Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 51 insurances. Specializes in Chronic Illness, Grief, Health/Medical Issues and 10 more.
(she/her)
Clients say this provider is
Hi, I am Dr. Rolanda Harris. I hold a Doctorate in Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Alabama and Florida, as well as a Qualified Supervisor in Florida. I am the owner of Intentional Counseling and Consulting, LLC. I have 24 years of experience supporting and empowering individuals to navigate and cope with life's challenges. I am an intentional counselor who proactively plans my interactions and interventions based on a clear understanding of your situation and desired outcomes. I aim to understand your needs, strengths, and values to create a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and fosters positive change. Intention is more than wishful thinking; it is willful direction. As an intentional counselor, I have had the privilege of working with chronically and terminally ill patients and their families, supporting them as they manage the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual impact of their illness. I have experience working with college students needing support adjusting to college life, building confidence, navigating social situations, and managing stress and anxiety. I have spent years walking with bereaved individuals as they process intense emotions, attempt to understand the grieving process, and find meaning after loss. It has been an honor to support elderly individuals managing grief, the fear of mortality and aging, adapting to retirement, addressing social isolation, and experiencing a range of mental health challenges. I have also had the pleasure of supporting single mothers as they navigate the emotional impact of motherhood, mental health issues, financial stress, and building a support system. In my practice, I do not rely solely on one specific theory, but rather draw upon different theoretical perspectives. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapies, Reminiscence Therapy, and Grief Therapy.
The initial session focuses on building rapport and establishing a comfortable, trusting relationship while providing information about the therapeutic process and gathering relevant details. The sessions are designed to be a safe space where you can share your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism. My goal is to help you gain a deeper understanding of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. I aim to empower you to find your own solutions and strategies for managing challenges. Sessions with me involve a focus on purpose and proactive planning, aiming to create impactful, intentional, and fulfilling experiences. These sessions often include a check-in on how things have been since the last meeting, followed by processing your emotional and cognitive aspects of your concerns. Sessions will emphasize planning and guiding you towards creating actionable steps.
As a mental health therapist living with chronic illness, I bring a unique combination of professional training, clinical expertise, and lived experience to my work with clients. My personal experiences have deepened, but not replaced, my therapeutic skills, allowing me to approach clients with an added level of empathy, attunement, humility, and understanding. Living with chronic illness has given me firsthand insight into the many ways ongoing health conditions can affect a person's emotional well-being, identity, relationships, work independence, and sense of self. I understand that chronic illness is often about much more than managing physical symptoms. It can involve grief, uncertainty, loss, frustration, isolation, fear, and the ongoing process of adapting to a body and life that may no longer behave in predictable ways. This perspective helps me create a therapeutic space where clients do not feel pressured to minimize their experiences, justify their limitations, or convince someone that what they are going through is real. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to recognize and validate the often invisible nature of chronic illness. Many people living with chronic conditions experience symptoms that others cannot see. A person may appear outwardly well while privately expending enormous energy simply to get through the day. As a therapist, I strive to approach each client's experience with curiosity rather than assumption and validation rather than judgment. I am careful not to assume that my experience is the same as my clients' experiences. Sharing the broad experience of living with chronic illness does not mean I fully understand another person's body, symptoms, identity, circumstances, or journey. This awareness is an important part of my therapeutic approach. My lived experience has strengthened my humility and reinforced the importance of listening carefully. I see each client as the expert on their own life, while I bring my clinical knowledge, therapeutic skills, and relevant personal understanding to support their goals. I also recognize the importance of boundaries and thoughtful use of lived experience. My role is not to make therapy about my own health or assume that personal disclosure will always benefit a client. Instead, my experiences inform the empathy, perspective, and sensitivity I bring into the therapeutic relationship. Any decision about self-disclosure is guided by professional ethics, clinical judgment, and the client's needs. I believe hope can be authentic without being unrealistic. I do not believe in offering false reassurance or suggesting that a positive attitude can solve the complex realities of chronic illness, grief, and life transitions. Instead, I support clients in cultivating a grounded form of hope, one that makes room for difficult days while recognizing the possibility of resilience, adaptation, connection, joy, meaning, and growth. A meaningful life does not have to wait until every symptom is resolved. I strive to offer a space where clients feel seen as whole people rather than defined by their challenges. I bring empathy for the invisible burdens they may carry, respect for the expertise they have developed, and compassion for the ways challenges in life can reshape every area. My goal is to walk alongside clients as they process the emotional impact, reconnect with their values and strengths, and create a life that reflects who they are, not simply what their challenges have taken from them.
Many of the clients I serve are navigating anxiety, stress, emotional overwhelm, or life transitions. This may include college students managing academic pressure and uncertainty about the future, professionals experiencing burnout or imbalance, or individuals coping with grief, loss, or chronic and serious health conditions. Some clients come feeling stuck in cycles of overthinking or self-doubt, while others are seeking a deeper sense of clarity, purpose, and emotional stability. My clients often value personal growth, self-understanding, and intentional living. They are not just looking for a space to talk, but for a space where they can gain insight, develop practical tools, and move forward with direction. They appreciate a therapist who is both compassionate and structured—someone who listens deeply while also helping them take meaningful steps toward change. I am especially well-suited for individuals who want therapy that feels purposeful and tailored, rather than one-size-fits-all. If you are someone who is willing to engage in the process, reflect honestly, and take intentional steps toward your goals, we will likely be a strong fit. Whether your goal is to feel less anxious, process a loss, manage stress more effectively, or reconnect with what truly matters to you, I provide a supportive space where growth happens with both care and direction.
Chronic Illness
Grief
Health/Medical Issues
Anxiety
Coping Skills
Life Transitions
Military/Veterans
Older Adults
Parenting
Physical Health Condition
School Issues
Women's Issues
Black / African American
Woman
Alabama
Florida
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Ambetter Health
Amerihealth Administrators
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Florida Blue
Anthem
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Cash - $175 per session
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Florida Blue - Medicare
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
GTEB
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Medicare
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mental health therapy that focuses on acceptance and commitment to live a meaningful life, even when facing difficult emotions or experiences. It emphasizes being present, accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment, and taking actions that align with values. I use ACT with individuals dealing with grief and chronic or terminal illness.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that can negatively impact their mental and emotional well-being. This is used in therapy to help individuals cope with chronic pain.
Grief therapy, also known as grief counseling or bereavement counseling, is used to help individuals process and cope with the emotional and psychological impact of a loss, whether it's the death of a loved one or another significant loss in their life. It provides a safe space for individuals to explore their grief, develop coping mechanisms, and adjust to life after a loss.
Mindfulness-based grief therapy, which often incorporates techniques like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), is used to treat the emotional and mental challenges associated with grief, bereavement, and loss. It helps individuals cope with the pain, isolation, and other difficult emotions that arise after a loss, promoting acceptance, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is used to help people develop solutions to their problems and achieve their goals. It emphasizes identifying and building upon existing strengths and resources to create positive change rather than focusing on the root causes of problems. SFBT is effective for a wide range of issues such as life transitions, academic issues, and mental health concerns.
3 ratings with written reviews
June 4, 2026
I love you challenge me. Give me a different way of looking at thing. I fell that she is so authentic and it fell so easy to just open up to her.
September 6, 2025
Felt very comfortable and open to listening and even gave her on input and asked for clarity to better understand.
July 13, 2025
I appreciate Dr. Harris’s focus on self-acceptance while also recognizing that I need to unlock how to move forward positively despite my challenges.