Connecticut and Massachusetts, US
SCHEDULE TODAY: (203) 441-3132 or (413) 252-2400
Were On A Mission
Our Mission Statement
I Witness Counseling (IWC) is dedicated to the administration of clinical and life-coaching services by licensed professionals who are dedicated to providing best practices for all mental health issues, treatments, and processes that demonstrate unbiased and non-pathologizing mental health practices for our clientele. IWC is also committed to the undertaking of eliminating discriminatory practices in the field, educating and empowering our communities, and challenging myths, stereotypes, and stigmas associated with mental health that ultimately leads to reduced help seeking and treatment within most BIPOC communities.
Our Vision
I Witness Counseling (IWC) envisions a world in which all helping professionals are guided by their hearts as well as their minds while utilizing the utmost professionalism that demonstrates self-aware and empathetic practices that ensure that all individuals are always treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. As we continue to move forward, IWC will remain committed to doing its best to advocate for individuals within BIPOC communities and other socially or financially challenged areas to ensure that they will be met with understanding of the important balance between diversity and inclusion while receiving equitable access to information, resources, and services that are equally beneficial for improving their mental and emotional health and lead to development of healthier individuals and families within their communities.
I Witness Counseling: Helping Professionals
Aquana Raffington, Agency Director, CEO, and transformative Coach
Aquana Raffington, Agency Director, CEO, and transformative Coach
Aquana Raffington, Agency Director, CEO, and transformative Coach
Aquana Raffington is a highly competent and experienced transformative coach with a unique ability to assist clients in discovering their full potential and creating successful strategies for actualizing their dreams.
Aquana works hard as the CEO and certified Life Coach of I Witness Counseling to help others achieve the success they desire in their lives. As a successful entrepreneur, she also brings unique and valuable insight with her personal knowledge and years of successful business expertise.
Aquana Raffington wears several hats, but she finds the most fulfillment in assisting others in discovering and better themselves. She overcame a particularly difficult start, with several difficulties, and emerged victorious. Aquana, a survivor of a lengthy history of domestic abuse, understands the hardships that must be overcome in order to regain any sort of normalcy.
After her traumatic past, Aquana was determined to identify and construct her own unique path, so she embarked on a quest to seek therapy and the direction and wisdom of a life coach. Since then, she has committed her life to advocating and educating others on the importance of the therapeutic journey as a necessary step toward healing.
Aquana understands firsthand the hurdles one must overcome in order to build the fortitude required to write the next chapter. She has worked hard and is no longer focused on her traumatic past, but on her bright future and burning passion for assisting others in overcoming the obstacles that they may face in attempting to move beyond being grateful for being a survivor of a traumatic past and into a life reflective of their passion and purpose.
Together, with her guiding hand, your flaming passion, and your unwavering commitment, you will be prepared to take command of your life and grow your profound inner drive as we embark on a rewarding path toward becoming the version of yourself that you truly desire.
Viola Borden, lpc, LMHC, CCTP-II - Founder
Aquana Raffington, Agency Director, CEO, and transformative Coach
Aquana Raffington, Agency Director, CEO, and transformative Coach
Viola Borden received her BS in Psychology with a minor in Christian Studies and MA in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in CT and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in MA.
Viola also has Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) Certification, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification, and Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) Certification. Her passion is increasing her knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, epigenetics, traumatology, and human spirituality.
Viola has previous experience working in private practice, substance-use treatment, community behavioral health, as well as residential and academic settings in the Connecticut, Georgia, and Massachusetts areas. When she's not working or otherwise engaged, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, or writing.
Viola practices multicultural awareness and inclusion of all groups with regard to practice and professional limitations. She is firmly rooted in the hope of strengthening the presence of African American ownership and professionalism within mental health practices in hope of increasing help seeking, reducing stigmas, increasing development and improving access to qualified and uniquely designed services from and for BIPOC communities.
Viola believes that it is important to increase confidence and reliance on diverse and inclusive practices, because the successful demonstration of inclusion is more than just inviting different groups of people to the platform; it’s also creating an environment where all perspectives and experiences are not only welcomed and valued, but also actively put into practice.
In addition to providing individual outpatient services in the community Viola is also working with EASE International to empower and encourage the mental, physical, environmental, social, and spiritual well-being of women. As she is also very passionate about healthy relationship development and maintenance, she works with couples. She believes that working with couples to improve their emotional and mental well-being will improve potential development of healthier families and desirably, stronger communities!
