Psychologists:

D. Jerome Meers, Ph.D.
Laura R. Meers, Ph.D.
Jeff D. Sherrill, Ph.D.
Janice L. Peterson, Ph.D.
Timothy Rheinscheld, Ph.D.
Sandy McBee-Strayer, Ph.D.

Associates:

Gretchen S. Buckles, LISW
Kathryn H. Leugers, Psy.D., M.B.A.

D. Jerome Meers, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who has maintained a private practice in Central Ohio since 1983. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and he is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.

Dr. Meers provides counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. He conducts psychological assessments for adolescents and adults of all ages. While he is an expert and life-long researcher of psychotherapy and human development, he is particularly interested in facilitating individual life satisfaction and superior individual achievement. Dr. Meers relies on over twenty years of post-doctoral experience and utilizes cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, performance coaching, and effective listening to assist individuals to achieve balance in life.

Dr. Meers meets with couples to assist in increased communication, effective conflict resolution, and increased intimacy. He notes that individuals who demonstrate personal effectiveness and high levels of personal satisfaction benefit from a heightened sense of spirituality and at least one worldly intimate relationship.

Dr. Meers serves as an organizational consultant to numerous businesses and industries regarding issues of employee selection, succession planning, strategic planning, human resource development, and organizational development. He provides individual career assessments and career development consultations for key executives in the corporate context and for individuals on a private basis. Dr. Meers provides leadership and management development coaching to senior level executives in various corporations. Dr. Meers claims a sub-specialty in working with family-owned or closely-held corporations.

Dr. Meers is an expert with a variety of psychological tests and instruments but individualizes the assessment process for each client and declines to offer “canned” or “franchised” methods of assessment.

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Laura R. Meers, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She is also listed by the National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists. Her clinical practice, which she has maintained since 1983 in Central Ohio, focuses on family well-being and emotional health.

Dr. Meers’ areas of expertise include concerns such as marital and sexual relationships, parenting issues, adolescent problems and general communication styles and interactions. She also specializes in women’s issues such as Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, menopause, balancing career and family, maintaining relationships, body image, and sexual identity.

Dr. Meers is a member of the American Psychological Association, and several state and local psychological associations.

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Jeff D. Sherrill, Ph.D. was licensed as a psychologist in 1973. He was Director of Counseling and professor of psychology at Franklin University for sixteen years. He joined Meers, Inc. in 1986. Dr. Sherrill is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Ohio Psychological Association. His doctorate is from the University of Illinois. He has served as President of the Central Ohio Psychological Association and was on the State Board of Psychology for four years..

Dr. Sherrill has expertise in couples and family counseling, stress management, career counseling, wellness, anxiety disorders, and depression. He has provided numerous workshops to businesses, community groups and churches. He was one of the first psychologists to be approved as a mediator by the Custody and Visitation Services of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations. He has been trained in EMDR…Eye Movement Desentization and Reprogramming.

Dr. Sherrill has a long-standing interest and training in wellness. He is particularly interested in helping people improve their health and self-esteem through balancing career, personal and spiritual development over the life span.

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Janice L. Peterson, Ph.D. has served the Columbus area as a psychologist and pastor for more than twenty-five years. She is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary and The Ohio State University. Dr. Peterson is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association and ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

For the past eight years Dr. Peterson has worked with the Department of Youth Services, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction and the Bureau of Disability Determination providing psychological services to children, adults and groups. For nine years she counseled students at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and is currently serving as a volunteer chaplain at Grant/Riverside Medical Center.

Dr. Peterson provides counseling, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and psycho-educational groups for adolescents, adults, couples and families. She has experience and training in crisis management, assessment of learning and cognitive disorders, assessment of personality disorders and stress and pain management. She also specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, stress, anger, and issues relating to relationships, grief, loss, forgiveness, and spiritual and personal growth. Dr. Peterson has special interests in working with individuals in transition, dual career couples, transcultural families and couples who are preparing for marriage.

