Meet Your Therapist

Fightress Aaron, MBA, MS, LPC, NCC

Maternal Mental Health Expert | Trauma Therapist | EMDR & Brainspotting Specialist

You’re someone who gives everything to your work, your family, and those who rely on you. Balancing the demands of a high-pressure career with the responsibilities of life can leave you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. You’ve accomplished so much, but the stress, trauma, and microaggressions you experience may feel heavier than ever. If therapy hasn’t worked for you in the past, you may be wondering if real change is even possible.

I’m here to tell you it is.

I specialize in helping high-functioning professional women, mothers balancing it all, and other helping professionals who struggle in their personal lives. Whether you’re a doctor, attorney, nurse practitioner, professor, therapist, or business owner, the weight of responsibility can take a toll on your emotional and mental well-being. The daily pressures, racial trauma, microaggressions, anxiety, and depression you carry may feel invisible to others—but they don’t have to define your life.

Advanced Trauma Therapy to Heal What’s Beneath the Surface

If traditional talk therapy hasn’t worked for you, it may be because trauma is stored in the body, not just the mind. I use advanced, evidence-based approaches to help you process and release what’s keeping you stuck:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A powerful therapy designed to help you reprocess traumatic experiences and break free from the emotional weight of past pain. It’s highly effective for professionals carrying workplace trauma, racial trauma, childhood wounds, and burnout.

• Brainspotting: A brain-based therapy that works at the neurological level to unlock and heal trauma stored deep in the nervous system. Ideal for high-achieving women who feel “stuck” despite their success.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Practical, skills-based approaches to manage anxiety, set boundaries, and improve emotional regulation in high-stress environments.

Who I Work With

✔ Professional women experiencing depression, anxiety, burnout, and racial trauma.
✔ Mothers who are juggling it all, often putting themselves last.
✔ Helping professionals (therapists, doctors, nurses, social workers) who support others but struggle privately.
✔ Couples seeking deeper connection, trust, and communication.

The Importance of Culturally Responsive Therapy

Mental health care should feel safe, affirming, and reflective of your lived experiences. Yet, many women—especially women of color—struggle to find therapists who truly understand the complexities of racial identity, workplace challenges, and generational trauma.

As a culturally responsive therapist, I create a space where all women, including Black women and other women of color, feel heard, valued, and supported. While research shows that Black women are among the most underrepresented groups in therapy—both as clients and providers—I am committed to bridging that gap by offering care that acknowledges the full scope of your identity, struggles, and strengths.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or like you had to "explain yourself" in therapy, know that this is a place where you can be fully seen.

What to Expect When You Work With Me

✔ Step 1: Book a Consultation ($50) – A structured session to explore your concerns, goals, and how we can work together.
✔ Step 2: Begin Therapy – Sessions are customized to meet your unique needs, whether weekly or biweekly.
✔ Step 3: Experience True Healing – Move beyond just coping and step into emotional freedom, peace, and self-trust.

Insurance & Payment Options

I accept BCBS, Aetna, and Cigna for individual therapy sessions in Alabama. However, insurance may not fully cover specialized services such as EMDR therapy, Brainspotting, and intensive therapy sessions.

Fightress is licensed to support clients in AL, FL, and NC. Telehealth provides a flexible, convenient way to access therapy from the comfort of your home while still receiving expert, personalized care.

Private Pay Benefits:

• More Personalized Care – No insurance restrictions, so therapy is fully tailored to you.

• Confidential & Flexible – No required diagnosis, no session limits.

• An Investment in Your Future – Therapy isn’t just about getting through today—it’s about long-term well-being.

✔ Session Rates:

• Individual Therapy: $165-300 per session

• Couples Therapy: Available as intensives or ongoing sessions

If you have out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement. You can also use HSA/FSA cards to invest in therapy.

🔎 Check your benefits here:https://mentaya.com/checkbenefits/HWQZkhG5e8aQX5UuoBRQ

💡 It’s Time to Prioritize You

You’ve spent years holding everything together. Now, it’s time to invest in your healing, your peace, and your future. Therapy isn’t about fixing you—it’s about helping you reclaim yourself.

📅 Schedule an appointment today:https://newbeginningscounselingal.clientsecure.me/request/service

With over two decades of experience as a dedicated educational administrator, Dr. Calandra Hawkins has spent her career championing the growth and well-being of students, families, and educators. Now, as an Associate Licensed Counselor, she brings that same heart for service into the therapy room—offering a space where adolescents and adults alike feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Dr. Hawkins supports clients who are navigating the often complex journey of life transitions, identity development, relational challenges, and personal growth. Her clinical focus centers on helping individuals deepen their understanding of self, strengthen emotional resilience, and foster healthier relationships with others and themselves.

Her therapeutic style is warm, relational, and grounded in empathy. Clients often describe Dr. Hawkins as a calming presence—someone who gently challenges old narratives while holding space for healing and transformation. Whether you’re a teen facing the pressure of figuring out who you are, a young adult learning to trust yourself, or someone in midlife seeking clarity and peace, Dr. Hawkins offers a collaborative, affirming approach rooted in evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care.

