Each member of our clinical staff has specialized training in the field of child, adolescent, couples and family therapies, along with board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists.
At our center, we provide an exclusive continuum of care that can meet most any need you may have. We specialize in the unique needs of children, adolescents, and families. From our traditional psychiatry and counseling services to our holistic approaches, we are your partner in mind-body health and wellness.
Laya Bankston, LISW
| License | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
| Licensed Independent Social Worker | Political Science (Notre Dame College) | Social Work (Cleveland State University) |
Laya Bankston (she/her) is a proud Cleveland native and a graduate of Cleveland State University’s School of Social Work. She is passionate about helping children, teens, young adults, and families navigate life’s challenges and grow through healing.
She specializes in trauma-focused care, blending mindfulness, strengths-based strategies, and narrative techniques to foster resilience. Laya partners closely with clients and families, creating a collaborative space where children, teens, and young adults can explore emotional, relational, and life transition challenges, build coping skills, and process trauma. She prioritizes cultural humility, affirms LGBTQ+ identities, and views clients as the experts of their own lives, ensuring support is tailored to each individual’s experiences and needs. Her clinical experience spans schools—supporting children, staff, and families with emotional regulation and adjustment—and hospital settings, assisting families navigating trauma, foster care placements, parent-child dynamics, medical trauma, and anxiety.
Trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Laya also incorporates play therapy, attachment-based, and relational approaches. She is committed to meeting clients where they are and empowering them through individualized, strengths-based support.
In her spare time, Laya enjoys hiking Northeast Ohio’s beautiful trails, collecting rare and uncommon houseplants, and reading thrillers.
Sheryl Bott, LISW
| License | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
| Licensed Independent Social Worker | Psychology (Cleveland State University) | Social Work (Cleveland State University) |
Sheryl has an extensive background working with children and their families. She has experience in a variety of settings providing counseling, specifically in schools, in the home environment and community.
Sheryl enjoys helping people across the lifespan and specializes in children’s mental health working with children ages 4-12. She is creative in her approach to facilitate change and growth. Her expertise is in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), generalized anxiety disorder and family relationship building. Sheryl believes all clients are unique and provides a tailored service to address individual needs.
Samantha Elliott, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
| Master’s Degree | National Certification – American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) | License – Ohio Board of Nursing |
| Master of Nursing Science (Maryville University of St. Louis) | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | Certified Nurse Practitioner; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse |
Samantha Elliott is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who brings strong clinical skills, an easygoing communication style, empathy, a little humor, and evidence-based comprehensive mental health treatment. She works with individuals from adolescence through adulthood struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma, autism spectrum disorder, and other mental health issues.
A graduate of Maryville University of St Louis, Samantha received her Master of Science in Nursing with a focus of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Lifespan. She was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society based on excellent academic performance while enrolled during the entirety of her master’s program.
Prior to becoming a PMHNP, she worked for over eleven years as an RN in emergency services, home health, oncology, addiction medicine, and mental health departments for organizations such as The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and The Nord Center. Additionally, she is an active LGBTQ+ ally.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys family game nights, antique stores, reading, traveling and her pets.
Peter Geier, M.D.
| Medical School | Post-Graduate Training | Board Certifications |
| University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (Cincinnati, OH) | Hospitals in Washington, Ohio and Illinois | Board Certified Diplomate in Psychiatry and Neurology with added qualifications for child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry |
Peter Geier, M.D., specializes in Child/Adolescent, Adult and Forensic Psychiatry. He received a BA from Stanford University, CA, and M.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH. He is a Board Certified Diplomate in Psychiatry and Neurology with added qualifications for child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. His post-graduate training includes positions at hospitals in Washington, Ohio and Illinois.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in various research efforts and is a published author.
Dr. Geier has been in private practice since 2007 but continues to serve on the faculty of University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, in clinical and assistant professor positions. He remains active in professional organizations including the American Psychiatric Association, Ohio Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and the North East Ohio Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Association.
