Take the first step towards healing and reclaiming your life.
We are a Cincinnati-based, private mental health practice. Our compassionate counselors specialize in supporting adults recovering from trauma, abuse, anxiety and depression.
We provide convenient care, serving residents of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Whether you're in Cincinnati or across state lines in Kentucky or Indiana, our HIPAA-compliant video services bring quality counseling to your doorstep.
At Clermont Mental Health, we believe in leading by example. Our practitioners not only talk the talk but walk the walk of mental health in their personal lives. By striving to be the healthiest versions of ourselves, we're better equipped to guide you on your journey to wellness.
We blend clinical expertise with a passion for education. Through our focus on trauma and abuse relief and our dedication to training the next generation of therapists, we create an environment of continuous learning and growth for both our staff and our clients.
We specialize in providing comprehensive therapeutic services to address a wide range of mental health challenges. Our experienced team of practitioners is dedicated to helping individuals overcome issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, C-PTSD, problematic coping patterns, and self-defeating thoughts and behaviors.
At Clermont Mental Health, we're not just another mental health practice. We're a sanctuary for survivors who have felt unheard and disempowered. We recognize the difficulty of finding someone who will not only listen but also understand and empathize with what you're going through. When you step into our practice, you're met with confidentiality, respect, and genuine curiosity about your experiences and your journey.
We understand that many of our clients have complex histories and face unique challenges stemming from generational trauma, toxic family systems, and abusive relationships. That's why we offer specialized support for issues such as childhood abuse, narcissistic abuse, betrayal trauma, and the cycle of generational poverty.
Our approach is rooted in compassion, empowerment, and evidence-based practices. We work collaboratively with our clients to identify and correct unhealthy relational patterns, fostering healing and growth. Whether you're struggling with past traumas or navigating present difficulties, we're here to provide the guidance and support you need to reclaim your life and build a brighter future.
Our motivation is deeply rooted in the stories we've heard from clients who have sought care elsewhere, only to feel misunderstood, invalidated, and hopeless about their circumstances. We understand the unique complexities of abusive relationships and abusive personalities. We refuse to let our clients navigate these challenges alone.
Our commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of our practice. Here's how we bring our dedication to life
Collaborative Approach: We believe in the power of collaboration, both within our team and with our clients. Our therapists work closely together, drawing on each other's expertise and insights to ensure that every client receives the highest standard of care. Additionally, we collaborate with our clients, valuing their input and perspective as we work together towards healing and growth.
Ongoing Education and Training: We are dedicated to staying at the forefront of the field, which is why we prioritize ongoing education and training for our staff. Our therapists undergo continuous professional development, obtaining certifications related to treating clients with a history of trauma and abuse. This ensures that we can offer the most effective and up-to-date therapeutic approaches to our clients.
Evidence-Based Practices: We utilize evidence-based practices to facilitate meaningful change. Our therapists are trained in a variety of approaches and theories, including EMDR, CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, REBT, Mindfulness, and many others. We tailor our treatment plans to each client's unique needs, drawing on the most effective techniques supported by research and clinical evidence.
Passionate Therapists: We pride ourselves on hiring therapists who have a genuine passion for treating survivors of abuse and clients with C-PTSD. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, empathetic, and effective care to help clients navigate their healing journey with strength and resilience.
We are trauma-informed professionals, specializing in treating survivors of abuse including issues related to traditional or complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our staff consist of CTP, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCDVC certified licensed professional counselors and pre-licensed practitioners who have pursued specialized training.
Your therapist will help you develop skills and techniques geared to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. We diagnose and treat a variety of mental health concerns. Therapy can be an effective way of addressing behavioral or mental health related issues. Your therapist can help you face life's most difficult challenges.
We can help you develop better communication and deeper understanding with the people who matter most in your life. This can be familial relationships, intimate partners or workplace dynamics. Together we will identify and correct unhealthy patterns while improving the quality of important relationships.
We provide education to individuals and groups on the topics of abusive and manipulative personalities, targets of abuse, abusive relationships and recovery from abuse. We can help you understand the "How" and "Why" of narcissistic and psychopathic personalities and ways they affect their targets and the environments where they operate.
Meet with an expert to evaluate your specific circumstances. Locate and address toxic or abusive elements in the workplace, in your life, or in the life of someone you know. Families and concerned loved ones can gain deeper understanding of how to help someone who is being targeted. Organizational leaders utilize this service for the workplace. Our specialized pratitioners will collaborate with you to assess risk and create a plan of action.
