ABOUT US
INtegRIty was launched in 2014 by Luella and Don Mahannah. It is a privately run, nonprofit counseling service on Bloomington’s west side. We do not take insurance and we serve the uninsured and under-insured. We operate as a "pay-as-you-can" agency and depend on client contributions to help cover the cost of our services.
INtegRIty enables a growing team of concerned professionals to partner in providing counseling, outreach, and community education on topics such as grief and loss, addiction, parenting, and coping skills for those with mental or emotional disorders.
Our vision is stigma free mental health support for all. We serve all members of the community, regardless of race, gender, belief, orientation, or economic status.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
DO. In order to make changes in behavior, thinking, and coping skills, a person must act. Improvement can’t take place without doing something. We believe the first step in doing is to decide to seek support - a team of people ready to walk beside him or her.
BE. In order to feel content in life, a person needs to see that he or she was created to be exactly who he or she is. Often, people waste time trying to be someone they aren't and fuel frustration by comparing themselves to others or not living up to their own expectations. Through counseling and mentoring, a person learns to recognize his or her unique strengths and traits and strives to improve relationships and behaviors.
HEAL. We believe every human being has scars that have affected their life. They can be emotional, spiritual, physical, and/or behavioral scars. By doing and working through what it means to be, a person can begin to recover from abuse, abandonment, or neglect. We see healing as a holistic effort incorporating spiritual, cognitive, nutritional, and physical strategies.
Full Time Counselors
Matthew Porzel, MA, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor through NBCC. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and Bradley University, earning his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He has worked in a variety of settings, including community mental health, residential drug and alcohol treatment centers, and outpatient clinics. His clinical experience includes individual, couples, and family therapy. He is experienced working with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities. He has developed curriculums and led support groups for survivors of sexual assault, childhood abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, mindfulness, and complicated grief. He is EMDR trained and has specialized training in treating trauma and complex PTSD through ICASA and EMDRIA. He is a licensed foster parent and has worked with children and adolescents in various social service programs. Matthew utilizes an integrative approach through a trauma-informed lens to create a calm space in facilitating healing and self-discovery. His approach is founded on empathy and compassion to foster a positive relationship and empower clients. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his four jungle creatures (including two rescue dogs and two rescue cats). He also enjoys outdoor activities, exercise, and baseball.
Volunteer Counselors
Luella Mahannah, MS, LCPC, serves as the Counseling Director of INtegRIty Counseling. She earned her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University and has worked professionally at the McLean County Center for Human Services and Catholic Charities. Luella became a volunteer counselor at Home Sweet Home Ministries in 2010. While there, she took additional graduate classes and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2013. In March of 2014, Luella, with her husband Don, founded INtegRIty Counseling in response to a growing need for mental health services for people who were falling through the cracks. Luella maintains a small counseling caseload while focusing her attention on directing the team of volunteers who are working together to meet the needs of the vulnerable and under-served population in McLean County.
Michelle Haase, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from the University of Illinois with a Master's Degree in Social Work. Specializing in healthcare, Michelle has experience working in both the medical and behavioral health inpatient settings. She is passionate about helping clients who are struggling to manage stress, experiencing anxiety or grappling with life's difficult transitions. Michelle takes an individualistic approach to therapy. She is dedicated to the well being of her clients and their own self-determination. In her spare time Michelle enjoys taking walks, gardening, baking, beach vacations, and spending time with her husband and daughters.
Deb Cochran, MS Ed, has her Master's Degree in school counseling from Illinois State University. She started her career as a special education teacher and seventeen years as a counselor at Normal West High School and retired from Unit 5 Schools in 2012. Her experience includes personal and group counseling, working with families, and leadership training for adults and adolescents. Her therapy includes solution-focused counseling. Deb loves to spend time with her husband and friends, play golf, travel, and create.
