Our Team
Meet Our Team
Meet our incredible team of compassionate, professional therapists and mental health care providers dedicated to guiding you on your path to wellness. Each member brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and warmth to create a safe space for your journey
Sakija Rushing
MA, LLPC
Chief Operating Officer
Sakija Rushing
As Chief Operating Officer, Sakija Rushing oversees the organization’s daily operations, ensuring seamless execution of strategic goals and initiatives.
Leveraging her expertise in crisis intervention, she manages resource allocation, streamlines processes, and fosters a supportive team culture.
Collaborating closely with leadership, Sakija champions operational excellence, drives effective policy implementation, and helps maintain an environment rooted in equity and care for both staff and the community.
Shardaya Fuquay
M.Ed, CCTP, CGS
Executive Director
Shardaya Fuquay
As Executive Director, Shardaya Fuquay provides strategic oversight and drives program development, championing trauma-informed care and grief support initiatives.
Her background in special education and curriculum development informs her leadership approach, emphasizing inclusive programs and equitable access to mental health services.
With a deep commitment to her Detroit community, Shardaya established a scholarship to remove financial barriers to therapy, underscoring her dedication to creating healing-centered environments for those facing adversity.
Dr. Thiera D. Clifford
PhD, LPC, LLP,
Clinical Director
Dr. Thiera D. Clifford
As Clinical Director, Dr. Thiera D. Clifford leads the development and oversight of evidence-based clinical programs, ensuring the highest standards of care and ethical practice.
She guides clinical staff in delivering comprehensive mental health services tailored to individual and community needs, while also fostering continuous professional development and a compassionate care culture.
Through her expertise in counseling and psychology, Dr. Clifford advances innovative treatment models that uphold the organization’s commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed care.
Jakita Reed
MA, AMFT
Relationship Therapist & Dating Consultant
Jakita Reed
Jakita Reed is a Relationship Therapist and Dating Consultant who supports individuals and couples in building healthy, fulfilling relationships.
She offers pre-marital counseling, dating consulting, and relationship support to help clients identify patterns, improve communication, and deepen connection. Specializing in helping women heal from unhealthy and traumatic past relationships, Jakita integrates CBT, Family Systems, Narrative, Solution-Focused, and strength-based approaches.
Through these approaches, she empowers clients to rebuild confidence, restore trust, and create lasting relational change.
Syreeta Farria
MSW
Community Programs Supervisor
Syreeta Farria
Syreeta Danielle J. Farria is a Community Programs Supervisor at Journey to Healing with extensive experience in family systems and infant mental health.
She develops trauma-informed curriculum, supervises clinical interns and facilitators, and collaborates with community partners to support youth and families across Metro Detroit.
With a background in working with at-risk youth, parenting mothers, and young children, Syreeta integrates attachment-based, strengths-focused, and culturally responsive approaches to promote resilience, emotional well-being, and healthy family systems.
Our Clinical Team
Sakija Rushing
MA, LLPC
Chief Operating Officer
Sakija Rushing
As Chief Operating Officer, Sakija Rushing oversees the organization’s daily operations, ensuring seamless execution of strategic goals and initiatives.
Leveraging her expertise in crisis intervention, she manages resource allocation, streamlines processes, and fosters a supportive team culture.
Collaborating closely with leadership, Sakija champions operational excellence, drives effective policy implementation, and helps maintain an environment rooted in equity and care for both staff and the community.
Dorian Miquel Banks
LLPC
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Dorian Miquel Banks
Dorian Banks is a Licensed Professional Counselor, educator, yoga and meditation instructor, and wellness facilitator dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their inner wisdom and capacity for healing. He earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marygrove College.
Dorian's therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based counseling with mindfulness, meditation, dream exploration, visualization, and holistic wellness practices. He believes that healing occurs when individuals are provided a safe and supportive space to explore their experiences, cultivate self-awareness, and develop meaningful tools for growth and resilience.
Drawing from training in EMDR, Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and meditation-based interventions, Dorian works with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, relationship challenges, and personal growth. He is particularly passionate about helping clients deepen their understanding of themselves through dream exploration, mindfulness practices, and reconnecting with nature.
In addition to his clinical work, Dorian serves as a School Counselor in Detroit and has spent years teaching yoga, meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness throughout the community. His work is rooted in the belief that healing is not only the reduction of symptoms but also the cultivation of purpose, self-discovery, and authentic living.
Dorian strives to create a therapeutic environment that is compassionate, culturally responsive, and empowering, helping clients move from surviving toward thriving as they continue their journey to healing.
Nikama West
LMSW
Clinical Social Work Director
Nikama West Smith
Nikama West Smith is a dedicated mental health professional proudly serving the Metro Detroit community through her work at Journey to Healing. With a deep commitment to trauma-informed care and client-centered healing, she brings both compassion and clinical excellence to the individuals and families she supports.
