Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky – Mental Health Therapy

Our team of speicalists use therapeutic methods to help individuals change behavior, overcome problems, and achieve their goals. Psychotherapy is also commonly called therapy or counseling.

Area of Focus: adults with mild intellectual disabilities, transitions into adulthood, Down Syndrome

Benjamin Taylor, M.A., BCBA, LBA was a general education teacher for 2 years in the mathematics classroom prior to becoming a paraeducator in an autism unit (grades 2-5). After this time, Ben worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for 2 years before transitioning to an RBT/Behavior Support Specialist role with Cultivate, while working towards earning his BCBA in April of 2021. Ben has a passion for working with adults with disabilities and helping his clients live an independent life to the fullest of their capabilities. He likens his work experience to a famous saying which is usually quoted incompletely: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

Bill is currently only taking telehealth clients.

William Mimms Weathers, Jr., who goes by “Bill,” is a western Kentucky native who has been in the practice of psychotherapy for 11 years. He holds an MSW and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky and is licensed as an LCSW in Kentucky and Tennessee. Bill has an extensive background working with children and adolescents but is now working mostly with adults with problems around anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol abuse. His doctorate in health communication, under the direction of Dr. Nancy Grant Harrington, was the result of research in the psychological changes in self-efficacy between active alcohol addiction and long-term recovery. The findings were posted as a reading for students in the UK College of Medicine in the therapeutic dynamics of 12-step, social-setting recovery. Bill is a Navy veteran who taught speech and debate and coached forensics at Paine College in Augusta, GA. He subsequently spent 21 years as a reporter and columnist on the Kentucky Post and assistant city editor on the Cincinnati Post. He also served as director of community relations for the Covington Public Schools. Bill and Jackie have, between them, three children, three grandchildren, and a grandbaby on the way. A 6-pound, long-haired Chihuahua named Niña assuages their empty-nest problems. 

Colleen DelZotti, LPCC, NCC completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and then her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Kentucky University. Colleen has nine years of experience providing therapy to individuals in home, community, and school-based settings. Colleen has clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in the following areas:

· Anxiety Disorders
· Depression and Bipolar Disorder
· Anger and Stress Management
· Family Issues
· Group Therapy
· Suicide Assessment and Risk Reduction
· Trauma and Abuse
· Self-Harm Behavior
· Self-Esteem and Self-Image Issues

Colleen enjoys working with all ages but is very passionate about working with children and adolescents. Colleen has provided school-based therapy in several of the Northern Kentucky schools over the past eight years. She loves being in the school setting and collaborating with the school staff and parents to better serve her clients (students).

She utilizes a variety of techniques and skills-based from therapeutic modalities such as TF-CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, Play Therapy, Behavior Modification, and CBT.

Colleen works in a partnership with her clients and focuses on their strengths and developing positive coping skills to help them achieve their treatment goals.

Area of Focus: Transitions into adulthood, independent living, adults with disabilities; children with mild disabilities, compliance and toleration. 

Prior to working in behavioral health, Courtney Stephens, M.Ed., BSS, taught elementary education in the regular education and special education environment. She specializes in working with adults and children with mild disabilities. She enjoys taking participants into the community to volunteer, teaching daily living tasks, and training for future job success. 

Area of Focus: Children and adolescents with mild to moderate disabilities to improve appropriate communication in social situations, developing life skills that lead to more independence and better quality of life

David Jones, M.Ed., BSS was a special education teacher for 17 years, mainly focusing on mental health and behavior. He enjoys working with and helping develop young people’s skills that are necessary to live their lives to the fullest.

Eileen is currently only taking telehealth clients.

Eileen Moore LPCC-S has been with Cultivate Behavioral Health for over two years as a semi-retired therapist providing clinical services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. Eileen has extensive clinical experience in the mental health field providing program development and provision of treatment for over 40 years. She attended Northern Kentucky University as an undergraduate and completed her graduate work at Xavier University. In addition to providing direct treatment services, she provides clinical supervision/guidance to LPCA’s who are new to the field of therapy obtaining hours towards their final licensure.  Eileen enjoys her semi-retired life in a rural farm setting with her family, various farm animals, and gardening.