Verneice Prince MSW, grew up in Chicago in the foster care system. While this brought on challenges to her life, she focused on her education and raising her children. Verneice now wants to use the experience and education she has gained to help people overcome obstacles so that they can live the best quality of life possible. Her belief in God has helped her succeed, and because of her faith, she is willing to add a religious aspect to counseling sessions if desired.
Jenna Mangold, LCSW graduated from the University of Illinois and has experience working with youth on probation, as well as in crisis intervention, residential treatment, community mental health, and providing in home counseling for children and families involved in the child welfare system. Jenna enjoys working with a wide age range of clients including children, adolescents, and adults. She sees clients with issues ranging from PTSD/trauma, depression, anxiety, AD/HD, grief/loss, relationship issues, adjustment issues. She uses techniques including cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution focused techniques. In her free time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family, watching baseball, and jogging.
Don Taylor, LCPC comes to INtegRIty with 23 years of clinical experience at the Center for Human Services and in private practice at Professional Associates of Illinois. He has an MS in Counseling Psychology and an MS in Business Administration, both from Illinois State University. Don has worked extensively with adults with: mood and anxiety disorders, problems with intense and emotional reactivity, trauma reactions, personality disorders, childhood, and adult abuse issues, as well as chronic pain and stress. He is committed to working with each client in a very open, non-judgmental, and respectful manner. Don is a past Board President at PATH and a Vietnam veteran. He has been happily married to the best Italian cook he’s ever met.
Celeste Bradley, MA has her Masters Degree from ISU and a wealth of experience from Heartland Community College, McLean County Center for Human Services, and the Lighthouse Institute, now known as Chestnut Health Systems. Celeste is a trained Myers-Briggs facilitator especially qualified in helping others with career and life choices. She has been with INtegRIty since January 2015. We are grateful for her service and her deep compassion towards her clients.
Kathleen (Kathy) Case, LCSW is a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has spent 37+ years working with children and adults with mental health and behavioral challenges. Much of the time was in direct work with children who struggled in school because of behaviors that were the result of mental health or chronic behavioral issues. In addition to her mental health work, she spends much of her “spare” time in prison ministry and provides parent training classes for incarcerated parents.
Jaylene Taubert MSW, LCSW has worked in social services for fifteen years working in social work management, coordinating community anti-drug programs, and family advocacy. She earned her Masters in Social Work from Illinois State University and has her social work license. Her primary focus is working with women and individuals experiencing life transition challenges, depression and anxiety; she has experience working with couples on communication skills and managing stress in their relationship. Jaylene is married with two adult daughters and has resided in Bloomington, IL for 20 years.
Christie Vellella has a Master’s Degree in Education and is a retired Early Childhood Special Education teacher from Sarah Raymond School in Bloomington. She has taught public school for over 20 years and has previously worked for Hammitt School at The Baby Fold, SPICE Early Intervention, and Kaleidoscope. She has training in STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) and Love and Logic. Christie loves spending time with her husband, four adult children, and four grandchildren. In her free time, she is involved in plays at Community Players and participates in Holiday Spectacular in December.
Edye Stolz, MA, LPC, NCC has her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Georgia and her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University. She has a vast amount of experience as a Human Resources and Organization Development Leader and is currently employed at Country Financial. Edy works one-on-one with clients and enjoys working with groups; including starting a therapy group on mindfulness. She and her husband live in Washington IL with their three dogs; and they have two adult sons who live in Nashville, TN.
Becky Heerdt, MSW, LSW received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Illinois State University and specializes in grief and loss. Becky co-facilitates grief recovery support groups offered through Integrity. In addition to counseling, Becky is also the Recruitment Coordinator and a Quality Specialist for the Child Care Resource and Referral Network, located here in Bloomington, IL. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and walking with her 3 dogs and enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and traveling to new places.
