our story

PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Anna received her undergraduate degree in Human Development with a specialization in Health and Human Services from Vanderbilt University. She completed her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), and a received Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy from the Multicultural Play Therapy Center at UNCC. Anna is the owner of The Healing Playroom, a private play therapy practice in Jacksonville, and an adjunct professor at Jacksonville University.

“Since opening The Healing Playroom in 2014, I have become increasingly aware of the critical shortage of Registered Play Therapists in our community. I am especially concerned that the children in our community who experience the highest levels of adversity face systemic barriers to obtaining high quality, developmentally appropriate mental health care. I founded embrACE jax to ensure that ALL children in our community have access to the healing power of play.”

BOARD CHAIR

Ali Hall is a Jacksonville Beaches native. She and her wife, Emily, are raising two boys, 9 & 1, in Neptune Beach and are active in the community. Ali’s work has been focused in process improvement and business development, and she has spent the last 9 years as the Vice President of Sales for a national healthcare technology company, recently acquired by Allstate.

“I’m looking forward to using my lifelong passion for helping the underserved, and doing the necessary work to bring play therapy services to as many children as we can.”

TREASURER

Jennifer Nelson was born and raised in Northeast Florida. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Master's degree in Accounting and holds a CPA license. She has spent the majority of her career working in the Technology and Financial Services industries. She has a heart for children and volunteered in the nursery at her church for more than 15 years. She shares an incredibly sweet dachshund named Bailey with her husband, Tyler.

“Accountants don’t usually get to be the heroes of the story, but by teaming up with this incredible group of intelligent, hard-working people, I am excited to help reach the most at-risk communities with much-needed mental health services.”

SECRETARY

After completing her undergraduate degree in Child & Family Development and obtaining a Masters Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy, Jen navigated through the career path of supporting children and families both as a direct provider and as an administrator, eventually rising to CEO of the Association of Child Life Professionals. 

“My purpose, my drive, centers around increasing awareness and expanding access to quality resources for families navigating through significant life events - helping one another find stability, resiliency, and confidence through meaningful connections, play, and compassion. I, like many, long to contribute to something meaningful, impactful, and greater than myself. embrACE Jax offers an action plan toward reducing systemic barriers that prevent qualified providers from offering services to those most vulnerable. It offers what is needed - education, training, industry support, and access to therapy - to those who want, yet cannot afford. I am proud to be a part of embrACE Jax and look forward to witnessing its ongoing impact on each child, family, provider, and community served."

BOARD DIRECTOR

Lisha received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2015. She completed her master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling at Stetson University in 2020, along with Graduate Certificates in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Play Therapy & Creative Expression. She is also a member of the First Coast Chapter of the Florida Association for Play Therapy.

“Serving on the embrACE Jax Board is very personal for me. I took the ACEs questionnaire back in graduate school and scored an 8 out of 10! Statistically speaking, I shouldn’t be where I am today – alive, well, and thriving. Had it not been for the protective factors that I had along the way, I don’t think I would’ve been able to make it. Actually, I know I wouldn't have. Having things such as helpful & caring teachers and the arts program in school made all of this possible for me. My success pushes me to help those who are currently in the position I was in growing up, because all it takes is one person to make a difference. There is so much potential here in our city but without the opportunity for growth, most will never reach it. embrACE Jax is one solution to that problem here in Jacksonville and I am proud to be a part of that.”

BOARD DIRECTOR

Erica completed her undergraduate education at the University of North Florida where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies. She went on to complete her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work at Florida State University. Erica also received a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy from Stetson University.

“Through working in the field of social work and play therapy, it became very evident that high quality care and treatment of ACEs is often unattainable to those who need it most. Although I received a great education from Florida State, they did not provide training or education on working with children. It was my own passion and dedication to working with children in child welfare that drove me to find Play Therapy. Play Therapy really is the only developmentally appropriate, research backed way of being with children and treating ACEs therapeutically. Working with these children day to day provides me the opportunity to give back and strengthen our community, which fills my heart with such joy. In doing this type of work I realized I was making an impact but only on the micro level within our community. It is my hope that through my involvement with the Board of embrACE jax, that as a team we will be able reach the macro level; I want to help not only strengthen our community as a whole and decrease the effects of toxic stress/intergenerational trauma but also help new therapists in the community learn the magic of play therapy and how beneficial it is to ACEs treatment work.”

DIRECTOR

Jessica completed her undergraduate education at Liberty University where she majored in Psychology. She went on to complete her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University, and received a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy from Stetson University. Jessica is a certified TraumaPlay Therapist through the TraumaPlay institute.

“Growing up in the Bronx as a Puerto Rican entailed a life full of hardships and trauma. I was not surprised the first time I took the ACE questionnaire and scored an 8 out of 10. As a result of my lived experience, I have a deep understanding and enhanced clarity about the concept of intergenerational trauma, how the past can spill into the present, and how a hard childhood can become a challenging adulthood. I am honored to serve on the board of embrACE Jax to help the children of our community heal their emotional wounds in a developmentally appropriate way. As a certified TraumaPlay therapist I understand the importance of treating children who have experienced extreme stress related to chronic maltreatment, traumatic incidents, attachment disturbances, and interpersonal trauma. When we stick together, we can do hard things and I am proud to be a part of embrACE Jax as we embrace the process of healing.”