Meet Our Team

MEET OUR TEAM AT HANDINHAND COUNSELING SERVICES

ABOUT OUR TEAM

Our owners: Sharise Nance, LCSW and Tess Kenney, LPC of HandinHand Counseling Services, LLC are Pittsburgh natives with a combined 30 years of experience the Human Services profession. Mrs. Nance and Mrs. Kenney met as college students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and have worked together for various non-profit organizations that provide various mental health and behavioral health services to a diverse population.
Tess Kenney — Counseling Services in Pittsburgh, PA

TESS KENNEY, LPC

Co-Owner, Founder
Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, PTSD, Maternal Health

Tess Kenney is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience working in the helping profession. Tess is the co-owner and founder of HandinHand Counseling Services since 2013. Tess is passionate about helping others find their voice and helping them be the best version of themselves. She works with individuals, couples and families that are struggling to strike balance in their lives. She assists them in identifying and managing hurdles so that they can find fulfillment in their day to day lives. Tess also supervises clinicians interested in obtaining licensure in group settings. In 2008, Tess received her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University and since has been licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. Tess has appeared in local magazines, publications and television shows. When away from the office, Tess is enjoying time with her husband and two children.
Sharise Nance — Counseling Services in Pittsburgh, PA

SHARISE NANCE, LCSW, CCTP

 Co-Owner, Founder
Specialties: Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, EMDR Certified, Trauma

Sharise Nance is fascinated by the human mind, human potential, the impact relationships and environments have on one’s life and the change process. Sharise is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Compassion Fatigue Specialist, Certified EMDR Therapist, Adjunct Professor, Award Winning Entrepreneur and Author.  In 2006, Sharise received her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the co-owner and founder of Hand in Hand Counseling Services, LLC and has over 20 years of experience assisting individuals, couples and families see beyond energy depletion, hopelessness, panic, guilt and feeling overwhelmed and assists them in making a shift to a place of life satisfaction, joy, clarity and fulfillment. 

Sharise also dedicates her efforts to Vitamin C Healing, an organization that she founded, which was designed to promote life balance, satisfaction, and fulfillment among those throughout the helping profession and beyond. Known as the Compassion Fatigue Lady, she has extensive experience helping professionals, caregivers, entrepreneurs, women, parents, and adolescents across the globe. She strives to equip individuals with tools to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout in order to live happy, fulfilled lives, and careers. Most recently, Sharise created the S.W.A.G. Awards: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards, to honor the “heart work” of local social workers in the Greater Pittsburgh area who often go unappreciated and unrecognized.  Find information about her books, speaking engagements, and S.W.A.G. Awards at Sharise's website.

With her depth of experience, from nearly two decades working with a diverse population of people from all walks of life, Sharise is eager to share all that she’s learned. Sharise resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband.

Dana D. Warren

DANA D. WARREN, LCSW

Clinical Director, "The DBT Skills Therapeutic Experience"

Specialties: "The DBT Skills Therapeutic Experience"

Providing a more intimate individualized therapeutic experience with Dialectical Behavioral Skills Therapy. This Therapy is also a phenomenal collaborator with other treatment modalities such as CBT, CPT, IPSTR, IFS, DNMS, EMDR ETC...

Clients: Adults

Insurance: Accepts Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medicaid (CCBH, UPMC For You), UPMC, PA Medicare, UPMC For Life, United, Self-pay


Dana D. Warren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is the Clinical Director for HandinHand Counseling Services. She received her Master of Social Work Degree in 2005 from the University of Pittsburgh and has over 25 years of experience in the field of mental health. Dana has spent the last 18 years empowering and teaching individual’s struggling with mental health difficulties to build the lives that they only once dreamed about through individual and group therapy. Dana’s passion is to lead individuals on a journey that will empower them with a specific skill set to apply for a lifetime. These skills will help them with breaking free from the imprisonment of their past, through tolerating distress; while focusing on their present to let go of worries about their future, providing a gateway to finding freedom from suffering. These skills will also teach them to be more effective communicators, learn how to regulate intense emotions that lead to impulsive actions, challenge cognitive distortions and begin to plant and nourish healthier thought patterns.


