Meet Our Team
Take a moment to get to know the wonderful people who will walk alongside you on your path to wellness.
Welcome to Lakeside Therapy
Taking the first step toward counseling can feel overwhelming, and finding the right therapist is an important part of that process. At Lakeside Therapy, our goal is to make that first step feel a little easier.
When you choose Lakeside Therapy, you can expect to be welcomed by counselors who are passionate about their work, supportive of your goals, and committed to helping you navigate life's challenges. Our therapists bring knowledge, compassion, and experience to each session while recognizing that every person's story and needs are unique.
We believe counseling should be a collaborative experience. Your therapist will work alongside you to better understand what you're experiencing, identify the goals that are most important to you, and develop practical strategies that can help create meaningful changes in your life. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, stress, major life changes, relationship concerns, or simply feeling stuck, we're here to provide a supportive space where you can talk openly and feel heard.
At Lakeside Therapy, we strive to make counseling accessible and comfortable. We offer both in-person counseling at our Westlake office and convenient virtual appointments throughout Ohio, allowing you to choose the setting that works best for you.
Most importantly, you don't have to have everything figured out before starting counseling. You can come as you are. We'll meet you where you are and work together toward where you want to be.
Your journey is your own. We're here to walk alongside you.
The Team
Kristy Holt MS
LPCC-S Owner/Therapist
Are you feeling lost? Do you want to challenge the negative thoughts that seem to creep in without warning? Do you have a million thoughts at once but can’t slow them down long enough to find direction or clarity? Are you looking to improve yourself and your relationships?If these questions resonate with you, then I can help you find direction and reduce the anxious distress in your life using a combination of therapy interventions. I can empower you to take back your life and thoughts so they don’t continue to negatively interfere with your goals.
I have an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. My experience includes working in hospice and private practices. I work with client’s who have experienced a sudden life change, anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, trauma and relationship issues. I am also an adoptive mother of two and a military wife so I offer a unique understanding to those suffering fertility issues and difficulty transitioning in the military lifestyle.
I’m happy to offer in-person, walk and talk, and telehealth options for therapy. I strive to make our sessions feel more conversational and less like an interview.
Ajalaa Powers, LPCC
Lakeside Therapy | Westlake, Ohio | In-person & Telehealth
Hi there! I’m Ajalaa, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at Lakeside Therapy. I work with adults and older teens (17+) who are navigating life transitions, identity exploration, relationship struggles, or the emotional weight of chronic illness. My hope is to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and truly seen — exactly as you are.
As a biracial therapist, the oldest of seven siblings, and someone living with lupus, my personal experiences have deeply shaped how I show up in the therapy room. They’ve strengthened my empathy and fueled my commitment to supporting a broad range of people. Whether you identify as BIPOC, are living with health or autoimmune challenges, or simply need additional advocacy and support in your life, I strive to create the space you’ve been looking for. I believe healing begins when we feel safe enough to be our authentic selves — and my office is where that can start.
My style is warm, collaborative, and person-centered. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we’ll find what works best for you. I pull from Narrative Therapy, DBT, ACT, CBT, and Psychodynamic Therapy to help you build insight, balance, and confidence. Together, we’ll explore your story and create new ways to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Whether we meet in person or through Telehealth, my goal is for therapy to feel like a conversation that brings comfort, clarity, and growth — a space where you can breathe and just be the best version of you.
Alexis Konecek, LPCC
Lakeside Therapy | Westlake, Ohio | In-person & Telehealth
There are times in your life when you may feel helpless, depressed, anxious, or even be experiencing conflict with the people you love. You may also be contemplating or experiencing a major life change. When we are in dark places, it can be difficult to understand that healing and hope are possible. As a counselor, I work with adults who are navigating change, processing trauma, and building skills to improve their wellness. I can help you or your loved ones go from a place of frustration and sadness to healing and growth. My therapeutic process is person-centered. I recognize that we are all individuals with different needs.
I use a combination of cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies to help clients identify unhelpful patterns in their thinking, manage triggers, and improve their well-being. Together, we can set goals in our conversations and use these to develop an action plan to heal, grow, and thrive.
I understand the therapeutic process can seem overwhelming. I am committed to meeting my clients where they are and allowing them to control the process. Whether you are ready to jump right in or would prefer to take some time to uncover the roots of your current feelings. I can help you to move forward into the life you want.
Clare Geither
Clinical social work/Therapist, LSW
Lakeside Therapy | Westlake, Ohio | In-person & Telehealth
Sometimes the life you imagined no longer fits and you are left wondering who you are. I want you to leave each session with the feeling you have more understanding about yourself. My work is integrative to each person, as I prefer a person centered, eclectic approach. I try to keep the experience as holistic and authentic for you. I want you to feel both supported and challenged through the process. Therapy is not a linear process and it can get harder before it gets easier. The therapeutic process is individual to each person and through the process I hope you begin to learn more about you, your environment, and why you interact and respond in the way you do.
My specialties include life transitions, anxiety, borderline, relational abuse, trauma and stress. I am skilled in understanding the intersectionality of many co-occurring experiences and how they play into our symptoms, diagnoses, and every day interactions. If you feel we may be a good fit or have any questions I would love to talk with you during a 15 minute phone consultation.
Lizzie Hartland, LPC
Lakeside Therapy | Westlake, Ohio | In-person & Telehealth
Hi! I’m Lizzie Hartland, LPC. I work with kids (10+) teens, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, and ADHD. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of where to go next, I’m here to help. This work is deeply meaningful to me, and having been through my own healing journey, I bring both compassion and genuine investment into the process. I believe it all starts with the relationship we build together. Therapy with me is a space where we explore patterns, blind spots, build confidence, and develop tools to help you feel more grounded, empowered, and connected.My approach to therapy is relational and practical. I draw from a variety of modalities, including ACT, mindfulness, attachment-based work, and nervous system regulation, to create a space that feels grounding and actionable. I am also pursuing training in EMDR to deepen my work with trauma.If you’re ready to take that first step, I’d love to support you. Reaching out can feel hard, but it’s often the beginning of feeling more understood, more grounded, and more connected to yourself and your relationships. Can't wait to hear from you!
Caitlin Reilly, LPC
Lakeside Therapy | Westlake, Ohio In-person & Telehealth
Do you struggle to be present, open up, and do what matters? Do you want to engage in life and relationships in a way that feels aligned with your values? In our fast paced (putting it lightly) world, it can be hard to slow down, listen to what you need, or make sense of your unique story and its impact on the Here and Now. The work I do tends to resonate with folks who are looking to develop a mindfulness practice, personal ritual, and exploration of their internal world. This work is also informed by who I am outside of counseling: an ardent student of yoga, art enthusiast, lover of the great outdoors, and mom. My main areas of focus have been Depression, Self Harm, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Complex Trauma. I currently offer In-person & virtual sessions including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR within an existential and feminist framework. If you are looking to strengthen mindfulness practice in your daily life, clarify and move towards your values and goals within the convenience virtual sessions, please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. I look forward to meeting you!