New to Grow
Dr. McAllister-Jackson is a proud Tampa, Florida native, she earned her B.S. in Psychology from Georgia State University, a Master’s in Social Work from Florida A&M University, and a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University. She specializes in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, burnout, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. She works with BIPOC individuals, Black women, LGBTQIA+ clients, young adults, professionals, parents, caregivers, and first-generation students, offering culturally responsive, trauma-informed care in a safe, affirming space.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is a space for us to get to know one another and begin building a foundation of trust and safety. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, your goals, and what you’re hoping to gain from our work together. I’ll also gather some background information to better understand you as a whole person your experiences, strengths, identities, and supports. This session is not about having everything figured out. There’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready for. We’ll move at your pace, clarify what therapy can look like for you, and make sure this feels like a supportive and affirming fit. By the end of our time together, we’ll discuss next steps and collaboratively outline how we can work toward your healing, growth, and well-being.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a safe, affirming, and nonjudgmental space while also being direct, structured, and goal-oriented when needed. I bring a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens to every session and help clients connect the dots between their lived experiences, current stressors, and coping patterns. Clients often share that they leave sessions feeling more grounded, clearer, and more confident in the next steps they want to take.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal clients are BIPOC adults, Black women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and high-achieving professionals who are navigating anxiety, burnout, chronic stress, and major life transitions. Many of the clients I work best with feel emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, or perfectionism. They’re ready to do the work of healing, build healthier boundaries, strengthen confidence, and create a life that feels more aligned, stable, and fulfilling.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a core foundation for helping clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is especially helpful for clients who want practical tools, structure, and strategies they can apply in real life to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
In my practice, I have experience using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as a strengths-based, goal-oriented approach that helps clients create meaningful change by focusing on what’s working, what clients want more of, and the steps needed to move forward. I often use SFBT with clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, burned out, or unsure where to begin, because it provides a clear framework that builds hope and momentum early in the treatment process.
Trauma Informed Care
In my practice, I use a trauma-informed approach to ensure that clients feel emotionally safe, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. My experience includes working with individuals who have histories of complex trauma, childhood adversity, chronic stress, relationship trauma, grief, discrimination-based trauma, and nervous system dysregulation. Because trauma can impact how a person thinks, feels, relates, and copes, I approach treatment with the understanding that many symptoms are not “random”—they are often protective responses shaped by lived experience. Trauma-informed care guides how I build the therapeutic relationship, structure sessions, and choose interventions. I prioritize creating an environment where clients feel a sense of control, collaboration, and choice, especially when discussing difficult topics.