Meet Our Counselor Trainees

Cornerstone Family Services is committed to increasing accessibility of Christian counselors and furthering counselor education in Central Ohio by providing internship opportunities for counseling graduates. Each Counselor Trainee (CT) is required by the State of Ohio to log 600 hours of supervised counseling before receiving their Licensed Professional Counselor designation. Each counseling session is reviewed with their supervising Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S). After reaching the 600-hour milestone, CT’s are required to pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) to receive their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation.

During the training and supervisory period, state law prohibits interns from receiving direct compensation for their counseling services. Through the internship program, Cornerstone provides no-cost counseling services for social agencies such as Mental Health America of Ohio (MHA), as well as low-pay counseling for economically disadvantaged clients. Fees collected from low-pay clients go directly to Cornerstone to support our mission of providing quality professional mental health care to anyone in need, regardless of financial means.

 

Mackenzie Arbogast, CT

Email: marbogast@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext 822

Focus: Adjustment issues, Adolescents, Adoption, Anxiety, Chronic illness, College, Depression, Grief, Life transitions, Spiritual issues, Trauma, Women’s issues

Mackenzie Arbogast CT is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Chad Kays LPCC-S. She is studying at Ashland Theological Seminary to get her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Mackenzie graduated magna cum laude from the University of Toledo in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has been a nurse for seven years. Mackenzie is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Professional Focus:

Mackenzie is passionate about helping individuals on their path to healing and wholeness. She wishes to provide a safe environment where people can come as they are and find support. She is interested in working with: adults, adolescents, college students, people struggling with adjustments, anxiety, adoption, depression, grief, spiritual issues, trauma, women’s issues, and end-of-life challenges. Mackenzie is a nurse, and would love to partner with other healthcare workers on their path towards personal wellness.

Personal Info:

Mackenzie grew up in the Midwest. She spent two years in New York walking and eating her way through the city. She now lives in Columbus, and looks to travel every chance she gets. She also loves hiking, thrifting, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with loved ones.

Kristen Bullock, CT

Email: kbullock@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext 824

Focus: Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Parenting, Marriage

Kristen Bullock is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Tracy Whiteside LPCC-S. She is studying at Liberty University for her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kristen graduated from Ohio University with a BA in Psychology. Kristen has experience volunteering with the Crisis Text Line.

Professional Focus:

Kristen is interested in working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Her specific areas of interest are addiction, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, marriage and family issues.

Personal Interest:

Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and six children. She enjoys reading about mental health, spirituality, and history.

Anne Cummings, CT

Email: acummings@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext 820

Focus: Adjustment Issues, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Relationships, Trauma, Marriage
Anne Cummings CT is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Seth Evans LPCC-S. She is studying at Ashland Theological Seminary to get her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Anne graduated from The Ohio State University in 2002 with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies. She has since been working to raise her three children with her husband, enjoyed teaching preschool classes at her local community center for six years, and serves in her church’s children and special needs ministry. She is thrilled to be following her life-long calling into the counselling profession.
Professional Focus:
Anne is interested in working with adolescents, adults and couples struggling with adjusting to life’s changes, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, marriage, and relationship difficulties. She has completed Level 1 of Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Personal Interests:
Anne, along with her husband, enjoys juggling life with three active teenagers, spoiling her pandemic puppy, and taking the family on many camping and travel adventures.

Saree Ellis, CT

Email: sellis@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext 103

Focus: Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Marriage, Spiritual issues, Women’s issues

Saree Ellis CT is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Chad Kays LPCC-S. She is studying at Grand Canyon University to get her master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling. She belongs to both the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Saree graduated summa cum laude from Southern Nazarene University in 1994 with a BS in Mathematics. Saree taught math before staying home to raise three children and volunteer in various capacities. She has enjoyed leading Bible studies, volunteering in the kitchen at Freedom a la Cart, and coaching a few couples with her husband. Saree currently works part-time as an administrative assistant for Young Life.

