Our Caring Team
At Stepping Stone Community Services, our team of dedicated mental health specialists understand the underlying effects of mental health including the strain on friends and families. Our friendly team is dedicated to helping you live a healthy life from a client centered approach.
Rachel Itsell- Office Manager
As the office manager, Rachel speaks with all clients starting treatment and completes the entire intake process from beginning to end, including assessing the need for services, insurance , identification , and any necessary paperwork and helping them start their treatment journey.
She earned her Bachelor degree of Fine Arts in Sociology from Penn West (Edinboro ) University and earned a Master of Science degree in Education and earned her teaching certificate as well from Mercyhurst University and the State of Pennsylvania .She has also been a director of early education establishments and was a 4th grade teacher and an assistant director and a curriculum coach and curriculum director and teaches dance professional ,as well .
Rachel is invested in bringing the highest quality customers service and care to the existing/ incoming clients of Stepping Stone community Services . Her passions and values are reflected in her daily work , which include kindness, understanding, integrity , trust , having fun , making people feel welcome . Educating, helping others , and strong communication and honesty.
In her free time , Rachel enjoys swing dancing ,competing in/attending dance competitions and workshops, teaching dance, DJ-ing swing dances , thrift shopping, baking , cooking, hiking , going out to dinner , drift car driving with her boyfriend, gardening , playing piano ,movies, board games ,fashion ,sewing, bike rides, traveling and listening to music . She loves animals and spending time with friends as well .
Corina Nash -Office Administrator
Corina is the Office Administrator at our Ravenna, Ohio location. Her role consists of multitasking while greeting clients, check-in process, billing, scheduling, faxing, lab input and results, updating client charts, and filing documents. She has worked in the medical field for the past couple of years and obtained a Friend of Nursing award in 2023. She is a proud Mother of two, caregiver, and owns her own custom product business. When not in the office her passions and interests include advocating for rare genetic disorders, quality time with her family, live music, fishing, art museums, cinematic adventures, theatrical productions, and gardening.
Bethany Latimer Clinical Director M.Ed., LPCC-S
Bethany obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Kent State University. She then went on to obtain her Master in Education in School Counseling from John Carroll University. She worked with children and adolescents for 7 years as a school counselor. She then went back to Kent State University to take additional Masters level coursework and obtain her license as a licensed therapist. She has worked in a variety of settings (schools, hospitals, agencies) providing individual, group and family therapy to people of all ages and backgrounds. She has worked as a therapist for 15 years and has specialized training in treating trauma. She is passionate about helping others and uses a variety of methods and techniques (EMDR, CBT, Psychoeducation) to help each individual grow and heal. Her philosophy centers around the idea that we can all heal from emotional trauma (no matter how big or small) and that though life is full of suffering, we do not have to live in suffering. She has traveled to over 20 countries and enjoys learning about other cultures.
Kayla Barron, M.Ed., LPCC
Kayla is a Kent State University Alumni; she obtained a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has experience providing services to children, adolescents, and adults. Kayla strives to empower clients using a Strengths-Based approach and assists clients to acquire tools that promote emotional processing and regulation. She is passionate about building a strong therapeutic rapport and providing quality services that meet client’s unique needs.
Kayla is an EMDR Trained Therapist and has experience in Mental Health first-aid, sober support advocacy, and crisis stabilization. She promotes healthy life balance and self-awareness to work toward symptom management. Her self-care consists of going for drives and adventures, spending time with friends and family, crafting, and listening to music. Kayla’s motto is, “Take it all in stride.”
Bradford Price, PHD LICDC
Dr. Bradford Price is a therapist at Stepping Stone Community Services in Ravenna, Ohio, a Fully Affiliated Associate Professor at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Brad’s career spans 40 years, working in addiction treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient agencies, Summit County Jail and Community Based Correctional Facilities and school systems. During the early portion of his career, Dr. Price worked primarily with adolescents and their families. Over the years he served as clinical director of four institutions, counselor supervisor, counselor, coordinator of pastoral care in several institutions and agencies. As a recovering addict and codependent he has a significant personal perspective as well as professional one to his work. Brad’s educational background includes degrees in music, ministry, New Testament and Early Judaism, Counseling, Counseling Psychology and Couples and Family Therapy as well as advanced training in Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Trauma Care. A United Methodist pastor, Brad has a particular clinical and research interest in human spiritual development and how it is affected by addiction and other illnesses.
Brad enjoys classic movies, reading non-fiction, jazz, contemporary symphonic music and Frank Zappa, hiking, poetry, Pittsburgh Steelers football and spending any time he can with 10 grandchildren. Most recently he acquired three vintage saxophones, a contrabass clarinet, a Fender bass guitar and is beginning to play again after many years.