Nikama earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she first became passionate about community empowerment and the social dynamics that shape individual well-being. She went on to receive her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, a program that further strengthened her dedication to equity, advocacy, and culturally responsive care.
In her role at Journey to Healing, Nikama provides individual counseling to adults, adolescents, and children, offering a safe and grounding environment for clients to explore their emotional experiences, process life transitions, and build sustainable coping skills. She is deeply committed to helping individuals understand their own inner strength and potential, and she approaches each therapeutic relationship with genuine curiosity, warmth, and respect.
Nikama reminds each client that they are the most important person in their own life and encourages them to honor their needs, boundaries, and emotional truths.
Alongside her clinical work, Nikama plays an integral role in shaping the next generation of social workers. As a supervisor for MSW and BSW students, she is passionate about supporting emerging practitioners as they develop their professional identity. She provides guidance in trauma-informed practice, ethical decision-making, and the realities of community-based social work.
Nikama believes in offering a learning environment rooted in patience, clarity, encouragement, and accountability. Watching students gain confidence, sharpen their skills, and step fully into their purpose is one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
Nikama is certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a specialized modality designed to help individuals process trauma through rapid eye movement and imagery rescripting. Her clinical approach blends trauma-informed principles, mindfulness, person-centered care, and strengths-based strategies.
She works collaboratively with clients to identify barriers, explore patterns, and move toward emotional healing and resilience. Her areas of clinical focus include grief and loss, depression, anxiety, adjustment challenges, PTSD, trauma recovery, and the complexities of life transitions.
Beyond her professional work, Nikama believes in nurturing joy, creativity, and balance in her personal life. She loves traveling, exploring new places, and connecting with nature. Trying new foods, decorating her home, and spending quality time with friends and family are some of the ways she restores her energy and reconnects with the things that matter most.
Through dedication, authenticity, and heart-centered practice, Nikama is honored to walk alongside individuals on their healing journey and contribute to the mission of building stronger, healthier, more connected communities.
Samantha Arnold
LLPC
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Samantha Arnold
Samantha Arnold is an LLPC with Journey to Healing. She started working with Journey to Healing through her internship program and has always enjoyed the work that the organization does.
In addition to being a counselor, Samantha assists with after-school programs to teach children Social-Emotional Learning, provides grief support, and helps support local displaced and domestic violence shelters. She also teaches parents ways to support their own mental health as well as how to assist their children with their emotional development.
Through this work, Journey to Healing hopes to destigmatize mental health and provide the next generation with a stronger, more positive outlook to take on whatever life may throw their way.
Samantha's desire to work in the mental health field comes from a passion to help clients become the best version of themselves, as they see fit. Through counseling, she has helped individuals polish the parts of themselves they want to shine.
In her work, Samantha uses LGBT+ affirmative and strength-based methods alongside DBT and somatic-based interventions. She pivots and adjusts to whatever her clients may be going through to help build their resilience while also using their own interests and desires to further their counseling journey.
Chaunte Roberts
BA
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Chaunte Roberts
Chaunte’ is a Mississippi native who has lived in Michigan for the last 39 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wayne State University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Chaunte’ is currently applying the skills learned in her graduate program, with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and improve mental health outcomes in marginalized and underrepresented communities.
She has completed relevant coursework such as Techniques in Counseling, Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories, Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling, and Multicultural Counseling. She also brings knowledge of individual counseling, group counseling, interviewing, observation, psychotherapy, diagnosis, assessment, and related areas. Her preferred theoretical orientations are the Psychodynamic Approach, the Humanistic Approach, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
The life event that inspired her to enter this field was a close personal relationship with a loved one diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Using her undergraduate knowledge in psychology, she was able to serve as their case manager, using strong analytical and research skills to identify gaps in their care and advocate for a reduction in medication dosage. As a result, they became stabilized and lived a more normal, functional life. This experience helped her consider how many other people could be experiencing similar challenges and need an advocate to improve their overall mental health outcomes. She determined she could do much more as a licensed mental health provider.
Professionally, she has served in various capacities, including Client Coordinator II, Case Manager, Program Manager, and Intervention Specialist. These roles speak to her background in crisis intervention, working with licensed providers, interacting with clients diagnosed with a wide variety of mental health conditions, classroom management, HIPAA compliance, and social/human services.
The trend throughout her career has always been helping others.
Tyler Dollison
LLPC
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Tyler Dollison
Tyler Dollison is a licensed therapist who creates supportive, affirming spaces for individuals to explore healing, personal growth, and emotional wellness. His approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and holistic, recognizing the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
Tyler believes meaningful healing begins with authenticity and feeling safe enough to be fully yourself. He supports clients in navigating life experiences, reconnecting with their inner strength, and creating a life that feels aligned, purposeful, and authentic.
