Margaret “Charlie” Knerr, IMFT-S
(614) 389-0747
Dublin OH 43017
Margaret Knerr (“Charlie”) is known for
- her intensive work with couples or families in crisis.
- her work providing diagnostic assessments for adults, adolescents, and children.
- her work with families – especially those with complex presentations or managing a potential personality disorder.
- her work with couples – especially couples contemplating divorce or recovering from affairs.
Clients and colleagues report appreciating Charlie for her clinical expertise, kindness, insight, and humor.
Charlie recently completed a three-year Clinical Faculty Position at The Ohio State University, launching the Master’s Degree Program in Couple and Family Therapy. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as the Clinic Director of the OSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic.
In 2012, Governor Kasich appointed Charlie to The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board which regulates the 45,000 mental health providers in Ohio. She was reappointed in 2014 and 2017 and has served twice as the elected Board Chairperson.
Charlie is an AAMFT approved supervisor and has been a supervising mentor to many therapists throughout Ohio as they completed their training for this prestigious designation. Charlie grew up in a suburb of Washington D.C. She and her husband have adult children and 2 wonderfully energetic springer spaniels. One is named Gracie – ‘because every house can always use a little more grace.’ And one is named Murray after Murray Bowen one of the founders of couple and family therapy
In her own words:
“Change is possible. Over the past 20 years, I have seen change happen in the most complicated and hopeless situations. It is my pleasure to help my clients rediscover hope and find solutions that work for them. As a Marriage & Family Therapist, I am trained to help you find ways to get out of your ‘stuck system’ and create a new system full of joy.”
Amanda Callen, MA, MFT
Amanda Callen is a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed to practice in the state of Ohio. Amanda completed her Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s Degree through Syracuse University. Amanda has done additional training in Exposure Response Therapy for treating adults and children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) for helping families support children struggling with anxiety.
Amanda’s previous Master’s Degree was in School Counseling. After completing that degree, she became the Program Director with Brooke’s Place in Indianapolis, Indiana where she provided support services for grieving children and families. This was her first experience caring for couples and entire families and it propelled her towards pursing her MFT degree and license.
Amanda is known for providing high quality, compassionate care to children, teens, adults, couples and entire families. Her clients appreciate the expertise she brings and testify to the difference she has made in their lives. One of Amanda’s core beliefs as a therapist is that every individual, couple, or family – given a little bit of professional help – can work to overcome even longstanding patterns and struggles and step into more fulfilling relationships and life. She considers it an honor to be a part of this process for clients.
In Amanda’s own words:
“As a therapist, I have always listened closely to the stories my clients tell. Sometimes they tell themselves a story and sometimes they tell their stories to others. As humans, these narratives can shape our perspectives on our current situation, relationships, and concerns.
My favorite part of therapy is cultivating a safe environment that allows people to step back from the situation that brings them into therapy. In this space, together we can work to see new creative solutions and ways to change the direction that their story is currently headed. With a bit of guidance and some new tools, my clients are able to overcome their concerns, feeling empowered to move through life successfully with thriving relationships. I consider it an honor to be in this process within my clients.”
Abby Sagasser, MA, IMFT
Abby Sagasser provides excellent care for individuals, couples, and families. Her work with clients covers the lifespan – from helping parents with young children to working with seniors making decisions as they age. Common themes in Abby’s work include resolving relationship difficulties; easing communication struggles; moving beyond substance abuse; and transforming emotional distress such as anxiety or depression, grief, and loss.
In her work with Children and Adolescents, Abby provides a collaborative diagnostic and treatment approach, always taking into account the perspective of parents. Her work with couples starts with a compassionate understanding of the couple’s relational strengths, not just their struggles. She takes the time to hear the pain of each partner prior to engaging in solutions.
Ultimately, Abby will move her clients from dwelling on the past to working together to create a positive future. For couples that come to therapy, uncertain of what they want for the relationship, Abby is adept at engaging them in a process of discerning and exploring different paths for working on the relationship or ending it in the best possible way.
In addition to her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abby holds a certificate of advanced studies in Child Therapy from Syracuse University where she was trained to understand principles of child development, human sexuality, gender development and family development processes, especially within the context of trauma.
Erin Schaefer, MS, LMFT-S, LPCC-S
Erin joined ICFT after working as an administrator, supervisor, and clinician at a community behavioral health agency. Her emphasis has always been on striving for the highest standards and ensuring people receive the best possible treatment. In addition to her agency work, Erin has been Adjunct faculty at Ashland University for their Psychology Department for 10 years.
