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therapist toledo ohio

Therapist in Toledo, Ohio

Practical Toledo counseling that strengthens your mental health and works in everyday life.

Toledo Born, Toledo Trained, Toledo Proud

I’m a Toledoan, born and raised here, and I earned my degree through the University of Toledo Counselor Education Program, so this work isn’t “regional” to me; it’s personal. 


According to The Healthy Lucas County Coalition, mental health in Lucas County is not a small issue: 

  • An underreported 15% of adults reported depressive symptoms lasting more than two weeks in the past year

  • 34% of local adolescents reported two or more weeks of depression, including 

  • 42% of adolescent females. 

  • About 4% of adults and 11% of adolescents seriously considered suicide in the past year. 

That’s why Toledo counseling can’t just be “talk about your week.” It has to be practical, measurable, and built for real life - because we are carrying a lot, Toledo.


Research shows that online sessions are just as effective as in-person; read more about that here.  If you’re not sure virtual care is right for you, I offer a FREE 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions, get a feel for the process, and decide without pressure.  I hope you give it a try!

therapist toledo ohio
Available online

I OFFER A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION!

15 min • Free

Not in Toledo?

counseling toledo ohio

A Clear Process From Assessment to a Real Treatment Plan

Therapy with me starts with a thorough assessment - robust intake, targeted screening, and the right psych assessments - so we’re not guessing. You’ll receive a diagnosis when it fits, and we’ll build a clear treatment plan together with specific goals that matter to your day-to-day functioning: sleep, mood, focus, relationships, work, emotional regulation. 


Treatment then becomes skills-based: we practice what improves symptoms, and I use ongoing assessments to measure progress toward your goals so you can actually see change over time. My intention is not to keep you in therapy forever; most people don’t need more than a year when they’re actively using the tools, so we plan for discharge when your “toolbox” is full and your life is noticeably better. 


If you’re on the fence about virtual sessions, start with a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a fit.

Virtual Therapy Removes Barriers for Toledo Adults Who Are Already Carrying Too Much

Online therapy is just as effective as in-person for many people, and in my experience it often works better when life is already packed. 


When you’re raising kids, working outside the home, managing the home itself, paying bills, and carrying the emotional weight of what’s happening in our country and the world, it’s hard to hit pause, even on a good day. 


A lot of Toledo adults are wrestling with existential questions and feeling stretched emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Virtual counseling in Toledo removes a major barrier: commute time, waiting rooms, and “one more thing” you have to do just to get support.


 If day-to-day functioning feels hard right now, online therapy makes help more doable -and consistency is what creates results.  If you try it and hate it, I'll refer you to someone spectacular in-person.  But, try it!

Therapist in Toledo, Ohio

Issues I Treat

Not only do I use evidence-based tools to help my clients build lifetime skills, I use them.  People with ADHD like me have brains that are hardwired to just flip the f*ck out now and again.   It's because the H makes us impulsive and our feelings feel like gasoline being thrown on a fire.  

I feel you, and I've got you!

Online Counseling for Depression

Irritability & Depression

Online counseling in Ohio for depression and irritability with structured assessment, clear treatment plans, and practical CBT/DBT tools to help you feel steadier and more like yourself again.

Free 15-minute consult.

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Online Solo Relationship Counseling

Relationship Counseling For One Partner

Online solo relationship counseling for communication, boundaries, trust, and clarity if your partner won't attend. Confidential virtual support with practical tools.

Psychiatric Care Referral

Psychiatric Referral Support

Get connected with trusted psychiatric providers and receive a personalized referral for evaluations and medication management care in Ohio.

Online Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Specialized online bipolar disorder treatment in Ohio helps you understand your mood patterns, build a clear plan for stability through structured assessment and goal-based therapy, and learn practical CBT/DBT skills you can use in real life—so the highs and lows stop running the show.

Online Counseling for Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD & Focus Issues

Adult ADHD assessment, diagnosis & treatment in Ohio. Get practical focus strategies, therapy-based support, and a full written report for medication referral if needed; Online statewide.

Online Individual Counseling for Anxiety

Anxiety & Stress

Get relief from anxiety with online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Learn coping tools, reduce worry, and regain peace of mind.

CBT + DBT Skills So You Have an Action Plan When Your Nervous System Hijacks You

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and I see DBT as the instruction manual that helps CBT actually work when emotions are intense. 


These skills can be simple, and they can be incredibly hard to remember in the moment when your brain is wired to fire up your central nervous system. That’s why we train them, not just talk about them. 


