Meet Our Team

GoodWerk’s Clinical Director, Dr. Ebony White is a counselor, advocate, activist, speaker, trainer, researcher, and mental health expert. An Associate Professor in the Counselor Education Department at St. Bonaventure University, She has devoted her career to supporting under-resourced, under-served, culturally rich and resilient individuals, families, and communities.
Growing up in the city of Trenton, NJ and being raised by a village directly influenced her sense of community, pride, and purpose. Her varied personal experiences, extensive education, and expertise in research and practice have uniquely positioned her to counsel, teach, and train in ways that lead to transformation. Using anti-racist pedagogy, current events, humor, and application-based activities, Dr. Ebony’s presentations and trainings are always engaging, energizing, and life-changing.
Dr. Ebony’s impact reaches across the globe. As an expert in her field, she has been quoted in numerous news outlets including Newsweek, Medium, the Philadelphia Inquirer, PopSugar and the New York Times. She has been a guest expert on CBS News and Fox 29 News in Philadelphia and was featured on TVC News Nigeria.
Furthermore, she has done trauma work in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, provided training to leaders in the healthcare system in Gombe State, Nigeria, and created a mental health course for students in Tarkwa, Ghana.
She was recently selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange program by the US Department of State and International Research & Exchanges Board to provide mental health training to nurses, doctors, and pharmacists in Nigeria.
She has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and appears in the advocacy focused video from Alexander Street Press titled Helping Counselors and Psychologists as Advocates and Activists: Strength, Solidarity, Strategy and Sustainability.
Dr. Ebony also gave a TEDx talk, titled “You Don’t Get to Name Me.” Additionally, she has appeared on other podcasts addressing anti-racism in mental health including The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast, The Voice of Counseling, and Sazon y Corazon Podcast. Dr. Ebony has presented her research at various conferences nationally and internationally, including the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC.
In 2007, Dr. Ebony received the Woman of the Year award from the Mercer County Commission on Women. She also received the Community Service Award from the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Carver Youth and Family Center in 2018. In 2021 she was awarded the Dr. Judy Lewis Counselor for Social Justice award from the American Counseling Association. She received the award for Outstanding Service and Advocacy to the Profession of Counseling from the North Atlantic Region of the American Counseling Association. In 2023 and 2024, Dr. Ebony received the Graduate College Recognition Award from Drexel University for her leadership of the Diversity Advisory Council and her dedication to diversity, equity, and belonging among the graduate community.
More recently, she was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award by the College of Nursing & Health Professions at Drexel University. Currently, Dr. Ebony is a Past-President of Counselors for Social Justice, a national organization.
She is community focused and values relationships above all else. More important than her educational achievements and awards are her identities as a daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, godmother, and niece. She lives by Ubuntu, “I am because we are, and because we are, I am.”

GoodWerk’s COO, Daton is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), a Professional Credentialed Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and an Organizational practitioner who has earned his PsyD in Organizational Psychology at Rutgers University as well as his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
In his counseling work, Daton views therapy as a collaborative and liberatory process where clients are seen for their strengths, stories, and resilience. His clinical training is grounded in multicultural counseling and social justice, with a focus on creating safe and affirming spaces for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients navigating the complex intersections of identity, resilience, and healing. He integrates culturally responsive and strengths-based practice, believing that healing happens through connection, empowerment, and honoring each client’s lived experience.
In his organizational work, Daton’s research explores organizational trauma and liberatory praxis, particularly how systemic oppression is metabolized within professional spaces. With more than 16 years of combined management and leadership experience, he has coached over 100+ leaders across industries and directed development programs serving thousands annually. Studied in I/O Psychology (Harvard University) and Leadership (Nova Southeastern University), Daton integrates psychological inquiry, organizational design, and equity-centered practice to help individuals and organizations thrive.
Beyond his professional roles, Daton finds joy in designing and styling interior spaces and traveling. He believes that thoughtfulness, community, and creativity are just as essential to transformation as strategy and science, and brings that into every space he’s in.

Nadine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state Florida, and a mental health counselor limited permit in New York. She earned her masters degree in clinical mental health counseling from Florida Atlantic University. Nadine is also a certified rehabilitation counselor.
Mrs. Ferguson has a strong passion for helping others, of which has grown from her volunteer work with disadvantaged youth and young adults in her community. Moreover, Nadine has worked in a variety of counseling settings. Her experiences have afforded her opportunities to provide counseling services to a range of clients including youths, young adults, older adults in her community. She has also provided individual and group therapy with school aged children. Nadine is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and has experience in helping her clients process their feelings and work through difficult challenges.
Nadine prides herself on her client centered approach which includes active listening, offering tools and skills needed to cope with life challenges and stressors. She strives in providing non-judgmental and authentic individualized care which supports her clients in achieving optimal mental health and wellness.

