As a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Secretary of NAAAMHT’s Board of Directors, Antoinette is committed to fostering meaningful connection, representation, and healing within the Black community. Through clinical practice and professional leadership, Antoinette recognizes the importance of accessible, client-centered, and culturally responsive mental health care grounded in culture, lived experience, identity, and the strengths of individuals and families.

As Secretary, she helps ensure that NAAAMHT remains organized, connected, and responsive to its members. By maintaining clear communication, accurate recordkeeping, and active coordination, Antoinette supports the organization’s efforts to create opportunities for clinicians to share resources, learn from one another, and build supportive professional relationships. Antoinette is dedicated to helping NAAAMHT remain a trusted network that provides mental health professionals with resources, collaboration, and support as they serve communities that have historically faced barriers to accessible, culturally responsive care.

Guided by the belief that mental wellness is a collective responsibility, she encourages open and honest conversations about mental health to help reduce stigma. Her work also focuses on reducing barriers to care and expanding access to diverse mental health professionals.

Through NAAAMHT, Antoinette is honored to contribute to a growing network of professionals and advocates working to build healthier, better-informed, and more resilient communities.

Velecia Luckette-Hairston holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Dayton and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisor Designation (LPCC-S) through the State of Ohio. She is the founder and clinical director of Victory Mental Health Services of Columbus.

Velecia’s professional background reflects a breadth of experience across clinical, community, military, and corporate settings. Prior to establishing Victory Mental Health Services, she served as a Mental Health Clinician and Treatment Coordinator with UMCH Family Services and worked as a Resource Specialist with the Military Veteran Resource Center. Her earlier career includes more than seven years in human resources.

Her clinical training includes school-based practicum experience through Nationwide Children’s Hospital and direct service work with children, adolescents, and adults in community mental health. Velecia is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has completed advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Grief Counseling, and Motivational Interviewing.

In addition to her clinical credentials, Velecia earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Regis University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg State College. She is also a retired member of the United States Army Reserves.

Debora Wallace-Woods is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision Designation (LPCC-S) and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) with extensive experience providing compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health services. As Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Clinical Director of Essence Counseling Group, LLC, she leads a team dedicated to delivering high-quality, client-centered mental health and substance use treatment.

She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Psychology, deepening her expertise in behavioral health, leadership, and research. Her doctoral work reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and advancing scholarship that strengthens clinical practice and improves outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Mrs. Wallace-Woods specializes in trauma-informed care, complex trauma, ADHD, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Debora uses an integrative, evidence-based approach that incorporates mindfulness and spiritually informed interventions, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs, strengths, and values. Her therapeutic philosophy emphasizes resilience, empowerment, healing, and sustainable personal growth.

As a clinical supervisor, she mentors counselors pursuing independent licensures and fosters ethical practice, professional excellence, and leadership development. In her executive role, she oversees strategic vision, clinical operations, and organizational growth at Essence Counseling Group, focusing on expanding access to quality behavioral healthcare and developing innovative services that meet evolving community needs.

Mrs. Wallace-Woods is also an active leader in the counseling profession. Debora serves as Vice President of the National Alliance of African American Mental Health Therapists and is a member of the Ohio Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honor Society. Across her roles as clinician, supervisor, executive leader, doctoral student, and advocate, she remains committed to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and creating lasting positive change.

Whitney is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and mental health advocate who believes in the transformative power of healing, resilience, and personal growth. She is passionate about helping individuals and communities move beyond surviving to thriving while advancing equitable access to culturally responsive mental health care.

Whitney is passionate about cultivating meaningful change through authentic connection, lifelong learning, and collaborative leadership. Her work is grounded in the belief that growth begins when people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. She is passionate about increasing access to culturally responsive mental health care, supporting the professional development of African American clinicians, and fostering opportunities that strengthen both the counseling profession and the communities it serves.

Whitney earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University and her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She has experience in both non-profit and private practice settings, providing individual and group therapy, conducting clinical assessments, and using evidence-based approaches to support clients with a wide range of mental health concerns. She has a background in complex trauma and has devoted her career to supporting women navigate through abuse, societal pressures, distress in maternal mental health, superwoman syndrome, and other mental health barriers to fostering healthier coping skills and a better quality of life.

Whitney believes that when clinicians are equipped, connected, and empowered, they are better positioned to transform lives and strengthen the communities they serve. Together, she believes, we can inspire meaningful change within our profession and for generations to come.

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, he is a graduate student at the University of Dayton pursuing his passion for counseling and human services. His professional journey reflects a commitment to supporting individuals and families, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful connections with those he serves.

He currently serves as a Counselor Trainee at Metamorphosis Counseling, where he continues to develop his clinical skills while gaining hands-on experience supporting individuals through their personal and mental health journeys. Through this work, he is expanding his knowledge of the counseling profession and developing the skills necessary to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and person-centered support.

