Recovery Center, Cincinnati, OH

Licensure and Certification:

• 2017 Ohio Board of Psychology, License #07623

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Dr. Collins treats adult outpatients as a staff psychiatrist at the Lindner Center of HOPE.

She attended medical school at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, followed by psychiatry residency and fellowship training in addiction psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.

She specializes in the treatment of addictive disorders and co-occurring psychiatric illnesses. She also holds an interest in evaluating and treating patients with mental illnesses in the college setting. Her clinical practice is patient-centered, holistic, and evidence-based.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Degree(s):

• 2003-2007 B.A. Psychology, Denison University, Granville, OH
• 2009-2010 M.S. Biomedical Sciences, University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies, Toledo, OH
• 2010-2014 M.D., University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH

Internship and Residencies:

• 2014-2015 Internship in Family Medicine at Medical College of Wisconsin-Columbia St. Mary’s, Milwaukee, WI
• 2015-2018 Residency in Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
• 2018-2019 Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

Licensure and Certification:

• 2017 Medical License, State Medical Board of Ohio
• 2018 Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• 2018 DEAX Physician Waiver Certificate

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Jessica Kraft serves as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the Lindner Center of HOPE. She attends to adolescents and young adults in the outpatient setting for medication management.

Prior to entering the psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Ohio State University and earning a Master of Science in Nursing, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. Her background in pharmacology and ongoing professional activity in this branch of science keep her informed about best practices and emerging treatment opportunities.

Jessica’s scientific and pharmacological knowledge is complemented by over five years of experience in psychiatric nursing. Prior to joining the Lindner Center of HOPE as an APRN, she worked as an inpatient psychiatric nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center at the Lindner Center of HOPE specializing in eating disorders, management of anxiety and depression, and crisis stabilization. In this position, she was active in a charge nurse role, a member of the Eating Disorder Treatment Team, and acted as a preceptor for new nurses. She is a current member of the Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Jessica specializes in the treatment of depressive disorders and anxiety. Her practice philosophy is patient-centered, integrative, and holistic.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Degree(s):

• 2019: Master of Science in Nursing, the Ohio State University
• 2014: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Lipscomb University

Internship and Residencies:

• 2019 Clinical Practicum:

• • Butler Behavioral Health – Outpatient Community Mental Health across the lifespan
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center – Child and Adolescent Inpatient/Outpatient
  • Lindner Center of HOPE – Child & Adolescent Inpatient/Outpatient

• 2018 Clinical Practicum:

• • Butler Behavioral Health – Outpatient Community Mental Health across the lifespan
  • Lindner Center of HOPE – Adult Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Program

Licensure and Certification:

• ANCC Board Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Current Ohio Nursing and Nurse Practitioner Licenses

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Dr. Little staff psychologist at the Lindner Center of HOPE. Her areas of expertise consist primarily of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for patients with mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD and binge eating disorder. Dr. Little also specializes in working with patients who are considering, or have had, bariatric (weight loss) surgery. Dr. Little is certified in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy.

Dr. Little earned her Doctorate of Psychology degree from the University of Hartford in Hartford, Connecticut. She completed a two-year internship in Westfield Massachusetts that specializes in the training and implementation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adults with mental illness. Her dissertation studied how training clinicians in DBT helps to reduce therapist burnout.

Prior to joining the Lindner Center of Hope, Dr. Little has maintained a private practice in Northern Kentucky since 2002. She has also worked in community mental health, college counseling and hospital settings. Dr. Little has particular expertise conducting psychological assessments, leading groups and providing consultation to multidisciplinary treatment teams.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Presentation Topics:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Mindful Eating
• Assertiveness for Women
• Body Image
• Relationship Changes After Weight Loss Surgery

Degree(s):

• 1990-1994 B.A. Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
• 1994-1996 M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Hartford, Hartford, CT
• 1996-2000 Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Hartford, Hartford, CT

Internship and Residencies:

• 1998-2000 Pre Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology, Westfield Area Mental Health Clinic, Westfield, MA

Licensure and Certification:

• 2000 Kentucky State Board of Psychology, KY license # 1227
• 2006 Ohio State Board of Psychology, Ohio license # 6547

Areas of Specialty:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Adult Psychotherapy
• Mindfulness in Psychotherapy
• Mood Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• PTSD
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Bariatric Surgery Psychological Evaluations

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Dr. Romo-Nava is a Clinical Research Scientist studying the role of brain-body communication in the context of psychiatric disorders with a “Neuroscience of the Body” approach.

