Who We Are

Our mental health professionals are backed by caring & committed advisors, leadership, & managers.

Staff sitting with masks on holding large puppets

First and foremost, we are a team of more than 150 mental health professionals – child psychiatrists, psychiatric advanced practice nurses, therapists, behavior specialists, therapeutic behavior specialists and support staff.

This enables us to serve more than 8,000 individuals every year, wherever they are – in our office locations, in schools, in pediatricians’ offices, in childcare centers and in client homes.

However, our work could not be possible without our caring and committed Board of Trustees, our experienced Executive Leadership Team, clinical site managers, and senior clinical consultants.

2021 – 2022 Board of Trustees

Child Guidance & Family Solutions is fortunate to have caring, committed community members who believe in our mission serving on our volunteer Board of Trustees.

Charles Billow, Board Chair – The Billow Company

Rev. Sandra Selby, Vice Chair- Furnace Street Mission/Tough Work Outreach

Thomas Sims, Secretary – FirstEnergy Corp.

Pam Wright, Treasurer – Sikich LLP

Anita Davis – Retired, Summit County Department of Job & Family Services

Judge Carol Dezso – Retired, Summit County Domestic Relations Court

Gailmarie Fort – Retired, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Martin Ganzer – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Pamela Hickson-Stevenson – Akron-Summit County Public Library

Lisa King – Summit Metro Parks

Judge Kelly McLaughlin – Summit County Common Pleas Court

Stancy Sykes – Akron Public Schools

Paul Weaver – KeyBank

Jeffrey Wilhite – Family Promise of Summit County
2021 Executive Leadership Team

The Executive Leadership Team is comprised of healthcare leaders with business management experience who believe in the power of mental healthcare to change lives and improve the overall health and happiness of families in our community.

Karen Talbott, MSA, CPA, FHHC – President & CEO

Elizabeth Menefee, MD, FAPA – Chief Medical Officer

Cassandra Galloway, M.Ed., LPCC-S – Chief Clinical Officer

Patrick Watson, CPA – Chief Financial Officer

Patricia Roy, M.Ed., CEBS – Director, Human Resources
Clinical Site Managers

Our Clinical Site Managers ensure that clients and staff receive thoughtful, caring and comprehensive services when they engage with the agency. These leaders train and develop their staff and are community focused, helping the agency stay aware of the needs of the areas we serve. These leaders have an average of 20+ years of service with the agency.
Senior Clinical Consultants
Our team includes Senior Clinical Consultants who have expertise in areas including those listed below. They offer consultation to other therapists and help develop treatment plans for clients as needed. They also provide agency staff with regular learning and development opportunities.

Specialty areas include:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Adult Services
- C-CAN (early diagnosis and treatment of psychosis)
- Depressive Disorders
- Early Childhood
- FIRST (first episode of psychosis)
- Home-Based Counseling Services
- LGBTQ+
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Sexual Behavior Problems
- School-Based Counseling Services
- Substance Use Disorders
- Trauma
- Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees
- Zero Suicide

Our Community Impact

We’re making a difference.

80+ Years in Operation

150+ Therapists & Supporting Staff

8,000+ Individuals Served

Work With Us

Be part of a team that truly cares.

CG&FS has more than 150 professionals in Summit County including therapists, child psychiatrists, pediatric nurse specialists, early childhood experts and a talented administrative team.

Join Our Team