office@safeharborwv.com
Phone: 304-375-8800
Fax: 304-375-8801
office@safeharborwv.com
Phone: 304-375-8800
Fax: 304-375-8801
Patrick Ward, PhD
Patrick is licensed as a Professional Counselor in West Virginia and as an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist in Ohio. He has extensive training in couples and family therapy, as well as training in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of individual mental health issues.
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He specializes in couples therapy, stress management, coping and adjustment to disability, blended family issues, parenting assessment and training, sexual behavior issues, relationship issues, post-divorce adjustment issues, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
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His approach with individuals is an often an integration of cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapy. With families, structural-strategic approaches are utilized, as well as Satir-inspired approaches. In couples therapy, he works on the attachment processes using emotionally focused therapy and psycho-education using Gottman’s research on marriage.
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His goal is to provide clients with education and skills to live a full life psychologically, spiritually, and socially.
Education
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Purdue University
Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy -
Abilene Christian University
MA in Marriage & Family Therapy
Experience
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Over 20 years of experience providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
Licenses
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Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, West Virginia
Memberships
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Dr. Ward is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists
Joseph Kennell, PhD
Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology
Assessment
Neuropsychological Assessment of thinking and memory, possible dementia, and cognitive effects of other health conditions. Psychological Assessment to assist in diagnosis and treatment, and for clearance prior to pain interventions and bariatric surgery.
Therapy
Ages 16 through adulthood. Areas of interest include coping with aging and disability, caregiver stress, spiritual issues, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Kennell’s treatment goal is to help people live a more satisfying, meaningful life, using a cognitive behavior/ACT therapy approach.
Education
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Bowling Green State University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Experience
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Over 35 years of experience providing neuropsychological and psychological assessments as well as psychotherapy.
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Special focus on issues of cognition, medical problems, and aging.
Licensure
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WV Psychologist #557
Memberships
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American Psychological Association.
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National Academy of Neuropsychology.
David Schaffer, MSW
David Schaffer, MSW is a clinical social worker and addictions counselor. He specializes in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. David works with those experiencing stress, trauma-related problems, anger issues, depression, and general life stress. As a certified addictions counselor, he treats individuals and family members affected by drug and alcohol problems as well as compulsive internet, gambling, spending, and eating issues. David enjoys working with clients who have seen other therapists without results. David is an LGBTQ+ friendly therapist.
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David says, “My goal is to help the people I work with build confidence in their ability to have their experience (thoughts, feelings, emotions) so they can do what really matters instead of being controlled by their symptoms.” He wants potential clients to know, “I believe changing what you do is essential to changing your life.”
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David has over twenty years of experience using mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Compassion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). He has hundreds of hours of training and four years of individual supervision from Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety Disorders author John Forsyth, Ph. D. in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). David has also trained other professionals in ACT and supervised several other clinical social workers.
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David works with individuals age sixteen and up for most issues. He will treat those with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders in those twelve and above. He sees couples affected by obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, anger, or addiction issues.
Education
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West Virginia University
MA in Social Work
Experience
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Practicing since 1998
Licenses
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LICSW in WV and LISW in OH
Memberships
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NASW, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, International OCD Foundation.
Bill Bauer, PhD
Counselor and Therapist
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Individual – child, adolescents, youth and adult
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Specific – mood disorders, panic, anxiety, disabilities (including autism spectrum).
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Expertise in suicide prevention and awareness, and post suicide counseling.
Dr. Bauer is from Southeastern Ohio, born and raised in Marietta, Ohio. In his career, he has been a school teacher, principal, interim superintendent and college professor (McCoy Emeritus Professor of Education and Leadership at Marietta College). He has undergraduate degree from Ohio University in Special Education focusing on several cognate areas and certifications/licensures including emotional disturbance, intellectual disabilities (mild to severe), learning disabilities, autism and physical/orthopedic and other health impairments. He attended graduate school at Ohio University to earn a graduate degree in School Administration (focus on Supervision).
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Later, he became interested in the psycho-social aspect of disability (mental health/dual diagnosis -intellectual disabilities and mental illness) and also earned another graduate degree in Counseling (Master’s) and a PhD. in Rehabilitation Services from The Ohio State University. His doctoral dissertation focused on high school transition aged youth and leadership. He also earned a post doctoral fellowship at The Ohio State University and focused on mental health and disabilities.
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He is nationally certified Rehabilitation Counselor as well as a licensed professional counselor in West Virginia and Ohio. In addition he is an approved licensed professional supervisor (ALPS) in West Virginia as well. He is a long time advocate for disability rights, having served on the Disability Rights of Ohio board (founding member), Chair of the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (now Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities), and am the past chair of the Ohio State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children and the State Council for Exceptional Children – Teacher Education Division. He is also a Nationally certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid for adults, youth and teens. His approach to counseling includes therapeutic measures using cognitive behavior therapy, reality therapy and functional behavior assessment. When working with children, he includes parents and guardians as team partners in the therapeutic process. Expertise with suicide prevention and and post- suicide grieving processes He also has significant expertise with people with disabilities including those on the Autism Spectrum, diagnosis and treatment of the myriad of individual mental health issues. He also works with school districts, and is very family with the Individual Education Plan process and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act processes.