Vincent Coven - APRN, FNP
Vince has spent the greater part of 18 years of his career in Portage County and the city of Ravenna, specializing in emergency medicine and addiction medicine.
Psychiatric and addiction services lie close to my heart. My father, an exceptional family practice physician for nearly 40 years, instilled in me the values and work ethics it takes to work with people who suffer from mental and addiction disorders. Over my career, I have observed how mental health and addiction go hand in hand and how these two disorders should be dealt with together. I am currently a nurse practitioner helping those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction and now look forward to helping those who suffer from mental health complications. My goal is to provide the best care possible to all my patients while earning their trust in those I treat and offering them a safe place to seek help for mental health and addiction issues.
Rick Latimer, - Peer Recovery Support
Rick has experience in client satisfaction outcomes, world class customer service, marketing and project management. He assists the company in day to day operations.
Motivated by his own success in achieving remission for multiple psychiatric diagnoses. He is passionate about helping others struggling with mental health achieve mental wellness.
Dr. Sharrie Ray, MD Medical Director
Dr. Sharrie Ray, MD is a internal medicine specialist. She has over 36 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Ray completed a residency at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Ray is board certified in Internal Medicine.
Dr. Ray provides comprehensive care and manages treatment with surgeons as well. Internists establish long-term relationships with their patients and incorporate disease prevention and mental health care into their practice.
Gyngy Stypa, MPA, BSPH, CDCA
Gyngy has worked at Kent State University for 21 years at the College of Nursing as Administrative Assistant to the Dean. In addition, Gyngy actively participated in committees at Kent State University, committees focusing on student mental and physical well-being. As a member of the Portage County Medical Reserve Corp, she extends her expertise to the community.
As lead facilitator of the evening IOP sessions she works from the theory that every client deserves to be respected and relates this belief with positivity and encouragement.
Gyngy finds great joy in shopping, and spending time with her family.
Troy Williams, M.Ed., LPC
Troy obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Kent State University. He is a compassionate and client-centered therapist who integrates humanistic principles with cognitive-behavioral techniques to support individuals in creating meaningful, lasting change in their lives. His approach is rooted in the belief that each person has the inherent capacity for growth, healing, and self-discovery.
In working together, Troy aims to create a warm, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors at their own pace. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, understanding, and authenticity, helping clients develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-compassion. At the same time, he incorporates practical, solution-focused strategies to help you address current challenges, change unhelpful thought patterns, and build healthier coping mechanisms.
He enjoys writing, recording and performing music with his friends, painting, and spending time with his wife, dog, and cat.
Ted Walker, -Peer recovery Support
As a PRS, Ted's main focus is to counsel and assist others who struggle with mental health issues and substance abuse disorders. Help people identify their goals and create a plan to achieve them. Share resources and information about treatment and recovery. And aid in non-clinical activities including employment, housing, and transportation.
Jennifer Biggs -Social Work Intern
My approach is rooted in compassion, understanding, and a genuine desire to empower clients to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful change.
I am pursuing my bachelor’s in social work at Kent State University. I have focused on developing skills in facilitating IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) groups, conducting assessments, utilizing evidence-based techniques like mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), case management, and Sober support. These tools allow me to help clients explore their strengths and build skills for lasting recovery.
My work is deeply informed by my own lived experience, which gives me a unique ability to connect with clients on a personal level. I also draw on my experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with developmental disabilities and those facing systemic barriers related to intersectional identities. I strive to create trauma-informed, client-centered care plans that honor each person's unique circumstances and goals.
In addition to my role at Stepping Stones, I am actively involved in community service. I’m especially passionate about promoting access to resources and support for underserved populations. My journey has taught me the importance of resilience, self-reflection, and creating nonjudgmental spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside my clients and colleagues as I work to make a positive difference in the lives of those I serve.
Mary Prebonick, B.S., LCDC III
Mary graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience. Approximately five years ago, she started working in a drug and alcohol treatment center as a mental health technician due to personal experiences with addiction. This began a drive for a deeper understanding of the biological, social, and psychological mechanisms of mental illness in order to help those still suffering from addiction. Mary’s aim is to learn various modalities and coping techniques to provide effective treatment and promote autonomy for each individual’s recovery. Although she is new to the field, she remains motivated to improve her training, mental health advocacy, and counseling abilities. Mary enjoys reading books and research journals, scientific talks, volunteering, and spending time outside or with animals. She also works at an academic neuroendocrinology lab as a research technician and would love to combine the research and counseling areas of her life as a graduate student or for a career.