We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Nkele and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
What a great question! As a Black licensed mental health counselor, I felt there was a need that was not being filled within the Black community regarding mental health. Black therapists are less than 3% of all therapists across the disciplines. Before the pandemic, I was working in a government based agency and saw how my Black clients responded positively to me when they found out I was Black! One client claimed that what made her so happy to meet me was because she could have never felt so open about her thoughts and feelings regarding her assault with another therapist of a different race. I even inspired one of my high school clients to go into the mental health field because she did not know Black people could be therapists! You should have seen her face when she saw me pop onto the screen (this was during the 2020 pandemic, yay for telehealth!!). This led me to have a conversation with my husband who hyped me up and encouraged me to open my own private practice. At first, I was extremely hesitant and apprehensive. I mean, what did I know about 1) opening and running a business and 2) starting a private practice?! That idea seemed lofty and unreachable to me at the time, who was I to open a private practice? However, through a lot of prayer and conversations with trusted friends and family, I decided to take a leap of faith and Melanated Wellness, LLC opened its doors in August of 2020 and we are still here today growing and thriving! My goal is to decolonize and de-stigmatize mental health in the Black Community, while providing space to help guide and heal the many traumas we have experienced as an individual and as a collective. It is okay to not be okay!

What should our readers know about your business?
Melanated Wellness, LLC offers therapeutic and life coaching services. I am a trauma therapist and that is my focus when I work with my clients. I work within four different avenues of trauma: Race/Identity based trauma, Sexual trauma, LGBTQIA+ trauma and Neurodiversity trauma. I use an eclectic approach, meaning I use whatever is needed for the client. I enjoy using a person-centered and trauma informed care approach that meets people where they are, and partners with clients in their process towards empowerment, creating meaningful relationships, and constructing purposeful lives. I enjoy seeing the growth in clients, being a part of their healing experiences and I am very blessed to be aligned with my purpose. I want the world to know that we Black therapists are out here and we are HERE TO HELP!!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite restaurants: Cooper’s Hawk & Winery, delicious food and even better wine! I live in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, so I would definitely recommend visiting the Smithsonian’s (special shoutout to the National Museum of African American History, National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History), the MLK statue and if it is early spring to see the Cherry Blossoms down off the Potomac River. If you’re in DC, eating at Ben’s Chili Bowl is something one cannot miss out! Last but not least, the thing to visit is the Black Lives Matter Freedom Plaza!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I first want to shout out to my husband, the love of my life, Kamal, without him there would be no Melanated Wellness, LLC, so thank you my handsome for being my backbone and Number One support and hype man! I also want to shout out to my friends (now family) who have helped and encourage me along the way from becoming a therapist (Grad School shoutout: Kristine, Yoly and Katie) to working in different agencies (Shoutout to: Cassandra, Jasmyne and Brandan) for continuing to push me to believing in my clinical skills and empowering me through your encouragement and wisdoms! Thank you to my family (The Campbell’s & Nkele’s) for being an amazing support system and keeping me empowered throughout this journey. And finally my babies (K&E), without you two, Mommy would not be the woman she is today! I love you both to the moon and back! It takes a village and I am extremely grateful for mine!!

Website: www.melanatedwellness.net

Instagram: @melanatedwellnesstherapy

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