Our Team

I-CARE Chair

Dr. Michael Desposito, M.A., LPCC-S, DBTC

Michael is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) in the state of Ohio, a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist (DBTC), and a Certified Professional Life Coach. As co-owner of a private practice, advocacy for counselor parity and behavioral health insurance reimbursement is a top priority in his work. Michael has witnessed firsthand the challenges clients face in accessing mental health care due to insurance barriers, limiting diverse populations and individuals with severe mental and emotional disorders from receiving fair insurance reimbursement and access to quality mental health services. To reduce workforce shortages and tackle the mental health epidemic in Ohio, the goal of the Ohio Counseling Association's IAC committee is to champion the cause of insurance advocacy to ensure that mental health care is accessible, fair, and supportive of both clients and providers.

Member

Dr. Derek J. Lee, CRC, LPCC-S, DBTC, CAMS-C

Dr. Derek Lee is a licensed clinical counselor and seasoned mental health professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in DBT and trauma-focused therapy. Alongside his clinical work, Derek is a dedicated advocate for fair insurance reimbursement and equitable access to care.

Through his involvement with the Insurance Accountability Committee, Derek champions sustainable compensation for providers and increased access to services for marginalized and at-risk populations. He believes that fair reimbursement is not only vital for the future of the counseling profession, but essential for ensuring mental health care remains accessible and equitable for all.

Member

Dr. Katie Gamby, LPCC-S, CWC

Dr. Katie Gamby is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (OH) Supervisor, Certified Wellness Counselor, Professional Life Coach, and Yoga Instructor. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With 15 years of experience in higher education, including nine years as a professor in Counselor Education, Katie transitioned to full-time private practice to better support her clients and advocate for systemic change within the counseling profession.

As an advocate for insurance reimbursement and fair pay for counselors, Katie works tirelessly to help clinicians navigate complex billing systems and fight for the value of their services. She consults with counselors across Ohio on private practice management, billing strategies, and securing appropriate insurance reimbursements.

Member

Brian Valasek, LPCC-S, LICDC

Brian Valasek is an LPCC-S in Ohio and has been in the mental health field for 20 years in case management and counseling roles, and in leadership roles in group private practice. He has been the Steward of Beyond Your Valley in Cincinnati since 2020. He has 11 years of experience interacting with insurance companies regarding mental health claims and navigating the maze they have established. As a counselor, Brian believes it is his duty to advocate for the counseling profession in areas he is passionate about, areas that impact our profession.

The health insurance industry currently has little accountability for what they do and who they hurt. Insurance companies seem to view counselors as expendable and actively devalue the work we do. Brian staunchly opposes the oppression, abuse of power, overreach, and the insidious tricks and tactics insurance companies employ to keep from paying what they owe clients and providers. Brian strongly believes insurance companies not being held accountable is a major cause of the difficulties we face as a counseling profession in getting paid well, sustaining our practices, sustaining our careers, sustaining our longevity in the field, and in being available to clients.

Brian also wants counselors to hear the message – we are not responsible to make counseling accessible and affordable. We are accessible and affordable if insurance companies do their job. As we continue to hold insurance companies accountable, we will see improvements for counselors and the people we serve. Brian is honored to have the opportunity to serve on this committee to make real and lasting positive changes for the counseling profession.

Member

Alaina Thomas, MA, LPC, DBTC

Alaina Thomas has been an LPC in Ohio since 2022. She sees clients both in-person and virtually in a private practice setting. Though private practice is where she works now, Alaina has experience in community mental health, where clients relied on insurance coverage for their mental health services. 

Alaina Thomas is deeply passionate about advocating for counselors and ensuring they receive fair compensation for our invaluable work. Alaina believes that counselors play a crucial role in improving mental health, and counselors deserve to be compensated fairly for the essential services they provide to individuals and communities. 

Member

Isabel Gruenhagen, MA, LPC

Isabel is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Ohio. She came to the field of counseling following a ten-year career as a mechanical engineer. From this unique perspective, she has observed the disparity of treatment and compensation for bachelor's-degreed engineers versus master's-degreed counselors. She hopes to advocate for parity of reimbursement rates to limit the barriers to entry (and continuation) within the counseling field, enabling counselors from all backgrounds to earn a livable wage without compromising their wellbeing, and by extension, that of their clients.