Counseling
There are several licensed mental health professionals affiliated with (not employed by) Grace Church.
These trained professionals have partnered with us in order to help by offering a listening ear, as well as professional guidance on personal, relational, spiritual, or psychological issues.
Counseling may be helpful if you are..
- Feeling isolated or withdrawn
- Having career or financial problems
- Having marriage or relationship issues
- Battling an addiction
- Having a hard time finding a balance in life
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Having a hard time controlling your anger
- Engaging in destructive behaviors
- Have children with behavioral issues
- Looking for general support or guidance
Please be advised that our counselors do not do emergency care or treat those who are an immediate threat to themselves or to others. If you are experiencing an emergency please contact 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Also, please understand that we may, at times, feel the need to refer clients out for higher levels of care that are beyond our capabilities to treat effectively in a church setting.
It is our hope that we may serve you. It is our prayer that you will find the counselor that best serves your need.
Appointments
Appointments for the following counselors at Grace Middleburg Heights Campus can be made by contacting [email protected] or calling 440-243-4885 x202
- Jamie Norton MEd, LICDC-CS
- Ashley Zakikhani MA, LPCC
- Mark Valley MA, LPC
- Michele Abraham MSSA, LISW-S
- Spencer Kline MA, LPC
- Heather James MA, LPC
Please note that none of these counselors accept insurance.
Appointments for the Carolyn Rodecker LPCC-S, LCDCII at Grace Olmsted Falls Campus may be made by contacting Carolyn directly at [email protected] or calling 440-527.0457 x306
Caroyln Rodecker at Grace Olmsted Falls accepts some insurances.
Affiliated Counselors
Jamie Norton
MEd, LICDC
Grace Middleburg Heights Campus
Jamie has been an affiliate with Grace Church for the past 17 years and oversees the Counseling and Recovery ministries. Jamie has a caring and compassionate heart for those who are hurting and a strong belief in the healing process. Jamie is passionate in her belief that Jesus comes in through our wounds and offers an opportunity for hope, peace, restoration, and growth.
After almost 35 years of working as a licensed counselor, trainer, program director and consultant in almost every public and private behavioral health setting at the local, state and national levels, Jamie began working in Christian settings through the NC State Baptist Convention in 1990.
In addition to her work with Grace Church, Jamie also offers Making Peace Retreats and workshops in several states.
Jamie received her Bachelor Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1963 and her Masters Degree from NC State University in 1972.
Ashley Zakikhani
MA, LPCC
Grace Middleburg Heights Campus
Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Ohio. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University and felt called to a relationship-centered ministry. Ashley went on to receive a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, which included formal theological training.
Ashley’s clinical practice has included individual, family, and group counseling. Some areas of competence include mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, process/behavioral addictions, spiritual issues, eating disorders, and young adult issues.
Ashley is also a certified practitioner for the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI).
Ashley has been a member of Grace Church since 2001.
Mark Valley
MA, LPCC
Grace Middleburg Heights Campus
Mark is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Ohio. He received his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary.
Mark serves adolescents, adults, and couples who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, life adjustment, trauma, grief/loss, marriage and relationship issues, and spiritual issues.
Michele Abraham
MSSA, LISW-S
Grace Middleburg Heights Campus
Michele has an undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University (1995) and a Master of Science in Social Administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (MSASS) at Case Western Reserve University (1999).
Michele has done case management, counseling, and applied social research for older adults with memory and physical illness. She has also worked with underserved populations in health research and community engagement through the Case Center for Reducing Health Disparities. Michele has particular interest in working with women and teens.
Michele has served in Making Peace ministry, children’s, women’s and high school ministries here at Grace as well and has been a Grace member since 2007.
Spencer Kline
MA, LPCC
Grace Middleburg Heights Campus
Spencer is licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. His training includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. Spencer has professional experience in both community mental health and Christian private practice counseling settings.
Spencer works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples who present with a variety of life struggles. His areas of clinical interest include depression, anxiety, life adjustment difficulties, spiritual issues, marriage/couples counseling, career challenges, trauma, and grief.
Spencer’s approach is centered on connecting with clients, giving them the opportunity to share their story, and ultimately equipping and empowering them to change the narrative of their story in a way that will help them to thrive. Spencer finds it particularly rewarding to create a space where those who feel unheard can truly find their voice.
Heather James
MA, LPC
Grace Middleburg Heights Campus
Heather joined our team of affiliated counselors in 2021.
In her role at Grace, Heather enjoys seeing hurting people restored to healing and abundant living, having been set free to engage in life and make a God-given impact in the world.
Heather was born in Cleveland, but spent much of her childhood in Bolivia, South America.
As a result, she is fluent in Spanish. Heather and her family now call Strongsville home.
Heather has a BA in Christian Education with a minor in Psychology (2006), and received her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021. She has also professionally trained as a biblical counselor.
Carolyn Rodecker
LPCC-S, LCDCIII
Grace Olmsted Falls Campus
Carolyn specializes in counseling related to abuse, addiction, bereavement (terminal illness and death, working with individuals and families trying to cope), chemical abuse/ dependency, family therapy, trauma, mental disorder, and group therapy addressing issues related to behavioral, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Carolyn has witnessed God’s work of restoration in her life, as well as in the lives of friends, family, and coworkers. She loves the privilege of being a part of the restorative process, sharing the message that there is life and there is always hope in Jesus Christ!
Carolyn’s training to become a counselor began in the early nineties. She began as a spiritual mentor, and led support groups for those struggling with codependencies, substance abuse, and relational trauma. Carolyn also interned with Cornerstone of Hope, a center for those who are grieving. In her time at Cornerstone, she counseled individuals, families, and groups dealing with death and terminal illness. As a licensed professional counselor, Carolyn has continued to broaden her scope of practice to include mental disorders (i.e., depression, bipolar, and anxiety disorders). Carolyn is also certified with Prepare/Enrich to work with couples in the process of preparing for marriage