Our Staff
Get matched with the counselor that best suits your needs.
Counselors
Living Hope helps people regardless of their ethnicity, faith background or beliefs. We don’t “push religion” on anyone. However, Living Hope is a Christian organization; our counselors are all active Christians. Learn more about our beliefs on our About Us page.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THERAPIST
Glynnis Shryock, MA, LCPC
Glynnis received her B.A. Degree in Communications/English from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and her M.A. Degree in Counseling Ministry from Lincoln Christian University. She has been employed in Christian ministry for 35 years. Glynnis specializes in anxiety and depression disorders, co-dependency, assertiveness and boundaries, emotionally destructive relationships, grief and loss issues, spiritual formation, divorce adjustment and stress management. Glynnis counsels adult individuals ages 21 and up. (No couples or marriage counseling).
Therapies offered include cognitive behavioral therapy, assertiveness training, strength-based counseling, brief solution-based counseling, and holistic stress management. Additionally, Glynnis consults as a speaker at local churches, workshops and conferences sharing on issues of emotional health and spiritual life.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 200
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Jill Talavera, MA, LCPC, CADC, PCGC
Jill is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). She received her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A. in Human Development Counseling with specialization in addiction from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and one of only a few licensed Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counselor (PCGC) in Illinois.
She has over 15 years of experience working with adults struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and other life struggles. As the Clinical Director at Living Hope Counseling Center since 2017, she has years of experience supervising counselors. Additionally, she is the primary leader of the Anxiety and Depression care group at West Side Christian Church. Jill and her family are members of Hope Church.
Providing clients with a secure, trusting, and respectful environment to explore struggles, provide feedback, and develop strategies to enhance personal growth and well-being is most important to Jill. She uses a holistic approach to identify how physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and relational issues all impact a person and influence mental health. She also utilizes client centered, cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approaches with her clients while including faith and Bible teachings if desired.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 205
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Roberta Mangano, MA, MSW, LCPC
Roberta received her M.S. from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota and her M.S.W. from the University of Kentucky. Roberta has been involved in counseling within the church for over 15 years. She has experience working with men and women individually, couples and adult families. She has been trained in John Gottman’s Evidence Based Marital Therapy. She has also been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming) Therapy and has used it working with trauma related issues. She also works in areas related to spiritual formation.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 203
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Katie Jasmon, MA, LCPC
Katie Jasmon has experience as a therapist in individual and group settings since 2018. She received her BA in Psychology from Benedictine University at Springfield and MA in Human Developmental Counseling from University of Illinois at Springfield. Katie has worked with children and adults in outpatient and partial inpatient settings. Katie has a passion for counseling individuals who struggle with ADHD, adjustment disorder, anger, anxiety, codependency, depression, grief, PTSD and other trauma related disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and overall life stressors. Katie has a wide range of experience so she can provide education and understanding to her clients.
Katie utilizes person centered, cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approaches based upon the needs of the client. Katie enjoys processing with her clients while creating a safe environment for a client to explore their needs for creating a happy life. Katie believes that establishing rapport and trust is crucial for a therapeutic relationship. Katie encourages her clients to be their true selves throughout the counseling journey and enjoys seeing clients utilize their strengths.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 201
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Sarah Zenk, MS, ALMFT
Sarah received her M.S. Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy from Capella University. Sarah works with a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, communication issues, infidelity, emotional abuse, ADHD, blended family issues, divorce and separation, and grief and loss. Sarah counsels couples, families, and individuals ages 12 and up. She also provides group therapy.
Sarah approaches therapy from a systems perspective that evaluates how people are impacted by the systems in which they are embedded (e.g., family, school, work environment, religion, and culture). Therapies offered include Gottman, narrative , contextual, emotionally-focused, solution-focused brief therapy, intergenerational, experiential, collaborative, and MRI brief therapy. Sarah has been involved in Christian ministry for 15 years and she is the Care Groups Coordinator at Hope Church.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 210
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Susan Gallagher, MA, LPC
Susan Gallagher is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She received her BA and MA in history from the University of Illinois Springfield, her MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her MA in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield. Susan is also a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS) and EMDR-trained. She has experience with individual and group counseling of adults with drug and alcohol addictions, anxiety, depression, and grief.
Her approach is client centered utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing while providing a confidential, safe, and judgement free environment for her clients.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 202
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Nancy Merlo, MSW, LCSW
Nancy is a Spanish speaking, bilingual licensed clinical social worker. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from Concordia University - River Forest, and her Master of Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois - Chicago. With over 10 years in community advocacy and mental health, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults. Nancy has served families as an adolescent youth director in the church, has reunified families in DCFS, and has practiced as a community mental health therapist.
Nancy strives to provide individuals and families with a safe and trusting therapeutic environment, allowing each client to address their needs at a comfortable pace. Her approach to therapy incorporates a client centered and systems theory approach, recognizing the needs and strengths of the individual and family system. Nancy has experience working with individuals and families on stress management, depression and anxiety disorders, anger management, behavioral and conduct disorders, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other trauma
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 204
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
ADAM WHITFORD, MA, LPC
Adam Whitford is a licensed professional counselor. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Platteville, and earned his Master’s Degree in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Adam has been providing individual, group, family, and telehealth therapy since 2016. He has experience working with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, at-risk behaviors, and clients who need guidance with wellness. Adam strives to create a safe and trusting therapeutic environment where clients can be heard and supported.