Nicole is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and National Certified Counselor in Altamonte Springs, FL, who is passionate about helping individuals navigate life's complexities. With a master’s degree in Counseling from Barry University, Nicole brings a mosaic of experience when supporting clients through the challenges of anxiety, ADHD, relationship issues, life transitions, and personal growth.
Nicole believes that change is inevitable, and that learning how to adapt is a lifelong process. Drawing on her own experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Nicole deeply resonates with clients navigating similar challenges. She strives to help individuals recognize their inherent strengths—what she fondly refers to as their "superpowers"—and supports them in creating meaningful changes that align with their goals and aspirations.
Her therapeutic approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered methodologies. By challenging unhelpful thought patterns and encouraging self-reflection, Nicole helps her clients develop tools to process emotions, build resilience, and overcome obstacles. She values and emphasizes humor, kindness, and accountability in therapy, recognizing that sometimes laughter can be the best medicine as we confront life's discomforts.
Nicole also integrates her multicultural background, coming from a large Latin and American family, into her counseling work. She is sensitive to how societal influences shape the way we perceive and process information, and she welcomes conversations that explore identity, culture, and the nuances of navigating our ever-changing world.
In her work with clients, Nicole takes a collaborative approach, co-creating treatment plans that are tailored to each individual’s unique needs. She believes that no goal is out of reach; it's simply a matter of finding the right pace and strategy for each person. Whether helping clients establish routines, managing symptoms, or coping with past traumas—including experiences with the judicial system—Nicole is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centered care that empowers individuals to thrive.

Brittany is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. Brittany's therapeutic approach is uniquely characterized by its focus on solution-focused techniques and elements of narrative therapy, highlighting her dedication to fostering a collaborative and understanding environment from the very first session.
Brittany aims to create a space where clients feel heard and supported in their journey toward healing and believes in viewing the counseling process as a partnership where she works alongside her clients to unravel and reconstruct their narratives in a way that aligns with their current self and aspirations for the future.
Specializing in narrative and person-centered methodologies, Brittany adopts a holistic perspective on counseling, emphasizing the importance of understanding each client's unique story. Her guiding principle is to encourage her clients to bring whatever they can to the sessions, assuring them that their efforts, no matter how small, are valuable steps toward progress.

Cassandra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and holds a Master’s degree and an Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. Her clinical foundation is deeply rooted in Narrative Therapy, guided by the belief that the stories we tell ourselves and others profoundly shape our identities, relationships, and experiences. Cassandra works collaboratively with clients to explore and understand the narratives they have adopted, helping them find their voice and empowering them to rewrite their stories in ways that support their growth, resilience, and overall well-being.
Cassandra is committed to creating a warm, welcoming, and supportive therapeutic environment where clients feel safe to show up authentically. She strives to ensure that every individual feels seen, heard, and understood, recognizing that meaningful change begins with genuine connection. Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based, incorporating a multicultural lens that honors the diverse identities and lived experiences of each client.
In addition to narrative work, Cassandra integrates mindfulness practices to help clients build present-moment awareness, foster emotional regulation, and deepen self-compassion. Her ultimate goal is to walk alongside clients as they work toward becoming versions of themselves they value and love — supporting them in building lives rooted in authenticity, empowerment, and self-acceptance.

Joel is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern whose lived in Orlando for over 15 years. Joel earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida. Through his work a School Counselor Joel has seen the need for mental health awareness and services for all groups, and marginalized groups especially.
In Joel’s 10 years as a School Counselor at the Elementary and Middle School levels working at Title 1 and high-income schools, Joel knows first-hand the importance of empathy, compassion and a continued desire to learn. A first generation American of Jamaican immigrants, Joel is a recipient of the determination, resilience and self-empowerment of his family and sees that same potential in his clients. Seeing the impact family can have on generations through the school system, Joel desires to facilitate individuals and families to overcome their past, own their present and build their future.
Joel strongly believes in the power of collaboration and communication when working with clients. Every client has their own story, and Joel wishes to learn and understand his client’s stories in order to help them write their next chapter.

