Shannon Hart, PhD, LCSW

Behavioral Health Manager

Shannon Hart, PhD, LCSW is a Behavioral Health Manager whose areas of expertise include working with adults, especially women, with chronic illness, anxiety, depression, and significant life transitions. She is also an LBGTQ ally. She earned her MSW from Aurora University in 2019 and has been practicing since that time. She previously worked in education for over 30 years. Of her therapeutic approach, she says.

I believe we all have within ourselves the resources we need, but sometimes we need a guide to help us find and believe in ourselves enough to use them. To do this, I use various client-centered techniques, including cognitive restructuring, integrating mindfulness and meditation practices, encouraging life-affirming activities, and exploring and processing past experiences in order to integrate them into a more healthy present and future.

Jenn Balleto, LCPC

Behavioral Health Counselor

Jenn Balleto, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Jenn received her Bachelor of Psychology degree from Argosy University in 2010, and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2013.  Jenn provides therapeutic services for adolescents and adults who are experiencing challenges related to, depression, anxiety/panic, mood disorders, mental health crisis, and additional life transitions and stressors; with an expertise in the areas of grief/loss, trauma, and traumatic loss.

Jenn believes in a collaborative treatment approach, understanding that every client brings with them their own unique and individual experiences and therefore, the therapeutic support provided to each client must also be unique and individualized. In practice, Jenn incorporates a variety of evidenced-based treatment models through a trauma-informed lens to best meet the support needs of her clients.

Jenn facilitates a monthly support group for suicide loss survivors and is a member of the McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force. Jenn is also available to provide education to the community on mental health and suicide prevention; she is certified Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) Instructor, an evidenced based suicide prevention program, as well as, a certified instructor of the ACE Interface Curriculum, a program designed to build resiliency by educating communities about the impact that adverse childhood experiences have on our health and wellness.

Tiffany Mok, MA

Behavioral Health Counselor

Tiffany Mok is a Behavioral Health Therapist specializing in clinical counseling throughout the lifespan. She has her LPC pending after earning her MA in Clinical Counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2012. She has been working in the field since 2015. Tiffany also has experience in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Tiffany’s philosophy is this:

When a bowl is broken in Japan, it’s put back together with its crack being filled with gold, creating a beautiful lining. This indicates that when something has suffered damage and has a history, it makes it more beautiful. It’s up to you to paint your struggles with gold and make it beautiful and inspiring. People are not broken beyond repair. We can choose to wear our scars proudly as a badge of honor. Every next level of life will demand a new you. Sometimes, it takes being broken to become new again. “There is a silver lining” to many things, but there is always a gold lining to everything if you choose to see it.

Diane Grant, BSW

Community Support Specialist

Diane Grant is a Community Support Specialist who specializes in brain injury and mental health. She earned her BA in Social Work from Luther College in 1985. She has been working in the industry since 1986. Her therapeutic approach is “to increase independence and improve the quality of life of others through providing support, linkages, and education focusing on individual needs and goals.”

Irene Vasquez, MSW, LSW

Behavioral Health Counselor/Caregiver Specialist

Irene’s counseling focus is on children and adolescents, especially those experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. In her role supporting caregivers, she works with individuals and leads community-based support groups. As a bilingual counselor, Irene is able to work with clients who speak both Spanish and English.

Dr. V. Chowdary Jampala, MD

Dr. ­V. Chowdary Jampala, MD is a psychiatrist specializing in adult and geriatric psychiatry with a special focus on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses, and cognitive dysfunction secondary to brain disease. He is Board certified from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He earned his BS and MB from Gunter Medical College in India. He completed his postgraduate training at the University of Health Sciences / The Chicago Medical School where he worked as Chief Resident in Psychiatry. He has been practicing since 1982. Of his therapeutic approach he says,

Most mental disorders I treat are a result of dysfunction in brain, that could have resulted from multiple factors, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. I believe that making an appropriate diagnosis after a thorough evaluation is a necessary first step in the treatment. My main approach to treatment is pharmacological, to be combined with referral to psychotherapy as needed.

Dr. Michael Raida, MD

Dr. Michael Raida is a Psychiatrist specializing in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and psychiatric symptoms associated with dementia. Dr. Raida graduated from The Chicago Medical School in 2001 and completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry from Duke University in 2005. In 2006 he completed a Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at Northwestern University. He has been practicing since 2006 at Independence Health & Therapy. Of his therapeutic approach he says, “I believe in the value of the 30-minute medication management appointment. I think it is essential to know the psychosocial aspects of a patient’s story in order to make the most thoughtful medication decisions.”

Christina Murphy

Christina Murphy is a Memory Care and Adult Day Health Program Manager whose area of expertise is dementia and memory care. Christina began her career with IHT as a CNA 18 years ago while she was a nursing student. Growing up with a grandmother with dementia, she became passionate about helping the geriatric population and their families. One of Christina’s primary approaches to memory care utilizes the Montessori method for dementia and ageing.

“I believe in providing complete honesty to individuals and their families. My approach is to treat every individual with respect, which means offering kindness and the freedom to make choices. It’s important to give them the dignity they deserve after everything they’ve been through.”

Heidi Reynolds, RN

Heidi Reynolds, RN is a Registered Nurse serving the clients in our Adult Day program. She graduated from the ADN program at Harper College in Palatine in 1997 and then returned to college for her BSN at Walden University. She received her BSN in 2018, graduating Cum Laude. She has been a practicing nurse for 27 years. She started her nursing career at a small outpatient clinic, then moved on to Mt. Sinai on the west side of Chicago, working in their Labor & Delivery Department. When asked about her therapeutic approach, she says,

I treat my patients/clients how I would want one of my family members to be treated.

Jordan Pearson, LPN

Jordan is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Her passion for nursing began with a desire to help others and grew as she advanced through each step of her career. 

Jordan loves building personal connections with clients and their families. She focuses on creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where everyone feels heard and cared for. Communication and trust are at the heart of her approach, ensuring both clients and families feel comfortable and supported. 

Her favorite part of the Adult Day Program is the close-knit, home-like atmosphere and the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with each client.