Executive Director/Owner
Alicia Amato, LISW-S, SAP (she/her)
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Alicia has worked in the child welfare field prior to moving to mental health. Her passion is in trauma work and she is an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Restructuring) Certified therapist and a Level 3 – Trauma Competent provider. I enjoy working to help clients find and become their authentic selves. We do this by going back to past events that took them off this path and help them to forgive and then acknowledge the strength of their younger selves.
Alicia has been a Substance Abuse Provider (SAP) for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) since 2014. Other areas of interest are working with children and families. Alicia has been trained in Photo Therapy since 2014. She also has completed 30 hours of DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
Alicia has been an active member of the Cambridge Rotary Club since 2011 and is the President for the 21/22 year. She completed Cambridge Leadership during the 07/08 year and the agency is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Alicia’s interests outside of work are Yoga, Gardening, Reading, Cooking/Baking/Canning, walks in nature, thrift shopping and spending time with friends and family.
Therapists
Amber Houck, LMSW
Location: Telehealth (Virtual)
The drive to advocate and inspire others has been my passion and mission within my work. I received my Master of Social Work from The University of New England, Biddeford ME. I have over ten years of social work experience from hospital clinical case management, domestic violence shelter advocate/therapist, inner city school education-based programs, work and family life counseling, New Parent Support services and Family Advocacy Program Management. Working as the Family Readiness Support for the 73rd Troop Command out of Rickenbacker, solidified my desire to work with military members and their families, with a Trauma – Focused approach. I have since worked for Army Community Services in Wiesbaden, Germany as the Base Garrisons Victim Advocate, following this position I found myself working for the Navy out of Naval Station Everett, Washington for Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC). I had the honor to hold multiple roles within the FFSC one as their New Parent Support Home Visitor, Work & Family Life Counselor, FAP Counselor and most recently a transition to Manager of Family Advocacy Programs in Columbus, OH. I am trained and certified in CARE – building Trauma informed organization, Problematic Sexual Behavior – in Children & Youth (PSB-CY) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trained (ASIST).
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bishop, LPC (she/her)
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
My name is Elizabeth (Lizzy) She/Her. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor at People to People. I graduated from Muskingum University with my BS in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies and Malone University with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. I also have 2 years of experience in Case Management in the Franklin Co. area.
I see things from a holistic mind, body, soul view-point. We are all unique and no one shoe fits all. My modalities draw from CBT, EMDR, CPT and other evidence based practices while often adding a creative twist. I have a passion for Nature Based and Animal Assisted Therapy. I am currently perusing additional trainings for adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Some of my hobbies include spending time with my pets, exploring nature, gardening, art, listening to live music and traveling to new places.
I want to help you build upon your strengths & thrive in the present.
Cherry Nelson, LPCC-S
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
I believe that it takes bravery to identify a problematic issue or issues in one’s life and then seek assistance in moving toward becoming the person you want to be.
My name is Cherry Nelson, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervision designation. I am retired from the military and have over 7 years of experience working with trauma, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and, of course, relationship challenges. I view the process of counseling as a partnership requiring mutual trust, respect, honesty, communication, and commitment to do the work.
My approach to therapy is eclectic. I draw from a variety of modalities to serve my client’s needs and support them in achieving their goals. The modalities I find to be most useful are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based Therapy, Attachment-based Therapy, Experiential Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
I also have a strong belief in the healing power of animals, nature, and relationships. My interests include the intersection between physiology, neurology, and mental health and my hobbies are hiking, horses, and being a grandma.
Jennifer Boltz, LPCC (she/her)
Location: 1977 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Jennifer Boltz is a counselor at People to People. She attended Kent State University for her Bachelor’s Degree and her Master’s Degree. She has worked in the field of counseling since 2014. She previously worked as a home-based counselor in Wayne County.
Jennifer has worked in recent years to become more familiar with grief counseling and has recently started DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and LGBTQ training. She has also worked to become certified to provide EMDR treatment.
Some of Jennifer’s personal interests outside of work are reading, spending time with her dogs and cats, walking, hiking, enjoying time spent with friends and family, and spending time outdoors.
