About us | Rise Up Counseling
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ABOUT US

Company Beginnings

Welcome to Rise Up Counseling & Consulting PLLC

After working for large behavioral health organizations that evaluate success on quantity rather than the quality of treatment, I began to feel as if I was doing a disservice to my clients. Additionally, these agencies did not ensure clients were efficiently matched with therapists who were skilled to address their cultural and unique needs. Hence, I decided to start Rise Up Counseling & Consulting PLLC in 2016 to have the freedom to provide quality therapeutic services so my clients get what they need to Rise Up and achieve all the goals they set for themselves.

MEET THE TEAM

My passion and personal experiences led me to work in the human service field for approximately 20 years in various settings including, residential, inpatient, outpatient, and schools. I obtained my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of North Carolina At Charlotte (UNCC) in 2013. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), and a Certified Life Coach.

 

I am not only knowledgeable, resourceful, and relatable, but also extremely passionate about helping others to recognize their strengths, learn effective symptom-management strategies, and utilize their internal/external resources to Rise Up from their circumstances, accomplish their wellness goals, and reach their highest potential. I do not use a cookie-cutter approach to treatment and am able to adapt to each of my client's unique needs to best support them in their journey to healing. Some of the principles and practices I incorporate into treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness to say the least.

Shakeena Speller

Shakeena Speller

Founder, Clinical Director 

Danashia Walker

Danashia Walker

Lead Clinician

I have been in the mental health field for over 20 years working in various capacities and settings. After years of working with individuals struggling with mental health and substance use, I wanted to do more. My passion for helping others led me to pursue my master’s degree in Social Work which I obtained in 2011 from the University of South Carolina. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS).

 

I had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups. I specialize in trauma-focused treatment, trauma-informed care, and substance use; implementing evidenced based practices including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MIT), and solution-focused therapy (SFT). I like to approach therapy by taking the whole person into consideration and understanding that everyone does not fit in the same box. I believe that cultural competence and sensitivity as important parts of the healing process. I strongly believe that if you provide someone with the necessary skills, resources, and support, they will be successful in their healing and recovery. I enjoy seeing growth in the individuals and families I have worked with and consider it a success when they use what they gained in therapy to solve problems and overcome barriers that may arise.

I have been working in the human service field for the past 20 years. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate (LCASA). I have experience working with diverse populations in various treatment settings including the geriatric population, (over 65); military families, active duty members & veterans, children, adolescents, adults and individuals diagnosed with immunodeficiency disorders.

 

Some of the challenges I had the privilege of assisting my clients with over the years relate to: depression, anxiety, substance use, self-esteem, oppression/privilege issues pertaining to race; homelessness, anger management, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. I love to help my clients accomplish their mental wellness goals. Based on each client's preferences and needs, I often employ the following treatment modalities: Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Gestalt therapy, Play/Music/Art therapy, and Transactional analysis.

 Tova Woullard

Tova Woullard

Lead Clinician

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