About Us
About Us
About 2717 Counseling
2717 Counseling & Wellness wasn’t created in a corporate boardroom or dreamed up during a branding retreat with mood boards and muffins. No — it was forged in the fire of real life, born from the frustration of watching a system fail the very people it claimed to serve.
After spending 15 years in the Juvenile Justice system, Edward Harrison the founder of 2717 saw it all — kids crying out for help, families cycling through pain, and institutions more focused on paperwork and profit than on people. And after working for companies where “client care” often took a backseat to “meeting numbers,” it became painfully clear: if the system isn’t working for the people, it’s time to build a new one.
Enter 2717 Counseling & Wellness — a mental health organization with zero interest in pretending, posturing, or squeezing healing into 15-minute billing units. This place was created for real people, with real pain, looking for real support.
What We Believe
The name “2717” comes from Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” It’s not just a pretty verse to slap on a business card. It’s our entire philosophy. We believe that strength is forged together — through community, compassion, and the occasional ugly cry in a group circle (trust us, it’s part of the process). We’re not here to fix people. We’re here to walk with them, sit in the fire with them, and help them come out stronger — even if a little emotionally singed.
Here, we don't believe in perfection
We believe in progress.
We believe in showing up.
And we believe that when people come together — with honesty, heart, and a little bit of humor — they don’t just heal… they transform.
Our Team
Meet the Counselors Behind Your Care
Tierainie Johnson, MS, Counselor
Tierainie Johnson is deeply committed to helping individuals find hope, healing, and strength through life’s most difficult challenges. With a passion for supporting those struggling with mental health and addiction, Tierainie believes in meeting people where they are and walking beside them as they rebuild their lives. Guided by compassion, resilience, and a belief in every person’s potential for growth, she provides counseling that empowers clients to break cycles, discover their worth, and move toward lasting recovery
Ms. Johnson is also the Founder and CEO of Beauties From Within, Incorporated, a company established with the mission of reconnecting and empowering her community in Jacksonville, Florida. A proud graduate of William M. Raines Senior High School, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and Capella University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Human Services. Ms. Johnson is dedicated to both personal growth and community development.
Taliegha Carter, MS, Counselor
Taliegha Carter was born in Jacksonville Fl but was raised in a small town outside of Jacksonville called Sanderson Fl located in Baker County. She is a dedicated professional with a passion for leadership and counseling also enjoying the rewarding role of being a parent while being committed to balancing family life. She holds a Bachelors degree in English from University of Phoenix and a Masters degree in Human Services from University of Capella and is a certified CPR and First Aid Instructor through the American Red Cross. She has worked in her community with some of the most vulnerable families for over 20 years. Taliegha is an experienced substance abuse counselor and case management supervisor for a head start program. Driven by resilience and leadership she takes pride in providing the best counseling services possible. As a counselor her goals are to facilitate behavioral change, improve clients ability to establish and maintain relationships, enhance the clients effectiveness and their ability to cope and to help promote decision making processes while facilitating client potential. In addition to her primary job functions Taliegha has been recognized for her extraordinary commitment to sustained effort, positive impact on community and organizations, personal sacrifice and consistent follow through on a meaningful goal
Eileen Cruz, MS, MCAP, Counselor
I am a compassionate and results-driven Mental Health Counselor with a strong commitment to helping individuals and families navigate mental health and substance use challenges. With extensive experience in dual diagnosis treatment, I specialize in trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and person-centered therapy. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and cultural responsiveness—ensuring every client feels heard, supported, and empowered in their healing journey.
Throughout my career, I have facilitated individual and group therapy in various clinical settings, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs), residential treatment, and community-based services. I’ve provided crisis intervention, conducted comprehensive assessments, and developed individualized treatment plans tailored to each client's unique needs and goals.
As a Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), I am dedicated to evidence-based practice and ethical care. Whether leading psychoeducational groups, supervising clinical teams, or supporting clients through behavioral change, I bring a calm, skilled, and collaborative presence to every aspect of my work.
I am fluent in Spanish and welcome the opportunity to support diverse populations through inclusive, accessible mental health and substance abuse services.
Lavonda Knox, LMHC, Clinical Supervisor
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with over two decades of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families across diverse settings, including group homes, community-based programs, and public schools. Since 2003, I have specialized in addressing complex behavioral and mental health challenges such as depression, trauma, anxiety, ADHD, conduct disorders, anger management, and issues stemming from sexual exploitation and trafficking.
I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and have received advanced training in TF-CBT for the Criminal Sexual Exploitation of Children. My clinical practice and leadership have consistently emphasized trauma-informed care, ethical standards, and evidence-based interventions.
Currently, I serve as both a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Area Clinical Supervisor. In this dual capacity, I provide clinical oversight for a multi-clinician outpatient mental health practice and supervise multiple treatment centers across Florida. I offer direct supervision to LPC Interns in South Carolina and Florida ensuring compliance with best practices, state regulations, and payer requirements. My responsibilities include auditing clinical documentation, conducting training, delivering performance feedback, and interfacing with Medicaid and third-party payers.
From July 2011 to August 2016, I served as Clinical Director, overseeing clinical teams, direct care staff, and student interns (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s levels). I led multidisciplinary treatment teams, facilitated clinical training, monitored regulatory and ethical compliance, and provided therapeutic services including individual, group, and family counseling.
Throughout my career, I have remained dedicated to developing clinicians, empowering clients, and improving access to high-quality mental health and dual diagnosis services.
Take the First Step