Leslie Penrod, LSW (she/her)
Location: 1977 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Leslie Penrod is a therapist and a Case Manager Supervisor at People to People. She is a graduate of The University of Akron.
Leslie worked for eleven years in Tuscarawas County at the domestic violence shelter and was a member of the Tuscarawas County Domestic Violence Task Force. Leslie has started using techniques in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapies.
Leslie has a passion for working with the LGTBQI community and well as Couple Therapies. Leslie enjoys running and boating with her family. Leslie is proud to be married to a US Army Veteran, and mother to both her two and four legged children. Leslie loves the ocean, specifically the Horry County area.
Sarah McAfee, LSW
Location: 18003 Woodsfield Rd, Suite 2 (Caldwell)
Sarah McAfee is a counselor at People to People. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree and attended Simmons University to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Sarah has worked in the field of social work since 2010. Her previous work includes case management with People to People, Therapeutic Foster Care with SAFY in South Carolina, and school-based therapy with Altapointe Health Systems in Alabama.
Sarah enjoys working with children and families. Sarah has received training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and is trained in EMDR.
When not working, Sarah’s interests include spending time with her friends and family, quilting, party planning, and reading.
Therapy Dogs
Juniper Rose (Juni)
Location: 1977 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Willow
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Case Managers
Chris Miles
Location: Community
Melody Richardson, CDCA, TPW II
Location: Community
Melody (Mel) has worked in mental health for 20 plus years, specifically field case management, job development, and coaching. Mel is certified in DBT coping skills practice and facilitates groups in this area, holds a CDCA and a certification in Holistic Health Advisory, Disaster, and crisis intervention.
Melody is a graduate of the Guernsey County Leadership program 2016/2017. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, swimming, hiking, and herb gardening.
Mindy Dettra
Location: Community
Mindy Dettra comes to us with 10+ years of experience in social services. Her work spans from adults with Developmental Disabilities to Victims of Crime. Mindy recently returned to the field as a case manger after taking time off to support her husband’s career and raise their 4 children.
Zoey Hendershot, SWA
Location: Community
Zoey Hendershot is a case manager at People to People. She is a graduate of Zane State College and West Muskingum High School.
Zoey has worked in the field for 22 years, in Guernsey and Muskingum Counties. Zoey has also started training in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) techniques.
Zoey enjoys being with her family and friends. Zoey likes outdoor activities and thrift shopping.
Support Staff
Michele (Mickey) Jones
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Michele (Mickey) Jones serves as Billing Manager for People to People. Mickey has been doing insurance billing for 15+ years. She has been the Treasurer of the Guernsey County Swine Committee since 2012.
Other interests include raising pigs for her daughter to show at fair, spending time with friends and family, and working on her never ending chore list.
Nancy Walters
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Nancy Walters serves as Receptionist for People to People and assists with our Quality Assurance and CARF.
Nancy is a lifelong resident of Cambridge. She has worked in customer service and management for over 15 years, taking some time off to homeschool her youngest son.
When not working Nancy enjoys reading, hiking, thrift shopping and spending time with her family.
Tonia Womack
Location: 1977 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Tonia Womack serves as the Administrative Supervisor/HR Personnel at People to People.
Before moving back into the Cambridge area Tonia worked with the elderly and the homeless population.
Tonia is a proud graduate of Leadership Guernsey and the Cambridge Citizens Police Academy.
When Tonia is not busy working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, walking, watching TV and taking day trips.
Brieanna (Brie) Barker
Location: 1200 E Wheeling Ave (Cambridge)
Brieanna (Brie) Barker was hired as part of People to People’s administrative staff three years ago. Now, she also serves as the CARF Coordinator, Compliance Officer, and Quality Assurance Specialist.
Brie recently graduated from OUZ with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education. She will continue working part-time at People to People until she begins her career as an educator.
Outside of work, Brie enjoys yoga, fishing, nature walks, scary movies, and ice cream dates with her husband. She also loves going on new and unexpected adventures with her family and friends.