We are a team of Licensed Counseling Professionals who provide quality counseling to individuals and families in Lorain County, Ohio seeking to live holistically healthy lives.
Christy Samms, LPCC-S
Christy’s goal in life is to bring glory to God. Next to being a wife and mother, her passion is to walk with individuals, couples, and families as they seek help in their journey of life. As a licensed counselor and supervisor (LPCC-S), she has had the privilege to train in the industry’s leading universities specializing in the integration of clinically sound psychology and counseling with a Christian worldview. She works from a holistic approach understanding that we are physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and relational beings. She feels especially called to help ministry leaders and their families who have been affected by their work. She has specific training in the treatment of trauma, EMDR, couples therapy, Biblical counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, compassion fatigue, and traumatic stress. She also has experience working with homeschooling families and families with special needs children. She would be honored to walk with you on your journey toward growth, transformation, and hope.
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Marco Barbee, LPCC
Marco is from Oberlin and has many years of experience as a counselor in Lorain County. He and his wife, Francesca have been International Gospel Workers to Ecuador for several years. Marco is an avid sports enthusiast as a fan and as an athlete. He played football for Oberlin College while studying religion there.
Marco is an independently licensed counselor (LPCC) who holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. The majority of Marco’s experience includes working as IBHT (Integrated Behavioral Health Therapist) providing a cross-system approach and working with adolescents with dual diagnoses (mental health and substance use disorder). Additionally, he has experience working with individuals, children, families, and couples. Marco believes in working in partnership with clients, utilizing their strengths to help them sort out their challenges and achieve their goals. He further realizes how important it is to identify all aspects of an individual’s life that impact their overall well-being. He utilizes skills from treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Ashley Leal, LPC
Ashley Leal is a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing under the clinical supervision of Christy Samms, LPCC-S. Ashley obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She also completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology for Christian Counseling. Prior to coming to Hope Counseling, she was an intern in the crisis department at the Nord Center where she would give counseling to adults residing in the inpatient short-term crisis unit. In addition to her counseling pursuit, she has been a Registered Behavior Technician for two years where she utilizes her training in behavioral interventions with children on the Autism Spectrum.
She uses Rational Emotive Behavioral techniques coming from the belief in the integration of thoughts, emotions, and behavior as well as Person-Centered approach which is laden in the belief of the value of a person, regardless of background or history. Ashley believes in the critical aspect of hope in the path to healing, growth, and recovery. She focuses on counseling adults and couples.
Nicole Holt, LPCC
Nicole Holt is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Lorain County native. Nicole has gained a wealth of experience in both community mental health and Christian private practice settings since obtaining her graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling from John Carroll University. Throughout her career, Nicole has invested professionally and personally in creating easily accessible services in the treatment of substance use disorders.
In addition to her experience in the field of mental health, Nicole served faithfully in a local church as a children’s ministry director for 12 years. Nicole finds a deep sense of purpose in both being a follower of Christ and in coming alongside others to support them in their goals. Nicole considers it a privilege to partner with her clients in their unique journey toward whole-person health and is honored to provide therapeutic support from a Christian worldview.
Nicole uses a warm, individualized, and holistic approach that includes interventions from modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and EMDR as clinically indicated.
Nicole has experience working with individuals, children, adolescents, and those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
In her spare time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, being outdoors, a good cup of coffee, and her Springer Spaniels. Recently, Nicole has spent time volunteering locally with her certified therapy dog, Huck.
We Are Hiring!
We are looking for counselors and interns who share our values. If you are a licensed counselor or a student needing an internship or practicum, let us know. Contact us >>