• the nature of your specific presenting concerns or issues
• the competencies of our therapists
• scheduling availability
• insurance and financial conisderations

 Staff Listing (in alphabetical order by last name)

Victor Adegbola, LSW

Victor is a seasoned therapist who has worked in a diverse array of seetings both inpatient (Children's Hospital, Sun Behavioral Hospital, and Columbus Springs-East) as well as for mental health agencies throughout Ohio.  He has assisted children and families from young children  through teens and young adults in dealing with mental health issues.  In adidtion. he has worked with adults with a variety of mental health issues including mood disorders, relationship concerns, and lifetsyle managment issues.  Additionally, Victor incorporates a holistic view that adresses cultural and spiritual concerns.  Victor exhibits a unique blend of kindness and compassion, empathy and skill development to assist clients in reaching meaningful individual life goals,  Sessions can be scheduled with Victor by calling (614) 353-4157.

John A. Coaxum, M. Div., LPC

John is both a licensed counselor and an ordained pastor. He loves assisting clients by helping them “connect the dots” to plot a course from where they are to where they want to be. He is passionate about serving adults, couples, and families who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, life challenges, men's issues, relationships, and pre-marital and marriage counseling.

As a full-time pastor for over a decade, he has provided individual counseling, pre-marital counseling, marriage counseling, and grief counseling for people who are grieving or have suffered loss. John’s relationship with God informs every aspect of what he does, including his work as a professional counselor. As such he meets clients where they are at including openess to a holistic approach incorporating teh whole person.  He hopes that through his work as a mental health counselor, he will help to remove some of the stigmas associated with counseling and mental health.

To schedule with John please call: (216) 282-7156

Leslie Felder, LPC

Leslie enjoys working with young and middle-aged adults to help them find their calling in life and eradicate destructive thoughts which hinder them from living their best lives.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified School Counselor for over 20 years.  Her work includes working with adjudicated youth to overcome addictions and young adults to overcome depression and anxiety.  In addition, she has had the pleasure of working with teenagers who are the first in the families to attend college.  These students graduated from college, have successful careers, and, in many cases, broke the cycle of generational poverty.  Currently, Leslie works with teenagers and adults to challenge distorted cognitions and conquer feelings of abandonment, worthlessness and anger.  As such she utilizes a variety of techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, stress management, anger management, increasing self-worth, anxiety reduction, executive functioning, social skills, mind/body connection, and self-exploration.  Her  approach is holistic emphasizing on therapeutic goals which promote overall wellness.  To schedule with Leslie please call: (614) 353-4157.

Eva Fowler

Eva has a history of providing compassionate care in the nursing field.  In addition to her experiencing in nursing she is finishing up her coursework towards her psychiatric nursing credential with Regis College.  As such she is in the process of her psych nursing internship to observe and learn more about ways in which she can combine sensitivity and empathy to mental health concerns with her knowledge of medications to offer effective personalized care.

Robert Gillies, LISW-S, LICDC

Robert Gillies (aka "Bob") specializes in individual, couples, and family counseling across the lifespan from childhood thorugh adulthood.  He is also skilled at group therapy.  Robert has focused not only on mental health counseling but also is credentialed as a licensed substance abuse therapist.  He is knowledgable about creating change and regaining one's edge in life.  Robert is a believer in physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.  Some of the therapeutic approaches Robert is skilled at include cognitive, solution focused, reality based and 12 step models.  Robert can be reached at (614) 296-9499.

Sarah Michelle Moore, RN

River of Life Professional Counseling LLC welcomes Sarah Michelle Moore, RN to the practice.  She has diverse experience working with preschool children, youth, teens, familie,and adults.  In addition, she has worked at agencies and inpatient psych facilities.  Michelle offers an individualized approach to each client which incorporates both biological and psychosocial elements for a holistic approach.  In addition to being credentialed as an RN she has been a nurse midwife.  Michelle is passionate about providing services to women which integrate woman's issues and mental health concerns including issues such as pregnanacy and post partum considerations.  Besides her nursing credentials she has additionally completed graduate work in Clinical Psychology.  Beginning May 2021 Michelle is available to see clients for her psychiatric nurse practitioner internship here at River of Life Professional Counseling LLC.

Michele Sparks, LPCC

Michele D. Sparks is the owner and director of River of Life Professional Counseling LLC. Since 1997 Michele has been practicing as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)  in Ohio. She has a passion for seeing the lives of individuals, families, couples, and groups changed and hope restored where there has been emotional woundedness.  She enjoys seeing the narrative of client's lives develop from their initial presenting concerns to increased skill development and competency for facing life anew.  Michele has experience across the lifespan from toddlers through adulthood mental health in a variety of settings including community agencies, hospitals, and private practice settings.  She is experienced with cognitive behavioral, Getsalt, interpersonal, reality based, systems approaches and solution focused technques.  In addition Michele is an educator and trainer in the communities, schools, churches and businesses to educate them about practical ways to ensure emotional wellness in the people they serve.  She has also written publications and audio or video teachings on emotional healing topics.  Finally, Michele is a provider of ongoing continuing education courses which are pre-approved by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for Ohio counselors and social workers.  She can be reached directly to schedule appointments, tranings, seminars, or for inquiries at  614-353-4157.