Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakeisha Gatling.
Hi Lakeisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My name is Lakeisha Gatling I am originally from Maryland and moved to the Houston area by way of New York! With that being said I am not a native Houstonian; however, I do consider Houston a part of my home. I believe the field of mental wellness found me!
I experienced a mental health crisis during my early twenties. I was having panic attacks and had no idea of what a panic attack was or even what anxiety was. I did know that what I was feeling didn’t feel like a medical problem. I was having a difficult time making sense of it all. I explained what I was going through to a friend, and she encouraged me to seek out counseling and even helped me to find a counselor close to my home. Seeking therapy was not something discussed in my community at the time and to be honest, was quite taboo. I felt helpless so I thought why not give it a try? Therapy benefited my life greatly and contributed to me being a better healed human. Within that time spent with the therapist, I learned how to cope with life circumstances that were beyond my control (family dynamics issues, self-esteem, and trauma). When looking for a therapist one of the biggest hurdles was finding a therapist who looked like me or at least could identify with my experiences as a person of color. While my therapist was amazing and very, very helpful there were certain issues that I withheld because I wasn’t sure she would understand. Therefore, the thought behind the process of starting my practice was to become the face that I needed to see.
After being in private practice for some time, my passion for mental wellness grew in many different ways. I started to get a feeling that I could not stop with offering traditional therapy services. I learned how mental health issues affect the mind, body, and spirit. I started to think of my story and all of what has helped me along the way. My faith, trusted support, yoga, and being in community were what has helped me the most. I can remember times when I would go to a hot Yoga class and just cry in between movement, no one would know I was crying because we were all sweating like crazy, so it looked like everyone was crying!
After each class, I felt less tense, more balanced, and connected to my body. I grew an appreciation for my body and how my mind could focus for the then 90 minutes. I realized I was having a mind, body, spirit connection. I often said to myself this could help so many people. So, what did I do? I started looking for trainings that were specific to my needs. I wanted to be training by someone that looked like me, understood my dynamic, and could offer me community. I became a trained yoga guide in 2020 under the teachings of Mastermind Yoga.
Therapy and yoga together have allowed me to create a space for humans to be attuned to their emotional needs, sometimes heal without speaking, and find comfort for themselves from within,
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to my brand and businesses has not been easy. There have been many twists and turns along the way. For starters, I come from a family of working-class people, which meant college was not a first-choice option after graduating high school. The expectation was to find a job and hope to secure a job that could meet my financial needs.
In addition, my mother has worked through intellectual disabilities for the majority of her life, and my father left the school system when he was about 14 years of age therefore, he did not complete his education. My father also struggled with addiction and a life of being in and out of prison. I also had a younger sibling who was born physically disabled and needed full-time assistance with his everyday living.
Unfortunately, my brother died during my first year of graduate school and my father died during my second year in doctoral school. With all of that being said, it has definitely not been a smooth road for me, and obtaining my college education was not an easy feat. Starting a business was also very foreign; I didn’t know where to start, how to start, or even if I was capable. However, I worked in corporate America for almost 20 years, I knew how to network, I learned how to research from being a student. I used everything that I knew, my faith, my education, my experience, and my time to learn how to start my business. Essentially, I created my own blueprint for both companies the private practice, LDGatling Counseling & Consulting, and the wellness practice, The Nourish Haven.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Helping women find their own path to healing matters to me the most. There are many pathways to healing that are external; I believe true healing begins when self-discovery happens.
To witness and support women, specifically women of color with their personal growth and healing journey is inspiring, amazing, and empowering to know that I am able to provide a safe, soft space for women to heal and create and live the life that they deserve.
I am most proud of being able to own my own full story to empower others. At times, I would shrink or hide due to fear and shame. Now, I know that my voice matters, my journey matters, and to be seen you have to first see yourself.
I am therapist who is unapologetic about using my own story as a way to liberate others to begin their journey to healing.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I am a forever student. Every day, I learn from the courageous people who sit before me in practice. I never stop doing my own work, and I understand that change is necessary for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: ldgatling.com and thenourishhaven.com
- Instagram: dr.lgatling and thenourishhaven
