William Allen Jr.
William Allen Jr. is the Co-Founder /Owner and Operations Director of Cedar Tree Empowerment Center (CTEC). He oversees the day to day operations of CTEC, ensuring that the best quality of treatment services and practices are utilized in all daily operations. He supports CTEC’s administrative functions to ensure that each client is provided the most efficient care.
Aysia Allen, Licensed Clinician
Aysia Allen is the Co-Founder/Owner and Clinical Operations Director of CTEC. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration of children and family dynamics from The University of NC at Charlotte (UNCC). She has been licensed for about 15 years and has always had a passion to empower people to be self-confident and self-compassionate.
Co-Founders, Will and Aysia are happily married, have three daughters (2 on earth and 1 in heaven) and 2 dogs. Their love for providing hope to families during challenging times is sincere and both believe it is a gift from God. Although CTEC does not discriminate against any religion, the owners are shameless Christians who are determined to encourage others to live with purpose. The two are a dynamic team, bringing their backgrounds together to foster healing to those who need it.
Jordan Inman, Licensed Clinician
Jordan Inman, MA, LCMHC, NCC specializes in providing clinical services to adolescents and adults who may be struggling with a variety of issues, including: anxiety, depression, life transitions, mood instability, work/life balance, stresses of motherhood, relationship issues, shame, and low self-esteem. Jordan uses cognitive behavioral therapy to teach wellness partners how to identify and replace disordered thought patterns with healthier ways of thinking in order to improve mood and overall wellness.
Shauna Mason, Licensed Clinician
Shauna Mason, MS, LCASA, is a Licensed Christian Therapist. Her primary area of interest is substance abuse, addictions, marriage and family distress, depression, trauma, self-esteem and spirituality matters. Shauna has 20 plus years of experience in the mental health field, providing
enhanced services to youth and their families. Shauna has a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling of Substance Use and Addictive Disorders, a Post Master of Science in Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate, and a Master of Art in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She has a passion for helping others and is committed to assisting Wellness Partners at Cedar Tree Empowerment Center (CTEC) with developing the tools necessary to create healthy ways of coping with life stressors.
Kyoko Funabashi, Licensed Clinician
Kyoko Funabashi, M.Ed., NCC, LCMHC is passionate about working with individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, trauma, transitional life issues, low self-esteem, and other emotional barriers. Kyoko has a special interest in providing services to teenagers and adults, with an emphasis on the female population. Kyoko’s primary approach to counseling is an integration of solution-focused, mindfulness-based, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This integrative counseling approach strives to balance mindful awareness, a genuine and empathic relationship with the Wellness Partner. This process is a collaborative effort between the therapist and Wellness Partner, identifying what initial changes one could work towards to minimize emotional and behavioral disturbances in their current life.
Nicole Prah-Ennin, Licensed Clinician
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA) dedicated to collaborating with individuals who may feel a sense of disconnection from themselves, others, or even God. Her aim is to mend relational wounds and foster deeper interpersonal connections. She provides support to children, adolescents, and adult women facing challenges such as chronic stress, relationship difficulties, depression, and anxiety. Nicole has a particular interest in assisting women through the complexities of motherhood, especially those dealing with postpartum issues. Additionally, she takes pleasure in helping couples enhance their relationship satisfaction. Nicole combines biblical principles with psychological frameworks to facilitate healing for her Wellness Partners, one session at a time.
Jennifer Williams, Licensed Clinician
Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSW-A) who is profoundly dedicated to assisting families and adolescents aged 12-17, as well as adult women aged 18-40. Her dedication to these demographics arises from a genuine desire to support and empower them throughout various phases of their lives. Whether she is guiding adolescents through their developmental years or aiding women in navigating the complexities of adulthood, Jennifer's primary objective is to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression while fostering self-esteem, self-assurance, and confidence in their capacity to direct their own lives. She specializes in Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Creative Art Therapy. Jennifer seeks to understand and meet her Wellness Partners at their current stage, often utilizing a diverse array of therapeutic techniques to facilitate healing and encourage progress toward their objectives. By integrating these approaches, she endeavors to create a nurturing and imaginative environment that promotes self-expression and personal growth.
