Meet Our Team

Karen McGugin is a graduate of Lucas High School and Capital University. She began her career as a Child Abuse Investigator with Franklin County Children Services in Columbus, Ohio, before transitioning to Ongoing Family Case Management with Fairfield County Children Services.

Recognizing the critical need for safe, loving homes and quality foster care, Karen founded Advantage Family Outreach & Foster Care in 1997. Beginning with two employees and one foster home, the organization has grown to more than 60 employees, 85 therapeutic foster homes, in-house counseling services, an Independent Living Program, and four teenage group homes. Karen remains deeply committed to giving children a voice, protecting those in need, and helping young people experience a safe childhood.

Karen enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and 77-degree days with a cool breeze.

Karen is licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Her credentials can be verified through eLicense Ohio.

Vivian is a native of the Mansfield area and a graduate of Madison Comprehensive High School and The Ohio State University. She remains invested in her hometown and is honored to walk beside fellow community members as they work toward greater balance in their lives.

Vivian is licensed in Ohio as a Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. She provides assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide range of concerns through individual, couples, family, and group services.

Her commitment to the community also includes teaching students as an instructor in the Social Work Department at The Ohio State University. Working collaboratively to identify practical solutions is central to her clinical approach.

Vivian supports emotional and behavioral wellness using approaches that may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Exposure Therapy. She believes therapy can serve as a catalyst for restoring balance. She has extensive experience helping individuals and families affected by addiction and creating a safe place for recovery to begin. She also has a special interest in serving veterans and their families.

Her dedication to helping others extends to People Helping People of North Central Ohio, Inc., a nonprofit program that provides a daily meal to people in need throughout the community, 365 days a year. Outside of work, Vivian enjoys spending time on the lake with her family, watching sunsets, and fishing.

Vivian is licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Her credentials can be verified through eLicense Ohio.

Kaylee Bashline is a proud graduate of Ontario High School with extensive experience supporting individuals of all ages. She is passionate about helping others and strives to make a positive impact in the lives of the people she serves.

Her compassion, dedication, and people-centered approach guide her work as an Administrative Assistant at Advantage. Kaylee values family and cherishes time with her loved ones. She is also a devoted mother to her son, Jayvion.

Michelle Thompson is a Licensed Social Worker who is currently working toward her Licensed Independent Social Worker credential. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and completed her master’s degree at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Michelle loves working with children and has a deep passion for dogs, especially senior and medically fragile dogs. Her family is her foundation and keeps her grounded and motivated.

Michelle recently returned to Advantage Family Outreach & Foster Care as a Clinical Social Worker. She is excited for this new chapter and for the opportunity to continue growing with the Advantage family.

Sarah Rivers is a Licensed Independent Social Worker who has been licensed since 2020. She earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and her master’s degree in social work from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Sarah has broad experience in the mental health field and uses a trauma-informed approach with clients of all ages, including individuals, couples, families, and groups. She is trained and certified in Psychedelic Therapy & Integration through Fluence and has additional training in Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.

She is deeply passionate about mental health and remains committed to staying informed about emerging research and therapeutic approaches that may benefit clients. Her goal is to support healing, promote conflict resolution, and foster healthy, meaningful interpersonal relationships.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her fur babies. She also enjoys traveling, trying new foods, learning new skills, and relaxing at home while watching NCIS.