At Midwest Recovery and Wellness it is our mission to help you achieve the rewarding life you deserve. We appreciate that every person is unique and every client receives individualized treatment. It is our pleasure to work with you and to be a part of your life-fulfillment journey.
Robin Harvell, MA, LPC (Co-Founder)
Robin Harvell, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Director with 18 years of experience working with diverse clients of all ages both in substance abuse and intensive mental health settings. Robin has been extensively trained in multiple evidence based practices including Trauma-Informed Care, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Motivational Interviewing, MST (Multisystemic Therapy), and Trauma-Focused CBT, which have lead her to develop a program for Trauma-Informed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for addiction.
Robin earned a BA in English and American literature from Blackburn College 1995, and a MA in Human Developmental Counseling from the University of Illinois at Springfield 2001, with a double major in Marriage and Family Therapy and Community Counseling. Robin has also been a member of the American Counseling Association and became a Nationally Board Certified Counselor. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2003. Robin is a warm, empathic therapist who specializes in the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to provide clients with new skills to manage past painful experiences or strong emotions.
A strong belief in the power of positive thinking and hope in a better future, she has helped many release years of guilt, shame, and pain which allowed them to find joy again. Robin states, “We really want to create a safe space, where you can heal and experience the positive energy as soon as you walk in the door at Midwest Recovery and Wellness. We are a passionate group of clinicians who believe in enjoying the journey of life and we are grateful that you are here.” Robin enjoys yoga, writing poetry, cooking Sunday dinner for her family, laughing, reading anything from good fiction to self help books, and singing along to some of her favorite upbeat or relaxing music.
Heather E. Peterson, LMSW (Licensed Clinician)
Heather Peterson, LMSW is an outpatient therapist with 17 years of experience working with diverse children, adolescents and families. Heather has earned her Master’s in Social Work degree and is currently licensed as a Master’s Clinical Social Worker (LMSW). Heather also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
During Heather’s internships she worked in a special education facility for severely emotionally impaired students and the Center for Women in Transition in which she worked as a Children’s Trauma Therapist where she implemented individual and group therapy to children who had an exposure to violence in the home using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Heather has also been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) by the Linehan Institute and worked for three years with a team that kept high risk adolescent girls out of residential settings. Heather has also received training in Motivational Interviewing and has provided Intensive Outpatient Services for addiction.
Heather has a passion for teaching mindfulness to children and adolescents and specializes in working with children from age 4-18 with multiple diagnoses. Heather is known for her high energy level, creativity, and sense of humor. Heather loves a challenge and one of her recent adventures is training her dog Luna to become a therapy dog to help the children she works with learn emotional regulation skills.
Heather believes that self-acceptance is an important component in emotional health and our inability to truly accept ourselves prevents us from achieving happiness. True self-acceptance is accepting all parts of ourselves; good and bad. Self-acceptance teaches us that we should love ourselves no matter what. This means we have value even when we yell at our kids, lose our job, or act selfishly toward a friend. Our worth is not tied to someone else’s opinion of us. It is based on who we are, not what we’ve accomplished.
Patrick Murphy, LMSW (Licensed Clinician)
Patrick Murphy, LMSW, is an outpatient therapist with a wealth of background and experience in partnering with people to improve their behavioral health. Patrick has earned a Masters in Social Work degree and currently is licensed as a Masters Clinical Social Worker (LMSW). He has demonstrated skill in working with people who have experienced early childhood trauma and/or trauma later in life. Patrick has been trained in evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). With TF-CBT, Patrick has supported several adolescents and childrentoward recovery by using this intervention.
Patrick has started and co-facilitated an adolescent DBT group while seeing a number of adults and adolescents graduate from DBT. He also has experience partnering with people who are dealing with addiction and currently is working on his addictions certification.
Patrick spent 11 years as a minister before becoming a therapist, having been away from the position for several years. Patrick’s passion is being present and connecting with people while creating a safe and authentic place to venture into areas where they decide they need work and healing. Patrick is a collaborator with people in developing the therapeutic space and relationship. Patrick states, “there is nothing more important to me then to create space where people feel safe enough to talk about what is import to them.” Patrick enjoys reading (anything by Stephen King), getting outdoors, watching Chicago Cubs baseball, playing with his kids, and going to movies (especially if there is dinner and a discussion following).
Ronald Robinson, MA, LLP
Ron Robinson, MA, LLP is an outpatient therapist with 30 years of experience as a therapist and Clinical Supervisor. Ron has earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology.
