Our Team O-P

Bonnie Olds-Carson, MA, LPCC-S, has been employed with Child Focus since 2008. Currently, she is serving as the Project Director for the SAMHSA Workforce Development Grant. This position allows Bonnie the opportunity to work toward reinforcing and strengthening our current behavioral health workforce while simultaneously working to implement an innovative and exciting program to bring students into our agency to help them become outstanding clinicians. These efforts will in turn help Child Focus to re-gain the services that have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the workforce crisis that is being experienced nationally throughout all of Behavioral Health. This position will span throughout all regions that are served by Child Focus. In the past, you may have met Bonnie at the Genesis School where she served as the Coordinator of mental health services, or in the Brown County office as a Therapist and Case Manager.  Bonnie completed her Master of Arts in Counseling in 2011 and continues to hold her LPCC-S license.  She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy. Bonnie’s commitment to helping people find a life worth living will continue to be top priority in her new position.

Melanie Palmer, MA, IMFT-S, is an Independently Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Supervisory Status and American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor. She is the Training Officer for Child Focus Inc. and a clinical supervisor. She has worked in the outpatient and school-based programs at CFI and has over 25 years of experience working with clients on a variety of issues in many settings. Melanie is a certified instructor for Keeping Children Safe: Child Abuse and Neglect Curriculum for Early Childhood Professionals, Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program and Youth Mental Health First Aid. She is also a certified instructor for QPR, a Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program, QPRT Suicide Risk Assessment and Management program, QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor's Master Trainer and Assessing, Managing Suicide Risk: Core Competencies for Behavioral Health Professionals (AMSR) Trainer, Working Minds Suicide Prevention in the Workplace as well as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trainer. Melanie develops and facilitates trainings on a variety of topics including trauma-informed care, suicide education, family relationships, parenting, stress management and self-care, communication, and more. She collaborates and partners with several systems including mental/public health agencies, schools, judicial, law enforcement, business, faith based and other communities in efforts to expand and enhance knowledge to improve the quality of life for all.

Sarah Palmer, MS, LPCC, is a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of Ohio. Sarah earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Kentucky University in 2018. Prior to earning a master’s degree in counseling, Sarah completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Northern Kentucky University in 2009. Sarah has worked in the mental health field since 2010 with a variety of individuals including providing case management services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and other mental health diagnosis. Sarah has been trained in the Sanctuary trauma informed care model and integrates several aspects of this model within client treatment. Sarah completed her internship with Child Focus in 2018 where she provided office-based therapy services. Sarah currently provides school-based therapy services at Nagel Middle School in the Forest Hills School District. Sarah is a member of the Clermont County Crisis Response team and assists with providing services upon request from community agencies and schools. Sarah strives to provide each client with an individually based course of treatment including the implementation of her theoretical orientation of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (including Trauma-Focused CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy.

Jennifer Parham, MS, LPCC-S, is the Coordinator of the Hamilton County Office located in Norwood, Ohio and provides therapy to children and adolescents at this location. Jennifer received her M.S. from Grand Canyon University in Professional Counseling in 2016 and is currently a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of Ohio. Jennifer has over 19 years of experience working alongside children and families with severe emotional dysregulation and trauma and has been a part of the Child Focus team for the past 13 years. Jennifer is trained in Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), The Seven Challenges, as well as Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Jennifer has background working with children, adolescents, and adults who experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, difficulty concentrating, poor emotional regulation, and trauma. Jennifer seeks to offer and safe and inclusive space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Jennifer is excited to improve family functioning and stability of the clients she serves.  

Brooklyn Piatt, BA, CT, is a masters level apprentice working at Georgetown schools and the Mt. Orab outpatient office as a counselor in training. She is currently enrolled with Lindsey Wilson College while working towards her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She started working at Child Focus in June of 2021. Brooklyn enjoys working in the school setting to meet the kids where they are and provide support for them in the school setting as well as providing education and support for the school staff.  

Laura Planck, LPN, graduated from Hondros College, School of Nursing, in 2010. She has been employed with Child Focus since 2013 as Program Nurse for the day treatment program. She is certified with first aid training and CPR / AED for Healthcare Providers through American Heart Association. She brings with her knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of care. She is focusing on the medical care of clients enrolled at Wasserman Day Treatment by providing information for clients and their families on medications, psychiatrist’s appointments, administering medication during program and making sure everyone stays safe.

Bo Powers, BA, CT, is currently a master degree student at Northern Kentucky University pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Bo has been a part of the Child Focus Mental Health in Early Childhood team since 2022. Bo has worked with children ages 2-8 for three years, with work experience as a Registered Behavior Technician in outpatient autism therapy. What Bo loves most about working as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, is partnering with teachers and families to help children build healthy social/emotional foundations, and engaging in collaboration to facilitate the growth of clients.

Elyse Pyle, MSW, LISW-S, is the Coordinator of Mental Health Services for the Genesis School through Child Focus, Inc. The Genesis school provides schooling for students who receive special education services and have difficulty functioning in the typical classroom setting of their home school district. Elyse has been a part of the Genesis team since the Summer of 2018 and provides treatment including assessments, therapy, and group services while also supporting students in the classroom and managing crisis. Elyse is a Licensed Independent Social Worker having received her Master of Social Work degree in May 2014 from The University of Akron. Elyse began her career with Child Focus, Inc. in 2014 as an outpatient therapist for Child Focus, Inc. During that time, she provided therapy services in the Williamsburg School District two days a week and was in the Mt. Carmel office the other three days.