Elizabeth Johnston, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from the Louisiana State University with her Master's in Social Work. She has experience working in Community Mental Health (long term) and Integrated Behavioral Health (short term). She works with clients experiencing a range of issues from depression, anxiety, grief/loss, relationship issues, personality disorders, and adjustment issues. She utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Solution Focused approaches. She is dedicated to making Bloomington-Normal a stronger and healthier community, one person at a time.
Samantha Case, MSW, LCSW graduated from ISU with a Master's in Social Work, with a Child and Family concentration. She has worked with children on the Autism spectrum her whole life, whether through volunteering, her internship at Marcfirst, speaking/educating on autism awareness, or her previous work with children on the spectrum with behavioral challenges. She was an ICASA (Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault) trained volunteer crisis advocate/counselor throughout her Bachelor and Master programs and is a full-time Client Care Counselor at a worldwide Employee Assistance Program where she puts those crisis management skills to work for employees in need across the US over the phone. She is dedicated to the empowerment of children and families through strengths perspective and client-centered practice.
Jennifer Moore, MFA MA LPC worked for over 25 years as an Accountant. In 2000 Jennifer received an MFA With Honors (Master of Fine Arts Degree) from Roosevelt University. In 2015 Jennifer Received her MA With Honors in Clinical Psychology also from Roosevelt University. Jennifer has worked with both children and adults in all spheres. She believes in teaching Life Skills and Coping Skills. Jennifer considers herself an Analytical Counselor because she likes to know why. Her approach is when you understand why it is easier to change.
Stacy Parton, MA LCPC has over 25 years of experience working in community mental health and child welfare. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from ISU and currently works as a staff counselor at ISU’s Student Counseling Services. Stacy enjoys helping people heal from trauma and abuse and works with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and a variety of other concerns. Her approach to counseling is client-centered and incorporates CBT, Mindfulness, EMDR, and Feminist theories. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her wife and fur babies (2 dogs, 2 cats) and knitting & crochet.
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Kathleen Tomczewski is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at ISU with a concentration in Child and Family Practice; she graduated with her BSW at ISU in 2019. She has worked and volunteered with several local human service agencies in Bloomington-Normal and has experience working with both children and adults experiencing various types of issues. She plans to obtain her LSW and LCSW after graduation in May of 2023. She plans to continue working in BloNo where she hopes to service the mental health needs of the community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking and relaxing with her fiance and two cats Mocha and Cocoa.
Gabriella Harnish, MSW (she/her/hers) graduated from the University of Illinois with a Master's in Social Work. She has been working and living in Bloomington/Normal for 7 years, yet is originally from the Cayman Islands. She has extensive experience working with older adults and those with disabilities. Gabriella approaches all her clients with empathy and compassion, ensuring a person-centered focus. As a counselor, she believes in the importance of treating each person as a unique individual, worthy of unconditional acceptance, regardless of his or her personal circumstances or struggles. She would like to walk alongside you as you grow and heal in a safe therapeutic environment.
Program Coordinator
Kathleen Craven graduated from McKendree University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and public relations and is currently completing her master’s in communication at Illinois State University. While at Illinois State, she taught undergrad courses in both public speaking and interpersonal communication and has focused most of her research on social media and mental health communication. While she has lived all over the state, she is originally from the southside area of Chicago, and will always consider that “home”. In her free time, she enjoys a good documentary, listening to podcasts, going on drives, and spending time with her cat, Cutie.
Board Members
Don Mahannah is a board member and volunteer for INtegRIty Counseling. Don manages all of the financial records and regulatory aspects and works to turn our operating data into information to help us tell our story. He develops and produces marketing and business materials for presentations, events, and other potential donors, clients, and agencies. He does office maintenance, cleaning, and odd jobs whenever necessary. Don is retired from Caterpillar where he enjoyed nearly 30 years of using his talents as an electrical engineer and manager to help develop, build, renovate, and maintain office and factory space around the world.
