Ayana Byam-Holston

Graduate Intern

Healing begins when people feel safe enough to show up as they are. Ayana believes that therapy should be a non-judgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, supported, and empowered. She values creating an environment built on trust, authenticity, and compassion where one can build confidence in themselves while navigating life's challenges at their own pace. 

Ayana is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student from Mercer University, working under the supervision and direction of Joy Ssebikindu-Haynes, LPC, CPCS, and Mehak Merchant, MS, NCC, LPC. She specializes in working with adolescents, emerging adults, adults, and families navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, life transitions, emotional and self-esteem challenges, life stressors, and adjustment difficulties. Her approach is collaborative, culturally responsive, and strength-based, helping clients explore both the struggles and strengths that shape their experiences.

With a professional background in behavioral health, intake coordination, wellness services, and group therapy facilitation, Ayana brings experience supporting individuals across multiple levels of care. Her work has included crisis support, care coordination, collaborating with families and multidisciplinary treatment teams—creating spaces where clients feel safe enough to be vulnerable and honest in the healing process. 

Ayana also holds a background in Exercise Science and Public Health, which deeply influences her holistic view of mental health and wellness. She values the connection between the mind and the body and believes emotional well-being, physical health, movement, and self-care all play an important role in overall feeling and functioning. Her approach promotes total wellness and health promotion by encouraging clients to build sustainable habits that support both emotional and physical well-being.  

Ayana is especially passionate about holding space for individuals who may feel overlooked, misunderstood, or pressured by expectations of family, school, work, cultures, or society. She believes therapy is not about “fixing” someone, but about helping clients reconnect with themselves to build resilience and confidence in who they are and feel supported while managing life transitions through healing. 

Areas of Focus

  • Anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm

  • Adult life transitions

  • Adolescent and emerging adult concerns

  • Family and relationship challenges

  • Self-esteem and confidence building

  • Corporate wellness

  • Identity development and life transitions

  • Stress management and coping skills

  • Emotion regulation and self-awareness

  • School, college, and career-related stress

  • Cultural identity and adjustment concerns

  • Mind-body wellness and overall well-being

  • Group therapy and interpersonal growth

Approach to Therapy

Ayana takes an integrative, person-centered approach to therapy that focuses on creating a safe and supportive relationship where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences openly. Her style is warm, inviting, collaborative, and intentional, balancing emotional support with opportunities. For insight, reflection, and personal growth. She believes healing involves caring for the whole person and values the importance of mind-body connection and fostering emotional wellness, resilience, and healthier daily functioning.

She Incorporates

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Strengths-Based Approaches

  • Emotion Regulation and Self-Awareness Techniques

  • Wellness-Based and Mind-Body Practices

Her Work Helps Clients

  • Build trust and confidence in themselves

  • Navigate anxiety, depression, stress, and uncertainty

  • Challenge unhelpful thought patterns

  • Develop healthier coping strategies

  • Improve communication and relationships

  • Strengthen resilience and personal identity

  • Foster overall wellness and balance 

Ayana also values the power of connection and community within the healing process and enjoys facilitating group therapy spaces that encourage support, reflection, emotional growth, and shared experiences.

Who Ayana works Best With

Ayana works best with individuals who are:

  • Experiencing difficulty navigating anxiety, depression, stress, or emotional overwhelm

  • Experiencing life transitions or identity exploration

  • Struggling with self-esteem or confidence

  • Feeling pressure from family, school, culture, or societal expectations

  • Needing support with emotional regulation and coping skills

  • Seeking a holistic approach that values both emotional and overall wellness

She values meeting clients where they are in creating a space where they feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves.

What to Expect

In your first session, Ayana will take time to get to know you, understand your concerns, and learn about what feels most important to you. She understands that beginning therapy can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming at times, and she strives to create an environment where clients feel safe, supported, and heard from the Initial point of contact.

Together you will:

  • Explore current challenges and concerns

  • Identify strengths and areas for growth

  • Develop goals for therapy

  • Learn coping tools and emotional regulation strategies

  • Build confidence in navigating life's challenges

  • Explore ways to support overall Wellness and well-being

Ayana’s approach is collaborative and paced with care, allowing clients the space to process, reflect, and grow while feeling supported throughout the therapeutic journey.