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Timothy L. Rheinscheld, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in psychology at the Ohio State University in 1994. He completed a two year post-doctorate internship in counseling and neuropsychology at Dodd Hall, OSU Hospital's acute rehabilitation center. He has over twenty-five years of experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and behavior disorders. For over eight years, Dr. Rheinscheld conducted psychological assessments of young children suspected of having Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and other developmental issues for The Ohio State University's Nisonger Center. Dr. Rheinscheld has supervised and served as a consultant to specialized programs for children having an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and has conducted in-service trainings and consultation for public school systems throughout Ohio.

As a behavior therapist, Dr. Rheinscheld utilizes applied behavioral analysis and cognitive behavioral techniques in treatment to effect positive life changes. Although he specializes in childhood disorders, Dr. Rheinscheld also possesses expertise in treating adults with anxiety and depression. In addition, Dr. Rheinscheld provides mental skills training to enhance sports performance with adolescents and adults.

Prior to joining Meers Inc., Dr. Rheinscheld served as chief psychologist in a community mental health center and was in private practice. Dr. Rheinscheld currently serves part-time as a staff psychologist at The Ohio State University's Nisonger Center.

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Sandy McBee-Strayer, Ph.D. is a psychologist licensed in the state of Ohio and a member of the American Psychological Association.  She has worked in the mental health field for twelve years providing services along the full continuum of care. 

Dr. McBee-Strayer specializes in working with children, adolescents and their families.  She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing to address anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues.  She also focuses on challenging behaviors and ways for parents to help their children with such concerns. 

In the past, Dr. McBee-Strayer served as the Chief Clinical Officer for children and adolescents with the Lorain County Board of Mental Health.  She also provided and continues to provide consultation services to The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice.

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Associates

Gretchen S. Buckles, LISW is a licensed independent social worker who has been working since 1991 primarily with adult individuals and couples. She completed the 3-year post-graduate program at the Gestalt Institute of Central Ohio in 1996 and has been trained in the use of mediation and Imago Relationship therapy. Additionally she has studied solution-focused techniques and leadership skills development.

Ms. Buckles provides relationship counseling to address communication, conflict negotiation, and increasing satisfaction in the relationship. A special focus with individuals is personal growth, developing long-term goals, increased self-esteem, and adjusting to changed circumstance; including divorce, illness, and normal life transitions.

Ms. Buckles has expertise in treating depression, anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, mood disorders, stress and family conflicts. She has a special interest in connection between physical and emotional health; and helping others to achieve a balance between healthy self-development and the demands of family and work.

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Kathryn H. Leugers, Psy.D., M.B.A., is a Psychology Resident at Meers, Inc. and is being supervised by Laura R. Meers, Ph.D. She completed her doctorate in psychology and masters of business administration at Widener University. Dr. Leugers is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA) and currently serves on the OPA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award Committee.

Dr. Leugers provides individual, family, couples and group therapy; parental consultation: academic coaching; and assessment services. She works with children, adolescents, and adults.  Her treatment philosophy is to approach each individual and family based on their unique goals and needs.  Dr. Leugers uses psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, dialectical-behavioral, family systems, mindfulness and acceptance, and motivational interviewing perspectives.

Dr. Leugers specializes in helping individuals and their families address anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), social difficulties, low self-esteem, and high levels of stress.  She also helps individuals and families cope with difficult relationship patterns, trouble with communication, and stressful life experiences, such as death, family illness, abuse, seperation and divorce, and adjustments to moving.  Dr. Leugers has a special interest in working with adolescents and young adults struggling with identity issues and making life transitions, such as starting high school or transitioning from college to the workplace.

In addition to working with individuals in their personal lives, Dr. Leugers also provides executive consultation, coaching, and assessment to individuals and small groups in organizations.  She specializes in the areas of motivation, emotional intelligence, and communication.

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