Clermont Mental Health
  • Clermont Mental Health
    Survivors thrive here.

We provide support services related to:

  • Trauma
  • Abuse
  • Recovery

Psychotherapy Examine life's toughest challenges and find treatment for a variety of mental health concerns.

Coaching We provide one on one support for your recovery, and guide you along the path to a healthier life.

Education Learn vital information about identifying abuse and life after abuse.

Consultation Get answers and gain perpective as we assess your specific circumstances.

Our Professionals

We are a private group practice dedicated to helping people live a happy and healthy life.

Hover over or touch (mobile) image to learn more about our Counselors

I will help you explore the way your mind works and ways you can change your thinking and your behaviors in order to feel healthier and more confident. I offer therapy that focuses on knowing yourself and what has brought you to become the person you are. I treat clients who are Spanish-speaking.

Victor Badillo
MSCP LPC

When a client opens their "book of life" and shares their story with me, it is an honor. My style of counseling is listening instead of hearing. I will be my authentic self while advocating for your inner thoughts and feelings to be expressed. I will provide a safe place for you to be free and open as you are the author of your story.

Tiara Bell
MA LPC

I have personally experienced the positive effects that therapy can have. I allow space for clients to process, and locate a sense of safety within themselves. As a survivor myself, I want to help my clients through their darkest moments, walk with them as they heal, and support them as they grow. I am currently supervised by Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and training to work with survivors of narcissistic abuse and clients with C-PTSD.

Shellina Borgman
MA LPC CTP
Image, Tabitha McKinney

I love hearing people's stories. It's a privilege to hold space for and assist others as they work to rewrite personal stories that no longer serve them. My goal is to create a safe space for healing, exploration, and growth. I am currently supervised by Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and training to work survivors of narcissistic abuse and clients with C-PTSD.

Tabitha McKinney
CT

Through my training and life experiences, I am confident I can help you reach for the best in yourself and overcome the obstacles that life may bring.

Angela Barber-Joiner
LPCC-S

I can help you heal and recover from narcissistic abuse and C-PTSD. I have trained under Mandy Friedman LPCC-S to treat survivors. My demeanor can be described as gentle, thoughtful and kind. Together, we can work on establishing boundaries in order that you may develop a routine of self-care.

Daniel Ellis
MS LPC CTP

I am a marriage & family therapist in training. I can help you break generational cycles and develop healthier relationships. My demeanor can be described as intuitive and authentic. I am currently training under Mandy Friedman LPCC-S to work with survivors of narcissistic abuse.

Lauren Hueber
MS MFT

I help clients with issues related to anxiety, depression, PTSD and substance use disorders. My style is down to earth, gentle and always nonjudgmental. I can help you find peace within yourself and achieve harmony with the world around you.

Chelsea Stephens
MSW LSW

My greatest hope is to provide a safe, validating space that is non-judgmental and open for exploration. Through empathy and understanding, my goal is to work with you to develop a plan that suits your specific needs. I believe we are all capable of becoming whoever we want to be - we just might need a little help along the way. I am currently supervised by Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and training to work with survivors of narcissistic abuse and clients with C-PTSD.

Leah Able
CT
Image, Kristin Orr

I believe in the power of relationship and connection as the vehicle for healing. My style is warm, strengths-based and collaborative. I have been described as authentic, empathic and playful. I am currently supervised by Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and training to work with survivors of narcissistic abuse and clients with C-PTSD.

Kristin Orr
MA CT

I specialize in helping clients reach their full potential by correcting unhealthy patterns and prioritzing self-care and self-advocacy. My demeanor can be described as direct and genuine.

Mandy Friedman
LPCC-S CCDVC CCTP

Our Services

All services are provided via HIPAA compliant videoconferencing. Please consult our scheduling service to reserve the session of your choice.

SNAP

Survivors of Narcissistic & Abusive Personalities (S.N.A.P.) is an educational recovery program for survivors of physical and psychological abuse. The program is used as a basis for treatment, education, risk assessment and structured recovery.