Through her guidance, Jennifer's Wellness Partners develop effective coping mechanisms to handle stress and emotional difficulties. They enhance their communication skills, resulting in more meaningful and authentic relationships. Her partners also cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness, leading to a deeper comprehension of their thoughts and emotions.
Jennifer eagerly anticipates the opportunity to collaborate with you or your adolescent on the transformative path to mental wellness.
Maigan Cruz, Bilingual Licensed Clinician
Maigan, MSW, LCSWA, is a bilingual therapist known for her open-minded approach. She provides support to children, adolescents, and young adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, grief, and trauma. Her expertise lies in working with individuals aged 5 to 26, with a particular focus on children between the ages of 8 and 12. Maigan emphasizes therapeutic methods that involve collaboration with parents and caregivers to create effective treatment plans that prioritize support and encouragement. Her dedication to working with younger populations stems from her belief that early experiences significantly influence adult identity. By teaching emotional regulation, body awareness, and coping strategies at a young age, she aims to foster healthier habits that enhance overall mental well-being. Recognizing the critical transition from adolescence to adulthood, Maigan assists young adults aged 18 to 26 in navigating the complexities of this pivotal life stage.
Maigan is committed to providing her Wellness Partners with a safe environment where they can freely express their emotions and learn to manage stressful situations. She strives to empower them with tools to cope with emotional distress, including seeking support, reframing their perspectives, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. She reassures them that they are not alone in their journey. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalms 37:4-5 NLT)
She is eager to embark on this transformative journey with you!
Zakiya Mitchell, Licensed Clinician
Zakiya, MSW, LCSWA, is a Licensed Christian Therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, and mood regulation. She is particularly dedicated to assisting youth and young adults, both male and female, aged 10 to 18, in overcoming life's challenges by equipping them with practical tools grounded in evidence-based practices to foster their long-term emotional health and well-being. Additionally, she provides support to women aged 18 to 30. Her expertise encompasses trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, mood regulation, and various evidence-based therapeutic methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and faith-integrated counseling. She believes that genuine transformation occurs when we address the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. One of her favorite scriptures is Ephesians 3:20 "now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us." Zakiya is ready and equipped to serve those ready to heal holistically. Become her Wellness Partner today to begin the healing journey.
Sharon J. Tillman, Masters Level Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) Intern
Sharon is a dedicated and compassionate Marriage and Family Therapist whose passion lies in helping young people, couples, and families navigate the challenges of life and relationships. Sharon holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Livingstone College and is set to graduate with her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Montreat College in 2025. She is also a certified facilitator in Prepare/Enrich. Her therapeutic approach is a unique blend of personal resilience, professional training, and academic excellence, allowing her to meet Wellness Partners where they are and guide them toward healing and growth.
Destiny Williams, Administrative Assistant
Destiny Williams serves as an Administrative Assistant within the Administrative Team, managing all incoming phone calls and emails for both the office and virtual office environments. She plays a crucial role in facilitating a seamless transition for new wellness partners as they begin their initial sessions with their designated clinicians. Always available to assist wellness partners in times of need, she possesses strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep sense of empathy. Understanding the significance of mental health, she actively encourages individuals to seek help when necessary. With a background in customer service and mentorship, she has honed her communication and problem-solving skills. Her passion for supporting the current generation of youth and adolescents motivated her to pursue a degree at UNC Charlotte. Destiny channels her enthusiasm and commitment to fostering wholeness into her position as an Administrative Assistant. She firmly believes that with divine guidance and the support of God-ordained individuals, people can achieve the wholeness intended for them. Outside of her responsibilities at Cedar Tree, she cherishes time spent with family and friends. Her favorite scripture, 1 Corinthians 10:13, reminds her that no challenge is insurmountable, as God will always provide the strength to overcome. She recognizes that while we may encounter difficulties, we can always persevere through them.
(704) 284-7330 | wholeness@cedartreeempowerment.com