The Affinity Center is an innovative center for the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), behavioral, learning, and mood disorders for children and adults.
Our History & Mission
Before opening our doors in 1996, we spent two years conducting research and planning the center, beginning by asking informed consumers, their families, and health care professionals about what services were wanted and needed. The result of their answers was The Affinity Center.
Our understanding of ADHD and our expertise in treating it and other disorders has certainly grown over the years. So, too, has our appreciation of the strengths and unique gifts that our clients offer to the world. We know that the real power for change and for reaching one’s full potential is in the hands of our clients. Cultivating that power and helping our clients bring those gifts to the world is our primary goal.
Our mission is to provide quality care with sensitivity and respect for an under-served and often misunderstood group of people. We use the combined expertise of professionals from different disciplines and backgrounds to provide a coordinated team approach. Evaluation and treatment is individualized and designed to address broad concerns about school or work, emotional well-being, personal relationships, physical well-being, as well as stress and lifestyle management.
Meet the team doing this important work.
The Affinity Center Clinical Staff
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Brittany is a clinical co-director of The Affinity Center. She obtained her Doctor of Psychology degree from the University of the Cumberlands in 2018, completed her pre-doctoral training at the University of Cincinnati, and post-doctoral training at UC’s University Health Services. She has trained in a variety of outpatient settings and worked primarily with adolescents and adults, but has also worked in school settings, and community mental health. Dr. Barber’s clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, interpersonal relationships, and using mindfulness to improve balance in life. As a therapist, Dr. Barber utilizes an interpersonal, client-centered approach. She believes each client is different, there is no “one size fits all” approach to therapy.
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Jenn is an Independently Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor. She earned her degree at Valdosta State University in Georgia. Jenn has been a practicing clinician since 2014, specializing in intergenerational relationships within families focusing on children and adolescents. In addition to interpersonal relationship concerns, Jenn’s clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation, challenges related to personality disorder traits, and difficulties adjusting to life transitions. Jenn also earned her Master of Theological Studies degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH.
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Maria is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with experience working with children and adolescents. While pursuing an undergraduate degree at Miami University in Professional Writing with a minor in Criminal Justice, Maria worked at a day care and mentored middle and high school children. During this time, Maria recognized how common mental health struggles occur for children and adolescents and became interested in the mental health field. After initially working at a clinical research organization with her bachelor’s degree, she changed career paths and decided to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Cincinnati. Maria gained clinical experience working with children and adolescents in a partial-hospitalization setting. Maria strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment to empower and encourage clients to be their most authentic self. Maria has a passion for mental health and believes that therapy has the ability to improve everyone’s quality of life.
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Doug is a clinical psychologist and co-founder and co-owner of The Affinity Center. He has been a psychotherapist for nearly forty years. The early part of his career was spent happily working in a wide variety of mental health settings, including 14 years doing mostly family therapy in the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The last several years he has served as co-director of the University Psychiatric Services Child and Family Division. He has spent the last 25 years personally and professionally committed to understanding and treating Attention Deficit Disorder. He came to this commitment because ADHD had touched his life very personally and directly. Doug has a passionate dedication for providing adults as well as children with effective and humane treatment and continues to collaborate with Tom D’Erminio in the development and ongoing vision of the Affinity Center.
The Affinity Center Medical Providers
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Dr. Contractor is board-certified by the American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology and serves as the Medical Director of The Affinity Center. She has special interest in the areas of nerve and muscle disease, stroke, and women’s health and works with adults and adolescents at The Affinity Center. “As a neurologist, I believe I have a lot to contribute to the team at The Affinity Center. The group is unique and the multidisciplinary team goes out of their way to help patients, and what they do motivates me. I like that the patients are happy with the benefits they are receiving and that they feel they are being listened to and given good direction.”
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Descrip"Lisa Dexter is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in the care of individuals with ADHD. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Lisa provides comprehensive treatment for children, adolescents, and adults through medication management and supportive therapy. Recognizing the unique challenges ADHD presents, Lisa works closely with parents to help them navigate the complexities of raising children with ADHD.
Committed to inclusivity, Lisa offers a supportive and affirming space for gender-diverse individuals. By integrating lifestyle adjustments, personalized strategies, and a deeper understanding of the brain’s function, Lisa is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve greater focus, confidence, and balance at every stage of life."tion text goes here
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Ms. Goodwin is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, with national certification in child and adolescent psychiatric nursing, and is qualified to provide psychiatric assessment and medications to children and adolescents ages 4-22. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from Indiana University and her master’s degree in child psychiatric nursing from the University of Cincinnati. Her career has spanned over 50 years, including in-patient, out-patient, teaching graduate nursing students, private practice, being the director of The Child and Family Treatment Center at Central Clinic, and having an appointment as adjunct associate professor in the UC Department of Psychiatry. She provided individual, family counseling and school consultation services for 35 years. “I enjoy providing medication services at The Affinity Center as part of their team approach. I am impressed with how thorough the clinicians here are in making the right diagnosis and multi-factored treatment plan for a child. Medication is only one part of helping a child be happier and more successful. I am thrilled when a child feels better about him/herself and parents see progress.”
Elsie Ikpot, DO
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Dr. Logan joined The Affinity Center in January 2007. Dr. Logan began his career as a junior high school teacher of history and math before deciding to return to school for his medical degree. He practiced primary care internal medicine for 27 years; in addition, he taught medical students from The University of Cincinnati before retiring from practice in 2006 to take a position with a local firm specializing in clinical pharmaceutical research in novel drugs for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. He also worked several years with the VA hospital group in Florence, KY. Working at The Affinity Center has allowed him to continue to participate in his “first love,” which is patient care and in an area of medicine in which he had developed an increasing interest over the most recent several years of his own practice.
Wendy West, DO
The Affinity Center Support Staff
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Terry is our Operations Manager, having joined The Affinity Center June 2015. She has worked in the customer service industry for over 30 years and really enjoys working in the clinical environment of The Affinity Center. She has lived in Cincinnati her entire life. She earned her B.S. in Educational Psychology from Brigham Young University with a teaching degree to work with special needs students K-12.
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Sarah joined The Affinity Center in August of 2022. She has worked for over 20 years as a patient care coordinator in the hospital and medical office setting. She is interested in Marriage and family studies.
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Katie is a Medical Assistant, who joined the staff in March 2021.
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Erin has worked at our front desk since 2017, overseeing client services, records, social media, and billing.
In Memorium
Susan L. Montauk, MD played an integral role in the opening and development of The Affinity Center for 15 years. She was the first physician on staff at the Center and began work as the Center was opened in 1996. She previously served as the Medical Director for the Center, from 1996-2010. She was a professor of Family Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and worked tirelessly as a staff physician on Cincinnati’s Health Care for the Homeless van. The importance of her role over the years was immeasurable. Until her death in April 2011, she continued to be a invaluable friend and consultant to the staff at the Center.
Kate Kelly co-authored with friend Peggy Ramundo, the first book by and for people with ADD: “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy.” Published in 1993, it was instrumental in facilitating understanding for and reducing the stigma of ADD for the tens of thousands of people who have read it. In the early years of the Center, Kate worked in helping to develop clinical programming. Her book was an inspiration to us in creating The Affinity Center. Kate died in September 2012 after an eight month battle with bladder cancer.