Our Practice

Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre opened in May 2008.  Under the direction of Julia Appleby, Bob Humphries and Sandy Lombardi, Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre quickly grew.  Expanding its physical facilities in the summer of 2012, clients were offered a more comfortable setting and enjoyed a renovated play area and newly decorated waiting area.  The staff too, grew at this time and includes professionals from the areas of psychology, clinical counseling and clinical social work.  Be sure to check out our expansion in the summer of 2020 adding a new floor to our existing office space.

Our Staff

Julia Appleby , M.Ed. LPCC-S, NCC, B-CTP-II is a licensed clinical counselor and earned a Bachelors degree in Social work in 1986 and a Masters degree in Education in Community Counseling in 1992 from the University of Akron.

As a social worker she began her vocation in program development with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In 1987, she went to work for the Stark County Department of Human Services in the Family Services division. Here she devoted her efforts to working with children and families who had been affected by abuse and neglect. She also filled the first position as the Foster and Adoptive Parent Recruiter for Stark County DHS prior to leaving the Department in 1992. With her Masters completed, she commenced her life's passion as a counselor at Community Services of Stark County, Inc. In addition to providing mental health services, she offered individual and group supervision to counseling student interns. She was also contracted as a part time school counselor at St. Joseph Elementary School in Canton. In 1998, Julia joined Psychological and Family Consultants, Inc.

Her current practice at Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre, LLC includes working with individuals, couples, children/adolescents, and families. She holds a license as a Professional Clinical Counselor and a National Clinical Counselor. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Ohio Counseling Association, and the Ohio Mental Health Counselors Association.

Julia is approved to do Telehealth with Florida residents. 

https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/

Julia completed training and earned an Emotional Support Animal Certification to provide services for those seeking an emotional support animal.

Julia and her husband Michael are the founders of Green Compassion Network, a medical cannabis clinic serving patients throughout the state of Ohio.  Julia resides in the North Canton community with her husband Michael and their sons, Austin and Jacob.

Bob Humphries , Ph.D. is a psychologist and earned a Doctorate from the University of Akron in Counseling Psychology in 1997. He is a Walsh University Alumni, who began teaching at the University in 1989. Upon completing his Masters, he went to work for the Child and Adolescent Service Center until 1986, when he resumed his doctoral work on a full-time basis. He then completed a pre-doctoral internship through North Eastern Ohio College of Medicine Psychology Internship Program. Bob is a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He previously worked privately at Psychological and Family Consultants, Inc.

Since 1985, his practice has included work with children adolescents, families and adults. He holds a license as a Psychologist, and continues membership in the American Psychological Association, Ohio Psychological Association, as well as the American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselor Association. Bob has served on a number of local community service boards and has consulted with a number of local agencies. In addition to his clinical practice responsibilities, Bob accepted a full-time appointment at Walsh in 1999 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2005. He was named Outstanding Educator in 2002 and Outstanding Alumni that same year. He received an outstanding teaching award from the faculty for the 2007-2008 academic year. He retired from Walsh in the summer of 2020 and continues to do adjunct teaching there.

He was featured as one of Stark County's Top Docs in the October 2015 About Magazine. Bob is married to Judi and has two children, Nicholas (who is married to Kellie) and Jenna (who recently joined the practice).  He is grandfather to his son and daughter-in-law's sons, Hayes and Harrison.

Kimberly Kroh MA, LPCC-S, BSN, RN  earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Counseling & Human Development from Walsh University. She has earned recognition as a National Certified Counselor. Kim began her counseling career at the Grief Support and Education Center and for 5 years she provided individual, group, and family therapy for adults and children grieving from death and divorce. Kim then moved to the Community Drug Board where she provided group and individual therapy for adults addicted to drugs and alcohol. Kim then joined Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health working in their day treatment program providing group therapy, individual therapy, and family home visits for adolescents with severe behavior problems and other mental health issues.

