Meet Our Counselors

Tonya Schaeffer is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory designation (LPCC-S) by CSWMFT board. She holds a Master of Education from Xavier University and has over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, couples, and families. As a founder of Hope Restored Counseling Services, Tonya is dedicated to providing compassionate and goal-oriented therapeutic support in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Tonya serves as a liaison to the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage Family Therapist Board. She has served as an adjunct professor at Xavier University in the Masters of Counseling Program and has published several articles on mental health. She actively collaborates with community leaders on mental health education and suicide prevention, serves as a board member of 988, hosts a mental health podcast, and recently began working with the National Board for the counseling compact.

Her approach integrates Cognitive Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, substance abuse, anger, and relationship challenges. Tonya works collaboratively with her clients to help them identify barriers, develop effective coping strategies, and create positive change in their lives.

Tonya's mission is to restore hope and empower individuals and families by enhancing communication, fostering emotional growth, and improving relationships. Clients consistently find her approach warm, conversational, and solution-focused, to meet diverse needs.

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) with over a decade of experience in the mental health and substance use disorders fields. I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Xavier University, where I developed a passion for helping individuals navigate their personal challenges.

Currently, I serve as the Manager of Outpatient Services at a community mental health agency in the Greater Cincinnati area. In this role, I oversee the delivery of high-quality mental health services while maintaining a commitment to client-centered care. My professional journey has taught me that our belief systems are significant drivers of our behaviors. By gaining increased awareness into how we perceive and process the world, clients can achieve greater freedom and make more informed choices in their lives.

My therapeutic expertise includes working with adults and couples, facilitating group therapy for mental health and addiction topics, and extensive diagnostic work. I have successfully supported clients and worked with them through a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, personality disorders, psychosis, anger management, and relationship challenges.

I offer appointments on Saturdays to accommodate diverse schedules. My goal is to empower clients to understand the ways in which their lives have shaped the lenses through which they experience the present, and unlock their potential for insight and healing.

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with over fifteen years of experience in the mental health field.  I have worked with children, adolescents and adults.  I specialize in working with clients to address a wide range of challenges, including trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, mood disorders, and family conflict.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and completed my Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Cincinnati. My educational background and extensive hands-on experience have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to provide effective support and guidance to my clients.

My passion lies in helping people make progress on their personal goals. I believe that through counseling and support, I can assist clients in gaining a better understanding of their emotions and developing healthy ways to express and communicate them. Creating a safe and supportive environment is central to my approach, allowing clients to explore their feelings and build resilience.  I am deeply committed to making a positive impact in the lives of the children and families I work with, providing them with the tools they need to thrive.

I am currently a graduate student at the University of Xavier, working towards my license as a Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Since August 2024, I have been practicing as a counselor in training, providing support to individuals and couples facing a variety of emotional and mental health challenges.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and earned my master’s degree in counseling from Xavier University. With over 25 years of experience, I have worked with individuals and families across all ages and orientations, focusing primarily on children and adolescents. My expertise includes supporting clients with challenges such as addictions, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), depression, and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). 

My approach centers on helping clients understand their emotions and behaviors, and guiding them toward positive change and coping strategies. I value family involvement, working to ensure that loved ones are part of the healing process and lifestyle adjustments. I believe that sometimes we simply need a compassionate, nonjudgmental listener to help us gain perspective and discover what can change. 
Throughout her career, I have been dedicated to helping individuals and families feel whole, empowered, and fulfilled in their lives. 

I work with individuals, couples, families, and groups struggling with various issues such trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, life-stress, grief, and loss. My approach utilizes an Adlerian and person-centered approach using techniques such as trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy to assist individuals in developing healthier interpersonal relationships, healthy boundaries, and coping skill to gain control of their mental health.

I am currently a second-year master's student at The Chicago School obtaining my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a practicum student. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of Maryland with a previous career in the United States Navy.