MEET OUR TEAM AT HANDINHAND COUNSELING SERVICES

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, 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, 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.

Individual Therapist, Family Therapist 

Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma

Clients: Children, Teens, Young Adults, Adults 

Insurance Accepted: Medicaid (CCBH, UPMC For You), 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, 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 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 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 articles that were published in Helpful Living Magazine and other outlets to increase mental health awareness. He finds a way to stay in touch and involved with the community in every way possible.

Shayna Givner, LSW, CTP, CAADC

Individual Therapist

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

Clients: Children, Adolescents, & Adults

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

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.

Daiona Manigault, LSW

Individual Therapist 

Specialties: Women’s Health and Trauma

Clients: Adolescents and adults

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

Daiona is a Licensed Therapist who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in December 2020 with a Masters of Social Work. With a diverse background in individual and group therapy, she has experience working with children, adolescents and adults in various private and group settings.



As a compassionate and dedicated therapist, Daiona is committed to providing a supportive and validating therapeutic environment. Her practice integrates Person-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), offering a holistic and client-focused approach. Person-Centered Therapy emphasizes a therapeutic relationship that is accepting, collaborative, and authentic, while considering each individual's life journey. This approach enhances all aspects of a person—biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually—ensuring that therapy aligns with the client's goals and expectations. Daiona regularly assesses and leverages clients' strengths and areas of improvements in relation to their presenting concerns.

Incorporating CBT, Daiona provides practical strategies and coping skills, such as grounding exercises and mood tracking, to address both emotional and practical needs. This combination allows her to deepen understanding, foster personal growth, and promote resilience in her clients.

With a particular focus on women's mental health, Daiona offers specialized support for the unique challenges associated with child-rearing, motherhood, and navigating life's adversities. Her goal is to create a nurturing and empathetic environment where clients can explore their experiences with sensitivity and compassion, ultimately empowering them to achieve emotional well-being and resilience.

Michelle Cooley, LCSW

Specialties: Trauma EMDR and DPT

Clients: Young Adults & Adults

Insurance Accepted: Medicaid (CCBH, UPMC For You), Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United, UPMC & Self-pay

Michelle Cooley is a LCSW who holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.

Michelle is a compassionate and trauma-informed therapist specializing in helping clients heal from traumatic experiences to enable their ability to establish a sense of safety and promote mental wellness. With training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), motivational interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Michelle provides a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their past and develop effective coping strategies to face everyday challenges head on. By integrating these evidence-based therapies, Michelle assists individuals in processing unresolved trauma, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and build strong self care regimens and foster emotional resilience. Dedicated to empowering clients on their healing journey, Michelle tailors each session to meet the unique needs of the individual.

When not in session, Michelle enjoys spending time in nature, spirituality and making meaningful connections with family and friends, which enriches her practice with mindfulness and a deeper understanding of holistic well-being.

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.