In 2000, Kim joined the American Red Cross Rape Crisis Services and for 13 years assisted children, adolescents, and adults through the difficult recovery process of sexual victimization. She has provided expert testimony as an advocate for her clients. In 2013 she became the executive director of the American Red Cross Heartland, Stark & Muskingum Lakes.

Kim joined Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre in 2010 providing counseling services part-time. In 2021, Kim graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is pursuing a Master’s degree to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  

Stephanie Bradford, DSW, LISW-S, ACSW  is a licensed independent social worker and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, major in social work, from Kent State University in 1975. She began her social work career at Summit County Children Services Board working for seven years in child protective services, foster care and adoption. She received a Masters of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) from Case Western Reserve University, School of Applied Social Sciences in 1982.

Since 1982 Stephanie has worked as a clinical social worker/ therapist in both public and private settings, including Catholic Community League, New Hope Adoptions International, Nova Behavioral Health, Kaleidoscope Counseling Services, Trillium Family Solutions,  Crisis Recovery and Intervention Center and currently with Vista Psychological Counseling Centre, LLC. She is an adjunct professor in the social work program at Malone University. She works with individuals, families, couples - premarital and marital, children and adolescents, with particular skills in treating chronic mental and emotional disorders. Her work also includes supervision and training with interns and therapists.

Stephanie is licensed as a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory designation (LISW-S). She is certified by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) and the National Association of Social Work Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. She is also certified as an adoption assessor. Stephanie is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which affords her the opportunity to pursue and participate in the area of ethics, a particular interest and area of expertise for Stephanie. She is an honorary member of Pi Eta Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. She has been honored as NASW Social Worker of the Year-1987 and NASW Outstanding Service Award-1991.

Michelle Foraker, M.Ed., LPCC-S  is a licensed clinical counselor and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology-Community Clinical track in 2002 from Walsh University. She completed her Master's of Education in Community Counseling in 2005 at the University of Akron.

Her counseling career began by providing intensive home-based counseling to Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) Children and their families at Child Guidance & Family Solutions in Summit County.  Also during her time at Child Guidance she oversaw residential placements to SED youth, provided 24 hour crisis support, provided individual an group supervision, and managed their Intensive Services department. In 2014, Michelle began serving as the Director of Red Cross Rape Crisis in Stark County.  

During this time, she provided counseling services to survivors and co-survivors of sexual assault, provided hotline and hospital crisis support, wrote grants, coordinated with local community providers, and advocated at the local and state level for survivors.  She assisted with the merger of Red Cross Rape Crisis services with Compass Rape Crisis and continues to work with Compass to provide supervision to their on-going counselors. 

Michelle is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervisory designation (PCC-S).  Michelle has joined Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre, LLC in 2012.  She is married to Vaughn and they have two sons, Vaughn Logan and Toby Neel Edward.

Michael Benoit, Ph.D., ABPP  is a licensed psychologist and earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Christian Thought from Grove City College (Pennsylvania) in 2001 and his Masters and Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron in 2007.

Michael loves helping people find meaning in their personal and professional lives. He values the unique strengths of each of his clients and looks for ways to help clients creatively solve their own problems. He has helped people with a variety of different problems and circumstances. Michael is a person of faith and recognizes the centrality of spirituality in people's lives.

On the side, Michael likes to carve wood and play musical instruments (guitar, mandolin, ukulele, Irish whistle) with varying degrees of success. Michael married his best friend and has two young children whom he adores. He grew up in Houston, Texas and still supports the Astros.

Bridgette Cruickshank, M.A., LPCC, NCC  is licensed clinical counselor and earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1993 from the University of South Carolina. She completed her Master's of Education in Community Counseling in 2010 at the University of Akron. She began her counseling career at Interval Brotherhood Home where she worked with adults struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. In addition to providing individual counseling services, she also provided group therapy, crisis intervention, case management and worked with the families of individuals affected by addiction.