CONSULTATION

Meet with an expert to evaluate your circumstances. Locate and address toxic or abusive personalities in your life. Organizational leaders utilize this service for the workplace. We will collaborate with you to assess for risk and create a plan of action.

COACHING

Recovery requires support and affirmation. A recovery coach will guide you as you continue to face your situation and rebuild your life. Our coaches are survivors who have faced many of the challenges you may be experiencing.

EDUCATION

We provide education to groups and individuals on the topics of abusive personalities, targets of abuse, abusive relationships and recovery from abuse. We can help you to understand the "How" and "Why" of narcissistic and psychopathic personalities and how they affect their targets.

Therapy Services

This is a safe, nonjudgmental and therapeutic setting where you can be free to be yourself while processing life experiences and addressing mental health issues.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

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.

RELATIONSHIP THERAPY

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.

TRAUMA THERAPY

We are trauma-informed, treating survivors of abuse, many of whom have issues related to traditional or complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD or C-PTSD). We use a variety of techniques to help clients heal and move forward after trauma.

Survivors of Narcissistic & Abusive Personalities

What is SNAP?

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.

What is Narcissistic Abuse?

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.

Understanding Narcissistic Abuse

By Anita,
Survior and SNAP Participant

If you’ve been the target of narcissistic abuse, it can feel like a living nightmare. But you can get out—and you can recover. That doesn’t mean returning to the person you were before the abuse. Instead, you can become a thriving, wiser and more empowered version of yourself. How do I know? Because I’m a survivor of narcissistic abuse whose healing journey involved education and inner work supported by SNAP sessions and one-on-one therapy at Clermont Mental Health. Here are some things I learned along the way.

Portrait of an Abuser

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.

Exaggerated Self-Importance

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.

Unstable Core

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.

No Boundaries, No Separation

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.

Lack of Empathy

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.

Narcissistic Supply

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.

Elements of Narcissistic Abuse

Love-bombing

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.

Devaluation

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.

Discard

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).

Effects on Survivors

Fear and Fawning

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.

Shame and Low Self Worth

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.

PTSD

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.

Steps to Recovery

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.

Therapy

When I started trauma therapy sessions through Clermont Mental Health, I felt like I’d already gotten a PhD in narcissistic abuse. I’d read all about the tactics abusers use and why, their effects, and how to address them.

My therapy sessions helped me to stop trying to over-analyze 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 actually integrate all the great stuff I’ve learned into my life.

If you live in Ohio, you should consider checking out Clermont Mental Health therapy services. Their licensed professional clinical counselors are survivors who can diagnose and treat mental health issues—and they accept most major insurance providers.

SNAP Coaching

Clermont Mental Health also offers coaching services for Survivors of Narcissistic and Abusive Personalities (S.N.A.P.), by fellow survivors. These are live, one-on-one video sessions with certified professional counselors who offer trauma-informed discussion, planning and education focused solely on your experiences with narcissistic abuse.

SNAP Coaching is open to anyone, regardless of where you live. SNAP Coaches are not able to diagnose or treat PTSD or other mental health concerns, and they cannot accept insurance. What they can do is support and empower you through your recovery process.

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’s been there and knows how to help.

Where to Access Online SNAP Educational Recovery Series

This series includes:

We understand if your financial situation is limiting your access. Please email us at snap@clermontmentalhealth.care with your name to request a discount code. We will make the SNAP series affordable for your circumstances.

Additional resources:

Payments and Insurance

Based on the service and team member we accept both insurance and out of pocket payments.

Payments and Insurance

We accept out of pocket payments as well as the following insurance providers at Clermont Mental Health.

To avoid unexpected costs, confirm your insurance coverage for behavioral health services prior to your first appointment.

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Our Location

Our Location and General Contact Information

Contact Information

We are located off Beechmont Ave., just behind Beechmont Toyota in Cherry Grove.

431 Ohio Pike
Suite 214
Cincinnati OH 45255
(513) 655 6911
info@clermontmentalhealth.care