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

Brittany, a white woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, smiles over her shoulder toward the camera. She is wearing a bright blue blouse.

  • 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.

Tom, a white man with short white hair, smiles at the camera, wearing a light-pink polo shirt.

  • Tom is a co-founder and co-owner of The Affinity Center. He has been a psychotherapist working with children, adults, couples and families since 1976. Mr. D’Erminio completed his BA at the University of Cincinnati, and his Masters in Social Work at the Kent school of Social Work, at the University of Louisville. He worked in a variety of both in- and out-patient settings, prior to entering private practice in 1983. As an adult with ADD, his participation in the development of The Affinity Center was the result of a long awaited personal and professional goal. Tom retired from clinical work in June 2024

Maria, a white woman with shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair, smiles toward the camera. She is wearing red lipstick, a gold necklace, and a black-and-white checkered blouse.

  • 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.

Jenn, a white woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiles toward the camera. She is wearing hoop earrings, a silver necklace, and a red knit sweater.

  • 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.

Michelle, a woman of color with long, wavy brown hair, smiles toward the camera. She is wearing pearl earrings, a polka dot black blouse, and a black blazer.

  • Michelle is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor with experience working primarily with adolescents and adults. She has gained clinical experience working in various community mental health centers, schools, and both inpatient and outpatient settings. Michelle utilizes an insight-oriented and integrative therapeutic approach tailored to each client’s unique goals, and incorporates components of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. She strives to empower her clients with positive coping skills and increased self-awareness and self-acceptance. She believes that providing a safe, non-judgmental and supportive environment is most important to a strong and thriving therapeutic relationship. Michelle’s clinical interests include behavioral issues, mood impairment, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, work/life balance, trauma, cultural differences, self-esteem, and crisis management. Michelle obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from the Adler University in Chicago.

Doug, a white man with short gray hair and beard, smiles toward the camera. He is wearing a bright green button-down shirt.

  • 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.

Mike, a white person with short brown hair, smiles toward the camera. They are wearing a dark t-shirt with a black-and-white checked button-down over top of it.

  • Mike (they/them) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who primarily has experience working with children, adolescents, and families. After Mike earned their Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The Ohio State University in 2016, they began working with disabled teenagers in a public school setting. It was here that Mike became aware of how pervasive and debilitating mental health struggles can be for young people. Mike earned their Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from The University of the Cumberlands in 2020 with a specialization in child and adolescent counseling. Mike has worked with children and adolescents who have a range of disorders in a variety of mental health settings, including inpatient eating disorder recovery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and as a school-based mental health counselor for elementary school children. Mike provides an integrative, client-centered approach to therapy for those diagnosed with ADHD, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, trauma-based disorders, and more. Mike is trained in both CBT and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and incorporates many other approaches into their therapy, such as art, music, distress tolerance, play, and bibliotherapy. Mike aspires to provide a welcoming, informed and comfortable space for all persons to thrive through the healing power of therapy.

The Affinity Center Medical Providers

  • 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.”

Lisa Dexter, PMHNP-BC

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Katie is a Medical Assistant, who joined the staff in March 2021.

  • Erin has worked at our front desk since 2017, overseeing client services, records, social media, and billing.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS:

Jill Mocahbee - Front Desk Staff

Sarah Mueller - Intake Coordinator

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.