About

Our Team

“A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”

– Dave Meurer

Matt Smith, M.Min

Certified Mental Health Coach

234-704-3448

Matt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2000 from Hyles-Anderson College and directly began his work as a children’s pastor in ministry. Over the next 20 years he fulfilled the roles of children’s director, youth director, and finally as senior pastor with a counseling focus in each ministry opportunity. In 2012, Matt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree followed by a Master’s of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry in 2016 from Great Plains Baptist University. Matt is a Certified Mental Health Coach and especially enjoys working with men to develop personally and thrive in relationships.

Born and raised in Salem, Ohio, Matt has made a full circle back to the Canton, Ohio area where he enjoys spending time with his three children and their beagle, Bailey, hunting, fishing, and shooting as well as playing the piano and guitar.

In addition to these pursuits, Matt is a Captain in the United States Army, Reserve Component serving our heroes as Chaplain specializing in relational skills training, crisis intervention counseling, and suicide prevention.

Education, Workshops, Trainings & Certifications
  • Bachelors in Pastoral Theology- Hyles-Anderson College
  • Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry- Great Plains Baptist University
  • Masters in Pastoral Counseling- Great Plains Baptist School of Divinity
  • Certified Mental Health Coach- Light University
  • Captain in the United States Army Reserve and currently serving as Chaplain
  • SYMBIS Certified (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts)
  • Workshops include:
    • 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Certified
    • PREP Certified (Prevention and Relationship Education Program)
    • Laugh Your Way (to a better marriage) Certified
    • Lasting Intimacy through Nurturing, Knowledge 7 Skills Certified
    • OXYGEN (for your relationships) Certified
    • Active Military Life & Resiliency Skills Mastery Series Certified
    • Got Your Back for families, couples & Individuals Certified
    • Our Home Runs (families Stepping up to the plate) Training
  • ACE Suicide Intervention Trained
  • Survival Skills Certified

Jeffrey Brown, D.Min

Certified Mental Health Coach

234-980-1266

 

Dr. Jeffrey Brown has extensive education in Biblical Studies and Counseling training through Faith Baptist Theological Seminary and most recently completed his Doctor of Ministry through Grace Theological Seminary. Over the course of almost thirty years as senior pastor, Jeff spent hours each week counseling couples and families in addition to teaching counseling courses and techniques to his staff and students. For Jeff, counseling was a foundation and priority of his pastoral care, frequently working with five to ten couples a week. Jeff has experience in marriage counseling, conflict resolution, parenting, family issues, addictions, grief, extended illness, depression and suicide. Jeff has been married to his wife, Joyce, for 39 years. Together they have continued to grow a healthy and flourishing marriage. Through his own experience as a husband and many years of counseling couples, Jeff has developed a passion for marriage and helping to restore relationships.

In his spare time, Jeff and Joyce enjoy visiting their 2 children and 4 grandchildren in New York State and Columbia, South America. Together they love to visit the ocean, hike in the mountains, host family game nights and drink really good coffee. Jeff and Joyce are also Optiva health coaches and Jeff continues to work with coaching pastors and leaders in area churches. You can visit Jeff’s website for more information:
Website – Coaching for Church Leaders

Education, Workshops, Trainings & Certifications
  • Bachelors in Youth Education at Faith Baptist Bible College
  • Masters in Theology at Faith Theological Seminary
  • Doctor of Ministry at Grace Theological Seminary
  • Wrote his doctoral dissertation on Emotional Intelligence
  • Developed a program to help individuals learn how to minimize the impact of negative emotions and enhance and develop more beneficial emotions
  • Certified Mental Health Coach with special training in coaching for life change including how to have healthy emotions.
  • Larry Crabb’s Theory of Biblical Counseling
  • Training and Graduate Classes in National Association of Nouthetic Counseling (NANC) methods.
    Association Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) certified
  • Licensed in the State of Ohio to perform marriages.
  • Thirty-nine years ago, Jeff started counseling teens as a part of his role as Campus Life Director serving two high school campuses. Those counseling times focused on the main issues of relationships, anxiety, depression, family conflict and suicidal thoughts. Those areas became his lifelong passion and special training. As a youth pastor, he continued to do extensive counseling mostly centered on the same issues and began to incorporate parents.
  • Taught graduate-level classes on emotions, depression, marriage and family, conflict resolution, and How to Counsel at CWST Institute.
  • Worked with Churches and pastors having conflict and needing mediation.
  • Served as elected member on the Denomination Ethics and Mediation Panel for five years.
  • Doctorate on Emotional Intelligence resulted in the development of a training program to help individuals learn how to minimize the impact of negative emotions and enhance and develop more beneficial emotions.

Rachel Tassile

MSW, LSW
Counselor

234-204-4985

Rachel earned her BSW from Calvin University in 2015. After getting her LSW she worked as a psychotherapist for 5 years before returning to school and earning her MSW from Fordham University in 2018 where she was part of Phi Alpha. She is trained in Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma story-building. Rachel works to continually build her education and dedication to the counseling field.

Rachel has been married to her husband Scott, for 6 years and they have two vibrant dogs; Moose and Gouda. Rachel and Scott are on a foster-to-adopt journey and are excited to welcome new family members!

A long-time dancer, she continues that passion by teaching dance and coaching a dance team. She enjoys staying active in the Canton area and attending any concert she can.

Education, Workshops, Trainings & Certifications
  • Bachelors in Social Work from Calvin University in 2015
  • Masters in Social Work from Fordham University in 2018
  • Psychotherapist for 5 years
  • Trauma Informed Care Certified
  • Story Building
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy certified
  • Postpartum Depression certified
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy certified
  • Polyvagal Theory trained
  • Member of the National Association of Social Workers
  • Adoption & Foster Care Adjustment
  • Hoarding Therapy
Married Life Founder Christie Orosz

Christie Orosz

MA, LPCC-S
Owner & Counselor

234-303-1534

Christie received her Bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Akron and her Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Ashland University Theological Seminary. She is Gottman and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) Trained and constantly pursues continuing education through books, podcasts, workshops, and training.

Married for 29 years and a mom to four daughters, two bonus kids, and a couple of ‘fur’ babies, Christie spent many years raising children before returning to professional work.

A resident of the west side of Akron, she enjoys spending time with family, which can include anything from painting fingernails to hiking the Metroparks. She also has a passion for home décor and reclaiming and reusing furniture and fixtures.

Education, Workshops, Trainings & Certifications
  • Bachelors in Education at The University of Akron
  • Masters in Clinical Counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary/Ashland University
  • Gottman Levels 1 and 2 trained
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT),
  • Externship and Core Skills completed
  • 30 years of real-life experience in counseling and a passion for marriage
  • Attended Hope Restored Marriage
  • Intensive & Love After Marriage Intensive
  • SYMBIS Certified Facilitator (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts)
  • Member of Akron Women’s Therapy Group
  • Member of Ohio Counseling Association
  • Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors

Jamie Dunlap

Intake Coordinator

234-303-2325

Jamie Dunlap joined the Married Life Counseling team as Intake Coordinator. She has a diverse background in marketing, team management, and customer relations.

Jamie is a local Copley gal and has been married 25 years to her high school sweetheart, Greg. Jamie & Greg have two spirited children who keep them very busy and sleep-deprived.

Jamie enjoys gardening, volunteering at the kids’ schools, interior decorating, reading to her children, family hikes, and cooking for gatherings with neighbors, family, and friends.

Are you passionate about marriage?

We’re always looking for qualified counselors passionate about promoting and supporting marriage. Visit our Careers page for more information.