Our Staff

Jessica Fowler

Founder and Clinical Director

Jess Fowler, MA, LPC (ALPS), LPCC-S, is the owner and founder of Ohio Valley Counseling, LLC, licensed to provide services in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She specializes in trauma-informed treatment, including EMDR, and takes an eclectic, individualized approach rooted in a strong belief in the mind, body, and spirit connection. In addition to overseeing the practice and working directly with clients, Jess offers trainings and speaking engagements on topics including Managing Secondary Traumatic Stress, Living Your Self Care Plan, and Mental Health First Aid, as well as providing consulting services to support organizations and professionals in the field.

Laura Morra

Operations Assistant

Laura works closely with Samantha to support scheduling and billing operations. She helps keep daily office processes organized and running smoothly, ensuring clients receive timely assistance and clear communication. Laura is committed to providing dependable support and contributing to a welcoming, efficient experience for everyone who connects with the practice.

Samantha Patterson

Director of Operations

Samantha Patterson is a friendly point of contact behind the scenes. She oversees scheduling, billing, and client-related matters, helping ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently. Samantha is dedicated to creating an organized, supportive experience for both clients and providers. Samantha oversees all operational aspects for Ohio Valley Counseling.

Weirton Office Therapists

Rachel Lewis

Rachel Lewis, MA, LPC, LPCC-S, earned her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Franciscan University in 2015 and is independently licensed in both Ohio and West Virginia, where she also provides clinical supervision to therapists within OHVC. She primarily works with adults — and select older adolescents — with experience diagnosing and treating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, grief, and more. Rachel takes an eclectic, holistic approach to therapy, viewing each client through physical, somatic, emotional, spiritual, and relational lenses, and places a strong emphasis on building a trusting therapeutic relationship where clients feel genuinely safe and understood.

Michelle Hunt

Michelle Hunt, MA, LPC, LPCC, earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2018 and is independently licensed in both Ohio and West Virginia. She enjoys working with people of all ages and has experience treating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and ADHD, taking a collaborative and eclectic approach that honors the dignity and uniqueness of each client. As a Catholic Christian, Michelle also understands the role of faith in the healing process and is comfortable incorporating faith-based interventions for clients seeking counseling from a Christian perspective.

Kimberly Justice-Conley

Kimberly (Kim) Justice-Conley, MSW, LCSW, LISW, is a Behavioral and Mental Health Child Psychotherapist with over 18 years of experience providing clinical care to children and adolescents across a range of settings, including hospital outpatient offices, home-based services, schools, and residential group homes. She earned her Master of Social Work summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a graduate concentration Certificate in Child and Family Welfare, and holds dual licensure in West Virginia and Ohio. Kim specializes in helping young people navigate behavioral disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and more, drawing on an eclectic range of therapeutic approaches — including CBT, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy — to ensure treatment is fully individualized to each client’s needs.

Kristen Richter

Kristen Richter, MSW, LGSW, earned her Master of Social Work with a graduate trauma certificate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is dependently licensed in West Virginia under direct supervision. She enjoys working with clients of all ages, drawing on an eclectic approach that includes CBT, DBT, and other modalities, with a background in community mental health and crisis stabilization informing her ability to meet each client’s unique needs. Guided by the core social work values of service, social justice, integrity, and the dignity and worth of every person, Kristen is committed to building meaningful and effective therapeutic relationships. Kristen is currently under supervision as she works towards her independent license.

Steubenville Office Therapists

Janise Kaufman-Young

Janise Kaufman-Young, MA, LPCC, is an Ohio-licensed counselor and Ohio Valley native with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville, along with certificates in Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services and Play Therapy from Capella University, where she is currently pursuing her PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior. She specializes in working with children and families, utilizing play, group, individual, and family therapy to help clients reach their goals. Janise is passionate about mental health education and actively volunteers with local agencies and faith-based organizations to advocate for and raise awareness around mental health.

Melissa Cheuvront

Melissa Cheuvront, CT is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor who practices from a person-centered and CBT-informed approach, integrating evidence-based modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and Gestalt-informed techniques to help clients build self-awareness, develop coping strategies, and navigate life’s challenges. She is known for her compassionate and intentional style, placing a strong emphasis on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard, respected, and empowered. Melissa is deeply committed to building collaborative therapeutic relationships and supporting meaningful, sustainable change that aligns with each client’s individual goals and values. Melissa is currently under supervision while she pursues her independent license.