Stephanie K. Starks, LISW-S,
Clinical Director/Therapist, Starks Counseling, LLC
Stephanie K. Starks, LISW-S is an independently licensed therapist and Clinical Director of Starks Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC. Ms. Starks has built her career counseling and advocating for children, families, couples, and groups in the greater Columbus community for more than 20 years.
Her area of specialty is trauma and Ms. Starks has dedicated many years to educating, supporting and advocating for children and families who have experienced trauma. Ms. Starks has facilitated a free bi-monthly grief support group for the last 4 years, Mothers In Healing, for parents whose children have died due to gun violence. She has facilitated workshops on trauma-informed care for church leadership and for teachers. In August 2022, Ms. Starks was awarded a $75 000 contract with the City of Columbus to provide traumatic grief support groups and counseling services for Columbus area parents and siblings who have recently lost a child to violence. This contract has been extended to through 2025.
Ms. Starks has also facilitated mental health, wellness workshops and trainings throughout central Ohio as well. In January 2021, Ms. Starks facilitated a series of 4 workshops for close to 400 attendees on the topics of mental health, trauma, COVID-19, and the struggles of virtual learning for Impact Community Action. In July 2021, Ms. Starks facilitated a workshop on mental health and self-care for close to 200 youth (virtually and in-person) through the Columbus Urban League. In 2022 she participated in a virtual mental health panel discussion hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Columbus, OH, for over 200 Columbus City School teens. Ms. Starks has also facilitated workshops for St. Stephens Community House and many other non-profit organizations as well.
Her leadership in mental healthcare and trauma has lead to Ms. Starks being selected as a participant in the 2022 King-Lincoln Bronzeville TEDx series in Columbus Ohio on Sunday, October 23rd. She was also recently selected as The National Social Workers Ohio Chapter’s 2022 Social Worker of the year for the Columbus area. In 2023 she was recognized as a local hero in the Columbus is My Neighborhood campaign. Ms. Starks recently completed cycle 21 of the Columbus African-American Leadership Academy. She is currently participating in Leadership Columbus.
​
Ms. Starks is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned her Master of Social Work. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Ohio Chapter, where she holds the office of Region 5 Director for the Central Ohio area.
Phadra Z. McCray, MSW, LISW
Phadra Z. McCray, MSW, LISW is a licensed therapist with more than 15 years experience. She has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in Communications studies from Wright State University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Capitol University, a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum Design from American InterContinental University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Ohio State University. She is a certified Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) Clinician.
Phadra is an educator for The Ohio State University course on Family Violence. She is a current member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and has presented at national conference. She is the chairperson of the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and is a community representative for The Child Development Council of Franklin County Head Start Program and Field Coordinator.
Phadra is trained in CBT, TF-CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. She is currently pursing training in EMDR. Phadra's theoretical orientation is strength-based, trauma-focused, women-centered, solution-focused and she identifies as an LGBTQ+ ally. She is currently accepting both virtual and in-person weekday evening appointments with teens, adults, couples and families.
Tahira Easley, MSW, LSW
Tahira Easley, MSW, LSW is a licensed trauma-focused therapist with more than 15 years experience in the social work field. She began her career with an internship at Franklin County Children’s Services (FCCS). She would eventually graduate with her BSSW in Social Work from Bowling Green State University, and began working as a case worker at FCCS. Tahira completed her MSW at The Ohio State University in 2022. Tahira worked as a paid intern at Starks Counseling & Consultation, LLC and was hired as a contract therapist once she graduated. Tahira also works as a Hospice Social Worker.
Tahira is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Ohio Chapter. She also does a lot of community service and outreach through her family's church.
Tahira is trained in CBT, TF-CBT, DBT and Motivational Interviewing. She is currently pursing training in EMDR. Tahira's theoretical orientation is faith-based, strength-based, trauma-focused, women-centered, solution-focused and she identifies as an LGBTQ+ ally. She is currently accepting both virtual weekday evening appointments with teens, adults, couples and families. She is also facilitates Starks Counseling's monthly traumatic grief support groups.