Due to this being a time limited specialized treatment, spaces for this therapeutic experience are limited. If you are interested have your therapist complete the referral form at the link below as soon as possible.

Referral Form for Clinicians
Michelle Cooley — Pittsburgh, PA — Hand in Hand Counseling Services

MICHELLE COOLEY, LCSW

Individual Therapist
Specialties: Trauma, Substance Abuse, CBT, EMDR Trained
Clients: Young Adults, Adults 
Insurance: Accepts Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UPMC, United, Medicaid (CCBH/UPMC For You/Highmark Wholecare), Self-pay

Michelle Cooley is a Licensed Social Worker. In 2018 she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Michelle has years of experience with working with those suffering from substance abuse. She has had training and practice using EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and uses a trauma focused approach. Michelle believes in working in partnership with clients, utilizing their strengths to help them sort out their challenges in order to achieve their goals. She focuses on the whole person as she realizes how important it is to identify all aspects of an individual’s life that impact their well-being including their physical health, support systems , work or school environment, and faith/spirituality in this process. Michelle shows genuine interest in her clients and providing them with the tools needed to navigate life and to become empowered
Christine M. Jones — Pittsburgh, PA — Hand in Hand Counseling Services

CHRISTINE M. JONES, LCSW

Individual Therapist, Family Therapist 
Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma
Clients: Children, Teens, Young Adults, Adults 
Insurance: Accepts Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United, UPMC, Self-pay

Christine Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social worker  who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her Master’s Degree in Social Work and a certificate in Mental Health in 2019. Christine has experience providing individual and group therapy with children and adolescents in school and community based settings. Christine also has experience providing therapy to adults in both individual and family formats. Christine utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including Trauma Focused (TF-CBT) and Alternatives for Families (AF-CBT), Structural Family Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Motivational Interviewing in her therapeutic practice. Christine believes that healing must be centered around a person in their entirety. Therefore, she combines therapy practices such as those listed above with holistic and culturally relevant approaches in order to empower the individuals and families she works with, manage life stressors in healthy ways, address and heal from traumatic experiences and thrive in their lives.  
Johnnie Geathers — Counseling Services in Pittsburgh, PA

JOHNNIE GEATHERS, LSW

Individual Therapist 
Specialties: Anxiety, Life Changes, Mindfulness, Coping Skills
Clients: Children, Teens, Young Adults, and Adults 
Insurance: Accepts Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United, UPMC, Medicaid (CCBH/UPMC For You/Highmark Wholecare), Self-pay

Johnnie received his Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, along with a certificate in Children, Youth & Families in 2013. He is now a gifted Licensed Social Worker. His work ranges from outpatient services to therapeutic classroom model programs, by providing individual and group sessions. Johnnie’s personality and passion for helping others makes him go above and beyond to help the clients under his care. He provides Psychoeducation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Role Playing, and other modalities to meet clients where they are. Johnnie takes a stand to help others outside of his work environment by participating in different speaking engagements and through his work of “JG Mental Health Fridays,” which are video segments that he does on social media and on YouTube, discussing topics that affect everyone and providing coping exercises for individuals to practice in their own time.

Johnnie is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. With his fraternity, he holds different leadership positions and engages with the community. He has received numerous honors for his work in the profession as well as with his fraternity. Johnnie has written three articles that were published in Helpful Living Magazine to increase mental health awareness. He finds a way to stay in touch and involved with the community in every way possible.

Sara Mark — Pittsburgh, PA — Hand in Hand Counseling Services

SARA MARK, LPC

Individual Therapist 
Specialties: Trauma, PTSD, Depression
Clients: Young Adults and Adults
Insurance: Accepts UPMC, Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, Cigna, Medicaid (CCBH, UPMC For You, Highmark Wholecare), Self-pay

Sara Mark is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University in 2008 and has over 13 years experience of working in the Pittsburgh community in various roles to help her clients navigate their mental health. In her practice, she incorporates a social justice lens with the core understanding being that the toxic systems we live in impact her client’s overall health. Using that lens informs Sara's theoretical framework to be a multifaceted approach. Early in her career she completed training at the Gestalt Institute of Pittsburgh, where she then gained experience in Trauma Informed approaches that incorporate a holistic understanding of how mental and physical health are interconnected to all aspects of wellness. Sara believes no matter what her approach is with her clients, the most important aspect of therapy is that building a strong therapeutic relationship is most important for growth and change to happen.
Shieláh DeBlanc — Counseling Services in Pittsburgh, PA

