Self Psychology Therapists in Akron, OH

We often think of ourselves as what we are given, but instead it's what we make of what we're given. I am guided by a view of identity as a creative narrative and see distress as often occurring when we feel stuck in that creation, bound to selves and lives that aren't working. The goal in therapy is not only to understand how and why we got stuck, but to reengage with our creative and imaginative selves, allowing us to explore new facets of ourselves and experiment with new ways of being. In many ways, we reduce suffering by reintroducing play in our worlds.

I specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety, self-esteem, second guessing, doubt, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges with more clarity and confidence. Whether you are looking to better understand yourself, break unhelpful patterns, or reconnect with your inner sense of strength, our work together is grounded in real conversations, deep insight, and practical tools for lasting change. This is done from the comfort of your own space.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families to create meaningful, measurable change in how they feel, function, and relate to others. My approach is evidence-based, empathic, and solution-focused, with therapy centered on helping you achieve clear goals so that progress is noticeable in daily life. I work with a wide range of concerns—including anxiety, low mood, loss, self-doubt, and life transitions—and have particular expertise in performance psychology, public speaking anxiety, panic attacks, fear of flying, and questions of purpose or meaning. If you’re unsure whether therapy is the right next step, I also offer a one-time consultation assessment to help clarify what may be contributing to your current stress and identify effective pathways forward, whether through therapy or other strategies.

My goal is to help you identify and resolve issues that may be preventing you from getting more of what you want in life. My style is warm and empathic, yet I can be challenging when it is needed in order to achieve growth.

I do my best to listen in the service of understanding and provide thoughtful responsiveness, which I have found helps my clients connect to their inner life and with others. Using gentle honesty and compassion, I value autonomy and collaboration to help people feel less alone while finding a sense of purpose within their lives and in the world.

Akron's identity as the 'Rubber City' — once the world capital of tire manufacturing — has given way to a post-industrial economy navigating transformation, and therapists here frequently address the long-term psychological effects of deindustrialization: economic stress, community grief, and the identity challenges of a workforce that has had to reinvent itself across generations. The city is home to the University of Akron and has a growing health sciences and polymer science sector, creating a more economically diverse population than its industrial reputation suggests. Summa Health and Cleveland Clinic Akron General provide institutional mental health resources alongside a private therapy community concentrated in West Akron, Fairlawn, and the Highland Square neighborhood. Akron's significant Black community and the city's ongoing recovery from decades of economic decline shape a therapy culture in which community resilience and racial equity are recurring clinical themes.

Gender ID

	53%	Female
	47%	Male

Session Type

	60%	In Person and Online
	40%	Online Only

Top Specialties

87%	Depression
73%	Anxiety or Fears
60%	Self Esteem
60%	Social Anxiety
60%	Stress
47%	Loss or Grief
47%	Men’s Issues

Ages Served

100%	Adult
80%	Young Adult
60%	Senior
33%	Teen

Client Focus

33%	LGBTQ+
33%	Women
27%	Men
13%	Black / African American
13%	Military / Veterans

Self Psychology therapists in Akron, OH

Dr. Ryan Kitts Schallon

Dr. Michelle Solomon

Alan Jacobson, Psy.D.

Dr. Tara Thompson

Dr. Adam Shafer (Chicago, IL)