We're located at 24 s. High street, New Albany, Ohio 43054 Ph: 614-245-4571
What's in a name?
Our namesake is inspired by one of the Earth's oldest trees, the Sycamore. It is known as a symbol of perseverance, strength, and possibility and believed to bring harmony and balance to all who find their protection under it. Like the tree known for its diversity of variations, the clinicians at Sycamore Wellness build treatment approaches as unique as each of our clients.
Meet our founder (and her office companion, Ellie)
Christy Daron, MSW, LISW-S
For two decades in behavioral healthcare, I've been dedicated to helping people shatter limiting beliefs and discover their inner strengths. By breaking down barriers of self-doubt replaced by a positive sense of self, I've seen lives transformed. Sycamore Wellness is a direct result of this passion, offering a space for people to unlock their full potential.
I specialize in work with children & adolescents ages 10-18 years old and adults. I also proudly serve as the clinical consultant and therapist of choice to the unique needs of federal and local law enforcement organizations and their families. I'm also a mental health consultant to organizations, schools, and institutions, providing education (webinars and in-person events) that provide an engaging and fun way to create healthy places to learn and work.
I am a proud graduate of The Ohio State University where I earned a Masters degree in Social Work and a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisor designation in the State of Ohio. I'm an active member of the Society for Social Work and Research and the National Association of Social Workers, and I teach Master-level courses at The Ohio State University College of Social Work.
When I'm not working, you can find me anywhere the community is having fun! I believe in knowing your neighbor and looking out for each other. Together with my husband, we enjoy spending lots of time with our four adult children and three grandchildren all who remind us to laugh and love hard. Our two dogs who remind us that love is unconditional.
For more information on Christy's professional experience, she can be found on LinkedIn.
Meet Christy's office companion, Ellie, a sweet girl (collie-lab mixed breed) who is always ready for love from others and once you pet her, she will want to return the favor in licks (kisses). Not deterred from mischief by her blindness, she reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously as she barks for attention and belly rubs, while bringing comfort to everyone she meets.
Hannah Wills, CLC
Director of Client Experience & Lactation Counselor
Hannah is key to supporting client relations and the quality people have come to expect of Sycamore Wellness. Among her responsibilities, Hannah provides administrative support to clients, families, and community partners, and helps manage the brand across all aspects of our organization. Helping maintain a quality experience for our clients is Hannah’s primary motivation.
Her service skills in behavioral health and ability to problem-solve have earned her recognition from clients and excellence in service from program administrators in her previous role as Outpatient Coordinator with psychiatric outpatient program in Columbus. You will experience her friendly and positive approach calms any situation that comes her way.
She is a certified lactation counselor (CLC), helping new and seasoned parents alike to navigate feeding challenges with their babies and helps them create plans to help the feeding times an enjoyable time to bond for the parents and their babies.
"I live in New Albany, Ohio with my husband and our young daughter. I am the happiest when I am spending quality time with my family and look forward to our extended family vacations each summer."
"I am excited to have the opportunity to exercise my passion of working in the mental health field and contribute to creating a quality experience for our clients."
Hannah can be reached at support@sycamore-wellness.com and would love to hear from you!
Haley Gerken, MSW, LSW
Therapist
Haley specializes in working with children & adolescents ages 10-18 years old and adults. She has a true passion for working with teens as they develop their identity and the way they see themselves change in response to peers, family, school, and other social environments. Haley believes in "meeting a person where they are," which means intentionally listening to understand a client’s values, needs, desires, and even their trauma responses.
Haley is a lover of public service and anything literary. She has experience working in communities, hospice care, crisis and trauma, mental health, and substance use. Losing her father to terminal illness in 2020 has allowed Haley to understand the complexity of the grief process and has made her a great support for those experiencing grief and loss. Her life mantra is “It gets better,” and her therapeutic approach strives to show clients they have the tools to take back control of their life despite challenging and unexpected circumstances.
Haley lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her two dogs Pennie and Odie. She graduated from the Ohio State University with a Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio, a member of the National Association of Social Workers, and a member of the Columbus Women’s Rugby Club. Haley also proudly serves as an advocate and agent of impact as an aide for a City Council Member.
For more on her professional experience, please see her LinkedIn page. Haley receives ongoing license supervision from Megan Deaner, LISW-S ( I.1901444-SUPV)
Meet Haley’s office companion, Odie, a cuddly boy (American Eskimo dog mixed-breed), ready to provide reassurance, comfort, and endless hugs.