Shieláh DeBlanc, LPC, CCTP

Individual/Group Therapist

Specialties: Anxiety, Grief and Loss, Depression and Trauma

Clients: Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

Insurance: UPMC, Highmark BC/BS, United and self-pay


Shieláh DeBlanc is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the California University of Pennsylvania in 2015. She is a national certified counselor as well as a certified clinical trauma professional who specializes in children and adolescents. Shielah has years of experience working with individuals as well as a plethora of skills working with children and family dynamics as it relates to the foster care system. She has experience working with issues that include anxiety, grief and loss, depression, PTSD, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, and dissocial behaviors. Shieláh’s multifaceted approach to therapeutic services include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, structural family therapy, psychoeducation, and many other therapeutic techniques that are malleable to the client’s needs and goals.


Shieláh prides herself on speaking the language of kids through dance where she has put in countless hours teaching youth how to express themselves through hip hop and majorette dance. She considers this work to be an act of service to the community and uses this gift as a way to pay forward the therapeutic outlet given to her throughout her youth. She has sat on various panels and contributed to many conversations such as the She Matters equity summit, the Child preparation recipes for success (Swan Toolkit), and the intimate partner violence yearly forum. Shieláh shows a continued commitment to an ongoing learning process and uses the knowledge she acquires to help individuals grow through trauma by breaking generational cycles.

Sara Mark — Pittsburgh, PA — Hand in Hand Counseling Services

Daiona Manigault, LSW

Individual Therapist 

Specialties: Women’s Health and Trauma

Clients: Adolescents and adults

Insurance: United Health Care, Highmark BC/BS and Self-pay clients


As a therapist, my approach is rooted in guiding clients towards holistic well-being. I draw from various therapy modalities and encourage self-actualization to help individuals reach their full potential. Together, we tackle the obstacles that may hinder one's ability to flourish and thrive. I am dedicated to walking this transformative journey with you, helping you find the strength and resilience within to lead a fulfilling life.I specialize in women's health and trauma, focusing on the unique trials of child rearing and motherhood while navigating life's myriad challenges. I firmly believe that the path to wellness is not only achievable but also within reach, and I'm here to offer my support.

Shayna Givner, LSW, CTP, CAADC

Individual Therapist

Specialties: Drug & Alcohol, Anger, Suicidal Ideation, CBT, CPT

Clients: Children, Adolescents, & Adults

Insurance: Highmark BC/BS, UPMC Health Plan, and Self-pay clients



Shayna Givner is a distinguished professional in the realm of Social Work, making significant strides in addressing a wide spectrum of social determinants that influence health. With over 15 years of rich experience under her belt, Shayna has adeptly navigated various environments, offering comprehensive mental health and substance abuse interventions.


Possessing a Master’s degree in Social Work from the revered University of Pittsburgh, Shayna is a Licensed Social Worker who epitomizes competence and dedication. Her credentials further extend to being a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Certified Trauma Professional, all of which showcases her versatility and commitment to continual learning.


Shayna takes a trauma informed approach to treatment and uses the Strengths Based Method, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychotherapy, and psychoeducation. She has taken a special interest in working with not only families that are considering adoption/foster care.

Brittany Daye — HandinHand Counseling — Pittsburgh, P

Brittany Daye, Office Administrator

Brittany Daye is the office manager at HandinHand. She is dedicated to working with our clients to ensure that your encounter at HandinHand is a pleasant experience. Brittany enjoys helping clients navigate the world of mental health to help clients with their needs, whether it is to assist with finding a therapist or to help with billing. Brittany's dedication to working with the general public goes far beyond the office of HandinHand and also into the school system where she has worked with elementary students with special needs for over 10 years!


Brittany enjoys spending her free time with her three beautiful children who she adores. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians, reach out to Brittany.

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