Our Interns
Madison Miller
Wayne State University- MSW
Intern and aspiring clinician
Madison Miller
Madison Miller is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Wayne State University with interests in youth counseling and family therapy. Madison’s experience includes a BA in psychology where she began her pursuit and knowledge of mental health, therapeutic treatments, and therapeutic interventions.
During their internship with Journey to Healing, Madison hopes to expand their knowledge and experience with youth and adolescence, working in schools, and perfecting key foundational skills every social worker needs. They are especially interested in youth advocacy and LGBTQ+ affirming practice, valuing trauma-informed care and cultural humility.
Madison hopes to use their internship experience to lay the foundation for their clinical career and ultimately become a licensed clinician in order to help give back to their community.
Akissi Bongo
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Akissi Bongo
Akissi Bongo, and I am a graduate student pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Wayne State University with a concentration in Interpersonal practice. I am passionate about mental health and continue to strengthen my skills in supporting individuals and families. My professional experience includes working as a Case Manager Assistant at Henry Ford Hospital and with children with autism as a Behavior Technician. Through these roles and my previous graduate placement I’ve gained experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing coordination for ABA services and connecting individuals with resources. My areas of interest include mental health, trauma-informed care and autism. During my internship at Journey to Healing I look forward to expanding my skills and gaining experience about mental health. After graduation, I hope to obtain my LMSW and continue supporting individuals & families.
Jordan Parker
Aspiring Clinical Social Worker
Jordan Parker
I am an aspiring clinical social worker with a strong interest in mental health advocacy, mental health well-being, and arts and music therapeutic approaches that will help individuals and communities. My areas of interest are providing arts and music therapy for adolescent men who are struggling with anxiety, stress management, and resilience. Being early in my professional career, I have developed foundational knowledge and understanding through coursework and professional experiences. I am particularly interested in how to handle multiple cases individually and learning how to become a successful mental health professional while working with diverse populations. Additionally, I am interested in learning how to utilize and develop my critical-thinking skills. My experiences include academic projects, internships, and the continuation of mental health research, which have helped strengthen my communication, empathy, and critical-thinking skills. Overall, I am excited to be a part of Journey to Healing and eager to continue learning from other health professionals around me.
Fatimah Lafta
Bachelor of Social Work
Fatimah Lafta
Fatimah Lafta is a Bachelor of Social Work student at Wayne State University with interests in mental health, children and families, and youth development. She is passionate about creating supportive and welcoming environments where everyone can feel heard and respected. Her experience includes working as a substitute teacher, where she has developed skills in communication, building relationships, and working with children and youth. Through her social work education, she has also developed an interest in trauma-informed approaches to supporting individuals and families. Fatimah is interested in gaining experience in mental health and youth services while continuing to develop her skills as a social work professional.
Brandi Stallworth
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Brandi Stallworth
I am a registered nurse with 11 years of diverse nursing experience, having worked in the intensive Care Unit (ICU), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and Behavioral Health. I currently serve as a Behavioral Health Nursing Manager, where I have the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor nursing staff, promote regulatory compliance, and help improve the quality and safety of patient care. I am currently pursuing my Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Graduate Certificate at Chamberlain University, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026. Throughout my career, I have developed a passion for psychiatric nursing and leadership, and I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care while advocating for greater access to mental health services. After earning my PMHNP degree, I plan to serve underserved individuals in inner-city communities who are battling mental health disorders. My goal is to increase mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered care to those who often face barriers to treatment. I believe every individual deserves access to quality mental healthcare, and I hope to make a meaningful difference through advocacy, education, and a commitment to serving those who need it most.
Tyyler Greene
Aspiring Social Work Professional
Tyyler Greene
Tyyler Greene is an aspiring social work professional with a strong interest in mental health, advocacy, and supporting individuals and families through a person-centered approach. Passionate about helping others navigate life’s challenges, Tyyler is committed to promoting emotional well-being, increasing access to resources, and empowering individuals to reach their personal goals. Tyyler’s interests include mental health services, educational equity, community support, and working with diverse populations to address barriers that impact overall well-being.
Through academic studies and professional development experiences, Tyyler has developed a growing understanding of the social, emotional, and environmental factors that influence individuals, families, and communities. Tyyler values empathy, cultural humility, and evidence-based practices when working with others and recognizes the importance of building meaningful relationships that foster trust, resilience, and positive change. A strong interest in education policy and social advocacy has further strengthened Tyyler’s commitment to promoting equitable opportunities and support systems for those in need.
As an emerging professional in the field of social work, Tyyler is dedicated to lifelong learning and continued growth in mental health and community-based services. With a focus on compassionate care, client empowerment, and advocacy, Tyyler strives to make a meaningful impact by helping individuals access the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to improve their quality of life and achieve lasting success.