Recovery requires support and affirmation. A recovery coach will assist you as you continue to face your situation and rebuild your life. Coaching is not the same as therapy. This service can be provided nationwide via HIPAA secure video. It does not include diagnosis or treatment planning. Your recovery coach will utilize the SNAP Educational Recovery Series as a basis for guiding you on your path to recovery.
Sarah Morehart
MA LPC
she/her
Angela Barber-Joiner
MA LPCC-S
she/her
Victor Badillo
MSCP LPC
he/him
Shellina Borgman
MA LPC CTP
she/her
Chelsea Stephens
MSW LSW
she/her
Lauren Hueber
MS MFT
she/her
Tiara Bell
MA LPC
she/her
Kristin Orr
MA, LPC, LICDC
she/her
Daniel Ellis
MS LPC CTP
he/him
Tabitha McKinney
MA LPC CTP
she/her
Mandy Friedman
MS LPCC-S CCTP-II
she/her
Narcissistic Abuse is a specific style of abuse used by various toxic, manipulative, exploitative and abusive individuals, groups and institutions.
MYTH: Narcissistic abuse is used by people who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
TRUTH: Abusive personalities exist on a spectrum which means there are a variety of abusive personality types that utilize narcissistic abuse in order to control and destroy their targets.
SNAP is an educational recovery series for survivors of abuse, professionals, concerned loved ones and anyone with an interest in learning about abusive relationships. The main purpose of SNAP is to provide education on the topics of exploitative personalities and narcissistic abuse along with the interactive components that create the cycle of abusive relationships. This series of courses also contains information that is vital to building a happy, healthy life free from abusive and toxic relationships. Through education and gaining an understanding of these topics, survivors begin to see themselves in a different light. This shift in perception can ease lingering issues such as self-blame, distrust of self and others and feeling doomed to repeat the past in future relationships. The SNAP series covers topics related to abusive personalities, abusive relationships, targets of abuse and survivors in recovery from abuse.
Each of our clinicians are trained on these topics in order to ensure that every therapist at Clermont Mental Health has the foundational knowledge required to work with survivors of narcissistic abuse.
Clermont Mental Health also offers coaching services for Survivors of Narcissistic and Abusive Personalities. These are live, one-on-one video or in-person sessions with coaches who offer trauma-informed discussion, planning and education focused solely on your experiences with narcissistic abuse.
Learn SNAP at your pace with the convenience of your own devices. Reference notes and learned material are available at your fingertips.
SNAP Coaching is open to anyone,
Narcissistic abuse is a particular style of abuse used by manipulative, abusive, exploitative and predatory people, groups and organizations.
Because they're so good at deceiving themselves and others, such abusers are rarely diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder or related conditions. That's why it's helpful to understand the traits and patterns of abusive personalities.
Narcissistic abusers cultivate a highly inflated notion of their own importance. Sometimes they come across as arrogant and grandiose. Other times the abuser seems shy, vulnerable, even self-sacrificing—on the surface. Beneath either facade lies a fragile self esteem and insatiable need for admiration, also called narcissistic supply.
Narcissistic abusers can seem hard to pin down because they don't have a stable, consistent core character—at least, not like people without these disordered patterns. That's why narcissistic abusers seem to mirror the interests, values, and traits of whoever they're with—then shift on a dime.
Narcissistic abusers see people close to them as literal extensions of them. They cannot tolerate or even fully grasp the notion of other people—especially their partners—having boundaries (or opinions, or habits or values) all their own.
Put simply, narcissistic abusers feel like they “own” those close to them. They can't stand being told “no,” and they'll cross seemingly any line to exert control. Because you are “theirs,” they expect you to conform your behavior—even your thoughts and feelings—to their preferences.
It's not that narcissistic abusers don't perceive or understand other people's feelings—in fact, they're often keenly aware of both how people feel and why.
The difference is they literally just don't care. Sure, they may sometimes—even often—act like they care, but only when they have something to gain (or lose). Usually they're trying to preserve their image, a relationship with a person or group, and/or access to material resources.
If admiration is harder to come by, negative emotions will also serve as narcissistic supply. This explains why the abuser seems hell-bent on pushing your buttons. Your tears, anger, and fear—any intense emotion—provides proof of their importance.
