LCSW, CCTP
Heartlinks Director
Heartlinks Team
Diana Cuddeback
Diana Cuddeback, LCSW is the Founding Director of Heartlinks Grief Center in Belleville, Illinois. Since her first Children’s Grief Group in 1991, Diana has provided children, families, and individuals innovative grief programming. Heartlinks serves individuals of all ages before and after a loss due to death. Diana and the Heartlinks team, provide individual and family counseling, grief support groups, as well as portable grief outreach programs and grief education. Diana’s mission is to create a meaningful community of support for grieving people filled with learning, activity, fun and connection.
Jodi Flesner
Ph.D., LPC
Clinical Supervisor &
Program Coordinator
Jodi Flesner, Ph.D., LPC, is a clinical supervisor, licensed therapist, and program coordinator at Heartlinks Grief Center. Jodi completed her master’s degree in Community Counseling at Loyola University Chicago in 2007 and her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2015. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Illinois and Missouri.
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Jodi has worked at Heartlinks for seven years where she conducts individual and family counseling, group counseling, community outreach to support those grieving in the community, and various grief support groups at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Prior to that she worked as a doctoral intern at BJC Hospice for two years where she conducted individual and family bereavement support services, group counseling, and counseling at multiple grief/bereavement retreats and camps.
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Jodi’s passion for working in the field of grief is born out of personal loss she experienced as a teenager when her oldest sister was killed in a car crash. She learned firsthand the importance of a safe place to connect with a community of grievers.
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Outside of the office, Jodi enjoys reading, poetry, going to concerts, and connecting with nature. She loves spending time with her daughter and her dogs, Walter and Jackson.
Melissa Nicewaner
Chaos Coordinator
Business & Communications Supervisor
Melissa has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and is currently studying for her degree in Organizational Leadership.
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While not a counselor, she uses her past grief experiences to guide her compassion and understanding when new clients call in. Having experienced both a sudden loss (her father) and a suicide loss (best friend), she understands how uncomfortable it can feel to ask for help when you’re grieving.
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Outside of the office, Melissa prides herself on being an ‘OG Swiftie’ and follows all things Taylor Swift related. She spends her free time crocheting all types of plushies and also spends time with her 10-year old son and two cats (Ellie & Lucas).
Lori Landoll
LMSW
Therapist & Outreach Coordinator
Jenny Ingebrigtson
LMSW
Therapist
Jenny is a Licensed Masters Social Worker with undergrad degrees in psychology and Health and Human Sciences. She has a varied professional background, including crisis work and hospice.
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Jenny has always been a helper and being in a helping profession was a natural journey for her. Her husband is a Nurse Practitioner and they have a 19 year old son and two dogs. She lived in this area twenty years ago and has recently moved back.
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Jenny is a landlocked mermaid and loves the beach, but will settle for a pool!
23-24 Clinical Intern
Kelsey Golden
Kelsey has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Science and is in the final year of her Master of Social Work program with George Mason University. Growing up in a military-connected family, she developed a passion for connecting with new people and learned the importance of finding a supportive community during life's big transitions.
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As a former English teacher working in Japan and school social work intern in Mascoutah, she has experience working with clients of all ages.
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Outside of Heartlinks, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her family: camping, baking, and playing video games. She is the proud mother of one boy and two fur-babies.
23-24 Clinical Intern
Julie Range
As part of her Clinical Mental Health Counseling studies, Julie joins the Heartlinks team in pursuit of her dreams as a therapist. Until then, the only license she possesses is her driver’s. This will suffice for the road trip she envisions taking with each of her clients. As they navigate the unique journey of grieving together, she considers it a great honor to accompany each and every one.
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And you better believe she’s bringing snacks! A lifelong foody, Julie’s fondest memories reflect the comfort of grandma’s kitchen, preparing produce from the family farm. Today, she takes that same nurturing approach to her clients.
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In her spare time, Julie is an Assistant Professor of Communications, focusing on creating a classroom community for turning our struggles into stories.
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She was drawn to Heartlinks, where the same approach to grief aims to create a safe place - Ensuring you will not traverse this journey alone.