Strong Hope Counseling Center (SHCC) is a hub for helping professionals, as well as other populations who deal with Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, as well as other common life balance issues.

SHCC provides both individual and couples counseling for adults to facilitate a deeper understanding of how to create a more sustainable way of interacting with the world. We believe our best work is done in helping others live sustainable lives so they can continue to pursue their own passions without sacrificing their mental well-being and relationships.

We employ counselors with a heart for working with helping populations. Along with carefully choosing counselors with a passion for this work, we facilitate further training to make sure they are highly trained to provide the highest quality of care through further certifications and continuing education.

Meet the Team

Dena Mannello

Hello! My name is Dena Mannello and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I graduated in 2015 with my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am passionate about helping individuals as well as couples create balance when they struggle to do so for themselves. I approach this through creating and maintaining healthy communication and boundary setting in order to help them regain and foster connection.

While working in the mental health field, I found a heart for other helping populations that also deal with a high degree of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout. I began to go deeper with my studies, and received my Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC) certification in 2021, as well as my Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) certification in 2022.

I work from a systems perspective as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I view people from the context of how they are integrated in their network. It is my goal to help people to understand how they can access the healthiest versions of themselves so that they can continue to do their own good work both vocationally as well as within their family systems.

Jackie Tuohy

Hello! My name is Jackie Tuohy and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC). I graduated in 2022 with my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bethel University. I am currently working towards full licensure, expected Fall 2024, and am practicing under Supervisor Mary Preston. I work collaboratively with clients to address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, compassion fatigue & burnout. I believe healing happens in relationships and I enjoy getting to know clients while building trusting relationships with them.

My goal is to help clients identify and overcome the issues that are preventing them from feeling whole and healthy in all areas of their lives.Typically, I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based techniques in sessions. I work to help clients understand and put a name to their emotional experiences while helping them find ways to feel calm, safe, and grounded in their own bodies. My approach to counseling is warm and empathetic, yet direct. I also enjoy incorporating humor for levity in sessions.

Valerie Farmer Rausseo

Hello! My name is Valerie Farmer Rausseo and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I graduated in 2015 with my Master’s Degree in Human Development Counseling with a Marriage, Couple and Family endorsement. I work with individuals and couples to provide a safe space of talking through the challenges of life and see how I can help and support. I’m passionate about partnering with clients for healing.


My desire and goal is to walk alongside you while you explore your patterns, concerns, communication, boundaries and relationships to see what fits and what doesn’t. You don’t have to stay stuck. I’d be honored to be with you on your path and provide support, guidance and perspective. I work from a systems perspective incorporating narrative therapy, internal processing, and psychodynamic and analytic approaches. I like to balance feelings and thoughts for both emotional and cognitive processing. My goal is to help you access your true self and create the change you want to see in your life from a holistic approach.

Kelsey Landeis

Hello! My name is Kelsey Landeis and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My goal as a therapist is to work collaboratively with clients in navigating the inevitable challenges of life. I work from a person centered and strengths based perspective to help individuals establish effective coping skills and gain a better sense of self.

I journey alongside clients to help them navigate issues such as compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, chronic illness and coping with life transitions. I believe in the value of establishing a trusting relationship so clients feel safe to work to discover and overcome the barriers to living their most full and meaningful life.

Kim Shirk

Hello! My name is Kim Shirk and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I graduated in 2000 with a master’s degree in counseling. I believe that it is important for me to honor your past, listen to your story and respect your beliefs. I am committed to providing a safe and non-judgmental environment that fosters self-exploration, collaboration, encourages growth, restores wholeness, provides hope and peace.

I have several years of experience as a client-centered licensed professional counselor using evidenced-based practices. These therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), EMDR, mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and expressive art. I also love to use humor during sessions.