Tamara Tuttle, MSW, LISW-S
Therapist
I believe that finding the right therapist means meeting with a professional who is truly interested in learning about who you are, what your major life challenges are, and what strengths you possess that can move you to create positive changes. Colleagues and clients describe me as compassionate, honest, trustworthy, and dedicated.
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisor designation in the State of Ohio, member of the National Association of Social Workers, and a Medical Social Worker at The OSU Wexner Medical Center. Special areas of focus in my practice include grief and loss, crisis, health and wellness, anxiety, and depression. I’ve lived in 3 different countries, and am part of several multiracial families, so I view diversity as something to enhance and enrich our lives and perspectives. I am strong ally to the LGBTQ+ community, and I am passionate about advocating for vulnerable populations.
I received my Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University in 2007, and bring over 15 years of professional experience to the practice. Over 10 years in trauma and crisis settings such as hospice and emergency departments have allowed me to encounter the spectrum of human emotions, and I am honored to help people find their calm within the storm during the most stressful times of their lives. My own personal experiences, losses, traumas, and challenges contribute to my natural ability to connect with people of varying backgrounds.
Self-care is one of the most important aspects to living well, and some of my favorite things to do include hiking, being in nature, spending time with my family and my 2 dogs, playing piano, traveling, exercising, and doing arts and crafts.
There can exist a healthy balance of head and heart, and we all have the potential for dynamic growth if we are willing to take a deeper look inside ourselves. Through our therapeutic relationship, I would love to help you discover that you already have the answers you are seeking.
Lori Bower, M.Ed. E-RYT 500
Yoga, Meditation, & Reiki Instructor
You are going to LOVE Lori. Her kind, compassionate and healing-centered demeanor calms everyone who comes to know her.
Lori Bower is an experienced trainer and teacher in the wellness practices of yoga,
meditation, and Reiki, as well as an Energy Codes Facilitator. Lori personally
discovered the benefits of these practices through her own self-care and is passionate
about sharing them with others.
Lori is recognized for her work locally and internationally. She has studied with leaders
in the field, including Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Dr.
Sue Morter. Her outstanding scholarship has afforded her the opportunity to teach
alongside some of these internationally known teachers, including Deepak Chopra.
Lori is the Founder and Director of CARE: Compassionate Addiction Recovery
Experience. CARE is a holistic healing program which has been implemented at
Heartland High School (the first recovery high school in Ohio) and various facilities
throughout Central Ohio. Additionally, she serves patients in The Ohio State University’s
Talbot Hall, a rehabilitation center for addictions, and at area psychiatric hospitals,
teaching patients how the practice of mindfulness can positively influence their lives.
She is a facilitator at Ohio State Integrative Health providing training to healthcare
professionals. She has presented at the Addiction Studies Institute at OSU.
Lori is a lead teacher and mentor for the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program (UZIT)
and has trained many cohorts throughout the United States. She developed and has
served as the Director of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program for the Ronald
McDonald House at Nationwide Children's Hospital and at Riverside Methodist
Hospital.
She is a Reiki Master Teacher with experience training a variety of people, including
healthcare providers.
Most recently, Lori was the Director of Integrative Wellness at Healthy New Albany
where she developed programming and taught the healing practices of meditation and
yoga.
Lori regularly leads local and international retreats, providing participants an immersive
experience in wellness and self-care practices, as well as the adventure of travel.
When Lori is not studying or discovering new self-care practices, she enjoys spending
time with her husband, sons and dog, walking, and exploring nature.
Mindy Bates, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP
Nurse Practitioner
I live in Newark with my two sons. Our home is full of fun with our dogs Lola & Indie and cat, Gizmo. Being a boy mom in my home means loving everything Marvel. Traveling to new places is also something that we enjoy.
I received my Master of Science in Nursing degree from Chamberlain University in 2016. I worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner for 2 years. During this time, I discovered my passion for behavioral health and learned of the lack of resources available to patients and I have been working in behavioral health for 3 and half years, with child/adolescent and adult patients. I received my Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Maryville University in August of 2021 with the board recognition of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) designation.
I believe that a holistic approach is important in treating behavioral health. Medication management, life-style and therapy are all part of having a healthy mind.
Mindy also works at a local psychiatric hospital as an inpatient and outpatient program provider to adults with mental health or addiction disorders.