Ron has been extensively trained in evidence-based practices including, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and he has been state trained and certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Ron enjoys working with adults and couples, and is especially passionate about helping people in the LGBTQ community. In fact, Ron is very active in a local LGBTQ support group and helps create a safe place and advocacy for all people to find safety and peace in their lives. Ron is known for his non- judgmental, open and nurturing support.
Ron states, “My clients say I am easy to talk to, caring and use creative ways to help them discover ways to live more fulfilling and empowered lives.” Ron enjoys gardening, reading, hanging out with his love Joe, and their cat Smokey, traveling and hosting fabulous events including a yearly Oscar party with friends.
Sari Lammivaara, LMSW (Licensed Clinician)
I am a healer, free thinker, family member, dog owner and friend. In my own life I try to practice “everyday mindfulness” in most things I do which grounds me and helps me be aware of the present moment. I see great value in the appropriate use of humor but never at the cost of any individual or group. I am told that I am easy to talk to. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY: I am a therapist with 18 years of experience helping individuals and families heal from emotional pain, manage mental health, improve coping, and have healthier relationships. I provide a warm, safe, accepting environment to help you to explore your feelings and options, gain understanding and clarity, and develop real-life solutions through our collaborative work together. I have extensive clinical experience diagnosing and treating Mental Health, Co-occurring Substance-Abuse, and various Life/Relationship issues with diverse populations.
ONE of the keys to healing is learning to develop genuine Understanding and Compassion for ourselves, our experience, and those of others. I believe that with the right support anyone can learn lasting skills to transform difficulties into triumphs, self-doubts into self-acceptance, and conflicts to strengthen one’s relationships.
Cullen P. Hardy, Psy.D. (Co-Founder)
Dr. Hardy trained three years at a substance abuse clinic working with clients of diverse backgrounds. He gained invaluable experience working in that area which had one of the highest incidence of substance abuse in New England. He also trained in community mental health centers in New England as well as in South Bend. In addition, Dr. Hardy has been trained in multiple evidence based practices such as Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction.
Dr. Hardy’s passion for his work springs from his education, training and a strong desire to help those who struggle with substance abuse disorders. With over 12 years of sobriety, Dr. Hardy brings a unique perspective that allows him to work with clients both as a trained clinician and as someone who has personally experienced what his clients are going through. His no-nonsense, direct, but caring approach ensures that his clients will receive the addiction treatment that leads to a life-time of recovery.
He received his undergraduate degree (’09, Anthropology) from the University of Notre Dame, his master’s degree (MS in Clinical Psychology) from Antioch University New England and his doctoral degree (PsyD in Clinical Psychology) from Antioch University New England. His father and brothers are likewise Notre Dame grads.
With extensive family roots in Grand Rapids and his own love for the Michigan and the South Bend area, he is looking forward to working with clients from across the region and to give back to a community that his given him so much.
Cynthia Stephan, MA, LLPC, is an outpatient therapist who graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Andrews University in 2019.
“Safe, welcoming spaces where one can be authentic to and explore themselves are needed more than ever, and that is the kind of space that I strive to create as a counselor. I like to use mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, existential therapy, narrative therapy, and other creative approaches to help clients heal and grow into their best self. Creativity is central to my practice because we are all unique and have different needs. I am passionate about empowering and advocating for others, especially the vulnerable and those in the LGBT+ community.”
Cynthia is also a multi-media artist, and when she is not painting or drawing, she likes to read, grow plants, drink tea, practice yoga and mindfulness, and be outdoors.
Dr. Melina Sample is a Licensed Psychologist with over six years of experience in caring for a diverse group of adults seeking assistance for a multitude of concerns. She uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and others depending on the individual needs of the client. Dr. Sample has training and experience in working with a number of different presenting concerns, but she especially enjoys working to target anxiety and depression as they contribute to and reinforce chronic pain and chronic illness. She received her Master’s degree in 2012 (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) and her PhD in 2017 (Counseling Psychology), both from Andrews University.
Dr. Sample believes our bodies have a natural ability to heal themselves in many instances, but stress interferes with both mental and physical healing. “I work from a holistic perspective, which focuses on balancing the relationship between your mind, body and emotions. I believe in using a collaborative approach to work together toward the most effective way for you to implement change. Our time together will focus on using strengths you already have in an effort to heal yourself.”