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KAV Health Group

Welcome to KAV Health Group — Ohio’s Premier Provider of Online Addiction Treatment, Suboxone Treatment, and Mental Health Therapy Services.

We’re Here to Help You Reclaim Your Sobriety and Mental Wellness Today!

Online Mental Health Treatment
Online Mental Health Treatment

About Our Practice

As one of the leading outpatient addiction and mental health treatment clinics in Ohio for years, we at KAV Health Group believe that our success and longevity has come from an unwavering commitment to provide our patients with compassionate, high-quality care that is also accessible, convenient, and affordable. Since our inception, we’ve gone to great lengths to uphold this commitment to ensure we can continue serving as many people in our community as possible, and ultimately help each one of our patients live the happy, meaningful, and sober life they deserve.

Recovery with Suboxone

For years, Suboxone has been a crucial part of our MAT program for patients suffering from opioid addiction. This FDA-approved medication eases patients into recovery with two key ingredients — Buprenorphine and Naloxone — which together help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Patients don’t build a tolerance to Suboxone, meaning we never need to increase dosage of this non-addictive drug to achieve the same positive effect. When combined with therapy, Suboxone treatment is a safe, effective method to beat addiction once and for all.

Our Online Medication-Assisted Treatment Services

At KAV Health Group, we believe that the accessibility and convenience of your care matter, which is why in addition to providing same day appointments and accepting Ohio Medicaid insurance, all of our treatment and therapy services are available online through a confidential, HIPAA-compliant video platform. We want to make sure that nothing stands in the way of you getting the help you deserve.

We use carefully-selected medications, both as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to help our patients overcome opioid addiction, and to help treat mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Our evidence-based approach uses precisely dosed, monitored treatments and safe medication management combined with supportive counseling and therapy to help our patients address their physical, mental, and emotional issues head on.

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Online Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Our online Suboxone treatment program is part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan to help those battling opioid addiction. A tailored dosage of Suboxone works hand-in-hand with counseling to make each patient’s recovery experience more effective. Through our convenient telehealth format, our doctors check in virtually to monitor how you’re responding to treatment, while you work with our counselors on a regular basis to uncover and address the root causes of your addiction to opioids.

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Online Mental Health Treatment & Psychiatry

The right medication can make mental illnesses much easier to manage — they’re not a cure-all, but they make day-to-day issues easier to face so you can focus on getting better. We account for your specific mental issues, health, personal disposition, and whether you’re also struggling with any substance abuse issues before prescribing any medications. The process starts with an official diagnosis from our Board-Certified Psychiatrist who will then work with you to build a life-changing treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.

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Online Counseling & Group Therapy

We offer virtual counseling and therapy sessions in both one-on-one and small group formats — whether you’re part of a MAT program for opioid addiction, working on a mental health disorder, or often both, we’ll personalize our online sessions to your needs. Individual counseling can help you examine the underlying causes or unhealthy patterns that have made life more difficult and find ways to face those issues and manage strong emotions, while group therapy helps you to develop coping skills and connect with a strong support network.

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Experienced Providers

Our Board-Certified psychiatrists, certified suboxone doctors, nurse practitioners, licensed counselors, social workers, and other support staff all work together to uphold the high standard of care on which the KAV Health Group was founded. Whether you come to us seeking help for addiction, mental health, or both, our experienced team of addiction and behavioral health professionals will develop an individualized treatment plan that allows you to work through your specific issues at a pace you feel comfortable with.

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Steven E. Carpenter, LCDC II
Clinical Compliance Manager

Steven Carpenter has been a member of KAV Health group since October 2020. During his time here, he has managed Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) groups and served as a primary counselor for patients. Prior to joining KAV, Steven helped build an addiction program where he oversaw daily activities and measured outcomes. He has also worked in residential male addiction treatment and as a primary intensive outpatient counselor. Steven holds a degree in chemical dependency counseling and mental health technology, and is licensed by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II. In his free time, Steven enjoys playing guitar, attending spirituality meetings, and working on vintage cars.

KAV Health Group Jessica Hudson

Jessica Hudson, LCDC III
Clinical Training Manager / Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III

Jessica Hudson has been a member of KAV Health Group since 2021, Jessica has experience providing SUD counseling services for clients and running SUD therapy groups. Currently, she welcomes and trains all new employees, helps counselors manage their caseloads to reach the best client results, and aids clients getting set up for counseling. Prior to KAV, she worked in jail services providing individual and group counseling and planning for inmate exit and release. She earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science with an emphasis on trauma, and is working towards a master’s degree in addiction studies.

