Our Team
Alyson Davis, LMFT
Sister Circle Director and Therapist
Alyson (she/her) is a narrative therapist who believes in healing through storytelling — not reinventing individuals, but instead helping individuals reclaim themselves. Her identities are Black, cisgender, heterosexual, married, stepmother, mid-30s, spiritual, and from a middle-class military family originally from the southern region of the United States. In addition to narrative practices, she utilizes solution-focused, person-centered, collaborative, strengths-based approaches. Her work helps community members become their own allies.
Kishara Joy Griffin, MSW
Sister Circle Therapist
Kishara (she/her) earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, minoring in sociology, from the University of Maine Farmington. She later received her master’s degree in social work from Boston University. Kishara is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She is passionate about healing and working collaboratively to support meaningful change.
Juanika Howard, LPC
Sister Circle Therapist and Program Specialist
Juanika (she/her) received her BS from ODU in psychology and counseling and her MS in mental health counseling from Longwood. She utilizes eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive behavioral therapy, expressive art therapy interventions, and mindfulness in sessions. Juanika walks alongside community members on their journeys to increase supportive and creative resources that meet their needs, and is passionate about normalizing mental health and being in community with others.
Shelly Wood, LCSW
Clinical Services Director and Therapist
Shelly (she/her) holds an MSW from VCU and bachelor’s degree from UVA. She incorporates CBT, IFS, EMDR, and mindfulness in trauma healing, emphasizing the power of safety in therapeutic relationships, and is trained in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Shelly values community education, supporting monthly discussions at JABA’s Mary Williams Center. She is a member of the Central Virginia Clinicians of Color Network and Chihamba West African Dance and Drumming Company.
Ellonde Smith
Client Support Specialist
Ellonde (she/her) previously worked as a legal assistant and worked directly with the DSS Attorney and Charlottesville’s Department of Social Services. She is passionate about children being in safe homes. Ellonde is Jamaican by birth, also Canadian. She believes everyone should be treated equally, loves church, and believes in the power and impact of forgiveness. As a client support specialist, Ellonde helps connect women with the agency’s services.