About The Team
Hope, Peace, and Renewal
Higgins Counseling Services offers therapeutic counseling to families and to individuals from all age groups.
CLAUDIA HIGGINS, CEO/Clinical Director
- LCSW-QS, Family Mediator #39678F
- Qualified Clinical Supervisor for social work interns
Clinician specializes in child and family therapy, she has over a decade of experience working within the child welfare system, community mental health, substance abuse and educational settings.
- Clinician works alongside her clients to overcome various struggles including:
- *Depression
- *Anxiety
- *Trauma
- *Domestic violence
- * Substance abuse/dependency
- *Family of origin issues
- *Marital/relationship issues
- *Self esteem
As a Licensed Clinician, the overarching mission is to help her clients improve their quality of life.
Tawanna Pollock, Psychotherapist
- MSW Registered Intern ISW15478, BSW
Twanna Richardson is a school-based mental health professional at Community Partners of South Florida. Tawanna loves working with pre-teens, families, and communities. Tawanna’s goals are to raise awareness of the stigma of mental health and promoting systematic changes. In addition, Tawanna wants families and communities to feel safe, healed, and reach their full potential emotionally, physically and spiritually. Tawanna is trained in the following modalities: Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Formed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Tawanna earned her Bachelor of Social Work at Florida A&M university in 2005, graduating Cum Laude. Tawanna received her Master of Social Work degree in 2019 at the University of Southern California. Tawanna is currently registered as a social work intern in the state of Florida.
Ashley Carry, Psychotherapist-Clinical Student Intern
- MSW student Intern, May 2024, BSW
Ashley Carry earned her bachelor's in Arts of Psychology at Florida International University. She is in the Master of Social Work program at Florida Atlantic University. Ashley has experience in child welfare; she has worked with children and adolescents residing in foster homes in Palm Beach County. Ashley aims to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Ashley's passionate about helping individuals of various backgrounds and ages experiencing anxiety, depression, and additional challenges because of their mental health. Ashley's goal is to bring comfort, safety, and continual support.
Doika Lacometre, Psychotherapist-Clinical Student Intern
- MSW student Intern, May 2024, BSW
Doika Lacometre is a MSW Intern Therapist with Higgins Counseling Services. Doika has an open heart and open mind. She loves helping others and empowering others to help themselves. Doika has worked in the healthcare field for 5+ years with the adult and elderly population. She chose this field as a Social Worker and Intern Therapist as she felt a kinship with adults and the elderly. In her spare time she enjoys family time and nature walks. Doika Motto " If you're pouring into everyone else who's pouring into you?"
Josie Walter
- MSW Student Intern, May 2024, BSW
Josie is a MSW Intern therapist who will be graduating with her Master of Social Work in May of 2024. Josie also has a Bachelor & Master in Sociology where she focused on family, mental health in conjunction with race & ethnicity as well as organized religion and spirituality. Josie has a core belief that an individual's experiences are framed from socialization and helping one recognize how they have been socialized helps them gain a better sense of self which guides them to narrating their own life. Josie serves to work with individuals from adolescence to adulthood who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, and any matters of existentialism and also is pulled to work with families as a whole.
Marcia Waysome, Administrative Assistant
Marcia Waysome is a Virtual Administrative Assistant. She has over 10 years experience in the healthcare industry. She assists with scheduling clients and verifying insurance. She believes that your health and well-being should be the most important thing in life. Marcia was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with family.
Training and Education:
*Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (SW16962)
*Qualified Clinical Supervisor for social work interns
* Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator #39678 F
*Bachelor in Social Work and Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University.
*Master is Social Work, Florida Atlantic University, (specializing in Children & Families.)