I incorporate clinical work from Marsha Linehan and Bessel van der Kolk, along with practical, behavior-focused thought leadership (like Mel Robbins) to help you build repeatable skills. We don’t “chit chat” until learning shuts down; We build an action plan for what you’ll do when anxiety spikes, mood drops, or overwhelm hits. Change happens outside our sessions, so come ready to work.


I know these skills work because I use them!

Terri Kern, Clinical Counselor.JPG

Terri Kern, Clinical Counselor

Meet Our Expert 

Hi, I'm Terri! A GenX cisgender severe ADHD neurospicy suburban mom from Toledo, Ohio. My journey from an HR executive into mental health has gifted me with unique insights into the human psyche.

 

I've helped a lot of individuals and couples figure themselves out and live their best lives.

I'm also a board-certified licensed professional clinical counselor based in Ohio.

Beyond therapy, I'm a storyteller, avid traveler, and animal enthusiast, bringing diverse experiences into my sessions. This is a no pressure no blame no stress no judgment zone, so we laugh a lot.

Yes, I talk about politics too because it's a safe space. I hope to meet you soon!

Where my expertise comes from:

10K hours

I've spent nearly 

face to face with couples over the last 10 years.

This work has enriched my ability to work with individual partners and address barriers to connection; anxiety, depression, mania and other mood challenges.

900 individuals

I've treated over

for challenges with focus, anxiety, depression,  and communication.

It's about four full years at 40 hours a week sitting with individuals helping navigate life's shit.

10 years

I've been in practice for

and my clients are all over Ohio.  During COVID I served NY, MO, CA, and GA

Up until recently I've not done a lot of marketing.  Word of mouth has kept me busy - I hope to be busier!

25 years

I spent

in Human Resource Management

I worked for Hudson's/Marshall Fields, The Weather Channel, weather.com, Zurich and served on global HR teams.

My reviews 

I randomly collect reviews after my sessions.  It's part of how I measure the effectiveness of treatment.

This is the feedback I collected over the last 2 months.

Stages of Change: What Do You Want From Your Time, Energy, and Money Right Now?

Therapy is an investment, and Toledoans deserve therapy that respects that. Early on, I’ll ask you what you want to get out of the time, energy, and cost of counseling right now; Your goal is to drive the work. 


We’ll talk through the stages of change (from thinking about change to preparing for it), and our shared goal is to help you reach the action stage—where your insight turns into consistent behavior and your life starts to shift. I’ll guide the process and teach you the tools, but it’s up to you to commit and practice. 


That’s how therapy in Toledo with me becomes real progress, not just a weekly conversation.

Headway Insurance
Headway Insurance

Insurance 
Options

I accept insurance through Headway, a third party administrator that helps you check your coverage and book sessions.

Many Ohio clients use Headway to make counseling more affordable.

Psychiatric Referrals for ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder

While my primary focus is providing individual counseling, some clients benefit from adding medication management to their care plan.   Some of our brains need help regulating our mood and, for some, medication is a great help.


For those navigating ADHD, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, I offer trusted referrals to psychiatrists who can evaluate whether medication may be a helpful tool alongside therapy.


If your needs fall into those areas, I will help connect you with the right resources so you can receive the specialized support you deserve. 


My goal is always to ensure you get care that fits your unique situation and helps you move toward a healthier, more balanced life

Available online

I OFFER A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION!

15 min • Free

Stages of Change: What Do You Want From Your Time, Energy, and Money Right Now?

Therapy is an investment, and Toledoans deserve therapy that respects that. Early on, I’ll ask you what you want to get out of the time, energy, and cost of counseling right now; Your goal is to drive the work. 


We’ll talk through the stages of change (from thinking about change to preparing for it), and our shared goal is to help you reach the action stage—where your insight turns into consistent behavior and your life starts to shift. I’ll guide the process and teach you the tools, but it’s up to you to commit and practice. 


That’s how therapy in Toledo with me becomes real progress, not just a weekly conversation.

Ready to Start? Schedule Your Intake Session

If you’ve been searching for a therapist in Toledo, comparing therapists in Toledo, or looking for counselors in Toledo because something feels off and you’re tired of carrying it alone, this is your next step.

Schedule an intake session, and we’ll get clear on what’s happening, what needs to change, and what skills will actually help you feel better.

You don’t need perfect words to start, you just need a decision to begin!

Available online

Initial Intake Appointment

WHAT TO DO 
Advice Blog

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