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When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling the globe and coaching swimming and spending time with his grandson, Jack. He has coached competitive swimming for 30+ years (several regional and national champions and TOP 16 national swimmers) and am currently a volunteer friend of the BUCKEYES for The Ohio State University Buckeye Men’s and Women’s team. He enjoys walking, reading, research, and hanging out with friends and family. He has authored journal articles about Appalachian Culture and counselor competencies and had a chapter in a textbook book published in 2016 regarding hidden disabilities and social skills. The book focuses on Disability Pride and the cycle it takes for one to become more accepting of their own disability. He is a chapter author for the new Rehabilitation Counseling 2020 (academic textbook) Currently he is in the process of writing children’s books regarding disability and mental health issues and a memoir. He speaks around the world on disability, mental health and culture issues. He and his wife have a daughter, and grandson.
Education
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The Ohio State University
Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Services (Counseling)
MA in Community Counseling
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Ohio University
B.S in Special Education
MA in Education Administration (Supervision)​
Experience
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Over 30 years of experience providing counseling and education services to individuals and families.
Licenses
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Licensed Professional Counselor – West Virginia
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Certified Rehabilitation Counselor – National
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Approved Licensed Professional Supervisor – West Virginia
Memberships
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Dr. Bauer is Chair of Disability Rights of Ohio which serves as Ohio’s protection advocacy agency for people with disabilities including those with mental health conditions.
Heather Ward, LMFT
Heather completed a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University. She is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in West Virginia. She takes a systemic approach to therapy by considering her clients’ past experiences and family dynamics to collaborate with them for long-lasting, positive change. Heather seeks to build on her clients’ strengths and empower them to work towards greater health and well-being. In years past, she has worked as an elementary school teacher.
Education
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Abilene Christian University
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy
Experience
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Former elementary school teacher
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Works with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families
Licenses
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LMFT #26 in West Virginia
Memberships
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Heather Ward is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists
Doug Pfeifer, MA, LPC
Douglas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in WV and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in
Ohio. He has worked in the field of mental health for over 25 years and as a licensed professional counselor
for 19 years. Douglas specializes in working with those suffering from trauma, spending a majority of his
career working with children, adolescents and families. Over the past 8 years, he has used his therapy skills to
work with adults.
Douglas is trained in multiple trauma informed modalities including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing) and SITCAP (Structured Sensory Interventions for Traumatized Children, Adolescents and
Parents). He also describes his therapeutic approach as person centered and biologically respectful using
neuroscience as a way to empower clients to build resilience. Douglas specializes in working with those
suffering from trauma and the variety of mental health conditions that results from such traumas. He also
has a special interest in student athlete mental health and applies his knowledge of the brain and stress
response system to help athletes navigate the variety of challenges resulting from being a student athlete.
Doug has the goal to build the resilient athlete by working on mental performance and supporting the
athlete’s mental health.
In addition to direct service, he has spent a large portion of his career as a Trainer, Consultant and Clinical
Supervisor. He has spent the last 15 years providing trauma informed training such as Life Space Crisis
Intervention, Trauma Informed and Resilient Schools, and Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. As part of
his clinical expertise, he provides a neurodevelopmental assessment called the NMT Brain Map. Contact
Doug for more information regarding this neuro-developmental assessment.
Douglas has recently started using Blueprint, a measurement-based care platform, to improve the therapy
process by being able to track process, provide tools for clients to use in between sessions and being able to
collaboratively highlight success in treatment. Each client will be enrolled with Blueprint at no cost and
immediately have access to tools to support their treatment success.
Education
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Xavier University
MA in Counseling -
West Virginia University
BA in Psychology
Experience
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25+ years of experience
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EMDR Trained (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
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Phase 2 Trainer in Neurosequential Model (https://www.neurosequential.com)
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Senior Trainer in Life Space Crisis Intervention (www.lsci.org)
Licenses
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Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia - ALPS credential
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Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Ohio - Supervisor Credential
Caleb Darling, MA
Caleb is a Counselor by temporary permit working towards licensure in West Virginia and an Interventions Specialist in Ohio. He has extensive training and teaching experiences with individuals with intellectual disabilities, specifically, transitional youth aged 14-22. Additionally, Caleb has co-led several Social Skills groups in MOV.
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He specializes in mental health counseling, career counseling, child and adolescent counseling, rehabilitation counseling, stress management, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. He is supervised by Dr. Bill Bauer.
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His approach to individuals is often an integration of cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and choice therapy.
His goal is to encourage, empower, and equip his clients with appropriate education, interventions, and skills to live a happy, healthy, and meaningful life.
Education
Experience
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Ohio University
Masters in Clinical Mental Health and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling -
Muskingum University
B.A. in Special Education​
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Over 10 years of providing educational strategies and interventions to individuals and families.
Licenses
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Temporary permit working to Licensed Counselor, West Virginia
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Professional Teaching License Intervention Specialist (K-12), Ohio
Memberships
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Caleb Darling is a member of the OCA.
April Hehr, MA, LPC
April is licensed as a Professional Counselor in both West Virigina and Ohio. She is also a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in Ohio. April has worked with individuals in a variety of settings including: Schools, Outpatient office, Individuals who are Incarcerated, Inpatient Rehabilitation, in addition to working crisis response in local ERs.
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April is trained in EMDR. She values taking a wholistic approach integrating physical responses and mental health to improve the quality of an individual’s life. In addition to working with those who have experienced trauma, April also works with individuals who struggle with challenges related to anxiety and depression.
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April is trained in Animal Assisted Therapy incorporating her trained dog, Lake. She finds animals to add multiple benefits including comfort to clients in addition to helping with being present and grounded in sessions.
Education
Experience
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Ohio University
Masters in Clinical Counseling
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B.A. in Psychology
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11 years working in clinical settings
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​Works with children and adults
Licenses
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LPC in West Virginia
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LPCC-S, LICDC in Ohio
Memberships
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April Hehr is a member of the OCA.