Lia Whitted is a dedicated, pre-licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor , born and raised in Manhattan, NY, into an African American and Puerto Rican family. She firmly believes that everyone deserves access to quality mental health services and is passionate about advocating for marginalized and underserved communities. Inspired by her personal experiences and deep understanding of the significant need for accessible care, Lia is committed to providing compassionate support that fosters healing, self-awareness, and personal growth.
Currently completing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Molloy University, Lia embraces a client-centered approach that emphasizes empowerment and empathy. Her focus is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions and strives to create a collaborative counseling environment where clients feel truly heard, supported, and encouraged in their healing and growth journey. Lia believes in the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with her clients and focuses on meeting clients where they are in their journey and works with them to explore their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve personal growth. She remains dedicated to helping individuals navigate their emotional well-being with authenticity and care.

Rozeena is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor currently in training, and has clinical experience across residential treatment, outpatient care, and community-based settings. She holds a background in psychology and is completing her graduate training in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Central Florida. Her clinical foundation is rooted in trauma-informed, relational work, shaped by supporting individuals navigating emotional distress, substance use, identity exploration, and systemic stressors. Her approach is informed by both direct clinical practice and prior leadership roles in higher education, nonprofit organizations, and K-12 instruction where she facilitated groups, designed support programs, and worked closely with learners of all ages during periods of transition and growth.
She is committed to creating a therapeutic space that is warm, collaborative, and affirming, where clients feel safe to show up as their full selves. She values genuine connection and believes meaningful change begins when individuals feel seen, heard, and respected within the context of their lived experiences. Her work incorporates multicultural and strengths-based lenses and honors the ways culture, systems, and identity shape mental health.
In her clinical work, Rozeena integrates evidence-based practices with psychoeducation and mindfulness-informed strategies to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience. She is especially interested in helping clients develop greater clarity around their values, build sustainable coping skills, and cultivate lives rooted in authenticity, agency, and self-trust.

Deciding to start a counseling journey can feel overwhelming, especially when life seems uncertain or emotionally exhausting. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, or difficulty adjusting to unexpected changes, you do not have to face those challenges alone.
As a Mental Health Counselor, I strive to provide a compassionate, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. I recognize that our mental health is shaped not only by our individual experiences but also by our families, cultures, communities, and the systems we navigate every day. My approach honors each person's distinct identity and lived experiences while fostering resilience, self-awareness, and empowerment.
I enjoy working with adults (especially seniors), teens, members of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities as well as parents because we all are trying to navigate through experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, self-esteem concerns, and everyday stressors. I also understand the impact that cultural identity, family dynamics, and life experiences can have on emotional well-being, and I strive to provide culturally responsive care that honors each client's unique background and values.
My counseling approach is collaborative and client-centered, culturally responsive, and informed by a liberatory framework. This means I strive to help clients understand themselves within the broader context of their lives while recognizing their inherent strengths and capacity for growth. Together, we will identify barriers, build practical coping skills, and create meaningful strategies that support healing and lasting change. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Strengths-Based Therapy, to tailor treatment to your unique needs and goals. Our work will be guided by your values and what matters most to you.
I believe therapy is a partnership built on trust, authenticity, and hope. Everyone deserves a space where they can explore their experiences without judgment and feel empowered to move toward the life they want. If you're ready to begin your healing journey, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Michaella is a pre-licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Molloy University.
Michaella brings a person-centered approach to her work, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive therapeutic relationship that empowers clients to take ownership of their growth and healing. Her approach is grounded in respect, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, and is tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. She is committed to cultivating a collaborative counseling relationship, one that emphasizes mutual respect, authenticity, and a shared investment in the client’s healing and personal development.
Michaella prioritizes building strong, trusting therapeutic alliances as the foundation of effective treatment. By meeting clients where they are—emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally—she tailors interventions to align with their unique needs, cultural identities, and individual goals. Her work is grounded in the belief that each person possesses inherent strengths and resilience, and therapy serves as a space to uncover and build upon those inner resources.
Originally born on Long Island, Michaella was raised between Long Island and Jamaica. She lived in Jamaica from the age of six months to six years and continued to spend summers in Negril throughout her upbringing. These formative experiences have deeply influenced her personal and professional identity. Coming from a Jamaican family, she has witnessed firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health in Caribbean communities. This fuels her passion for bridging the gap between mental health care and Caribbean culture, with the goal of making counseling more accessible, normalized, and culturally informed.
In addition to her academic training, she has over three years of experience working in inpatient psychiatric settings. This background has provided her with a strong clinical foundation and has further strengthened her commitment to becoming a well-rounded and culturally competent therapist.