Professional Focus:
Saree is interested in working with individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, stressful life transitions, challenges in marriage, spiritual issues, and women’s issues. Saree is committed to providing an open and welcoming space to clients as they move towards healing. She is passionate about meeting clients where they are at and striving to understand and appreciate their journey and their goals.

Personal Info:
Saree enjoys doing life with her husband of 30 years and cheering on their three grown children. At home, all things are covered in fur as the empty nest is has been filled with three large dogs. Saree grew up in Colorado and loves to visit as often as she can. The mountains hold a special magic for her. Saree has a passion for travel and loves to plan trips with her husband. She is excited about this new chapter in her life, pursuing counseling as a way to reach out with care and compassion to others.

Ashley Kyro, CT

Email: akyro@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext. 826

Focus: Adjustment issues, Adolescents,  Anxiety, College, Depression, Grief, Life transitions, Spiritual issues, Trauma, Women’s issues, Relationships, Marital, and Premarital

Ashley Kyro CT is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Seth Evans  MACMHC, LPCC-S. She is studying at Ashland Theological Seminary to get her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ashley graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern Indiana in 2013 with a Bachelor of Health Services and an Associates in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in campus ministry for 9 years and was a teacher in Thailand for 2.  Ashley is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Professional Focus:

Ashley wishes to provide a safe environment where people can come as they are and find support on their path to healing. Her areas of focus are: adults, adolescents, college students, people struggling with adjustments, anxiety, depression, grief, spiritual issues, trauma, women’s issues, and end-of-life challenges. Ashley is seasoned in ministry and would love to walk with other ministry workers on their path towards personal wellness.

Personal Info:

Ashley grew up in Indiana. She spent two years in Thailand teaching the children of a mission organization, and trying all the Thai food she could. She now lives in Columbus, with her husband who is always planning a new adventure. Ashley also loves to go on walks, hammock with a good book, thrifting, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with friends and family.

Melissa Pluth, CT

Email: mpluth@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext. 823

Focus: Adjustment Issues, Anxiety, Depression

Melissa Pluth CT is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Tracy Whiteside LPCC-S. She is studying at Ashland Theological Seminary to get her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Melissa graduated from Xavier University in 2003 with a MA in Clinical Psychology and prior to that from Ohio University in 2001 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy.

Melissa is an active member of esteemed professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), where she stays abreast of the latest advancements in counseling practices. Her commitment extends to the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC), reflecting her dedication to incorporating spiritual and ethical considerations into the counseling process. In addition, Melissa is a proud member of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for counseling students and professionals.

Melissa has since been working as an adjunct professor, volunteering at her local church in production and working at Beyond the Board game store to hep people find amazing hobby board games.

Professional Focus:

Melissa is interested in working with adolescents and adults struggling with adjusting to life’s changes, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and experiences in the past.

Personal Interests:

Melissa enjoys learning and playing board games, spending time with family and friends, and snuggling her cats while reading a good book. Her current favorite board game is Calico.

Amy Proctor, CT

Email: aproctor@cstoneohio.org

Phone: 614-459-3003 ext 821

Focus: adolescents, adults, anxiety, depression, life transitions, parenting, spiritual, and women’s issues.

Amy Proctor CT is a counselor trainee under the supervision of Tracy Whiteside LPCC-S. She is studying at Ashland Theological Seminary to earn her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Amy also holds a Masters of Science in Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago and a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois.

Professional Focus:
Amy is passionate about working with adolescents and adults on their paths towards wellness. Her areas of focus include adoption, anxiety, depression, life transitions, parenting, spiritual, and women’s issues. Amy strives to provide an encouraging and nurturing environment in which to partner with her clients toward hope and healing.

Personal Interests:
Amy has been a stay at home mom, Bible study leader, and active church leader. She has served underprivileged families through a resource ministry for the past 13 years. She and her husband of 32 years have walked through the ups and downs of life with their growing family of five adult children and friends. Amy is grateful to be pursuing her new calling in counseling; discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God makes her heart beat with excitement.

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19