Brecksville counseling practice joins front lines to fight opioid epidemic

by Ashley Herzog

Patients seeking mental health services in the Brecksville area have a new set of professionals to turn for help. Benhaven Counseling recently opened at 8227 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville.

“We see patients with a very wide range of mental health issues,’’ said Bobbie Hupp, nursing coordinator at Benhaven. “It ranges from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia, substance abuse and LGBT issues.’’ Hupp’s husband, Joe, is Benhaven’s clinical director.

Hupp said the practice was established 40 years ago, but she and Joe purchased it from the previous owners in 2017. Two doctors, a nurse practitioner and 12 therapists are on staff.

“My husband is a therapist who has worked as a clinical director in other practices,” she said. “I’m a nurse. We’ve both been involved in the mental health field throughout our careers.”

When they bought the practice, the couple also opened a suboxone clinic.

“We knew the need for suboxone was growing because of the opioid epidemic,” Hupp said.

Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat addiction to heroin and other opioid drugs. An epidemic of opioid addiction has ravaged Northeast Ohio and other areas in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ohio ranks second in the nation for opioid overdose deaths. Over 5,000 Ohioans died from overdoses the year the Hupps purchased the clinic.

The couple wanted Benhaven to join the front lines of the fight against opioid addiction.

“We tailor addiction treatment to each patient’s individual needs, and it may include suboxone therapy, counseling or both,” she said.

The practice also offers treatment for other addictions, including alcoholism, sexual addiction and compulsive gambling.

The Hupps aim to make mental health services available to patients experiencing financial hardships.

“One thing that makes us different from other mental health clinics in the area is that we’re willing to help our patients financially,” Hupp said. “The cost of psychological services can be very expensive, especially for people with no insurance or inadequate insurance. We are willing to work with low-income patients.”

According to the practice’s website, the clinic also offers survivor treatment, marital and family counseling, grief counseling and infertility counseling. Counselors also assist patients struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, anger management problems, school issues and social problems.

“You are unique, and your care should be tailored to match every facet of your personality,” Hupp said.

Prospective patients interested in scheduling an appointment can reach the clinic at 440-526-0468. More information is available at benhavencounseling.com.

Featured image photo caption: Joe Hupp is the new owner of Behaven Counseling. Photo by J. Kananian