Alissa Cook, LMHC, MCAP, NCC, CFRC, is a Clinical Team Leader for a Community Mental Health Center in the Jacksonville Area. She has worked in various mental health and substance use treatment roles including Adult Drug Court, Care Coordination, Crisis Intervention, and School Prevention. A major focus in her work has been treating depression, anxiety, and substance misuse in those suffering from chronic illness. Other focuses include treating first responders, helping former inmates adjust after release from incarceration, and crisis stabilization for those with severe anxiety and depression. My approach Alissa's theoretical approaches include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Approaches, Gestalt, Exposure Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). These approaches and techniques are used depending on what the person best responds to and what area they are being treated for. My focus Individuals adjusting to chronic illness/chronic pain, retirement, or a recent release from incarceration. Those needing treatment for pervasive mental illness/high acuity, phobias, depression, or substance misuse. Demographics such as older adults, first responders (military, fire service, police, EMS, or dispatch), and those seeking Christian Counseling. My communication style I try to create a collaborative and supportive environment where you can meet your goals. I believe that humor and honesty are an important part of healthy communication and tend to have a gentle touch when addressing issues presented in therapy. My journey to mental healthcare I have always had a passion for supporting underserved communities and this is a cornerstone of my career as a therapist. My "why". however, is different for each demographic that I serve, but one of my recent drivers has been for the first responder community.