The =Mental Health team offers services to both Bridgeway Academy students and families, as well as to individuals within the community (ages early childhood through early adulthood).
Bridgeway Therapy Center’s Mental Health Department is comprised of two branches: psychological services and mental health clinical services
Mental Health services may take the form of assessments, consultations, classroom observations, individual student therapy sessions, small group social skills groups, and collaborative therapy sessions (e.g., co-treating with a music therapist or speech therapist).
Skills targeted in therapy may include social skills, emotion regulation, coping strategies, impulse control, anxiety/mood management, and executive functioning. Parent training/education is also offered.
Services Offered:
The Bridgeway Therapy Center psychologists specialize in evaluating for autism and developmental disabilities and are trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation System (the gold standard for autism diagnosis). The psychologists are also experienced in assessing for other conditions such as ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, learning disabilities, and anxiety and mood disorders. Assessment services include initial diagnostic assessments, progress monitoring, evaluation for co-occurring conditions/new concerns, and Independent Educational Evaluations.
After the assessments are completed, comprehensive written reports and results are provided to parents, including diagnosis (if warranted), and individualized recommendations. Results and recommendations are explained and carefully reviewed with parents and caregivers. The Mental Health team can also consult with ETR/IEP teams on assessment results as requested.
Counseling:
- Skills regularly targeted in sessions: anxiety/depression symptoms management, problem-solving, emotion regulation, coping strategies, friendship/relationships, conflict resolution, perspective taking, self-concept, social skills training, executive functioning (self-monitoring, organizing, prioritizing, initiation).
- Format: individual and/or small group, co-treat with other therapy disciplines, parent consultation/training.
- Frequency: 1-2 session(s) per week with the individual for 30-60 minutes (length of session determined by child’s age and readiness for therapy); parent consultations/training on an as-needed basis.
Assessment:
- Types: Initial evaluations, Re-evaluations, clinical, psychoeducational, progress monitoring, independent educational evaluations
- Disorders regularly evaluated: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Assessments Batteries: cognitive, academic achievement, adaptive behavior, social-emotional, ASD-specific (ADOS-2, ADI-R, rating scales), developmental
The waitlist for starting an evaluation is roughly 9-12 months. The Psychology Department accepts funding from the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, several insurance plans, and self-pay.
Please call 614-262-7520 for more information on the current waitlist and payment forms accepted.
Meet our Mental Health Team
Nicole Benson, Ph.D., NCSP, Psychologist
Dr. Benson is a licensed psychologist and a nationally certified school psychologist with over 10 years of experience working in the psychology field. She holds a Master of Arts degree and a Doctoral degree in School Psychology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Benson completed her advanced practicum at a private clinic that specialized in providing individualized services to neurodivergent youth and their families. She also completed a pre-doctoral internship in Columbus City Schools and a postdoctoral fellowship at Bridgeway. In her spare time, Dr. Benson enjoys being outside with her children, traveling to new places, and spending time with family and friends.
Lindsay Fletcher, Ph.D., NCSP, Psychologist, Psychological Services Manager
Dr. Fletcher is a licensed psychologist and a nationally certified school psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She holds a Master of Arts degree and a Doctoral degree in School Psychology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Fletcher completed an advanced practicum at OSU’s Nisonger Center Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic and a pre-doctoral internship in South Western City Schools (Grove City, Ohio). Her post-doctoral fellowships took place through private practice supervised ABA home teams and at Bridgeway. Prior to joining Bridgeway in 2012, Dr. Fletcher worked as an ABA therapist for families throughout Central Ohio, as a mental health consultant for Head Start, and as a graduate administrative associate at OSU’s Office for Disability Services. She has worked with individuals ranging from preschool age through adulthood with a range of needs. In her spare time, Dr. Fletcher enjoys spending time with her husband and children and completing DIY projects.
Megan Held, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellow
Dr. Held received her Ph.D. in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Psychology program at The Ohio State University. She has 10 years of experience working with children with developmental disabilities and holds a Master of Arts degree in psychology. Dr. Held received her clinical training from the Nisonger Center at the Ohio State University and completed an advanced assessment and treatment practicum at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She completed a pre-doctoral internship with the Behavior Supports program at the Nisonger Center. In her spare time, she enjoys going on adventures with her husband and daughters.
Julie Henzel, PsyD, Psychologist
Dr. Henzel is a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist with over 15 years of experience working in the psychology field. She holds a Master of Arts degree in School Psychology from The Ohio State University and a Doctorate of Psychology in School Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Henzel completed a pre-doctoral internship in child clinical psychology (American Psychological Association accredited) at Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in Canton, Ohio, and a postdoctoral fellowship in intellectual and developmental disabilities psychology at Ohio State University’s Nisonger Center. Prior to joining Bridgeway in 2013, Dr. Henzel worked in school, clinical, and specialty autism centers where she served children and adolescents with a range of needs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, and singing in a local choir.
Chyann Martin, MSW, LSW, Mental Health Clinician
Chyann Martin is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio. She recently graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Chyann attended Wilmington College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. She has a passion for working with children and their families and previously worked with children with autism as a float teacher in the Bridgeway Academy elementary program. In her spare time, Chyann enjoys spending time with family and friends, bonfires, and hiking with her dog.
Francessca McMurtry, MSW, LSW, Mental Health Clinician
Francessca McMurtry is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Miami University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Bowling Green State University. Francessca is very passionate about helping youth and families with their mental health needs. She has past social work experience in providing group therapy, de-escalation, and crisis intervention strategies to adolescents in a school setting. Francessca has also worked as an ABA therapist for youth and families in schools and in-home environments throughout central Ohio. In her spare time, Francessca enjoys traveling to new places with her boyfriend, hiking, going to concerts and spending time with her two pets, family, and friends.
Laura Sutter, LISW-S, Mental Health Clinical Manager
Laura Sutter is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Supervision Designation in the State of Ohio. She holds a Master’s of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Ohio Dominican University. Laura has over ten years of experience working in the social work field. She has extensive work experience with children and adults in crisis – providing individualized, trauma-informed services to each client. Laura has also served as a home-based ABA therapist for families throughout central Ohio. In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to live music, and adventuring.