Hannah is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern completing her Master’s degree in Counseling at the University of Central Florida.
Drawing from Person-Centered, Relational-Cultural, and Cognitive-Behavioral modalities, Hannah tailors treatment to the unique needs of the individuals she serves. In counseling, clients are invited to explore the relationships and experiences that have shaped them while building practical skills to shift patterns that may be keeping them stuck.
Hannah understands that reaching out can be one of the hardest things someone can do. She meets every client where they are with patience and care. Hannah primarily works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship stress, and identity formation. Her goal is to walk alongside each person as they find their way toward healing.
Before entering the counseling field, Hannah worked in Applied Behavior Analysis, supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum. This experience strengthened her ability to support individuals with unique needs and reinforced her commitment to meeting people exactly where they are.
As a biracial adoptee, Hannah brings lived understanding to what it means to navigate identity and belonging. This personal experience deeply informs her work and fuels her passion for supporting adoptees and young adults exploring who they are and where they come from.

Bailey is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern currently completing her Master’s degree at the University of Central Florida.
She believes that each person enters counseling with a unique story, set of experiences, identities, and ways of understanding the world. She aims to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore who they are, what they have experienced, and where they want to go.
Her counseling practice is integrative, drawing from psychodynamic and narrative therapies to help clients understand how their past has shaped their present, explore the stories they hold about themselves, and create more empowering narratives that support their growth and wellbeing. As a certified meditation teacher and board-certified health and wellness coach, Bailey enjoys incorporating mindfulness, grounding techniques, and mind-body practices into counseling when they align with a client’s goals and preferences.
Bailey approaches counseling with warmth, curiosity, humility, and a deep respect for each client’s lived experience. She hopes to help clients feel genuinely seen and supported while developing greater self-understanding, resilience, and the tools to create meaningful change in their lives.

Daralyn is a Mental Health Counseling Intern bringing over 12 years of experience as a special education teacher.
Her career has been dedicated to working with children and teens who have emotional, behavioral, and learning differences, as well as supporting their families. Her passion for counseling grew from advocating for students who often felt unheard, and she now strives to provide that same advocacy in the therapy space.
Daralyn is completing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Reality Therapy to help clients build confidence, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation skills. She also has a strong interest in attachment styles and relationships, and how these patterns influence self-esteem, emotional well-being, and connection with others.
Daralyn believes therapy should be a safe, judgment-free space where you feel respected, understood, and empowered. Her approach is collaborative and compassionate, with an emphasis on identifying strengths, setting meaningful goals, and developing practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. She is especially passionate about working with children, teens, and young adults with ADHD, emotional or behavioral challenges, anxiety, relationship and self-esteem concerns.

Lorinda is a Mental Health Counseling Intern pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rider University. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, understood and empowered.
Lorinda recognizes that every individual is unique and approaches counseling through a collaborative and person-centered lens. Through empathy, curiosity, and respect, Lorinda works alongside clients to explore their experiences, better understand their patterns, identify strengths, and develop meaningful ways to move forward. She enjoys supporting clients who are navigating life transitions, relationships, racial identity, self-esteem, and personal growth.

Dorothy “Dot” Desilus is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern and graduate student at Marshall University, where she is completing her Master of Arts. She is also an active member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society.
Dot brings a diverse background of people-centered, community-based work to her counseling practice. Her experiences span the arts, event production, coaching, nonprofit leadership, and community wellness, each deepening her appreciation for creativity, spirituality, and meaningful connection. Dot understands the power of feeling truly seen and supported. As such, she is passionate about walking alongside people as they navigate life transitions, self-discovery, personal growth, and healing.
These values also inform the way Dot approaches counseling. As a Haitian American woman, she understands how culture, family, community, spirituality, and identity can influence the way people see themselves and seek support. Her developing clinical foundation is rooted in Reality Therapy and supported by CBT, DBT skills, and parts work. She is especially drawn to approaches that help clients understand how their experiences have shaped them while building practical tools for creating the life they want moving forward.
Dot's style is curious, practical, and down-to-earth. She brings both empathy and structure to the therapeutic relationship, helping clients make sense of what feels overwhelming while identifying strengths and creating meaningful change. She believes counseling should make space for the full range of human experience: honest conversations, hard truths, meaningful connection, and the occasional terrible joke. As a firm believer that humor can be part of healing, she considers a well-timed dad joke a legitimate therapeutic intervention (results may vary). Above all, she hopes to offer clients a therapeutic environment where they feel safe enough to be themselves and supported enough to keep growing.

