Alexia Ford, LCSW

Essence Jackson-Jones is a Professional Counselor and Art Therapist with extensive experience supporting teens, college students, and young adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, and mood-related concerns. She earned her Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has practiced in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and community-based settings. Essence integrates creative and evidence-based approaches to promote emotional well-being, self-awareness, and personal growth, combining her background in counseling and the arts to help individuals connect with their inner strengths and cultivate balance through insight, creativity, and intentional growth.

Essence believes that meaningful healing begins when clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. She creates a warm, collaborative, and authentic environment where clients can explore their experiences safely. Guided by compassion, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity, she tailors each session to meet clients where they are while encouraging resilience, self-expression, and the development of coping skills that foster long-term emotional well-being. Art making in session is encouraged as an invitation rather than an expectation.

Essence begins by learning each client’s unique story, background, and goals during the initial sessions. She collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect their needs and strengths. Her therapeutic process integrates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral strategies (CBT), and creative expression to deepen insight and emotional regulation. Essence’s person-centered, strengths-based approach helps clients move toward greater clarity, connection, and fulfillment.

LaJoya McDonald is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience across outpatient, telehealth, and managed care settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and life transitions.

LaJoya is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment where clients feel heard and empowered. Her treatment style is integrative and person-centered, utilizing evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, supportive therapy, goal-oriented therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques.

LaJoya helps clients explore their thoughts, emotions, and patterns while developing practical tools for coping, healing, and growth. She believes in tailoring each treatment plan to the unique goals, strengths, and values of the individual, and takes pride in walking alongside her clients through life’s challenges with compassion and respect.

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Brittney is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. She attended SUNY Buffalo where she obtained a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Education with a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Counseling and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental Health Counseling. Brittney started her career as a School Counselor before transitioning full-time to Mental Health Counselor. Brittney is an empathetic and open-minded clinician, striving to meet her clients where they are, build trust, and maintain a safe, non-judgmental environment. She is experienced and passionate about working with teens and adults with various forms of trauma. Additionally, Brittney utilizes SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) for families impacted by anxiety and OCD to help them understand the impact these experiences have on their lives, ultimately finding the resolutions and outcomes they hope for. While EMDR therapy is her primary treatment approach for individuals, or SPACE for families, she also utilizes ACT, Parts Work, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and others.

After receiving my bachelor's in psychology from SUNY New Paltz in 2013, I worked as a medical assistant with individuals with developmental disabilities. From there, I recognized the need to promote mental health and a balanced way of living. I completed my master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University in 2021. My goal is to guide individuals towards cultivating their own sense of independence, ability to utilize healthy coping strategies, and regain control over their lives. I work with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, couples, and families as they begin their journey through processing adjustment changes, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, trauma, among other symptoms. Through the therapeutically proven interventions from CBT, DBT, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness, we can begin to explore triggers, symptoms, and challenges in a safe, respectful environment.

Meredith LaFave, LCSW, has extensive clinical experience working with adults, couples, and families in private practice and clinic settings. She has specialized training in EMDR, contemplative psychotherapy, Integrative Wellness, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care. Meredith values creating a safe, collaborative space where patients feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to explore personal growth.

Meredith blends deep exploration and insight with practical, goal-oriented strategies. She fosters a warm, engaging environment that encourages patients to feel respected, challenged, and equipped to build self-efficacy and overall life satisfaction.

Meredith begins by building rapport and understanding what brings a patient to therapy. She explores historical and contextual information, collaborates on personalized treatment plans, and uses evidence-based approaches to guide patients toward meaningful change, resilience, and personal growth.

Joanne is a Latinx, first generation, biliterate licensed mental health counselor- LMHC-D. Joanne enjoys working with individuals from diverse populations facing grief/loss, relational difficulties as well as anxiety/depression stemming from life and identity transitions through a trauma-focused and culturally responsive lens.

Joanne's previous experience includes supporting clients across a variety of outpatient settings that includes private practice and community based mental health organizations. She has experience working with clients across the lifespan with concerns ranging from anxiety and depression to serious and persistent mental health issues via individual therapy, group counseling and family therapy. Joanne's therapeutic approach is highly empathetic, client-centered, and strengths-based, which aims to empower individuals to tap into their inherent potential. As a direct clinician, a client can expect a mix of humor and curiosity as they work collaboratively to explore their mental health needs, co-create resilience, and cultivate the best version of themselves.

Joanne combines a mix of evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Internal Family Systems. Additionally, Joanne is also certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. Clients can expect an individualized therapeutic experience that aims to help them walk away from their sessions feeling supported, empowered and energized to work on their personal growth.