In 2013, Bridgette collaborated with a team to create and implement an initial phase of treatment for male clients, which included motivating, engaging and stabilizing individuals prior to transitioning to the second phase of treatment. Bridgette is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a member of the American Counseling Association and the Ohio Counseling Association.

Bridgette resides in North Canton with her significant other, Harry and her youngest son Nathan. She enjoys spending time with her seven adult children and her six grandchildren.    

Maria Harrison, M.A., LPCC  is a licensed professional clinical counselor and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University in 2003.  She earned her Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development from Walsh University in 2017.

She began her career in mental health working in crisis services at Community Mental Healthcare in Tuscarawas County.  Continuing her career at CommQuest, she has served as a lead counselor of residential and outpatient groups focusing on anger management and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  During her time with CommQuest, she also worked as a home-based therapist for clients diagnosed with mental health and developmental disabilities.

The core of her work as a counselor has been assisting individuals in the recovery from mental health symptoms and alleviating trauma-related symptoms.  Her clinical interests are life adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, and trauma-related issues.

Her motto is “Seek balance in all things.” Staying true to her motto, she finds balance in her life by creating artwork, cooking, and spending time with the people (and dogs) she loves most.  Maria joined Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre in the Fall of 2019.  Maria is currently seeing a limited number of clients by telehealth and is currently not taking new patients. 

Allison Harrison, Ed.S., NCSP, is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She holds dual licensure ​through the Ohio Board of Psychology and the Ohio Department of Education. Allison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2011​ ​from Walsh University. From Kent State University, she earned her Master of Education degree in 2013 and​ an advanced ​degree as an Educational Specialist in 2015. She has participated in membership with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Ohio School Psychological Association (OSPA), and the Kent/Akron Association of School Psychologists (KAASP).

Allison spent the early years of her career servicing public, nonpublic, and parochial schools where she engaged in advocacy, consultation, and service delivery for children and families across a spectrum of needs. She has provided children individual and small group counseling, individual assessments, ​and ​consultation with parents and staff to address ​children’s ​academic, behavioral, emotional, and social concerns​. In that role, Allison has developed ​reports and intervention plans not limited to Evaluation Team Reports (ETRs), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), 504 Plans, Response to Intervention (RTI) monitoring plans, and Individual Education Programs (IEPs)​. In addition, she​ has presented and trained parents and staff on ​various topics related to children’s needs and development​​.

Allison specializes in supporting children and adolescents experiencing learning challenges and behavioral difficulties. Her areas of expertise include psychoeducational evaluations, identification and diagnosis of disabilities related to intellectual ability, ​and factors related to ​learning patterns, achievement, motivation, behavior, and personality​ influences​ ​such as ​needs aligned with diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Specific Learning Disabilities (i.e., Dyslexia), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Disturbance, and many more. Additionally, she has training and experience in the provision of intervention services for children and adolescents who experience difficulty managing their attention, learning ​in a typical setting, or ​have challenges ​with self-regulation and executive functioning skills​.​ Allison is passionate about supporting and advocating for families and children as they navigate their unique journeys. She strives to provide practical and evidence-based recommendations to families and school personnel. She strongly believes in a collaborative treatment approach which involves the home, school, and ancillary services.

Allison lives in Akron with her husband, pets, and two children where they enjoy the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family. Allison joined Vista Psychological and Counseling Center in the Fall of 2021.

Taylor Sutton, M.A., LPC  is a licensed professional counselor. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 2018 from Walsh University and completed her Masters of Arts in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling also from Walsh University. She has been working in community mental health as a therapist at National Youth Advocate Program working with families and youths and offering intensive home-based counseling services.

Taylor's counseling history has been primarily focused on children, adolescents, and families but she does have experience with adults as well. Taylor is passionate about advocating for those she works with. She encourages her clients to recognize their own strengths and understand their value.

Taylor lives in Canton with her husband, daughter, step son, and pets. When not working, Taylor enjoys taking walks with her family, playing games, and watching movies, but watching her kids learn new things is her favorite thing to do!

