Cathy Knezevich, M.Ed., PCC
Ms. Knezevich’s goal as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor is to help people live a more fulfilled life, whether they are managing emotional issues or life challenges. She works with older teens, adults and seniors; individually, as couples and families. She also runs a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adults with more difficult emotional, behavioral or life challenges. Ms. Knezevich’s style is to balance acceptance with change to help people explore feelings and behavior patterns and make significant changes in a supportive environment. Some specialties are EMDR (with a professional referral), a powerful therapeutic technique originally designed for trauma survivors; mindfulness and meditation, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), DBT, art therapy, and solution focused therapy.
Ms. Knezevich obtained her Master’s Degree from Cleveland State University, in community and agency counseling. She has worked in private practice since 1994 and has established 2 DBT IOP therapy programs as well as co-facilitated a dual diagnosis IOP. Ms. Knezevich has advanced training in critical incident stress debriefing and has volunteered as the assistant clinical director of the Lake-Geauga Critical Incident Management Team for 18 years. She has worked as a social worker and case manager at Laurelwood Hospital, a therapist in the outpatient Victims Resource Program, and started her career as a volunteer for the program.
Contact
Position:
Clinical Director, Mental Health IOP
Address:
8224 Mentor Ave, Suite 208
Mentor Ohio 44060
Email:
cknezevich@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
Phone:
440-392-2222 EXT 304
Fax:
440-565-2349
Testimonials/Reviews
Testimonial Disclosure Statement: Testimonials herein are unsolicited, anonymous and are received after care has been received in an attempt to assure healthy therapy relationships and confidentiality.
(Cathy Knezevich, DBT IOP) “You helped to provide me with different coping skills that I could apply to my day-to-day life.”
"Cathy Knezevich (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, IOP) I really appreciate your kindness, both in this and in the tremendous support you have been for me since I first joined the DBT IOP group. The skills and knowledge I have gained (and continue to develop) are incredibly helpful and have transformed my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ... Words fail to adequately convey how grateful I am for you and for your Group!"
(Cathy Knezevich, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) "Honestly, meeting Cathy and attending this IOP are two of the best things that have ever happened to me. They both changed my life and I’m eternally grateful. I miss Cathy and our group sessions! We all became super close, and I felt some grief when it ended."
"I believe it was Divine intervention that brought me to you. I know God doesn't want me to die or He would have taken me years ago, and He keeps placing people in my life to help me through the pain. You are one of those people. The group did a lot to help me get back on my feet and realize I am not alone in these battles...and I built a trust with you...so thank you for all you have done for me and helped me through."
"Making people feel at ease and making us feel heard & understood. This feels like a wonderfully SAFE place. I can’t say enough good things about this program. There is a great balance of lightness/humor and the heavy stuff we’re all here for."
"I've loved DBT. I’ve learned and grown so much. I've never felt so much happiness before and truly believe I can handle what life throws at me. I never thought I'd get here with my life. Cathy and the group are amazing and I recommend it to anyone. It's such a safe place to talk and you'll get amazing feedback."
"(Cathy Knezevich, DBT IOP) did a fabulous job of helping me feel safe in group. She helped me feel heard and supported at all times, which was especially meaningful when I was in need. It always surprised me how timely Cathy responded to my emails; I was pleasantly surprised. I marveled at how very valued and respected that made me feel. Cathy did an excellent job upholding the rules and holding group members accountable, but she did it in a respectful gentle, and helpful manner. Keep up the good work! I appreciate being in Cathy’s group and having the opportunity to learn skills in a safe space. Not everyone heals at the same rate, nor on the same path, but Cathy made me feel like a respected individual on my unique journey. I felt cared for appropriately; emotionally and physically (as much as possible in the virtual environment). My needs were met. Cathy helped me to learn in a manner that felt comfortable yet challenging; I cannot thank her enough for this valuable, enriching experience. Cathy helped me to feel safe and secure, even when unexpected or adverse experiences were happening to me. That means more to me than I can describe with words (verbal or written). So, believe me when I say, this experience meant so much to me. Having Cathy as facilitator means the world to me; she was essential at shaping and facilitating my learning because I didn’t have to fear vulnerability. A big THANK YOU to Cathy."
(Cathy Knezevich, DBT IOP) “The IOP provided me with a safe and trusting group experience to heal from trauma, depression, anxiety, social distancing, ED & PTSD. Enhanced my communication skills, and my confidence in my ability to communicate. Provided me with opportunities and a safe place for a cathartic experience. Provided me with honest feedback and accountability. Helped me to see that I am not alone and that others share the same or similar situations and that I too can heal from these. Reintroduced and taught me coping skills through DBT practices. Allowed me to see that I can be of benefit to others by sharing my experience. I could not have gotten to this point in my healing journey without Cathy and my groupies. I will truly miss them but will carry the life lessons I learned in group, forever and in my heart.”
Articles
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Annual IOP Statistics Summary 2022
AREAS OF STRENGTH: • 100% of reviewed charts had ROI’s filled out and signed. This is an increase from 2021.• 100% of reviewed files had family involvement from start to finish or family involvement was offered to the IOP participant.• Overall, the total average of Quality-of-Life Scores was 3.6, meeting the goal of 3.6. This has been maintained from 2021.• Noticeably Improved Depression (53%) and Anxiety (51%) scores on average across all IOPs on empirically based measures. This is an…