COUNSELING    ●    COACHING    ●    CONSULTING

Holly is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from Chippewa Falls, WI. She and her husband Lee, a retired law enforcement officer, opened Hakes Wellness Solutions in 2021. Passionate about supporting people through difficult personal or professional circumstances, Holly considers helping law enforcement and other first responders her calling. As a law enforcement spouse, Holly understands the unique burdens of emergency services families. Holly was raised by a 911 dispatcher, her late mother Susan, and spent part of her early
professional career working as a 911 dispatcher herself. Holly still considers being a dispatcher one of her “favorite jobs”. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Holly worked in the juvenile justice system as both a Chief Juvenile Court Intake Worker and supervisor of a secured juvenile detention facility. This experience further fueled her passion for the emergency services profession. Holly obtained a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Stout in 2002.

Holly has been described as someone who “really cares about ALL folks in ALL branches of emergency services”. She is honored to support law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical professionals, corrections officers, dispatchers and their family members. Holly’s love for the industry inspired her and Lee to dedicate a full time practice to help hometown heroes “hold the line” at work and home. “2020 was a difficult time for law enforcement nationwide; we wanted to dedicate our careers to supporting the industry that has been such an important part of our personal life,” Holly shared.

Holly describes her style of support as person-centered, strength based and solution focused. “I believe in the authentic skills, talents and abilities of the people I have the honor of supporting. When we are heard, cared for and believed in, we can work our ways through the most burdensome of circumstances”, she explains. Holly has been described as “the most understanding, caring, straightforward, healing, wonderful ‘counselors’ I have ever had the pleasure to see in action. Her gift is a must for anyone needing to bring some closure and insight into a troubling situation.” Holly supports her clients via counseling, professional coaching, consulting, speaking and
training. She is also a seasoned writer, with professional experience as a contributor, editor and publisher of a magazine, as well as several newsletters. She has an active social media
presence. She is currently writing a book focused on well being for law enforcement officers and their families.