She joined Vista in January of 2023 and is working under supervision as a Counseling Intern to complete her hours as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. 

Erika Irwin, M.S. Ed., LPCC  is a licensed professional clinical counselor. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Community Clinical Psychology in 2017 from Walsh University and completed her Masters of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling from Youngstown State University in 2020. She began her counseling career working with adults and adolescents in community mental health and private practice settings.

Erika is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) trained therapist and certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). She is passionate about creating holistic approaches to healing, through multiple research based therapies. She works with a wide range of clientele ranging from age, race, cultures, and symptomatology. This includes working with adolescence, adults, neurodivergence (ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder) in adolescence and adults, LGBTQIA+, trauma, and grief. 

Erika advocates and fights for the de-stigmatization of mental health and rights of others. She is a guest lecturer for Ursuline College.

Erika resides in Tallmadge with her husband, Bradley, and their five very special dogs and cats. Falkor (amputee), Cecil (paralyzed), Cowboy (deaf and toothless), Pumpkin (goblin) and Rangoon (weirdo). Erika enjoys spending time in her personal zoo, listening to and collecting records, and creating art.

Erika joined Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre, LLC in March of 2023.

Kelsey Raymondi MA, LPCC, LICDC, NCC  is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and holds certification as a nationally certified counselor.  She earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology with a focus in counseling careers from Kent State University in 2018, and completed her Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development-Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walsh University, as well as a certification in addictions counseling. 

Kelsey started her counseling career working in a private psychiatric office, where she has enjoyed working with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as couples and families. Some of her specialty interests include depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. She also enjoys working with those experiencing academic underachievement, chronic stress, life transitions, and relationship issues. Kelsey’s approach to counseling is warm, compassionate, and catered to each individual. She looks to provide her clients with a space where they can exist authentically, without fear of judgement or rejection and not only feel heard, but understood. 

Kelsey lives in North Canton and enjoys spending time with her husband, Justin and their two precious dogs, Olive and Mildred. When she is not working Kelsey loves traveling, hiking, bird watching, and spending time with friends and family. 

 She joined Vista in April of 2023 and is now a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She continues to accept referrals.

Virginia Cole, M.Ed., LPCC-S  is a licensed clinical counselor and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2013 from Kent State University. She completed her Master's of Education in Counseling in 2016 at the Malone University.

Her counseling career began by providing substance use treatment at Wilson Hall men's residential, followed with substance use treatment in an outpatient setting through CommQuest Services. In December of 2017 Virginia relocated to CommQuest Services Cleveland Ave office to serve both mental health and substance use disorders.

During this time, she provided counseling services to adults with trauma-related disorders, and achieved a certification in trauma treatment, as well as gaining EMDR certification. Virginia continues to work with CommQuest Services to provide supervision to their on-going counselors.

Virginia is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervisory designation (PCC-S).  She joined Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre, LLC in the summer of 2023.  She is a mother and grandmother who enjoys spending time with her family.

Virginia is accepting referrals.

Jenna Humphries, M.A, LPCC, is a licensed clinical counselor in Ohio and licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in American Sign Language from DePaul University and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University, both in Chicago. Early in her career, Jenna gained experience working with youth through a crisis hotline, an inpatient psychiatric hospital unit with children ages 3-17, and in attachment-based play therapy techniques with ages 2-12. After completing her education, Jenna moved back to her hometown of Canton and began working in community mental health where she also gained additional experience with counseling within the school setting.

Jenna has experience working with all ages, toddler through adult, and has a passion for work with early childhood, school-aged children, and young adults. Jenna uses a strengths-based, relational and person-centered approach with a belief that you are the expert of your own life and experiences. She believes whole-heartedly that resilience is inherently within each client already and that the therapeutic relationship is central to success. Jenna uses a combination of tools to assist her clients in uncovering these strengths including narrative therapy, distress tolerance, parts work, and somatic techniques. Jenna also enjoys incorporating experiential aspects to therapy which may include use of art, sand tray, play or the body and movement if the client is interested.