Adam utilizes therapeutic interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Gestalt therapy, mindfulness, trauma-informed therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Adam incorporates a holistic approach in therapy and provides faith-based counseling by the request of the client.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 208
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Melissa Blankenship, MA, LPC
Melissa Blankenship is Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor who has been working with individuals both in individual and group sessions. Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan for the past seven years with her experience in outpatient behavioral health settings. Melissa is experienced in providing counseling services to individuals who face difficulty with Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorders, Grief, Trauma Related Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Personality Disorders, and ADHD. Melissa’s therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. She is trained in Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing. Melissa approaches therapy looking at a person holistically to identify areas that impact a person’s mental health the eight dimensions of wellness to promote growth and recovery.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 209
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
KRISTI VEACH, MA, LCPC
Kristi is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). She received her B.S. in Psychology and Sociology from Illinois College and her M.A. in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She has experience in providing individual, family, and group counseling to all age groups across the life span. Kristi has experience working within outpatient treatment settings, as well as experience in a school setting.
Kristi utilizes a person-centered approach utilizing play therapy, trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approaches based upon the needs of the client. Her goal is to provide clients with a safe and comfortable space to process their feelings and experiences by promoting empathy and respect. Supporting clients by offering unconditional positive regard is most important to Kristi in the counseling relationship. She has experience working with children and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, anger management, behavioral disorders, grief, trauma, and other life struggles.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 206
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Kristin Toranzo, MA, LPC
Kristin is a bilingual (English and Spanish) counselor. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO and her Master of Arts in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL. Kristin works with people struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma related disorders. She seeks to provide a warm and trusting environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions. Kristin considers how physical, spiritual, psychological, and social issues all affect the mental health of an individual. Kristin utilizes EMDR, as well as techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Person-Centered Therapy in her sessions, along with the integration faith and spirituality when desired.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 207
Administrative Staff
BUSINESS MANAGER
Kathy Hutchins
Kathy has a BA in Biology/Secondary Education from Augustana College, a Master of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches, USA. She has 40 plus years of ministry and leadership experience. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys reading, writing, cooking, college basketball and NFL football.
Kathy finds Living Hope’s mission and vision of providing professional counseling from a faith-based perspective to all people regardless of financial circumstances, ethnicity or faith background to be an option that is greatly needed in our community. She hopes to help LHCC continue and to grow in fulfilling this mission.
P: (217) 698-7150 ext. 101
INSURANCE AND BILLING SPECIALIST
Kristen Wenneborg
Kristen was born and raised in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. She has three associate degrees: General Studies, Pastoral Leadership, and Media and Communication. Kristen spends most of her time at home with her 4 pets and adoring husband. She loves to write books, poetry, and whatever flows out of her brain onto the page.
Kristen enjoys working at Living Hope and plans to stay for a long time. She loves the familial atmosphere and the friendships she has made in the office. She always hopes to bring a smile to everyone she meets and desires to create a warm and loving atmosphere as the point of contact in the front office.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
RANDI LARSON
Randi grew up in Florida until she was a teenager ad has since settled in Illinois. She spends most of her free time with her 5-year-old son and surrounding family. Randi enjoys being a mother, helping anyone she can, and loves bringing happiness to the world. She never ceases to make her coworkers laugh.
Randi enjoys her position at Living Hope and cares deeply for the clients she serves. She loves that her coworkers have become a family to her and that she can call them her friends. Randi hopes to have a long and successful career at Living Hope Counseling Center, serving with her whole heart.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Karen Kelly
Karen was born in Florida into a large family and moved to Illinois when she was 7 years old. She has since married her best friend and is raising one of her two grandsons who definitely keeps her on her toes. She is a free spirit and loves spending time with her family and her dog.
Karen feels blessed to have found a place to work that is as welcoming as Living Hope. She loves that she is able to feel at home at the office and is free to walk in her faith openly. Karen is encouraged by the passion her coworkers have for other people and the familial environment. She hopes to work for Living Hope for a long time and serve her community as best she can.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-
Linsay Gordon (2020)
PRESIDENT
Regional Account Manager
Tapestry Health
Springfield, Illinois -
Marin Lowder (2021)
VICE PRESIDENT
National Field Trainer
Neurocrine Biosciences
Springfield, Illinois -
Carla Powers (2022)
SECRETARY
Full Time Grandma
Springfield, Illinois -
Michele Buyan (2021)
Owner, Chairman of the Board
Bemco Mattress, Inc.
Springfield, Illinois -
Jennifer Sergent, MA, CADC (2023)
State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Springfield, Illinois -
Courtney Wood, MA (2023)
Public Service Administrator
State of Illinois Bureau of Behavioral Health
Springfield, Illinois -
Donna Reeves (2023)
Director of Community Engagement
Central Counties Health Centers
Springfield, Illinois -
Nathan Hall (2024)
Director, Business Operations
Springfield Clinic
Springfield, Illinois -
Heather Kaylor (2025)
CpHT Billing Specialist
HealthDirect
Springfield, Illinois