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Therapy

Welcome!

I'm Glad You Are Here

 Meet our executive director, Kishna Celce, who is dedicated to helping individuals and families thrive in life. With our therapy and counseling services, you don't have to face your challenges alone.

How We Help

We are dedicated to supporting individuals, children, and families on their journey to healing and well-being. Our services are offered to both children & adults and cover a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to: 
Domestic abuse/violence
Grief
Marriage & Family counseling 
Stress 
Anger management
PTSD
Trauma

Who We Are

Our licensed therapists and counselors have over 20+ years of experience in both counseling + behavioral psychology. With a focus on being trauma-informed, person-centered, and using evidence-based practices, we provide talk therapy in a way that works best for the individual. 

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Through both one-on-one and group sessions, our therapy focuses on finding the right modalities to gain healing and peace, and increase self-esteem for everyone. 

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We Partner with the Best Health Care Insurers

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Meet the Team

At Balancing Life & Kids, Inc., we are proud to have an experienced team of therapists who are devoted to helping you overcome life's challenges. Meet our dedicated professionals below.

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Welcome! I am Kishna Celce. I am a certified Life, Relationship, and Parenting Coach, and a Clinically Trained Trauma Specialist. I specialize in Trauma-Informed Recovery and self-care. I am also a dedicated mother, friend, wife, and woman. 

I am a domestic abuse survivor; narcissistic abuse to be exact, and I am a woman who learned that I had to be hurt in order to be loved. When I became a mother, I decided that narrative didn't work for me anymore and made the conscious decision to change it- both for me and for my lineage. 

I have a degree in Social Work and 15+ years in youth and program development. I love to create things and ways that help people learn and grow, so becoming a certified trauma specialist was the best way for me to do that for others. I became a specialist because I wanted to help people who have been through pain but didn't have a person or an outlet to assist them in healing. Learning how much pain stays in and affects our body, it was important for me to work with as many people as I could to aid them in releasing this pain and allowing their bodies the ability to rest and be at peace. Trauma-informed care is now my life's passion, and I am excited to share that passion, peace, and healing with you.

Welcome! I am La-Keya Williams and I currently possess a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Rosemont College and two years of clinical psychology education from The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Instilling hope and resilience through treatment is a hallmark of my work.
 
For almost 15 years, I've had the awesome privilege of providing therapy and case management to diverse individuals. Particularly, within intensive outpatient and outpatient settings, I have assisted individuals in compassionate care coordination and in creating and executing individualized plans to heal.

As a cis-gender woman of color, I have both lived experience and clinical experience that attest to the importance of using culturally centered and trauma-informed interventions/clinical skills to dismantle barriers to treatment and healing for communities of color. Providing equitable and compassionate services for underserved and underrepresented populations within various therapeutic settings is a consistent and urgent priority for me. I am a constant and persistent advocate for integrated PERSONHOOD meaning that my presence in therapy is solidified through interactions that empower individuals as they are, providing resources that affirm and protect their experiences and uniqueness so they can reach their full potential. 

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Esmeralda Dimo Xhelilaj has 13 years of clinical psychology experience working with children, teens, and adults. She specializes in CBT and BWRT therapy. Esmeralda speaks three languages (English, Albanian, and Italian) and loves to connect with clients from any background.

Christopher Gordon is a creative self-motivated individual who loves working with at-risk
youths. Christopher has worked in the social services field for 10 plus years working as a supervisor for a group home, behavioral specialist, mental health technician, dean of students, and a foster care manager. While working at these jobs he has created programs such as (MTM) moving towards manhood, (ART) artist rocking together, and 24/7 Fatherhood.


Growing up in north Philadelphia with a Jamaican cultured background gave him the inspiration
for what he wanted to be in life. In 2013, Christopher graduated from Millersville University
with a bachelor's in social work and a minor in entrepreneurship. Since then, he was been working
towards building a better environment for our youths.

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Nia-DayO is a Licensed Behavioral Specialist and Licensed Master Social Worker. Nia-Dayo has 20 years plus of helping children and families in the social service field. Since 2011, Nia-DayO’s carrier focused
on Out-Patient Counseling for Children, Adults, and Families assisting them to reach their therapeutic goals, and effective communication skills for relationship building, while utilizing evidence base treatments .

 

Nia-DayO has worked in Community Mental Health Agencies, School base Out-Patient Therapy, Early intervention ( Development and Autism base birth-5 years), Child Care Development and Behavioral Programs, Play Therapy, Behavioral Modifications, Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques. Nia-DayO believes that each client is in control of their therapeutic progress, which allow clients to participate in reaching their therapeutic goals, by recognizing their individual strengths while obtaining their goals .


In addition to traditional modalities, Nia-DayO incorporates Nature-base Therapy and Holistic Health practices used for caring for the whole person. Nia-DayO’s compassionate and kind presence puts many clients at ease from the first intake session and beyond. Nia-Dayo’s positive energy has a great effect on each client. Nia-DayO’s intuitive nature and genuine concern for her clients allow her to see the positive potential within each client. Thus she skillfully and carefully works on wanting her clients with seeing the greatness within. Nia-DayO’s high energy and down-to-earth presence have a great effect on each of her clients. NIa-DayO is a highly sought therapist who holds high regard for the personal growth and development for each client.

Juanita is a Licensed Behavior Consultant and Licensed Master Social Worker. She has been
working in the mental health field for over twenty years and has experience working with adults, children, and families who have experienced trauma, autism, varied mental health diagnoses, and socioeconomic concerns.

 

Juanita believes that each person has their own story that has shaped what they are currently experiencing. Through her work, she strives to foster a safe space where clients can tell their story, gain insight into how their story has impacted them, and create a new reality that is more fulfilling. She utilizes various therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy,
and narrative therapy.

 

Juanita obtained her master’s degree in Criminal Justice/Applied Behavior Analysis from Saint Joseph’s University. She also has certifications in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Juanita continues to learn new interventions, techniques, and skills to assist individuals with their therapeutic needs.

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I am ILeena Brown. I am a Philadelphia native and I’ve always been determined to beat the odds. I have a master's degree in psychology, a bachelor's degree in human services focusing on children, a postgraduate certificate in child and family services, and an associate's degree in human services.

 

I am also currently studying to be a child psychologist. I chose this field because as a troubled child coming from an even more troubled family, someone took the time to guide me on a healthier path. Now, it’s my duty to share what I’ve learned and show someone else what someone showed me. 

My name is Sydney LeCounte, and I am a Marriage and Family therapist. I received my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy at Pepperdine University, where I learned many techniques and therapeutic approaches that best support clients. 

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I understand that asking for help can be difficult and can feel uncomfortable. However, I want to congratulate you on taking the first step in this journey. I’m passionate about providing a safe and open environment for clients. I strive to create an environment where we collaborate on goals and new perspectives to facilitate growth and change. I value strengthening the quality of life, social integration, and empowerment of clients.

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Areas of Focus:
-    Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults
-    Anxiety, Depression
-    Coping Skills
-    Expressive Art

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Writing an application

Are you a therapist looking to join a rewarding practice? Submit an application to join our team today!

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