Jenna has worked with a variety of presenting concerns: particularly working with those who have experienced trauma, clients hoping to address relationship and family concerns, anxiety, depression/mood disturbances, and working with individuals and families who are grieving. Jenna currently works with individuals and families to address a variety of developmental, mental health and behavioral concerns and has additional training in grief work and two specialized trauma therapies: EMDR and somatic experiencing (SE).

Jenna is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the Association of Play Therapy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, journaling, traveling, watching sports, spending time outdoors and with her adorable nephews. Jenna joined Vista in the summer of 2023.

Jenna now accepting referrals!

Tara Davis, PMHNP-BC, LPCC-S graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University in 1997. After graduation, she  started her mental health career  in Tuscarawas Co. as a Crisis Hotline worker. She talked to individuals in crisis on the phone and in the community, providing mental health assessments and at times hospitalization. This was a 24 hour Crisis Support program. She then moved into the position of supervisor for the Crisis Stabilization Unit. 24 hour 7-bed unit that would be used as Crisis stabilization, an alternative for hospitalization.

Dakota Warner, M.Ed, LPC is a licensed professional counselor who earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from Walsh University in 2021, and her Masters of Education in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling in 2023 from Kent State University. She started her work at Vista as a Testing Coordinator in 2021 and joined us as a clinical intern in August of 2023. She enjoys working with children, teens, and young adults addressing concerns of anxiety, depression, life-transitions, and behavioral issues. Dakota uses a person-centered approach to help clients identify and explore personal strengths. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Dakota enjoys spending her free time with her friends, family, and dogs, and enjoys reading, traveling, and pickleball.

She joined Vista as an intern in August of 2023 and is working under supervision as a Counseling Intern to complete her hours as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

Mark W. Boyce, MAEd, LPCC-S has nearly 30 years of experience as a counselor and clinical research rater. He graduated with a master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Akron in 1996 and has counseled adolescents and adults in various settings from community, school-based, home-based and private practice.  He has diverse experience in issues such as domestic violence & trauma, addictions, mood & thought disorders to name a few. 

Mark spent 14 years in clinical research performing psychological and neurological testing in clinical drug trials helping bring more than 20 mental health medications to the public.  Medications for issues such as anxiety, depression, bi-polar, ADHD, Alzheimer’s Dementia, migraines and new micro-dosing treatments. 

Mark’s interests include extensive traveling, photography, different languages & cultures as well as living and working in Germany and China. Mark joins Vista in the summer of 2024.

Kayla Daugherty is a counselor trainee and she is currently completing a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Kent State University. Kayla received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Walsh University in 2020. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, body image and self-esteem concerns, and trauma. Kayla approaches counseling from a person-centered framework and works to create a warm and safe environment. She conducts sessions with compassion and will be a person of encouragement and support throughout the counseling journey.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing tennis, reading, concerts, and spending time with friends and family.

Kayla joined Vista as an intern in May of 2024 and is working under supervision to complete her degree requirements.

Erin Heid, M.A., LPCC-S, is Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Walsh University in 2010 and completed Master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, also from Walsh University, in 2014. Erin has been working in community mental health counseling as a therapist for the last 10 years with OhioGuidestone working with pregnant women and adults offering intensive in-home, office based, and telehealth services.

Erin’s counseling history and passion has been primarily focused on the maternal depression population that encompasses mental health wellness in pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, and traumatic birth experiences. Erin also has experience in anxiety and mood disorders with other adult populations and is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children.

In her free time, she enjoys reading and audiobooks, spending time with family and friends, playing games, and baseball. Erin lives locally in North Canton with her husband Josh; three children Liam, Brynley, and Autumn, and two Dalmatians. Erin joined Vista Psychological and Counseling Centre, LLC in the spring of 2024.