KAV Health Group Angela Perison LCDC

Angela Perison, LCDC II
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II

Since 2021, Angela has been supporting KAV Health Group clients on their journey to recovery. Angela began working as a substance abuse counselor for teens and adults, with a primary focus on female clients. She has an associate degree in chemical dependency, mental health, and developmental disabilities from Columbus State in Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated cum laude in the field of applied science.

KAV Health Group Meagan B. Bower, M.D.

Meagan B. Bower, M.D.
Medical Director / Medical Doctor

In addition to her work at KAV Health Group, Dr. Bower is also a medical expert with the Social Security Administration. She graduated from the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo with an M.D. in 1995. Since then, she has practiced extensively in internal, occupational, and addiction medicine. Dr. Bower lives in northern Ohio with her family.

KAV Health Group Kimberly Handegard

Kimberly Handegard
Executive Director

Kimberly is a passionate, innovative, and highly analytical clinical operations, compliance and revenue executive with more than 18 years of experience. She has a background in physical and behavioral health, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), and has proven excellence in hospital accreditation, compliance, operations, financial management, and cost reporting. Her other skills include quality assurance and compliance, claims analysis, financial principles and practices, strategic planning, and people management.

Rachael Smith, CNP-BC, APRN, MSN

Rachael Smith, CNP-BC, APRN, MSN
Nurse Practitioner

Rachael completed her BSN at Ohio University and her MSN at Purdue University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Her background in addiction medicine began many years ago while working with the first Drug Court in Butler County. Rachael is an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns and has a passion for sharks. You’ll find that she’s always coming up with creative ways to celebrate the greatest week of the year — Shark Week.

Sonia L. Hissett, DNP, APRN, FNP

Sonia L. Hissett, DNP, APRN, FNP
Nurse Practitioner

Specializing in Addiction Medicine, Sonia has 13 years of experience as Nurse Practitioner, and over 30 years as a nurse in critical care. She enjoys taking a one-on-one approach to care that fits the individual. Sonia received her Doctorate in Nursing while working full-time and raising her family. She has also taught at Xavier University for over 15 years and is a devout Muskies fan.

Tara VanGundy, RN, FNP

Tara VanGundy, RN, FNP
Nurse Practitioner

Tara VanGundy, Family Nurse Practitioner, obtained MSN from University of Cincinnati in 2012, currently practicing geriatrics and addiction medicine. When not working, she enjoys spending quiet time with her family.

Misty Moore, APRN-BC

Misty Moore, APRN-BC
Medical Compliance Manager / Nurse Practitioner

Misty Moore is a graduate of Indiana University, Marion, IN, and has an MSN in Family Practice with a concentration in Occupational, Emergent, and Addiction Medicine. She has a strong passion for patient advocacy and is here to provide individualized care and help overcome the stigma and burden associated with substance abuse.

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Christie Watson-Schmitt, LICDC
Clinical Compliance Manager / Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor

Christie L. Watson Schmitt is an Addiction/Substance Abuse Counselor in Ohio with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating addiction and mental health disorders responsible for addiction. As an Addiction/Substance Abuse Counselor, she performs diagnosis and treatment of addiction to alcohol and drugs. Addiction/Substance Abuse Counseling is a medical specialty dedicated to researching and treating all types of substance addiction disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Addiction/Substance Abuse Counselors include alcohol and drug addiction. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Addiction/Substance Abuse Counselors include conducting patient interviews, administering drug tests, creating treatment plans, participating in therapy sessions, and referring patients to other medical specialists as needed.

TESTIMONIALS

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“So this place has been there for me from the beginning. They have always worked with me and my crazy schedule! They are awesome when it comes to making me feel like a person and not just some addict no one cares about. I have really moved forward and progressed a lot with the help of the staff. I highly recommend that you give them a call if you need a treatment facility who will understand you.”
– A.C.

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“Thank you so much. Words can’t describe how much you’ve helped me on my journey. You’re such an inspirational and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to meet you all. I’m beyond grateful for KAV!!!!!”
– A.F.

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“Thank you KAV for doing an amazing job with your patients and literally saving lives.”
– J.A.