Meet your Counselors
Courtney Kanouff, Administrative Assistant
“Never lose hope just when you think its over, God will make a way for you” Isaiah 43:19
Courtney has been a vital part of Guiding Grace Counseling, LLC for the past seven years. She is the friendly voice you hear when you call and the first smiling face you see when you enter our offices. Courtney has a background in customer service. She is the Executive Director’s Administrative Assistant and our Office Manager. Courtney stays busy scheduling, billing and bookkeeping. She is excellent with technology and keeps all of us organized. Besides having great attendance and being punctual, she has a positive attitude and a caring heart.
Courtney resides in New Philadelphia with her husband, Kyle and their daughter, who is a joy to all of us. Their pound dog Bella and two kittens keep things exciting at home. Courtney enjoys watching her daughter play sports, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.
Connie L. Wallace, LPCC-S, CTT
Owner - CEO
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." Psalm 42:1
Connie Wallace is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory designation. She was certified as a Trauma Therapist through The Trauma Therapy Institute at Morgantown, WV in 2008. Connie has been the owner and CEO of Guiding Grace Counseling LLC for 21 years since 2005.
Connie’s desire to combine her Christian Faith with her Professional Clinical Counselor education lead her to found Guiding Grace Counseling LLC in 2005. For the past 21 years Connie and the staff at Guiding Grace Counseling have helped many people walk through life’s most challenging times by addressing their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs in a caring and nonjudgmental environment.
Connie’s 40 year career in the mental health field included 10 years at Westcare, the Mental Health Center of Western Stark County located in Massillon, Ohio. There she counseled with severely mentally disabled clients, as well as, the general population. Connie also lead a shoplifting diversionary program for 1st time petty theft offenders through the Massillon Court System. Through the decade of her employment at Westcare, she directed the Partial Hospitalization, Case Management and Group Home Programs. She also served as the Clinical, Associate, and Executive Directors of the agency. While in Stark County she also worked as a Hospice counselor and as a Christian counselor at the Gentle Shepherd Counseling center in North Canton, Ohio.
Upon her return to TuscarawasCounty, Connie served as the Executive Director of Harbor House Inc., the Domestic Violence Shelter and Alcohol and Drug Halfway House for women and their children from Tuscarawas and Carroll counties. In this role she was responsible to write all local, state and federal grants. She and her team were also responsible for getting Harbor House, Inc. licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH), which in 10/2025 became The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health(DBH) and includes addiction services.
Connie served at Harbor House, Inc, for 4 ½ years then in 2005 she felt called to establish, Guiding Grace Counseling, LLC as an alternative to traditional counseling for those who desire to have their faith integrated into their counseling and healing experience. She and her staff strive to combine and provide excellent up-to-date clinical counseling services along with God’s word upon client request.
Connie and her husband Ed, who is a retired Dover Elementary school principal, live in New Philadelphia. They have 4 adult children, all of whom are medical professionals. They enjoy their six grandchildren, traveling, movies, friends, attending church services and discussing God’s word. Ed also enjoys singing in church and playing golf and was lead to give Guiding Grace Counseling its name.
Starlene Lewis, LPCC, LICDC-S
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Starlene earned her Masters Degree in Community Counseling from the University of Akron. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She also holds an Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor license with a supervision designation.
Starlene has experience in diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, adjustment and personality disorders and domestic violence. Starlene started her career in mental health as a volunteer at a crisis center. The volunteer work evolved into a paid position working with the severely mentally disabled population. She worked in the Alcohol and Addiction program at the Tuscarawas County Health Department where she did individual counseling and Intensive Outpatient Counseling.
Starlene also served, as the Director of the SHIELD program at the Noble County Correctional Institution. This is a substance use treatment program offered to the institution through Comp Drug. In addition, Starlene has served as the Executive Director of Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and The Women’s Halfway House. Starlene is grateful for all of the counseling experiences she has had and believes God has guided her and given her all of these opportunities for a well-rounded counseling career.
Starlene lives with her husband of 50 + years, Richard. They have one son and two granddaughters and enjoy spending time with family. Starlene enjoys the outdoors and many types of crafting. She enjoys singing and has been a member of a trio, singing at church since she was a teenager.
Sharon Mathias-Cain, LISW
"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I am." Psalm 61:2
Sharon spent years working with children and families in a variety of settings including homeless shelters, foster care, school based and outpatient agencies. After earning her Bachelors degree at Kent State University in 1998, Sharon traveled to Phoenix, AZ to work for Americorps VISTA and helped homeless families. Upon returning to Ohio she worked at a school, assisting youth who were at risk for dropping out of high school. In 2004 she entered grad school and completed her Masters Degree in Social Work in 2006 at The University of Akron.
Sharon worked for Christian Children’s Home of Ohio providing counseling to children in foster care. She then worked as a school based therapist with Pastoral Counseling in Akron. During that time Sharon was married and was blessed with two sons. Sharon took time off to stay home and enjoy her sons. The demands were unique, with having a child with significant physical disabilities. With 2 kids in tow, she earned her Independent License in Social Work. When she returned to the field in 2014, she provided outpatient counseling at The Village Network in Uhrichsville, Ohio.
God opened doors and Sharon established a faith based counseling office in Dover with CCHO/Encompass Christian Counseling in 2016. After 10 years of service, Sharon followed God’s lead again to Guiding Grace Counseling, LLC in June 2026. For the past several years, she has been specifically trained in the effects of trauma and precise tools to treat trauma in children and adults.
Sharon continues to enjoy everyday with her boys, who are now teens and see God raising them up. They adventure in travel, camping, hiking, kayaking, band, 4-H, sled hockey and boy scouts. When Sharon has free time, she enjoys napping in her hammock in the summer and recliner in the winter, cozy with the blanket she hand knitted.
Sharon’s journey with Jesus started at a young age. She believes that mental health coincides with spiritual health and as part of the body of Christ, we are meant to bear one another’s burdens.
Erin Peltz, CT
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4
Erin Peltz is a Counselor Trainee pursuing her Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. As a mother of four, she understands the joys and challenges of parenting and is passionate about supporting individuals and families through life’s transitions.
Erin brings experience working with individuals and families involved in the child welfare system, parenting challenges, substance use, and recovery, anxiety, and family relationship concerns. Her background in case management has provided her with experience supporting families through complex situations, connecting individuals with resources, advocating for their needs, and helping them navigate systems during times of change and uncertainty.
Erin is committed to creating a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered. Her approach is client-centered and strengths-based, focusing on building trust, fostering hope, and helping individuals recognize their own strengths as they work toward healing and growth.