Narcissistic abusers have created grand, elaborate false narratives about themselves. By constantly pursuing multiple sources of narcissistic supply, they try to convince themselves that they're either worthy of extreme admiration or capable of great mayhem.
Narcissistic abusers idealize their targets at first. They shower you with attention, compliments and gifts, all the while reflecting back whatever they happen to like about you.
This can feel euphoric and amazing—like you finally met your soulmate!
The problem with people idealizing you is that (sorry to say) you're not perfect. No one is. Soon enough, they realize you're not going to save them from their own issues through constant, unconditional, and exponentially growing admiration. At that point, buckle up.
At some point, you'll commit the grave sin of noticing their flaws. Also, no matter how tolerant and permissive you are, you won't let them treat you however they want. This is when devaluation begins.
At this point, they'll scorch you when you happen to make normal, human mistakes. But they'll diminish and ridicule your successes too. After all, you're supposed to be the supporting player in their grand show.
Before long, you're navigating wild accusations and explosive emotions. They'll try to bait you into an outburst of your own—so they can label your reaction “abuse” or “instability” or whatever suits their new narrative.
You slowly change how you speak, act, and even think—all to avoid trouble and appease them. They often isolate you from friends, family, and anyone they perceive as a threat. Eventually, you hardly recognize your life—or even the person you've become.
It all happens gradually. They confuse, gaslight, and isolate you, while sprinkling in moments of kindness and grace to remind you of those happy early days and keep you hopeful. Above all, they manipulate you into thinking you've brought the abuse upon yourself, and maybe—if you do as they say—you can fix it.
During devaluation (well ok, always), narcissistic abusers tend to seek out and groom alternative fuel sources. Once they've secured a viable replacement, they often bail—sometimes suddenly.
Maybe they see they've pushed you too far, so they leave first to avoid rejection and abandonment. Usually, you find out they've also been smearing you, spreading false stories about how they're the victim and you're the unstable, unfaithful abuser.
Meanwhile, you've been trauma-bonded to this person. Even when you desperately want to be free of the relationship, this style of abuse can lead to severe separation anxiety after discard (or escape).
Because they are master manipulators, narcissistic abusers often succeed in making you feel fearful, guilty and obligated to them. They literally train you to appease them, and this leads to people-pleasing (or fawning) tendencies at home, at work and in other relationships—especially if you feel threatened.
After prolonged narcissistic abuse, you may have learned to make yourself smaller, dimming your own light to avoid the consequences of contradicting or outshining the abuser. Abusers do their best to shame you into accepting the false narrative that you're not worthy of love or success, or even that you somehow caused or deserved their abuse.
You may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress, including insomnia, hyper-vigilance (feeling constantly on edge and unsafe), depression, anxiety and addictive behavior.
Even after you've gone no-contact and educated yourself about narcissistic abuse, these feelings and symptoms can persist for months, even years. This is why it's so important to seek out proper support, and why therapy and S.N.A.P. coaching can help so much.
Shortly after I broke (mostly) free of my abusive relationship, a fellow survivor told me about Narcissistic Personality Disorder and related conditions. I began reading about this style of abuse, and it blew me away to discover an underlying pattern beneath all that chaos, confusion and misery!
I also found Clermont Mental Health, a trauma-informed therapy resource in my area that specializes in helping survivors of narcissistic abuse.
When I started therapy sessions through Clermont Mental Health, I felt like I already had a PhD in narcissistic abuse. I'd read all about the tactics abusers use and why, as well as their effects, and how to address them. My therapy sessions helped me stop over-analyzing my abuse and recovery. Through one-on-one sessions, I learned that I couldn't think my way out of trauma. I also found out that it's safe and even necessary to actually feel my feelings. Through trauma-informed talk therapy, I figured out how to recognize and release the lingering effects of trauma so I could integrate all the great stuff I've learned into my life. Clermont Mental Health counseling services helped me recognize and work through internalized shame, fear-based patterns, and repressed anger. I'm not sure it's possible to overestimate the healing power of sharing your story in a non-judgmental space with someone who understands and knows how to help. If you believe you have been affected by an abusive relationship, you should consider checking out the services available at Clermont Mental Health. Their specialized practitioners can diagnose and treat mental health issues, assist and support you during your recovery. -"Anita"
Some of the most frequently asked questions
We have a strict cancellation policy. Please keep in mind that we require 24-hour's notice for canceling or rescheduling. If you are trying to change an appointment and it is within the 24-hours, you will be locked out and not able to access or make changes to the appointment. Contact your therapist directly if you need to make a change to your appointment with less than 24-hour's notice. If you are giving the required notice, use the Therapy Portal link: Client Portal
Clermont Mental Health have offices located in Cherry Grove and Blue Ash:
We do! We use a HIPAA compliant video feature of our Therapy Portal. For all telehealth clients, we require sessions to be held over video using our Therapy Portal. We will not offer audio-only sessions except for special circumstances. For example, if your internet is out, we can offer a telephone session. Otherwise, remote sessions will be held using the video feature of our video portal.
