Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Mayes.
Hi Kimberly, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) & I started Essence Therapy & Wellness Center in Atlanta, GA in 2020. I was working in a hospital setting as a medical social worker & as a part-time venture, I decided that I wanted to support clients via psychotherapy sessions during COVID-19, as everyone was feeling some sort of mental health pressures during that time. I decided that as of Dec 2021, I would be a full-time therapist & expand the mission & vision of Essence Therapy & Wellness Center, which is to “Recreate the definition of therapy & self-care for the BIPOC community through effective, relatable & holistic therapeutic services.” Operating a private practice full-time has been a heavy lift, as we are in a time where mental health & wellness is a topic of conversation more than every before. Since December 2021, I hired an office assistant, 4 mental health providers, & a master-level student intern. We are currently servicing clients in the state of California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana & Texas. Because I enjoy traveling the world & utilizing the outdoors & culture to promote positive mental health growth, I decided to expand Essence Therapy & Wellness Center to offer wellness retreats. Essence Wellness Retreats offers domestic & international itineraries that are focused on immersing our senses into local culture, creating a safe space for healing, & indulging in self-care practices, such as spa treatments, meditation, sound healing sessions, gentle yoga, sister circles & much more!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I will say some parts of this journey has been smooth & other parts have not been. As with any business, there are learning curves, learning moments & moments where you hit it out of the park. I think for me, hiring individuals who are experts within their scope of practice (i.e., CPA, office assistant, niche providers etc., etc.) has supported my growth & ability to pivot in business when things are getting to be a tad bumpy. I don’t think I would be where I am today, personally & professionally, if I had not stuck with my mission of having a successful private practice, if I didn’t lean on others when I reached my capacity as a leader & as a mental health provider.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Essence Therapy & Wellness Center?
Essence Therapy & Wellness Center is a mental health private practice where we pride ourselves with recreating the definition of therapy & self-care for the BIPOC community through effective, relatable & holistic therapeutic services. We also accomplish this through our self-care retreats (Essence Wellness Retreats) and by offering group coaching & corporate trainings for other mental health providers.
Our specialty is providing therapeutic services for individuals and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, divorce, infidelity, mistrust, trauma, abuse, parenting issues, relationship issues, work-related issues, racial trauma, spirituality, grief & loss, and so much more!
We also offer holistic therapeutic practices such as sound healing sessions, Reiki, Chaka assessments & cleansing, trauma-informed yoga & other holistic supports.
I am most proud of us remaining in alignment with our mission, as safe spaces for BIPOC individuals can be hard to identify.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We are always seeking to work with like-minded individuals and organizations to collaborate with on projects and events that will elevate the voices of BIPOC individuals in relation to their mental health.
At this time, we are working on expanding our retreats in 2024, as developing a safe space outside of a traditional therapeutic setting is what some individuals seek.
We have monthly in-person sound healing & gentle yoga sessions in the Houston area; please feel free to join a session by clicking the EVENTS section on our website for more information.
If you are seeking to support and collaborate via therapeutic practices, sound healing sessions, or via retreats, it’s easy to find us at www.essencetwc.com or www.essencewellnessretreats.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.essencetwc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essencetwc/
Image Credits
Bessie Akuba Creative
