Our Team
Theresa Backman
DNP, APRN, LCDC III, PMHNP-BC
Theresa Backman is a board certified adult psychiatric nurse practitioner. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from The Ohio State University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Case Western Reserve University. Theresa is an Army Veteran and a Retired Army Reservist.
Her primary role is providing medication management in the treatment of mental health conditions. In addition, she provides supportive psychotherapy in an effort to treat the whole person. Theresa aims to meet individuals where they are and partner with them in their treatment with the goal of creating a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.
Maximo Cortes
MSSA, LISW-S, LICDC-CS
Mr. Maximino Cortes earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State University in 1993 and a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) from the Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Sciences, in 1996.
He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-S) and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC-CS) in the state of Ohio.
He has over 34 years of experience in clinical social work and over 20 years in clinical supervision. He has served as is a clinical supervisor for 25 years for a non-profit community-based organization in the greater Cleveland area. He has over 32 years of experience working with the Hispanic/Latino population in out-patient mental health and chemical dependency community-based programs.
Mr. Cortes has also served as an out-patient mental health therapist and substance abuse counselor for a private practice agency in Cuyahoga County for the last 12 years.
He currently serves as a field instructor for the undergraduate and graduate social work programs at Cleveland State University and the Case Western Reserve University social work master’s degree program.
Mr. Cortes has volunteered with the Youth of Hope Ministry of the Sacred Family Parish in Cleveland and has served as a mentor for the Big Brother/Big Sisters of greater Cleveland.
He currently utilizes best practice and researched based therapeutic interventions in the treatment of children, youth, and families in the fields of mental health and substance abuse counseling.
John Swindell
MSSA,LSW
John Swindell is a registered Licensed Social Worker (LSW). John received his Masters’s degree in Social Science at Case Western Reserve University’s MSASS. He likes to take the time to professionally work with clients and help them manage their daily lives all while adapting to personal problems, which they may be going through.
John will always consider a very wide range of social variables which must be implemented as well, such as domestic violence, poverty, drug use, past traumatic events, etc.
He takes time to identify the source of the problem(s) and work as best as possible with the client(s) to take a step-by-step approach in healing the wounds which may have been sustained.
John works extremely well with adolescents; he has a way of connecting with them.
Karli Ruggiero
LPC, MA
Karli Ruggiero is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has a BS in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University.
Her expertise is working with children, adolescents, and adults through individual, family, and group therapy.
Karli strives to make each person who enters her office feel welcome, safe and supported while finding and utilizing their personal strengths and attributes to foster growth, healing, and hope. Her experience includes, but is not limited to, working with clients dealing with divorce, ADHD, depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, and life transitions. Karli incorporates a variety of treatment techniques in counseling, depending on the needs of the individual client. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic Counseling, and ADHD assessments.
Kristen Richardson
LPCC, M. Ed
Kristen Richardson is dual-licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and a School Counselor.
Kristen received her B.A. in Psychology at Baldwin Wallace and her M. Ed in Counseling (school and clinical) at Cleveland State University. Kristen has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and adults.
Kristen has worked in a variety of settings including mental health and school settings, as well as outpatient treatment for addiction. Some focus areas include school issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and life transitions.
Breyan Little
LSW, BA
Breyan is committed to treating those looking to address outstanding mental health concerns. Her clinical interests lie in treating those who may struggle with emotional regulation and issues related to trauma and family conflict. Breyan received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with focus on mental health. She is both a nurturing and direct therapist, displaying patience with the process of treatment and providing a safe and secure relationship which clients can process their vulnerabilities. With the client’s goals and aspirations in mind, she holds him or her accountable for the change they desire and moves with them on their path to achieving their goals.
Breyan specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and uses strengths-based approach in working with clients and the relationships they have in their lives. Using an integrative model of change, she highlights the strengths of different theories to fit the client’s identified needs. She believes there are constraints in a client’s life that impedes his or her ability to identify and reach goals. Using this perspective, she can begin on a behavioral level to work on changes in action, and if the client continues to feel stuck, the treatment continues to address cognitions and underlying emotions, to identify where progress is constrained.
Nathan Lewis
LCDC III, BA
Nathan (Nate) Lewis specializes in working with adults who are struggling with substance use, but is also experienced in working with anxiety and depression.
Nathan has individual and group inpatient and outpatient treatment experience.
Nathan incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, but takes an individualized approach to meet each client's needs.
Rachel Wink
LSW, MSSA
Rachel Wink is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).
Rachel received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Work Masters Degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Rachel specializes in working with kids and adolescents, though has worked with clients of all ages.
Rachel also has expertise in working with individuals with disabilities and strives to make all clients feel safe and heard, meeting clients where they are.
Rachel has expertise in, but not limited to working clients through emotional dysregulation, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, ADHD, divorce and challenging life transitions.
Rachel utilizes many types of therapy modalities and uses the type that benefits the client. Some of these therapies include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Counseling, Play Therapy, and parent coaching.
Raquel Lopez
Certified Life Coach
With over a decade of experience in leadership positions at various corporations, Raquel knows one undeniable truth: change and achieving goals is only possible when someone truly believes in themselves and their capabilities. As a Life Coach, Raquel’s mission is to assist women to reclaim their inner vision of what their best life looks like, develop a path to achieve goals and establish habits that will sustain their dream life.
Raquel believes that when our inner, most real version of us is aligned with passion and love, our outside world transforms. Together we will embark on one of the most difficult, yet beautifully rewarding, journeys of your life: reconnecting with and loving yourself.
Hope Shotwell
Founder and Life Coach
Hope’s compassion and empathy towards the hurting, lost and broken has helped lead her where she is today. With over 10 years’ experience in Behavioral Health Management and 25 years of Leadership roles, she decided to follow her passion and open a Behavioral Health Practice.
She strives to make the practice an inviting and relaxing environment, where clients feel welcome and truly cared about. She prides herself in placing patients with clinicians that she feels would be best suited for their needs. She knows first-hand how important quality mental health care is and will do whatever is in her power to provide it to their patients.
Hope’s Leadership and passion for helping others allow her to pursue her God given purpose of guiding others through coaching. Her field of favor is guiding women through transitions in their lives and helping them find their self-worth, voice and showing them how to heal from the damage of self-sabotage and narcissistic, toxic relationships. Hope also helps those who struggle with Adult ADHD, as she personally knows the struggle is real!
As the founder of Casting Hope Therapy Group, Inc. She believes that this practice was truly all God. He set the plan in motion, and she FINALLY followed his lead.
“ We are casting a lifeline to anyone who needs it. We are Hope Casters, we want to reach the masses.”
Her door is always open and she welcomes any and all feedback.
Can you see your face here?
Casting Hope Therapy Group is always looking for qualified individuals to join our growing team. If helping people is a passion of yours, send us your resume @ Castinghope23@gmail.com
Molly
Emotional Support Beagle
Molly greets our patients with a wagging tail. Though sometimes skittish, she provides cuddles and support to those who need it.