In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a Family Specialist under the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. In this role, he supports families and helps connect individuals with resources and services that promote stability, growth, and overall well-being. His experience working with individuals and families across different settings has strengthened his appreciation for the importance of accessible resources, community support, and meaningful relationships.

As President of the organization, he brings his passion for mental health, community, and connection into a leadership role dedicated to supporting therapists and mental health professionals of color. He is committed to helping cultivate a space where professionals can build relationships, exchange resources, encourage one another, and navigate the unique experiences that can come with being a person of color in the mental health field.

Through his leadership, education, and professional experiences, he hopes to contribute to a community where mental health professionals of color feel supported, connected, and empowered to grow personally and professionally. He believes that strengthening the network of professionals who serve their communities can have an impact that extends beyond individual practitioners to the clients, families, and communities they support.

Danielle Willis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, evidence-based care, and a client-centered approach. She understands how overwhelming, discouraging, and exhausting life’s struggles can feel and is committed to walking alongside clients as they work toward hope, healing, and peace. Together, she partners with clients to pursue their mental wellness goals and build lives that are meaningful and fulfilling.

Danielle provides counseling for children and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, stress, and other mental health challenges. She creates a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can heal, build resilience, develop practical coping skills, and achieve meaningful personal growth.

Prior to becoming a counselor, Danielle spent more than 25 years in executive leadership, where she developed expertise in human behavior, organizational dynamics, leadership development, and employee well-being. She holds a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Danielle is committed to providing culturally responsive, strengths-based care that empowers clients to overcome challenges, recognize their strengths, and create lasting positive change.

Dayamiaha Jones is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) and the owner of Day by Day Counseling Group LLC. With experience spanning community mental health, private practice, and family-centered services, she is passionate about helping individuals recognize their strengths, navigate life’s challenges, and become the best versions of themselves.

Dayamiaha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Ohio Dominican University and a Master of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Walden University. Throughout her career, she has worked with adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings, including the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus and the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. Her clinical approach is individualized and integrative, incorporating techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family-based interventions, creative and expressive approaches, and other evidence-based practices to meet the unique needs of each client.

Beyond her clinical work, Dayamiaha has a passion for creativity, technology, and using digital platforms to strengthen connection and expand the reach of meaningful resources. As Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy for NAAAMHT, she helps shape the organization’s digital presence, marketing initiatives, and online engagement. She is committed to using these platforms to increase awareness of NAAAMHT’s mission, amplify the voices and work of Black mental health professionals, and connect clinicians and communities with valuable information and opportunities.

Dayamiaha believes that representation, connection, and access are essential to creating meaningful change in mental health. Through her work with NAAAMHT, she is dedicated to helping build a visible and supportive professional community where clinicians of color can connect, collaborate, grow, and thrive while advancing mental health awareness and wellness within the communities they serve.

Outside of her professional roles, Dayamiaha enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing, and expressing her creativity through arts and crafts.

Priscilla White, LPC, is the owner of There Is Hope Counseling, LLC, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and an Ordained Minister. She maintains a clinical practice specializing in trauma-informed therapy, individual counseling, and premarital counseling, utilizing evidence-based methods to support clients in achieving sustainable psychological healing and personal development.

Priscilla's clinical approach addresses the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — as an integrated framework for treatment. Her caseload includes couples pursuing premarital counseling, as well as adult clients presenting with trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders, anxiety and stress-related conditions, and anger management concerns. Her practice also incorporates Christian counseling and life coaching services.

Priscilla is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a structured therapeutic methodology utilized in the treatment of trauma-related symptomology. Her clinical orientation is client-centered, prioritizing the individual's needs, values, and treatment goals throughout the therapeutic process. This methodology supports a comprehensive, individualized standard of care across her clinical practice.

Credentials:
Licensed Professional Counselor
State of Ohio, License #C.1300414
EMDR Trained
Member, Ohio Counseling Association (2026)
Founding Board Member, National Alliance of African American Mental Health Therapists (2026)
M.S. in Education and Health Sciences, University of Dayton (2014)

Connect:

Website: thereishopecounselingohio.com
Psychology Today: psychologytoday.com/profile/1090007
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pwhite04

Quanishia Gibson, LPC, is a therapist, practice founder, and doctoral scholar whose work sits at the intersection of mental health, culture, and relational life. She is the founder of WITH Therapy LLC, an integrative mental health and wellness practice based in Columbus, Ohio.

Quanishia earned her Bachelor of Arts from The University of Toledo and her Master of Arts in Counseling, with a concentration in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling, from Geneva College. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regis University.

Her clinical and scholarly interests center on relational sustainability and Black relational life—particularly what helps individuals, couples, and families build relationships that thrive beyond survival. Through Black Love Inquiry, her emerging public-scholarship platform, she explores the psychology, culture, and future of Black relationships.

Quanishia was named one of Black Female Therapists’ Top 25 in Mental Health in 2025 and received the Wellness Hero Award from the African American Male Wellness Agency. Beyond her professional work, she enjoys motherhood, the arts, and bringing a little whimsy into everyday life.