About us
Akiva S. Harris, MS, LPC
CEO & Licensed Therapist
I’m a proud Black woman, a healer, and someone who knows what it means to rise from the roots of humble beginnings. My journey into this work didn’t start in a classroom — it started in real life. In the weight of adversity, in the quiet strength of survival, and in the fire it takes to heal generational wounds while still showing up for others.
I grew up navigating systems that weren’t built for people like me — systems that often failed Black and Brown families. But I also learned how much power there is in resilience, in community, and in having someone truly see you. That’s what brought me to this work — not just to study therapy, but to live it.
In October 2019 I was climbing a live active volcano in Santorini Greece. To be completely honest I had no idea what I was getting myself into or how hard it would be. Hard is an understatement, at times it seemed impossible and, in those moments, it was easy for me to talk myself out of it and tell myself what I couldn’t do! Which is common for most of us when we face challenges, we fall victim to our self-imposed limits and forget how powerful we truly are. On the volcano is when I made a promise to myself to always push myself beyond my self-imposed limits and that’s when and how Beyond Limits Mental Health & Wellness, LLC was born. I know firsthand what it is like to feel like you can’t do something, and I also know how easy it is to let those limiting beliefs take control and allow us to give up on our greatness. I’m no stranger to challenges and I’m also no stranger to success. I’ve been where you are, and I know how to help you overcome the challenges that keep you unfulfilled.
I have a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling from Chestnut Hill College, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed in the state of PA. I specialize in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, low self-esteem, codependency, addiction, and trauma-informed care.
I emphasize connection with your true self because that is where all answers lie. I am a conduit supporting you on that journey. This happens through self-awareness, disrupting old behavior patterns, and creating healthy replacement behaviors. I believe some essential elements of the healing process are: allowing ourselves to feel the original pain, forgiveness of self and others, reframing our narrative, and changing behaviors.
Mission
Beyond Limits Mental Health & Wellness mission is to provide supportive, yet challenging psychotherapy that empowers and inspires individuals to reach their full potential.
Vision
Beyond Limits Mental Health & Wellness vision is to be a complete wellness center that offers a range of mental health, holistic, and healing energy practices that transforms lives and promotes health and healing in individuals, families, and generations to come.
Meet The Team
Dana Pierre-Paul
MS, MFT
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Dana Pierre-Paul, MS, MFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families break harmful cycles and build meaningful connections. She uses an integrative, client-centered approach, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs and goals of the people she works with.
Central to Dana’s work is a deep commitment to intergenerational healing—exploring how family history, cultural identity, and systemic influences shape current experiences and relationships. She believes that healing doesn’t happen in isolation, but through connection, compassion, and intentional exploration.
Dana creates a supportive and reflective space where clients can safely process trauma, repair relationships, and reclaim their narratives with agency and self-compassion. Known for her warm presence and insightful guidance, she blends evidence-based practices with a keen understanding of relational and systemic dynamics. Her work is rooted in fostering resilience, emotional well-being, and authentic communication within diverse communities.
Her clinical interests include intergenerational trauma, identity development, relationship challenges, grief, anxiety, and life transitions. Whether supporting couples rebuilding trust or individuals rediscovering themselves, Dana walks alongside her clients with empathy, purpose, and a strong belief in their capacity for growth.
With curiosity, care, and a deep sense of purpose, Dana helps guide clients toward clarity, empowerment, and emotional wellness—within themselves and across generations.
Robert King Graves
MSW, LSW
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Robert King Graves is a Mental Health Clinician based in Philadelphia. Mr. Graves has a background in behavioral and mental health, public and sexual health and administers and develops training courses for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health to address the needs of the Maternal Child Health Workforce Development to better equip their staff when working with mothers and their families. As a mental health clinician, Mr. Graves works with individuals to address their life experiences currently impacting their life through the exploration of self, using a trauma-informed person centered approach.
Throughout his professional career, Mr. Graves has worked with youth, adults and families to empower them to strengthen their individual and collective identities. Mr. Graves specializes in cognitive and behavioral reprocessing to help individuals reframe their thought processes, behaviors, actions and reactions. He allows the individual to lead the session to help strengthen the client-clinician relationship. Individuals working with Mr. Graves have found a new sense of self that empowers them to become the version of themselves they envision.
In addition to standard therapeutic approaches and modalities, Mr. Graves provides individuals with real-world examples within the session drawn from his life experiences providing an alternative view of similar or like experiences. He wants the individuals to understand, in addition to being a mental health clinician, he has real life-experiences much like their own and together they will chart a path that meets their needs and goals.
Izzy Vazquez
MHS,LCADC,CADC,CCS,CDDP
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With over 25 years of extensive experience in behavioral health, Izzy is a dedicated clinician, administrator, and educator who has excelled in diverse roles, including Vice President of Health Services, Clinical Director, Program Director, and University Professor. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings a strong commitment to culturally competent care, ensuring that treatment is accessible and effective for clients from various backgrounds.
Her clinical expertise spans mental health and substance use treatment, complemented by advanced certifications such as Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (CCDP), Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP), and Clinical Supervisor Endorsement. Adept at evidence-based interventions, she excels in providing trauma-informed care, shaping program policies, and maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
In leadership positions, she has managed comprehensive social service programs, supervised multidisciplinary teams, and developed operational and clinical manuals to optimize service delivery. Her proven track record in grant writing, policy development, and continuous quality assurance underscores her strategic vision for program growth and sustainability.
Currently, as a private practice therapist, she creates integrated treatment plans, provides clinical supervision, and fosters professional development through workshops and training sessions. Driven by compassion, cultural sensitivity, and commitment to excellence, she remains dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation of behavioral health professionals.
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