Erin is known for
- her work with couples – particularly those who are struggling to disrupt their negative interactions and reconnect as friends and romantic partners
- her work with children and adolescents and their families. Erin brings longed for solutions to families, especially those with children and adolescents struggling with significant behavioral issues
Clients and colleagues appreciate Erin’s compassion, insight, use of humor, and ability to understand and address clients’ immediate concerns. Erin brings a wealth of experience and solutions to the therapy room.
In Erin’s own words:
“As human beings, we live to be in relationship with other people. Often, these relationships enhance our lives and make our experiences so much richer and more enjoyable! However, at times, we all experience the stress and strain of conflict with those we love. Navigating those conflicts and managing all of the emotions around these issues can be overwhelming at times. Each person may isolate in their own corner, allowing conflicts to fester.
As a therapist, my favorite part of therapy is working with people to unlock these struggles and learn how to reconnect in healthy, productive, very real ways. No solution is the magic bullet; each individual, family, and couple have their own path which leads to change. It is both humbling and such an honor to walk alongside others as they discover what works for them!
My goal is to help you figure out what works for YOU. Whether you seek individual change, family adjustment, or support to resolve issues as a couple, I will be with you every step of the way.”
Melanie McClellan, MS, IMFT-S
Melanie McClellan has been a Couple and Family Therapist with ICFT since 2012. During these years, Melanie has become known in the field for providing excellent care for couples, including couples struggling with affairs, intimacy, repeated conflict or communication challenges.
Melanie also has expertise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a multitude of clinical concerns including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and ADHD for adults and children alike. Clients and colleagues report appreciating Melanie for her clinical expertise, her honesty, and her ability to engage through humor and authenticity.
Melanie charges $280 per hour. She often works with complex clinical or family presentations.
Melanie is an AAMFT Clinical Fellow and has earned the prestigious title of being an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. As a result, Melanie currently supervises the work of new therapists entering into the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a published author on the topic of ethics for Couple and Family therapists. Prior to working at ICFT, Melanie worked at a local mental health agency where she was the director of two evidence-based family treatment programs.
In her own words:
“My favorite part of therapy is seeing people rediscover their joy! Do you find yourself saying about your partner that you ‘love them’ but don’t ‘enjoy them’? Have you looked at your children or teens and wondered if the ‘fun part’ of parenting is over? I work with couples and families on a daily basis to help them figure out how to find that connection again. I help them resolve their current struggles and empower then to create better futures.”
Liz Zuercher – Attorney
Liz is an accomplished attorney with nearly two decades of experience. Her legal career began as a criminal prosecutor before finding her passion in the realm of family law when worked as a staff attorney for the former Honorable Christopher J. Geer at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch.
Throughout her career, Liz expanded her experience while working with reputable firms in Columbus. Now, as the founder of her own firm, Liz continues to offer the same high quality of service and dedication to family law matters, adding her personal touch to each case.
Liz’s practice focuses exclusively on Family Law, covering essential areas such as divorce, legal separation, dissolution, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, property division, modification of court orders, and contempt actions.
Liz is an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Family Law, a member of the Columbus Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Franklin County, Ohio State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She currently serves on the board of the Central Ohio Association of Collaborative Divorce Professionals (COACDP). Liz has been selected as a Super Lawyer every year since 2019 and honored as a Top 25 Columbus Woman Super Lawyer in 2023. She has also served the greater Columbus community as President of the Junior League of Columbus, and as a board member of the Junior League for six years.
With Liz as a guide on your family law journey, and rest assured that you have a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney on your side. Experience the peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated professional.
Allison Zaleski – Attorney
Allison is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2013. She didn’t stop there—she took her passion for advocacy to Capital University Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2020. During her law school journey, she took on leadership roles as vice president and public relations chair of the Children and Family Law Advocates, and she snagged the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Interviewing and Counseling.
Allison’s love for family law ignited when she worked as a paralegal before diving into law school. She recognized the power of the law to truly change lives, and that passion drives her work today. Her experience externing for the Honorable Judge Gill at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and later, the Honorable Judge Fuller at the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, provided her with a behind-the-scenes look at court proceedings—knowledge she now puts to work for her clients.
Today, Allison passionately represents clients navigating the complexities of family law, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, and parental rights. A lifelong learner, Allison is always on the hunt for ways to expand her legal experience. She’s certified in professional research through LexisNexis and is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, and Delaware County Bar Association. With a commitment to making a difference, Allison is here to guide you through every step of your family law journey