Viola's long-term goal is to assist in improving advocacy, education, resources and tools, theory, development of therapeutic frameworks, evidence-based research, professional practice, policy setting, and systems of reform that are designed specifically by and for members of the BIPOC community.
I Witness Counseling Intern: Helping Professionals
chezette cain, sacred heart university, Counseling intern
Chezette Cain is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Sacred Heart University, completing her supervised practicum and internships at I Witness Counseling (IWC) as part of her professional training as a Counseling Intern,
Chezette's developing clinical interests include children and elder care, emotional regulation, grief, and the impact of culture and community on mental wellness. Her approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each client’s lived experience. She is passionate about understanding how stress, identity, relationships, and life transitions shape emotional health, and she is committed to creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions, strengthen coping skills, and work toward personal and professional growth.
At IWC she is developing a strong foundation in trauma‑informed practice, emotional wellness, and culturally responsive counseling. Chezette currently provides individual outpatient counseling and co-facilitation of groups under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Through her internship at IWC, she is deepening her skills, expanding her clinical awareness, and learning to support clients with compassion, curiosity, and professionalism.
Outside of her training, Chezette enjoys engaging in spiritual practices and community involvement, spending time with family and friends, and travel. She values balance, reflection, and lifelong learning as essential parts of her personal and professional development.
Professional Affiliations
American Counseling Association Member
Connecticut Counseling Association member
Connecticut Counseling Association member
The American Counseling Association membership reflects an ongoing commitment to ethical practice, professional development, and engagement with the broader counseling community.
Connecticut Counseling Association member
Connecticut Counseling Association member
Connecticut Counseling Association member
The Connecticut Counseling Association membership demonstrates alignment with state‑level standards and participation in the professional network that strengthens counseling practice in Connecticut.
Resources
Camellia Place Healthcare Services
Camellia Place Healthcare Services, a health care provider in Connecticut, is devoted to providing compassionate patient-centered care. They optimize their client's health care through collaborative supportive relationships with their clients, healthcare team, and other providers. They help their clients to attain goals that matter most to them and build trust by working together towards optimal outcomes for their clients.
Camellia Place Healthcare is committed to clinical excellence and continuous improvement in their services and creating an environment of care and understanding for those they serve. Their services include: Primary Care, Therapeutic Wellness & Counseling, Telehealth & Virtual Visits, Weigh Loss Support, Well, Visits, Medication Management, Sick Visits, Computerized ADHD Testing, Wellness/Spa Rejuvenation & Skin Care Services, etc.
EASE International
EASE International stands for 'Equipping All to Succeed and Evolve'. EASE operated in Georgia and Massachusetts, with plans for national expansion. They are dedicated to supporting individual impacted by domestic violence and unhealthy relationships by providing education, resources, and community-driven programs to break generational cycles. Their core values are advocacy, safety, dignity, and social change.
iNNOVATIVE hEALTHCARE
Black Girls Getting Their SHIFT Together
Black Girls Getting Their SHIFT Together
Innovative Healthcare offers "Care At Your Convenience" through the administration of various services that focus on enhancing the quality and effectiveness of healthcare, by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine. Their vision for prioritizing effective, prompt care, is why they developed the “convenient care” concept.
They offer access to providers who assess, diagnose, and treat their patients in a timely manner, which includes dispensing medications at the time of visit in order to eliminate the need for patients to stand in long lines at the pharmacy or pay expensive out of pocket costs for medications.
Their current structure allows access to various medical, behavioral, and medication management professionals who are invested to 'Health Equality' and improving access to quality healthcare in local communities.
Black Girls Getting Their SHIFT Together
Black Girls Getting Their SHIFT Together
Black Girls Getting Their SHIFT Together
Black Girls Getting Their SHIFT Together, LLC is an audio podcast and YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure and Transformation Life Coaching service. You will experience Holistic transformational coaching (sprinkled with meditation, reiki sessions, and mindfulness) with SHIFTS in your mindset to provide you with practical tips/tools to help you take back control of your life, and ignite the fire within your mental and emotional well-being.
You will discover a clear vision for yourself while discovering tools to overcome barriers getting in your way. Together, we will develop a strategy for setting healthy boundaries, and learn how to nourish your mind/emotion. We align actions with your goals on ways to reconnect, then you will develop a SHIFT in mindset that focuses on your future, not the past. You will create sustainable habits & behavior changes that last a lifetime.