Kristin Manzi, MSW has been a longtime community partner of INtegRIty, started formally volunteering in January 2018, and joined the board that summer. She brings experience from years of professional and volunteer work with trauma survivors, nonprofit management and development, and positions such as committee chair as an alumni with Multicultural Leadership Program. Kristin loves talking to the community about INtegRIty's work, strategic planning as a member of the Visioning Team.
Karyn Robinson, BS is a board member. Outside of INtegRity, she is a licensed stylist and works in the hospitality field. Her passion is serving others. Busy as she loves to be, she manages to be a wife, step mom, and leader at her church. Karyn believes in the mission and goals of INtegRIty Counseling and enjoys being a part of something bigger than herself.
Board Members Not Pictured
Del Saam
Donald Wiggins
Front Desk Volunteers
Jordan Pratt is a junior at Illinois State University. She is currently majoring in Psychology and hopes to go on to nursing school to become a pediatric nurse. She loves interacting with children and spending time outdoors. She wanted to volunteer at INtegRIty as a way to give back to the community
Paiton Galloway is currently in the process of getting her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at Illinois State University. When she's not studying, she enjoys playing with her fur baby, Allie, or hanging out with friends and family.
Morgan Stong serves as front desk volunteer. She has her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Sociology and is working towards her Masters Degree in School Social Work. In her undergraduate degree she spent her time doing Child Development Research and worked as a Preschool Teacher. Currently Morgan works at YouthBuild McLean County as the PSE/Alumni Coordinator, working closely with high school aged students. In her free time she is probably going for a run!
Beth Underhill started volunteering at INtegRIty in 2020 and has been a huge help for filling in extra shifts and thinking of new ways to fundraise and get the work out about who we are. Beth is retired and loves to volunteer and spend time with her family.
Cristina Deutsch has been volunteering at the front desk since 2020 and is also one of our Spanish- Speaking translators! Cristina immigrated from Bolivia in 1964 and has worked in all types of facilities in Bloomington as a translator for those unable to advocate for themselves due to a language barrier.
Ethan Oliver is a front desk volunteer at INtegRIty. He is working towards getting his degree in Molecular Biology from ISU. Ethan was born deaf and was fitted with a cochlear implant as an infant. He loves learning and educating others whenever the opportunity arises. In his free time, he is probably playing chess or watching hockey.
Cat Hays started volunteering at INtegRIty as part of her independent volunteer service hours during her year of service as an Illinois Recovery Corps Project Coordinator and AmeriCorps member. She chose to volunteer at INtegRIty because accessible quality mental healthcare is near and dear to her heart. Cat is a Certified Medical Assistant and has plans to earn her credential as a certified recovery support specialist at Heartland Community College. In her free time, she can be reading, making art, and running through the woods as a healing mage at live action role play events with friends and her fiancé.
Jackie Young is currently attending Lincoln Christian University working towards her masters in Psychology with hopes to become a counselor and help adults and children in the community. She also volunteers at her church and works as an assistant for a local Real Estate Team. In her free time she enjoys swimming, kayaking , going to concerts, anything outdoors, reading and enjoying time with friends.
Kate Birlingmair Kate Birlingmair is a senior at Illinois State University. She is currently majoring in Spanish and minoring with plans to attend grad school in Clinical Counseling Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys doing yoga, cooking, writing, watching Netflix, and spending time with friends and family. Kate is passionate about volunteer work and is always looking for new ways to serve the community.
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Sydney Auth is a front desk volunteer, and graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Illinois State University in May of 2022. She is currently working as the Office Manager for the Psychological Services Center at ISU and plans to start her Master’s in Clinical Counseling in the fall of 2023, to work towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor to be a resource for adolescents and young adults needing mental health care. In her free time, Sydney likes to read, look for home decorating ideas on Pinterest, spend time with her boyfriend, family, and friends, and go to weekly Trivia on Wednesday nights.
Front Desk Not Pictured
Michele Beverege
Katie Bishop
Pat Peterson
Debra Risberg
Adelina Sauder
Sharon Smith
Robyn Walters
Ellyse Weatherly