Be sure that you're using an up-to-date web browser, such as the latest version of Google Chrome:https://www.google.com/chrome, Microsoft Edge https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge, Apple Safari https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204416, or Mozilla Firefox https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/.
Make sure that you're connected to a strong, secured Wi-Fi signal. If you're joining a video session on your phone, connect to Wi-Fi instead of using cellular data, if possible.
Tip You can check the speed and performance of your network connecton using FAST.com. For the best quality audio and video, your download and upload rates should be 1.5Mps or higher.
Close any applications or browser tabs that you don't need, this allows your device's processing power to be dedicated to maintaining a high-quality video call.
Grab a pair of headphones to use for your session. Using headphones helps to prevent voice echo.
Have your provider's direct phone number handy so you can contact them if you run into any issues connecting.
Please contact your therapist directly and they can reset your password or advise you on how to proceed. Our Cancellation Policy does not waive missed sessions due to technical difficulty if you have not communicated directly with your therapist at the time of your session.
Log into the client portal
Your browser will prompt you to share access to your camera and microphone. Click Allow.
In the video waiting room, select the Camera and Microphone you want to use for your session. You should see a preview of your video and an audio meter that responds to your voice.
When you're ready to join your session, click the I'm Ready button.
Once you indicate that you're ready for your session, you'll connect immediately with your provider if they're ready to go. If not, a waiting screen will appear. Please remain on this screen until your provider joins the session.
In a video session, your video will appear in the upper left corner of your browser, and your provider's video will appear larger in the middle of the browser. You can disable your camera, mute your microphone, and end the session using the buttons in your control tray.
When a session ends, you'll be taken back to your home page. If you end the session by mistake, you may rejoin the session. To rejoin a session, click the rejoin the session link in the banner that appears on your home page. Both you and your provider must choose to rejoin in order to reconnect in the video session.
Go to the top of this page and click the “Resources” tab for crisis resources. Our therapists are not crisis counselors and do not handle crisis calls. Use your therapist's contact information to inform them of any necessary changes to your care after hospitalization or seeking crisis help. We can usually get you in to see a new therapist within one week depending on many factors including registration completion and insurance verification.
We do not offer free consultations. However, if you meet with your therapist and feel they are not a good fit for you, text or email Mandy Friedman LPCC-S at 513-655-6101 or mandy@clermontmentalhealth.care to discuss transferring to a different therapist and you will not be charged for the session. We practice collaborative care at Clermont Mental Health. This means we are happy to offer a trial period for any therapist you see and we will gladly place you with someone different who is a better fit for you.
Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to verify your coverage. Your insurance provider will be able to confirm if you have a deductible, what your out of pocket expenses may be and whether our practice takes your insurance plan. Provide our NPI #1023590205 in order that they may verify that our practice takes your specific insurance plan. It is your responsibility to provide us with any secondary insurance coverage you may have. If you do not provide us with your secondary insurance and your primary insurance is denied, you will owe the full price of the session. While we offer a verification function to establish you have insurance coverage, it is your responsibility to know what your insurance will and will not cover. Our verification is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Our staff will reach out to you directly to let you know that a balance is owed. We are willing to help by establishing payment arrangements. In most cases, an unpaid balance will result in having your sessions “paused” until the balance is paid. If you stop responding to our communication or if you stop making payments, we will terminate therapy, provide you with referrals and seek payment for the balance using a collections agency if necessary. If you are open with us and willing to work with us, we will be kind and fair in creating a plan that will work for you.
We see clients 16+ minors who are personally invested in seeking therapy. We will not see minor clients who are involved in high-conflict legal/custody issues. We will not become involved in legal matters. If we are court ordered to testify, we will collect a fee of $1800 prior to the court appearance. Any time spent outside of session on special documentation, forms or other non-therapy tasks will be prorated and charged at $115 per 60-minutes.