As a lifelong learner and advocate for mental wellness, Dr. Hawkins believes in the power of authentic connection and the courage it takes to grow. She is honored to walk alongside clients as they reclaim their stories and move toward the lives they want to live.

Calandra Hawkins is an Associate Licensed Counselor under the clinical supervision of Angel Leonard, LPC-S

Helping Young Adults (and Their Parents) Navigate Life’s Transitions with Clarity & Confidence

Your 20s and 30s can feel like a constant balancing act—figuring out who you are, what you want, and how to navigate life’s challenges. Maybe you feel stuck, anxious, or unsure about your next steps. Or maybe you’re a parent watching your child struggle, wondering how to best support them as they transition into adulthood.

The reality is that many young adults are still finding their footing—emotionally, professionally, and financially. Therapy can provide the guidance, structure, and coping skills they need to build confidence, develop independence, and navigate life’s challenges in a healthy way.

For Young Adults (20s-30s):

• Anxiety & Overthinking: Break free from constant worry and self-doubt.

• Self-Discovery & Identity: Figure out who you are and what truly matters to you.

• Relationships & Boundaries: Learn to communicate your needs and build healthy connections.

• Life Transitions & Career Stress: Navigate major changes with confidence.

• Healing from the Past: Process unresolved experiences so they don’t hold you back.

For Parents:

Many parents want to support their adult children but struggle with knowing how much to step in versus letting them figure things out on their own. Therapy can be a powerful way for young adults to gain the skills, emotional resilience, and confidence they need to move toward independence.

Ways Parents Can Support Therapy for Their Young Adult Child:

• Encourage therapy as a tool for growth rather than a reaction to crisis.

• Consider financially supporting therapy as an investment in their long-term well-being.

• Respect their journey by allowing space for self-discovery without judgment.

• Understand that therapy helps them become more independent, not dependent.

What to Expect:

1. Book a Consultation ($50) – A structured session where we explore what brings your young adult to therapy, their goals, and how we can work together.

2. Start Therapy – Sessions are tailored to their specific needs, whether weekly or biweekly.

3. Build Confidence & Growth – Therapy helps them develop practical skills for managing life’s stressors and making decisions with clarity.

Using Insurance Benefits for Therapy

Alesha is a private-pay therapist, but if you or your young adult have out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement. HSA/FSA cards can also be used to invest in therapy.

We’ve partnered with Mentaya to make reimbursement simple—no need to deal with paperwork or insurance calls.

🔎 Check your benefits here:https://mentaya.com/checkbenefits/HWQZkhG5e8aQX5UuoBRQ

Why Choose Private Pay Therapy?

• More Personalized Care – No insurance restrictions on how we work together.

• Confidential & Flexible – No required diagnosis or limits on how long therapy lasts.

• An Investment in Long-Term Success – Therapy isn’t just about addressing today’s challenges; it’s about equipping young adults with the tools to thrive.

Session Rates

Individual therapy sessions range from $100-$150 per session, depending on session length and services provided.

💡 Ready to take the next step?

Whether you’re a young adult looking for support or a parent wanting to help, therapy with Alesha can provide the guidance needed to move forward with confidence.

📅 Schedule Now: [Insert Link]

Alesha is Under the supervision of Kelia Shipman, LPC-S.

Schedule a consultation. with Alesha today: https://newbeginningscounselingal.clientsecure.me/request/service

Meet Lasha Perine, ALC — Therapist at New Beginnings Counseling

Lasha Perine is a compassionate and experienced therapist who brings nearly a decade of experience in Alabama’s public school systems to her work with children, teens, parents, and educators. As a former school counselor and classroom teacher, she has supported students, families, and school staff through challenges ranging from anxiety and behavior concerns to academic stress, family transitions, and classroom dynamics.

Lasha holds a Master’s in School Counseling and a degree in Social Science Education. She is an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) and offers virtual therapy to clients throughout the state of Alabama. Her background in education and mental health allows her to support not only youth and families—but also teachers, school leaders, and educational professionals navigating burnout, stress, and complex school environments.

Lasha specializes in helping:

• Children and adolescents manage emotions, behavior, and peer relationships

• Parents and caregivers strengthen communication and connection with their children

• Teachers and educators find support, balance, and tools to manage professional stress

• Academic leaders foster student success while caring for their own mental well-being

With training in evidence-based practices, crisis intervention, and social-emotional learning, Lasha creates a safe and welcoming space for clients to explore, heal, and grow. She is deeply committed to providing empathetic, culturally responsive care and believes in walking alongside clients with compassion and practical support.

Lasha is proud to be part of New Beginnings Counseling, LLC and is currently accepting new clients for virtual sessions across Alabama. Whether you're a student, parent, or educator seeking support, she’s here to help you move forward with confidence and care. Lasha Perine is an Associate Licensed Counselor under the supervision of Marjorie Sharpe Baker, LPCS.