Tanveer Hussain, M.D.
| Medical School | Residency | Board Certifications | Sub-Specialties |
| Dow Medical College (Karachi, Pakistan) | University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic | Board Certified Adult and Addiction Psychiatrist, Board Eligible Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist | Addiction Psychiatry (University Hospitals of Cleveland), Child/Adolescent Psychiatry (Cleveland Clinic) |
Dr. Hussain specializes in treating disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents, such as ADHD, ODD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and bipolar disorders with medications and psychotherapy. He treats both adult patients and children.
In addition to his work with The Child and Family Counseling Center of Westlake, Dr. Hussain’s professional memberships include:
- American Academy of Child Psychiatry
- American Psychiatric Association
- Cleveland Psychiatric Society
- Northeast Ohio Council
- Ohio Psychiatric Association
Lisa Ruman, LISW, CHt
| License | Master’s Degree | Additional Degree Work |
| Licensed Independent Social Worker | Master’s of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) (Case Western Reserve University) | Mental Health Executive Leadership Program (Case Western Reserve University) |
Lisa is the President and Founder of the Child and Family Counseling Center of Westlake. She has over 20 years of combined experience working in the areas of foster care, mental health, and acute psychiatric care. She has held positions as a foster care case manager and supervisor, director of a community mental health program, director of child/adolescent acute psychiatric services, and as a psychotherapist and business owner.
Her psychotherapy practice began in working with children, adolescents, and families experiencing a variety of issues and disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, post-traumatic stress, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, self-harming behaviors, and attachment disorder. After extensive training in clinical hypnotherapy (CHt), integral breath therapy, and other mind-body therapies, her client population has also grown to work with adults suffering from trauma, depression, anxiety and any dysfunctional behavior patterns requiring healing at a deeper level. Lisa continues to utilize cognitive behavioral and family systems approaches, providing clients what they need to achieve their goals.
Nicole Phelps, LPCC
| License | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
| Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | Psychology with concentrations in mental health and Africana studies (John Carroll University) | Clinical Mental Health Counseling (John Carroll University), Refugee Care (University of Essex, United Kingdom) |
For the past several years, Nicole has worked in community behavioral health. She has extensive experience providing mental health and trauma based services to children, families, and refugee families. Nicole integrates techniques from various therapies such as, Gestalt, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, trauma-focused behavioral therapy, multi-systemic therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Nicole’s areas of interest include: post traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, trauma/abuse, bereavement and grief, stress management, anxiety-based disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, and behavioral disorders.
Additionally, Nicole has conducted trauma-based research with several mental health, healthcare organizations and universities in Northeast Ohio. These organizations include: Frontline Services, Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University, and Cleveland State University.
Kristin Swihart, LISW-S
| License | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
| Licensed Independent Social Worker – Supervisory Designation | Psychology (Alma College, Michigan) | Social Work (The University of Michigan) |
Kristin has 20 years of experience in a variety of settings including as a school based therapist, child protective services, and as a clinician/intern at residential psychiatric facilities. She has received additional training through the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, including specialization in working with children and adolescents from a Gestalt perspective, though she uses a variety of methods in her clinical work.
Kristin works with clients dealing with a variety of challenges including depression, anxiety, anger management, behavior/conduct concerns, life transitions, domestic violence, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, and post traumatic stress disorder. She is also LGBTQ+ supportive. In her spare time, she enjoys playing her violin, creating through various crafts, fostering kittens for the APL, and finding different ways to enjoy nature.
Erika Wuorinen, LISW
| License | Master’s Degree |
| Licensed Social Worker | Social Work (Cleveland State University) |
Erica has over 20 years of experience providing mental health services in a variety of settings including residential, foster care, schools, and private practice. Her clientele has spanned from school-aged children through adults and is especially skilled in providing counseling services to adolescents. She uses a variety of methods in her clinical work, focusing on mindfulness and cognitive behavioral perspectives.
Erika has several years of experience working with anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, stress management, family and couples counseling. She is LGBTQ+ supportive.
In her free time, she enjoys quality family time, nature, playing volleyball, crafting, and spending time with friends.