Rodrigo has experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults navigating trauma-related concerns, identity development, relationships and life transitions. Rodrigo has a particular interest in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with HIV, people of color, and individuals navigating the emotional and psychological impact of physiological and chronic health conditions. His approach draws from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TICBT), while remaining person-centered and responsive to each client's unique experiences and needs.
Rodrigo believes therapy is a collaborative process and strives to help clients recognize their strengths, develop greater self-understanding, and create meaningful change in their lives.

Yamberlie M. Tavarez is GoodWerk’s Service Operations Lead and Lead Administrator, providing strategic oversight for the practice’s front-facing and internal systems across Florida, New York, and New Jersey. In this role, she leads the coordination of client services, scheduling, and administrative infrastructure, ensuring that every point of contact reflects GoodWerk’s commitment to culturally responsive, equity-driven care and an intentional, welcoming experience for clients and staff alike.
A writer, mother, and community builder, Yamberlie has designed and facilitated writing and mentoring spaces for Black, brown, immigrant, and survivor communities to process experience, find their voices, and imagine liberatory futures. She also serves as a creative strategist for artists and organizers, shaping narrative, outreach, and impact so that transformative work reaches the people it is meant to serve.
Holding degrees in Literary Studies/Creative Writing and New Media Journalism and Communication, Yamberlie brings her training, lineage, and love of language into her work, making healing spaces more organized, accessible, and humane. Passionate about fostering connection and collaboration, she is dedicated to helping every corner of the GoodWerk community feel purposeful, supportive, and full of possibility.

Sanaya is a Marketing Associate at GoodWerk Counseling and a dedicated senior at Baruch College, where she’s completing her Bachelor’s degree in International Marketing. With a keen eye for both strategy and creativity, Sanaya brings her expertise in research and data-driven insights to support GoodWerk’s commitment to accessible, inclusive mental health services for marginalized communities.
Through her role, Sanaya analyzes trends, collects valuable insights on community needs, and collaborates with her team to craft outreach that truly resonates with each client and the community. She is passionate about the power of thoughtful marketing to foster connections and new ways of reaching clients through relatable and culturally relevant messages, campaigns, and content. Her experience in event planning and community work, both at Baruch College and in her volunteer efforts, has equipped her with a unique perspective on engaging effectively with diverse individuals and communities.
Sanaya is excited to help build a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported—a place where people can express themselves, their culture, and feel free from judgment. She believes that creating a connected, inclusive community is the key to meaningful growth, empowerment, and connection

With over a half a decade of experience in administration, Naky is deeply committed to helping others. She has embraced a reputation for solving workplace challenges with compassion and dedication—a quality that has driven her success in every role she has held. Her passion for mental health advocacy is reflected in her volunteer work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Orlando (NAMIGO), where she helps raise awareness and provide support to those in need. Naky believes that supporting mental health requires more than words—it requires action.
As such, Naky began her academic journey at Seminole State College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in General Education with a focus on Psychology. She is currently working toward obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology, with plans to pursue a master’s degree to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Ultimately, she hopes to empower individuals in BIPOC communities with chronic illnesses, helping them navigate mental health challenges and build resilience for fulfilling, healthy lives.

Jordan is an Office Assistant/Administrator at GoodWerk Counseling and a disciplined law student, who is working on obtaining her law degree from Barry University here in Orlando. With a background in sales, Jordan brings insight on customer service and market analytics. With a strong passion for supporting the mental well-being of marginalized communities, Jordan ensures smooth day-to-day operations, from scheduling appointments to assisting clients and managing office systems.

Jordan is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all clients and staff, leveraging her administrative expertise to support the clinic’s mission of providing compassionate, culturally competent mental health services to all of the patients at GoodWerk Counseling. Her background in customer service, sales, and the legal field help to provide a unique perspective.

Dr. Alfonso Ferguson, LMHC,LPC,ACS,NCC

Meet Our Founder & Executive Director

Meet Our Team

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Dr. Alfonso Ferguson, LMHC,LPC,ACS,NCC

Meet Our Founder & Executive Director

Meet Our Team

Begin Your Journey With Us

For Clients

For Clinicians

For Teams

Contact Us

Begin Your Journey
With Us