Dr. Romo-Nava is Associate Chief Research Officer at the Lindner Center of HOPE and Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the University of Cincinnati. He graduated as MD at the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He then completed his residency training in Psychiatry and a clinical fellowship in affective disorders at the National Institute of Psychiatry and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). Dr. Romo-Nava then graduated with honors obtaining the PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus in neuroscience and hypothalamic integration mechanisms at the Institute for Biomedical Research at the UNAM. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Division of Bipolar Disorder Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Romo-Nava has been PI and Co-I in several clinical and translational studies. He has received several academic distinctions, including the 2017 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant by the Brain and Behavior Foundation, and a 2016 Pilot Translational Research Program Award by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the University of Cincinnati.

National Institute of Mental Health Acknowledges Dr. Romo-Nava with Highly Coveted Award

 

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Kathy serves as a staff dietitian at the Lindner Center of HOPE.  She provides services to inpatients, outpatients, and those participating in the partial hospitalization programs.

Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition-food systems from the University of Dayton, a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in nutrition education, and completed a dietetic internship at The Christ Hospital.  Prior to joining the Lindner Center of HOPE, Kathy worked as a clinical dietitian in a variety of settings including public health nutrition, a large health system specializing in nutrition support, outpatient counseling, and an adult outpatient eating disorder program, and most recently worked in the long term acute care setting.

Degrees:

• Masters of Education in Nutrition, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition-food Systems

• University of Dayton, Dayton, OH

Dietetic Internship:

• The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH

Licensure/Affiliations

• 1999 Registered, Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics member
• Greater Cincinnati Dietetic Association member

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Dr. Pettibone serves as a staff psychiatrist at the Lindner Center of HOPE. He attends to adult inpatients on the Adult North inpatient unit.

Prior to entering medical school, he earned a B.A. in Zoology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After completing his degree at Miami, Dr. Pettibone attended the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine where he earned his M.D. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency training at the University of Cincinnati Psychiatry Residency Training Program. Dr. Pettibone joined the staff at the Lindner Center of HOPE upon completing his residency training.

Dr. Pettibone has received praise for his expertise in the use of psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic management of illness. He approaches each case using the bio-psycho-social model of illness to form an individualized care plan.

He is a specialist in the treatment of adult mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychosis.

Presentation Topics:

• Depression
• Psychopharmacology

Degree(s):

• 2006-2010 B.A. Zoology/Pre-Medicine, Miami University, Oxford, OH
• 2010-2014 M.D., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Internship and Residencies:

• 2014-2018 Residency in Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Licensure and Certification:

• 2017 Medical License, State Medical Board of Ohio
• 2018 American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

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Jason serves a Family, Group, and Individual Therapist at Lindner Center of HOPE’s outpatient practice. Jason has over 20 years of experience working with couples, families, individuals struggling with depression and anxiety, and at-risk youth, specializing in improving family communication. As a family therapist, Jason works diligently to help family members find common ground and develop conflict resolution skills.

Jason is a skilled and knowledgeable group therapist with experience in many different group settings. These experiences include leading groups of adolescents, individuals struggling with severe mental illnesses, and individuals struggling with substance use. Jason also has experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and work/life stress.

Prior to working in Lindner Center of HOPE’s outpatient practice, Jason worked at LCOH’s residential units, Jason led many different kinds of groups and worked with couples and families in couples counseling and family therapy. Jason’s outpatient practice will mostly focus on couples, families, and groups in order to help individuals thrive and heal.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Areas of Specialty:

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Couples Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Spiritual Care & Faith Integrated Counseling
• Group Psychotherapy
• Family Systems and Conflict Resolution

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Ms. Ward serves as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the Lindner Center of HOPE. She attends to adult inpatients and works with outpatients aged 12+.

Prior to obtaining her advanced practice degree from Vanderbilt University, she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. Although she enjoys working with all ages, her experience as a Registered Nurse consisted of working with children and adolescents at Cincinnati Children’s hospital involving the continuum of care in Psychiatry, with experience in the inpatient, Partial Hospitalization, and Residential settings.

Her clinical experience throughout her advanced practice education involved child/adolescent community mental health, outpatient services, as well as adult inpatient services, outpatient services, community mental health, and geriatric inpatient and outpatient services.

She finds it extremely important and valuable to partner with the patient and explores the best course of treatment for each individual. Her holistic nature coupled with scientific knowledge of mental illness and psychopharmacology creates individualized treatment plans.  She enjoys working with patients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychotic disorders.

This provider offers telehealth visits. 

Degree(s):

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• Master of Science in Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Licensure and Certification:

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