Christina
Emmanuel-De Luna, CEO
LPCMH, MS-MFT, M.Ed
Christina is Not Currently Accepting New Clients
Christina is the founder and CEO of Rising Hope Therapy. She is a dedicated mental health professional with a passion for therapy and the healing it provides. Christina provides counseling services to adolescents, adults and couples. Her focus is assisting clients in changing unhealthy thoughts and patterns to overcome challenges in their lives, while encouraging and empowering clients to make meaningful changes and achieve the goals that they set for themselves.
Christina works with a wide range of emotional and behavioral struggles. She works with client's of all backgrounds that may be experiencing a variety of challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues, women's issues, grief ,conflict resolution, LGBTQ issues, adjustment to college and other life transitions (career, premarital/marriage, divorce etc).
Our Therapy Team
Tracey Smith,
MS-MHC
Tracey Smith is a Masters level therapist with a Master degree in Mental Health Counseling from Wayland Baptist University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a minor in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University. She is a mother of five beautiful adult children and married to her high school sweetheart of 38 years.
Bennita Wlliams, MEd, LMSW
Bennita is a Licensed Master of Social Work clinician. She has attended Delaware State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science, in Psychology. She also attended Wilmington University where she obtained her Master of Education, in School Counseling as well as obtained certifications in Children and Families Counseling and Mental Health Counseling.
Joy Wambui. MA-MFT
Joy is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a strong desire to serve her community. Joy has a \Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University. In the past decade, Joy has provided Mental Health and Substance Use therapy to a diverse range of clients, building a wealth of experience in addressing a variety of mental health and life issues.
Jimmie K. Memminger, MS-MHC
Jimmie K. Memminger has spent over twenty years in varying leadership capacities in Mental/Behavioral Health in corrections as well as secure and non-secure care facilities. He has spent his career advocating against the injustices and inequalities plaguing adjudicated young men. Jimmie is equally dedicated to strengthening young men and men to be the best fathers they can be.
Janae Robinson, LMSW
Janae Robinson is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wilmington University and her Master of Social Work from Delaware State University. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Community Care Counseling with a concentration in Marriage & Family Therapy. She specializes in family therapy as well as individual therapy, She works with children ages 10 and up and Couples.
Shykera Backus,
MSW
Shykera has received her Masters in Social Work at Delaware State University. She has worked in the mental health field for 7 years and specializes in working with adolescents, adults, and family therapy in both individual and group settings as well as inpatient mental health/substance abuse facilities.
I am experienced in working with clients who struggle with anxiety, self-esteem, depression, and family conflicts.
Heather Estle,
LACMH
Heather received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bellevue University. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH) and a National Certified Counselor and is working towards obtaining licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health.
Heather particularly enjoys working with teens and young adults.
Tianna Wagner,
MS, LACMH, NCC
Tianna is a Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH) and a National Certified Counselor. She graduated from Wilmington University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and later obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University.
Kierstan Strickland, LMSW
Kierstan is a licensed social work professional with over 10 years of experience in the field providing services to children, families, and adults struggling with life’s many obstacles. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2014. Shortly after, Kierstan went to work with a child welfare agency providing permanency services for families throughout Chester County, PA. In 2016, she went back to continue her education and graduated with her Master of Social Work from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2019.
Kelly Merrick,
MHC
Kelly Merrick is a mental health counselor for Rising Hope Therapy. She has over 5 years experience as a community based therapist for children and youth in a higher level of care program. Kelly specializes in working with children and youth within the LGBTQ+ community as well as kids and teenagers who have been through trauma, more specifically sexual assault trauma. Kelly’s strengths are her understanding, her patience, and her empathetic nature. Kelly has an amazing support system, and enjoys reading and being in nature in her free time.
Kierstan Strickland,
LMSW
Kierstan is a licensed social work professional with over 10 years of experience in the field providing services to children, families, and adults struggling with life’s many obstacles. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2014. Shortly after, Kierstan went to work with a child welfare agency providing permanency services for families throughout Chester County, PA. In 2016, she went back to continue her education and graduated with her Master of Social Work from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2019.
Jamie Jones, MS, LCSW
Jamie is a licensed Social Worker. She has a Master’s degree in social work from Delaware State University and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Wilmington University. Jamie has worked closely with clients of all ages struggling with depression, trauma, and anxiety. Her approach during sessions is client centered humanistic therapy and solution-focused therapy.
Elizabeth received her bachelor’s in psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. She went on to further her education where she obtained her Master’s in professional counseling from Rosemont College, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth is working towards obtaining her License for Professional Counseling and Mental health to coincide with her 7 plus years of experience in the counseling and therapy field.
Elizabeth Mittal, MS, LACMH
Tamara Frere, MS-MHC
Tamara is a current doctoral student and a masters-level clinician in counseling for mental health and wellness. She uses her personal, academic, and professional background as an asset to relate well with diverse clientele and to provide high quality service to them. Her goal is to help all of her clients connect their emotions to their thoughts and actions in light of the goals they have set for themselves. Furthermore, She is motivated to support clients in reframing the sources of their distress.
Dr. Baul is a Certified Life Coach with a PhD in Organizational Leadership and an MBA in Marketing. In partnership with Rising Hope, she aims to help Rising Hope clients with creating the life they deserve intertwined during their healing process or beyond.
Are you ready to make a change in your life? Dr. Baul offers Life Coaching (including health and wellness) Career, Leadership, and Business Coaching to her clients.
Dr. Valerie Baul, MBA, PhD
Life & Empowerment Coach
Ciera Gary, Office Manager
Ciera has a background in Customer Care Management, Healthcare, Billing, and Administration.
She is the glue that keeps the office running. Ciera also provides scheduling and billing services on behalf of Rising Hope Therapy. If you have any questions or concerns please email Ciera. She will happily assist.
Indigo Gaines, Receptionist
Indigo has a background in Customer Care and business management.
She also provides scheduling and billing services on behalf of Rising Hope Therapy. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us.