Area of Focus: Children with autism

Emily Krallman, M.S., BSS, has a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies and Master of Science in Family and Human Development with a concentration in Child Life. Emily’s experience includes working with children and families in stressful situations, within the home setting, in the community and in hospitalization. Emily’s professional experience is focused on children from birth to adolescence, but she has also worked with adults with mild forms of maladaptive behaviors. Prior to working at Cultivate, Emily worked as a Mental Health Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital while completing over 300+ volunteer hours with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Flying Horse Farms, and Fernside.

Area of Focus: Young adults (15+) focusing on acquisition of home, community, and vocational skills, family supports navigating government support systems (i.e.: social security, section 8 housing, etc.)

Evan Young, M.Ed., BSS started his journey working with individuals with disabilities in high school as a peer tutor.  Many of his friends were in the disability community, which lead Evan to get obtain his education degree from Morehead State University and his master’s from Northern Kentucky University (K-5, Moderate & Severe Disabilities, Learning & Behavioral Disabilities).  After over 9 years in public education, Evan decided to pursue a full-time career in behavior supports, providing direct services through the Michelle P Waiver for over 5 years.  As a behavior support specialist, Evan excels at helping his clients acquire home and community skills to gain independence, find employment and live independently.  Evan also exceeds in guiding and supporting clients/families with navigating multiple systems in the community such as social security, section 8 house, advocacy, benefits, employment.

Area of Focus: Late childhood, early adolescence, and adulthood males (9-25 years old); Transition to adulthood; Adults with autism; Severe physical aggression, elopement, and inappropriate social behaviors; Functional independence within the home setting; Community integration and vocational skills development

Jon Corson, M. Ed., BSS has worked in the behavioral health field for 8 years now, supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities. In that time, he has worked in clinical, residential, and school-based settings. Jon has a passion for working with children and young adults with disabilities and helping them achieve meaningful life outcomes for themselves and their families. Jon is also a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) through the BACB and is currently working towards a Board Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA).

Area of Focus: youth/young adults with Cognitive and behavioral disabilities

Joseph Gronefeld, M.A., M.Ed., BSS got his M.A.T. in Learning & Behavior Disorders and M.Ed. in Moderate & Severe Disabilities.  Joseph has been teaching for the last four years in LBD at the early childhood level, recently, He accepted a position as an exceptional child instructor at the high school level. Joseph has a passion for working with young adults with disabilities and their families to help them reach their fullest potential in their homes, school, and communities.

Kathleen Poe has been employed with Bluegrass Behavioral Health Group, now Cultivate, for over 3 years. As the Targeted Case Management Coordinator responsibilities include the supervision, training and compliance of the case management team along with having her own caseload in providing support, linkage and advocating for clients and their families within the community. Kathleen shows a passion and enthusiasm for mental health. She is known for her incredible organizational skills and strong dedication to those in need. Kathleen enjoys spending time with her family finding new opportunities to explore in the TriState area. 

Area of Focus: Children and adults engaging in severe physical aggression, children with autism, ABA therapy in a clinic setting.

Kristen Danks, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA was a special education teacher for 3 years in the MSD/FMD classroom prior to becoming a board certified behavior analyst in 2020.  Kristen has worked for Cultivate since 2018. Kristen has a passion for working with children with disabilities that engage in severe maladaptive behaviors, such as aggression, to help them learn coping skills and support parents so that every child can access the community and activities with typical peers.

Lauren Ahr has been with the agency for about 6 months, working as a Targeted Case Manager to connect families to resources in the community & serve as additional support for our clients. A Cincinnati native, Lauren graduated from Xavier University with her Bachelor’s of Science in psychology in December 2018 & loves working with children. Lauren enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, reading & yoga. She currently lives in Cincinnati, OH.