We can do that! We cannot bill your insurance for this service. Therefore, you would be paying out of pocket at the regular self-pay rate fees which vary based on the practitioner. Consultations are 50 minutes. Our therapists will give you their professional perspective on your circumstances and offer you a plan for moving forward.
At Clermont Mental Health, we are a teaching practice. We train and supervise therapists who are choosing to specialize in treating survivors of abuse and clients with complex trauma. Mandy Friedman LPCC-S supervises and trains pre-licensed professionals and non-independently licensed therapists providing one-on-one, collaborative guidance. If you have more questions about internships and fieldwork for pre-licensed professionals, please contact Mandy Friedman LPCC-S via email mandy@clermontmentalhealth.care.
We understand the importance of having access to the right resources on your journey to recovery. We've curated a collection of resources to provide you with the support you need. This resource list, created by Tabitha McKinney, therapist at Clermont Mental Health, is designed to provide ease of access and minimize frustration or disinformation. Each resource is organized by region and includes a brief summary of its mission and contact information, ensuring that you have the support you need to begin rebuilding your life.
DomesticShelters.org is the the first and largest online and mobile searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada, and a leading source of helpful tools and information for people experiencing and working to end domestic violence. DomesticShelters.org works to make more people aware of the services available for those experiencing domestic violence and make it faster and easier for victims of domestic violence and their friends/family, as well as program and shelter providers, to quickly find services and information best suited to their location, language and needs.
SNAG is a safe space designed to provide survivors of narcissistic abuse with tools for healing and reducing vulnerabilities to future toxic relationships. Group members are at all stages of healing from a variety of toxic relationships.
The Healing Center takes a holistic approach in helping the community meet basic needs. They provide not only a food pantry, but a space that feels more like a market with items such as fresh produce to dairy to meats as well as other pantry staples. Beyond food, The Healing Center also provides spiritual care, money and job coaching, and ESOL classes amongst others.
Women Helping Women is an organization in Cincinnati, OH dedicated to providing domestic violence survivors with the support and services they need. WHW is also dedicated to gender-based violence prevention. Services include counseling, community education, housing services, etc. Collect calls accepted, Closed Saturday and Sunday.
The Coalition provides a collaborative space to coordinate services to address homelessness. The Coalition is the liaison between homeless individuals, advocates, and social service agencies. On their website, people can find information and resources for shelters, food and clothing banks, treatment or supportive recovery, healthcare, etc.
PFLAG offers support to LGBTQ+ through monthly meetings, education, online resources and lending library, as well as advocacy by partnering with other local organizations with a mission of safety and equality for LGBTQ+. For an urgent need, contact PFLAG through United Way Info Hotline: Call 211 or (513) 721-7900 (Ask for the PFLAG contact number)
OCVJC connects victims with attorneys and advocates to help with representation, training, investigation of victim's rights violations, referrals for victims and survivors to otherresources, assistance with preparation of legal statements and restitution paperwork, etc.
The ACLU works to defend and preserve the rights guaranteed to all citizens of the United States. TheAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Ohio works specifically with residents of Ohio. ACLU confronts issues such as racism, homophobia, censorship, sexism, and many other forms of discrimination.
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services provides free employment services to Ohio residents and also to employers who are seeking to hire. JFS services are provided locally at OhioMeansJobs Centers or can be found at OhioMeansJobs.com. JFS also provides cash, food, and refugee assistance as well as on-the-job training programs, apprenticeships, and other job-related services.
988 Lifeline provides confidential emotional support to those in suicidal crisis in the United States free of charge 24/7. 988 continues to work to improve crisis services while also working to prevent suicide through awareness, best practices, and the empowerment of individuals.
BBBS of America provides one-to-one mentoring for children who are facing adversity. Children are matched with adult mentors to help them develop preventative coping skills and to improve self-confidence.
PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Founded in 1973 by a mother and her gay son, PFLAG was born from the unified front of a family leading with love. An inspiring alliance of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones continues to fuel PFLAG, fifty years later.
The ACLU works to defend and preserve the rights guaranteed to all citizens of the United States. TheAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Ohio works specifically with residents of Ohio. ACLU confronts issues such as racism, homophobia, censorship, sexism, and many other forms of discrimination.
Firm Action is a coalition of local organizations working at the national level working to provide justice for immigrant families. Individuals and grassroots organizations join forces to build widespread support for comprehensive and humane immigration reform. Interested in working with Firm Action?
