With the two biggest holidays of the year quickly approaching, Sharise M. Hemby, LSW and Tess Kenney, LPC say it is not necessary to let the tensions of the season stress you out.
Know your limits they suggest. “Pay attention to the signs from your body,” explained Kenney. “When situations start affecting you it is good to do what makes you feel better, like taking a walk, bath or exercising,” she points out. “It is good to know how your mental health affects your physical well-being.” Hemby says having knowledge of self is also important.
Recently celebrating their first year in business, the owners of HandinHand Counseling Services, LLC are enjoying the experiences of entrepreneurship. Combined they have 25 years of experience in the Human Services profession, which they utilize in their private counseling practice. They identify their goal at HIH as promoting hope, health and healing to individuals and families dealing with generational and situational obstacles while providing various mental health and behavioral health services to a diverse population.
In their vision statement they say, we see peace in the place of chaos. We see function where there appears to be dysfunction. Our goal is to tap into the strengths you possess, that are often times masked by life’s complexities through therapeutic intervention and resource building. The duo’s desire is to assist their clients in bridging the gap between the problem and the solution.
Located at 801 North Negley Ave. in what is known as the Union Project, Hemby says their first year of operation has been “quite a journey.” “It feels like an accomplishment. We did not know what to expect, but the time has gone by fast and it is a nice feeling.” Laughing as she reflects and looks around their one room office she said, “In the beginning we had no furniture or clients. Now we are fully furnished and we each have clients.”
Providing an array of services, Hemby and Kenney outline that they offer individual psychotherapy, family counseling, group therapy, child and adolescent therapy, couples counseling, parent counseling, life coaching and consultations.
They specialize in parent-child conflict, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and complex trauma, solutions focused approaches, family systems and adoption and foster care issues.
Kenney pointed out that they have helped clients successfully address issues related to home and family as well as work and career inclusive of attachment issues Reactive Attachment Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, depression, grief and loss bereavement, mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, personality disorders, self–esteem issues and stress management.
Both Pittsburgh natives, Hemby and Kenney met while students attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Hemby, a Westinghouse High School graduate was working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Kenney a graduate of Trinity Christian School was working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development/Family Relations. Hemby, a Pennsylvania licensed Social Worker obtained her Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. Kenney, a Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor received her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. Currently they both work at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and have worked together in other human service organizations.
“I have always wanted to help people,” said Hemby explaining how she got into the field. While working at Children Youth Services she says she enjoyed being an advocate, being a voice for people. I like helping people manage their emotions.”
Kenney says she thought she wanted to work with youth but realized it was best to work with families to help youth.
“I am especially burdened for those dealing with trauma and families that are fostering or have adopted children with attachment issues,” she says.
In her quest to help people, more than just her clients Hemby has written a book entitled; Vitamin C: Healing for the Mind Body and Soul. The introduction of the book points out that evidence shows that vitamin C provides numerous health benefits and it is an essential nutrient for the human body. In the way Vitamin C provides nutrients for the body, so shall this book provide essential nutrients for the soul. “The book is about embracing the unique journeys in the healing process, understanding the lessons in the trying times and appreciating the good times,” she explained.
“It is a blueprint for healing along life’s journey and provides practical resources and life-applicable tools to facilitate sustainable change.”
Hemby says the goal of the 10-chapter book is to help someone. While outlining tips to survive the holiday season she says chapter two, Knowledge of Self is important. “Knowledge of self is to know one’s character, power and limitations,” she quotes from the book. “When we have knowledge of self we are aware of how we influence others and how others influence us.”
She added that knowledge of self helps to define one’s purpose. “Who am I? Why am I? Knowledge of self also helps to influence one’s legacy. Without knowledge of self, our existence has no definition,” she said.
Aware and concerned of the stresses affiliated with everyday living, social economic conditions, unexpected crime occurring within the urban community along with the regions change in weather, Kenney says, “Life has its share of challenges and some of the challenges require the intervention of caring, honest, understanding and neutral professionals like her and Hemby.” She says it is a matter of mustering courage to reach out for help and trusting the individual or team of counselors or therapists selected.
