Grief counselors and therapists in Columbus, OH

Hola. Bem-vinda! I am originally from Brazil and have been living in the United States for 40 years which means I understand, deeply, what it means to carry more than one world inside you. I hold a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from John Carroll University and have been in private practice since 2010. In that time, I have had the privilege of working with adults from their twenties through their nineties, walking alongside them through anxiety, depression, relationship distress, and grief and loss. I conduct sessions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, whichever language lets you speak most honestly.

I have served individuals experiencing mental health symptoms and co-occurring disorders for 20 years. I am a social worker, a therapist and an independent provider for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

I care about real connection, steady progress, and creating a space where you can show up as yourself. I’ve spent years helping people sort through heavy thoughts, navigate big life changes, and rebuild a sense of direction. I won't rush you or force you into a mold, I help you understand what matters to you and take the steps to move towards it. I'm happy to be the calm, steady guide who will walk alongside you.

The first step toward lasting change is acknowledging that a problem exists, and by taking that step, you have already demonstrated courage. I am honored to walk alongside you on your journey. Together, we will confront the obstacles standing in your way, challenge the beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve you, and build practical, effective solutions that create real and lasting transformation. You don't have to face life's challenges alone. Change is possible. Healing is possible. A better future is possible—and it begins with the decision you have already made today.

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To ensure absolute confidence in our partnership, you should know that I operate less like a traditional therapist and more like a psychological strategist. Built specifically for high-achievers accustomed to heavy loads, my approach does not rely on passive listening. Instead, I am highly active, engaged, and direct. I match your cognitive speed, treating your emotional well-being with the same urgency and strategic precision you apply to your most critical professional ventures.

Within our sessions, the usual hierarchies are stripped away to provide a rare ecosystem of utmost discretion and radical candor. Because I am entirely focused on the human being operating the machine, I will gently but firmly challenge your blind spots and call out self-sabotaging logic. You will never hear me hide behind clinical jargon; instead, I translate complex behavioral science into plain, actionable frameworks designed for a logical, analytical mind.

Ultimately, I view myself as a specialized asset in your corner, operating on the principle that insight without execution is just an expensive conversation. Our work prioritizes data and action, ensuring every concept is pressure-tested in the real world—whether in your boardroom, your marriage, or your internal life. My sole objective is to help you optimize your inner world so your outer success is sustainable, fulfilling, and integrated with the people you love.

Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you’re used to managing everything on your own. I work with adults, including many caregivers who are balancing a lot and may feel overwhelmed, stretched thin, or unsure how to prioritize themselves while caring for others.

I’ve supported clients navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and parenting stress.

I also bring extensive experience working with children and adolescents (ages 4–21), which allows me to support parents with a deeper understanding of child and adolescent development. This helps caregivers better understand their child’s behavior and feel more confident in how they respond at home.

I am a trans, non-binary, AuDHD, polyamorous, queer, kinky, and leftist therapist. Meeting clients' cultural and intellectual needs in session is extremely important to me, so the practice of cultural and intellectual humility helps me bridge the divide between myself and my clients. Clients are the experts of their own lives, I am simply here to help.

I received my masters degree in clinical mental health counseling from Xavier University in 2020, but have been working in the mental health field since 2016. My professional background in foster care treatment has helped me form a foundation for trauma treatment.

Hi, my name is Dr. Deirdre Adduci and I believe that when two people work together, we can achieve great things and that together we can become a team that is able to assess and achieve your goals. Sometimes life can be difficult and it can be challenging, but I do believe that teamwork helps to improve our outlook and also to strategize ways to move forward. At times, people will tell me that they feel stuck, but often times this is merely because working alone we may not be able to see all of our options and possible solutions. I do believe that there are solutions that we haven’t even yet. We can do that together. I received my undergraduate education at The Ohio State University, where I studied criminology, my masters degree and counseling from Youngstown State University and my PhD from The University of Akron. I have my independent license in Counseling(LPCC-S),Marriage and Family Counseling (LIMFT), my independent license, my independent license in Chemical Dependency Counseling (LICDC-S) and a license and social work (LSW). I always tell my clients that I could not do what I do if I did not so passionately believe that counseling truly works. Your best thinking got you here looking at our profiles and I am really proud that you have step. I hope to work with you and become part of your team.

You deserve support that meets you where you are. With nearly 7 years working alongside children and families, I bring an open, humorous, and affirming approach to every session. As a mother of three children with autism, I know firsthand how layered and demanding life can get. I am here to help you find your footing, and I would love to work through this with you. I have completed my undergraduate studies at Kent State, My graduate studies at Capella University where I did residency in Chicago and Atlanta. I have almost 7 years of experience in the field working in collaboration with ODJFS to help children and families. I live on a small hobby farm in Ohio and enjoy the outdoors.

What was your path to becoming a mental health provider?

I always had a desire to understand people and didn't realize there was a profession centered around my curiosity until college. I was also very intrigued with trying to understand my emotions growing up and because I struggled, I developed a desire to help others through their life challenges. I started providing support services to families and volunteers through a mentoring agency, which later led to interning at a psychiatric outpatient facility, to working with foster children providing therapy and to also growing my private practice here with Alma working with adults and children.

What should someone know about working with you?

I believe I am relatable and open to the sharing of myself with the understanding and expectation that you will be entrusting your vulnerabilities with me in session. I will challenge your thoughts, your patterns and your assumptions, and I give homework routinely as an extension of our time together to keep you active and engaged until we meet again.

How do you continue learning and building new skills?

I am committed to being a life-long learner. I take courses and trainings annually, listen to and learn from seasoned clinicians and try to stay afloat of new groundbreaking research related to treatments and techniques surrounding mental health.

"Success for me, is helping others create the wellness they desire."

Clients should know that I bring both professional expertise and genuine compassion to every session. I specialize in working with neurodiverse individuals, people managing anxiety or depression, and those navigating major life transitions. My approach is client-centered and collaborative, meaning I value your voice in the process and tailor our work together to your unique goals.

I believe in creating a safe, supportive space where you can be fully yourself without judgment. My role is to listen, guide, and equip you with tools that promote resilience, self-awareness, and growth. I also understand the importance of balancing mental health with real-life challenges like school, work, and relationships, and I integrate practical strategies to help you thrive in each area.

Most importantly, I want clients to know that they are not alone. Together, we will work at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on both healing and building the confidence to move forward.