The woman behind Out of the Box Counseling

Hi, I’m Alisha—most people call me Ally. I’m the founder and clinical director of Out of the Box Counseling, and I work exclusively with adult women navigating trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and the messy attachment stuff that shows up in real life. Therapy with me is real and collaborative—you’re not talking to a wall while I just nod; we’re actually doing the work together.

Reaching out can feel like a lot, especially when you’re already exhausted. The goal is for therapy to feel like a steady, honest space where you can bring the raw, unfiltered version of your story and never be treated like “the problem.”

A bit about me

I was born and raised in Duuuuuval County, Florida (Jacksonville), and I’m a lifelong Florida girl, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Qualified Supervisor, with almost 20 years in mental health and substance use work. My career has taken me through supporting autistic kids, case management, outpatient substance use treatment, crisis assessments, rehab, and group practice.

I earned my master’s in counseling from Webster University, and I’m an unapologetic fan of FSU (Go Noles!) and the Jacksonville Jaguars—yes, even in the rough seasons. In 2020, I stepped out of my comfort zone and started Out Of The Box Counseling on Juneteenth because access, flexibility, and culturally aware care mattered too much to ignore, and being honored with an achievement award from the University of North Florida’s Black Alumni Association was a big affirmation that this work matters.

Outside of sessions, I’m usually with my people, moving my body, listening to music, watching games, or soaking up the small, quiet moments that make life feel a little softer.

How I work in the therapy room

I’m a Certified Brainspotting therapist and currently training as a Brainspotting Consultant, and I also draw from DBT‑informed skills, somatic work, and attachment‑based therapy. Together, we focus on healing trauma, calming your nervous system, and shifting patterns that feel like they’re stuck on repeat.

Our early sessions are more intensive and thorough than a quick intake. We map out your history, current stressors, relationships, and how all of that shows up in your body, then look at any past diagnoses through a more decolonized, context‑aware lens so we can decide what actually fits you and build a plan around safety, regulation, and deeper trauma work.

What I care about most

Life is too short to stay stuck in relationships that hurt, carry everyone else’s emotions, or live in a body that always feels on edge. This work is grounded in compassion, acceptance, and clarity—you get empathy and understanding, but also honesty and boundaries.

I specialize in helping adult women with trauma and CPTSD, BPD and emotional intensity, attachment wounds, addiction histories, anxiety, depression, and mood issues. Together, we’ll process what happened, understand how your nervous system is trying to protect you now, and build skills so you can feel more secure in yourself and in your relationships.

How we can work together

I’m licensed in Florida and able to provide telehealth for clients in South Carolina, so as long as you’re physically in one of those states, we can meet online. Sessions are held via secure video so you can show up from your couch, your car, or wherever feels safest and most comfortable.

If something on this page sounds like you, you don’t have to carry it by yourself. Share a little about what’s going on, and let’s talk about it.

Let’s talk about it

A Special Recognition

Shortly after launching Out Of The Box Counseling, I was honored to receive the 2021 Achievement in Psychology Award from the University of North Florida Black Alumni Association.

My Values

Confidentiality

Your story stays in the room. You deserve a space where privacy and safety are taken seriously so you can be fully honest without bracing for judgment.

Creativity

Healing isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. We’ll use Brainspotting, body‑based tools, and other approaches in a way that fits you, not a rigid template.

Compassion

You’ll be met with empathy, not criticism. Every step counts here—even the messy, inconsistent ones you might usually beat yourself up for.

Acceptance

You get to show up as your whole self. This space is inclusive, affirming, and made for people who have often felt “too much” or “not enough” everywhere else.

Let’s work together

If you’re feeling tired of holding it all together by yourself, this is your invitation to not do it alone anymore. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, BPD, attachment stuff, or a big messy mix of all of the above, there is room for all of it here.

Therapy with me is collaborative, honest, and human—we’ll sort through what’s going on, get clear on what you actually want for your life, and build support that fits the real you, not some “ideal client” version. When you’re ready, reach out and let’s talk about what working together could look like.