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6675 Wesselman Road • Cincinnati, Ohio 45248 • 513-407-8878
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Michael Murphy, Psy.D., CSAT
Director of Psychological Services
Dr. Michael Murphy completed his Masters and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at Divine Mercy University. His doctoral dissertation, completed in 2017, was entitled “Flow in the Context of Vocation.” In his new role, Dr. Murphy gets to feed his passion to help others thrive and contribute their unique gifts, starting with his fellow therapists, down to all the patients at RWPS. Regarding therapy, Dr. Murphy is trained as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). These training equip him to help those struggling with sexual compulsivity, those impacted by sexual betrayal, and couples struggling from a wide variety of issues. Dr. Murphy is prepared to work with any part of this difficult circumstance, including addressing a couple’s unique needs (e.g., assessment/triage, the full disclosure process, marital therapy). Dr. Murphy knows that individuals come to Ruah Woods looking for a faith-filled therapist they can trust, and he is honored to take up that calling.
Andrew J. Sodergren, Psy.D.
Psychologist, Scholar, and Senior Fellow
Dr. Sodergren holds Masters and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Divine Mercy University, which specializes in integrating the best of psychological science with a Catholic view of the human person. His doctoral dissertation, completed in 2009, was entitled “Attachment and Morality: A Catholic Perspective.” Dr. Sodergren established Ruah Woods Psychological Services in 2011 and served as its Director for 15 years. His previous clinical work was with the Alpha Omega Clinic in Bethesda, MD and Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. Dr. Sodergren is trained in child, adult, marital/family, and group therapies as well as the psychological evaluation of candidates to the priesthood or religious life, an area in which he is a recognized expert. Dr. Sodergren is certified in Relationship Enhancement® couples therapy and has received advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. His therapeutic approach integrates a Catholic, relational view of the person with experiential, interpersonal, and psychodynamic approaches to therapy (e.g., EFT, Coherence therapy, etc.).
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sodergren is a frequent speaker for professional and lay audiences on topics involving the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith. For 13 years, he co-taught a course on psychology and neuroscience as an Adjunct Professor at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, DC. Dr. Sodergren’s writings on Theology of the Body appear regularly in the Catholic Telegraph, while his professional scholarship has been published in the journal Integratus and in several books including a chapter on forgiveness in marriage in the book Torn Asunder: Children, the Myth of the Good Divorce, and the Recovery of Origins and a chapter on the “Psychology of the Sexual Difference” in the book Sexual Identity: The Harmony of Philosophy, Science, and Revelation. In 2024, he and Dr. Emily Dowdell co-authored the chapter “Becoming Who We Are: A Psychological Perspective on Gender Dysphoria and Sexual Identity Issues” in the book Gender Ideology and Pastoral Practice: A Handbook for Catholic Clergy, Counselors, and Ministerial Leaders. He is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA) and currently serves on its Board of Directors. In 2023, CPA honored him with the Mother of Good Counsel Clinical Excellence Award. In 2026, Dr. Sodergren joined the faculty of the Psy.D. program at Divine Mercy University as an Adjunct Professor to teach adult psychotherapy to aspiring psychologists while continuing his clinical work and professional service at Ruah Woods.
Emily Dowdell, Psy.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Emily Dowdell earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) at Divine Mercy University . Her doctoral dissertation, completed in 2018, was entitled “Evaluating an Experienced Psychiatrist’s Assessment of Possession from a Catholic Perspective.” She previously studied theology and philosophy while obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Communications from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Dr. Dowdell has had a diverse training experience, working in a variety of settings including the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, DC and Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta, Maine. Her most recent clinical work was with the CatholicPsych Institute, where she served as a therapist, mentor, and Director of Psychological Assessment. Dr. Dowdell is trained in adolescent, adult, marital, family, and group therapies as well as psychological testing, including evaluations for discerners of the priesthood or religious life. Dr. Dowdell uses a combination of interpersonal process and emotion-focused techniques with a foundation in identity development and psychodynamic theory. She is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and its Special Interest Group for Seminary Assessment and Therapy and a member of Therapy First.
Alex Wallace M.A., LMHC, LPCC-S
Counselor and Supervisor
Alex Wallace is a devoted husband, father of four and Godfather of three, with over thirteen years of clinical experience. He earned dual M.A. degrees from Ball State University in 2017: one in Counseling Psychology and the other in Physical Education, with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology. He is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision designation (LPCC-S) in Ohio and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Indiana. Additionally, he is Certified in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), an evidence-based approach that moves beyond symptom management to promote lasting, systemic change for his patients. Alex is passionate about walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they navigate grief, significant dilemmas, challenges associated with intense experiences, and the desire for deeper healing and growth. With dedicated training in couples therapy, he uniquely helps couples move from relational distress to connection and mastery through improved communication and emotional bonding. Alex honors and integrates patients’ religious beliefs into therapy when appropriate, offering a holistic approach to mental health care. Alongside his clinical work, Alex is committed to mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals by providing board-approved supervision and consultation in Indiana and Ohio. He is also an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, as well as the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. When he’s not serving others through his vocational roles, Alex enjoys lifting weights or hitting the open road on his 2022 Harley-Davidson Road King.
Maggie Bohman, M.A., LPCC
Counselor
Maggie graduated with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH, specializing in Christian Counseling and Crisis and Trauma Intervention. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of Ohio. She has completed Level 1 of the Certificate in Catholic Psychotherapy Integration. She provides therapeutic services for individuals, couples, adolescents, and children. In her work with individuals, Maggie draws from elements of mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy. Maggie is currently completing ongoing advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. When working with children, she integrates techniques from child-centered play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy to promote emotional regulation, develop emotionally attuned behavior management strategies, and enhance the quality of the parent-child relationship. She holds a deep appreciation for the complexity of the human person and recognizes that relationships serve as powerful vessels for healing. For this reason, she prioritizes developing a trusting and meaningful therapeutic relationship with her patients, creating a safe space for them to share openly.
Regina Franchini
Administrative Services Manager
Regina Franchini is from the Greater Cincinnati area. She attended Miami University of Ohio and has an extensive professional background in banking, management, and administration. She is married, and she and her husband enjoy traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with friends and family. They both share a love for animals and currently have three “fur babies,” Petey, Gemma, & Keegan.