Margaret (Meg) Kennedy, M.S. is a Targeted Case Manager for Bluegrass Behavioral Health Group, now Cultivate. She has been employed for one year with the company as of September 2021, and enjoys helping her clients any way she can. As a Targeted Case Manager, Meg works collaboratively with the community and behavioral health professionals to link, advocate, engage, communicate, and coordinate care for clients and their families.

Meg’s career changed directions after earning a Bachelor of Science in General Dietetics and Nutrition from Eastern Kentucky University and teaching children and adults how to cook for 6 years. She received her Master of Science in Human Development and Leadership in 2019 from Murray State University in order to pursue a career working with individuals and families in need of resources and support. In addition to a passion for people and learning, Meg enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring the outdoors with her family at their home in rural Northern Kentucky.

Area of Focus: Transitions into adulthood, independent living, adults with disabilities.

Megan Baer, M.Ed., BSS taught in the general education classroom collaborating with Special Education teachers for 7 years and was a Special Education teacher for 1 year.  Megan holds her middle school math education license and her K-12 Special Education license in the state of Kentucky.  Megan is passionate about helping everyone around her and loves helping individuals achieve their goals.

Pamela Pitts also known as “Pamela The Inspirationalist” is an energetic, God-fearing, creative, ambitious, fashionista and lover of people. Pamela is the mother of five children, seven grandchildren (two angel babies), three fur babies, and the wife to her awesome supportive, and handsome husband. Professionally Pamela has a long list of degrees/certifications that qualify her to do the work that she loves as she is truly a servant to the people at heart. Pamela is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate MS, a Licensed Managing Cosmetologist (previous owner of two hair salons and one empowerment studio), Nationally Certified Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Interpreting for past presidents Barack/Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, and a host of government officials, gospel artist, and secular artist), Professor at a University teaching American Sign Language classes. Pamela is also the CEO/Founder of L’BAE (Living Blessed and Empowered) Life-Style Brand providing a host of services/inspirational products to the community. Pamela’s lifestyle is very busy and she enjoys every minute of it for being active keeps a happy and serene mindset.

Area of Focus: children, teens, young adults with autism, rare diagnosis, transitions from childhood to adulthood/college

Patti Talbert, M.A., BSS was an Addictions Counselor for 1.5 years, Michelle P. Waiver Case Manager for 4 years, and a Community Living Support Provider for 2 years prior to becoming a Behavior Support Specialist in 2016. Patti enjoys working with individuals with disabilities and their families to help clients become as independent as possible and to push clients to success in activities of daily living, the workforce or scholastic endeavors.   

Ryan Drew Brown started working with Bluegrass Behavioral Health Group / Cultivate Behavioral Health and Education in September of 2020. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and earned a Graduate Certificate from Capella University in Contemporary Theory in Couple and Family Systems (Marriage and Family Therapy) in 2018. Ryan has worked at DCCH Center for Children and Families as a Therapeutic Behavior Specialist and continues to work part-time as a Mental/Behavioral Health Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He has a beautiful wife and two boys at home, ages 2 and 5, and feels extremely blessed to be a father. His children and family are his whole world! He enjoys being outdoors and playing and watching sports! He is extremely grateful for the opportunity to pursue his passion in helping children and families and looks forward to continued growth and education!

Steve Durkee, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LCADC has been a therapist for over thirty years. He has worked in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and residential settings with children, adolescents, and adults. He is licensed in Kentucky in both mental health as well as alcohol and substance abuse. He also provides supervision for therapists seeking independent licensure in Kentucky.

Doctor Durkee is past president of the Kentucky Addiction Professionals as well as past Secretary of the National Certified Addiction Commission. Doctor Durkee has a Masters in Education Degree with a concentration in Agency and Community Counseling from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio as well as a Ph.D., from Capella University , Minneapolis Minnesota , in Counseling Studies.