Inspiring Conversations with Dr. Michelle Chambers-rollins of Therapeutic Family Solutions, PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michelle Chambers-rollins

Hi Dr. Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a native of Person County, Roxboro, NC. I am truly a southern belle. God, my family, and my community definitely made me who I am today. I began my career as a social worker at Person County DSS. I was a young social worker just wanting to help people. Being impactful has always been my mission but I didn’t know what that would look like. I worked as a child welfare social worker for several years. Afterwards, I wanted to work more on the preventative side of social work; I really wanted to be a mental health therapist. I completed my MSW at UNC-Chapel Hill and obtained my clinical social work licensure (LCSW) and my license as an addiction specialist (LCAS). My journey was really God filled. God led by steps as the journey was not easy. After obtaining my licensures I begin to practice as community based clinician, meeting people literally were they were, in their homes! Again, my humble career beginnings led to my successes.

You see, God lets us know through our journey that it is really the journey that makes you who you are. Learning how to navigate life with boundaries, while impacting others is a beautiful experience. When you view life this way, when you face obstacles, you feel like those are necessary to strengthen your impact muscles. Just like with anything else, when you put forth the effort with guidance, you just simply cannot fail! God allowed me to move from Community based services to opening my therapy private practice in 2011. My practice grew from an individual practice to a group practice. We always stay booked and we do very little advertising because it is all GOD!. Growing with God has allowed me to grow as a person and help people in a way that is truly meaningful. I have served hundreds of clients and mentored and supervised many clinicians in my clinical practice. Again, I have been able to be impactful while embracing the God given gift to listen to people, to gently remind them to reframe/set boundaries/modify their narratives to really “Function at their own Personal Best”, which is my practice’s motto!

Unexpectedly in my journey, I was able to earn my PhD in social work focused on Black women with substance use and/or mental health disorders and culturally competent treatment. My PhD studies offered another space for me to uplift my community and be impactful! I completed my PhD studies in May of 2023. After completing my doctorate degree, I had the opportunity to teach as a Clinical Assistant Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill a year later, May 2024, at my alma mater! I then received the Alumni of the year from the School of Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill, again God is using me to show people that they can achieve, you just have to continue to use challenges you face and overcome as motivation. You do not have to do things by yourself, you are God filled and God led! You can also be true to yourself while achieving all of your goals!

Now I am able to manage by private practice, Therapeutic Family Solutions, and teach MSW students. My mission to be impactful and led by God is in motion. I am honored to be in the position and I do not take it lightly. Daily I am grateful for my journey and looking for other ways to help people! I truly a social worker at heart.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No it has not been. I had some challenges starting my business as I didn’t know where to start and didn’t have much mentorship, but again you have to lean on God and allow him to place people in your life that can support you. The same way in which you would mentor and support them and community. I really felt stuck as a child welfare social worker earlier in my career. I love child welfare, but just needed to figure out how I would be most helpful in the field. I was most helpful teaching other social workers, and speaking to them via conferences, workshops, and other group empowerment events. I learned again to be my authentic self, which took me some time to cultivate.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Therapeutic Family Solutions, PLLC?
Therapeutic Family Solutions is a mental health therapy organization. We serve individuals and families who are suffering with adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and or may have a trauma history. We really strive hard to help people function at their own personal best, meeting people where they are. It is often difficult as a professional to truly meet people where they are without letting our own biases impact our treatment. I truly embrace the client’s mission for their life and/or treatment and help them grow to meet their goals. Our treatment planning is individualized, we are honest and transparent, and are inclusive of all populations, but most of our clients are Black Indigenous, and People of Color. Our practice is culturally sensitive and tailored to serve those that have been/ are in historically oppressed populations trying to navigate in a world where they carry stressors that others may not have. Those stressors can be related to gender, race, self identity, etc. We provide individual therapy, couples therapy, business consultation, and workshops. We again are equipped to meet people and organizations where they are, assess the need, and provide interdisciplinary support.

What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to engage in more women’s studies research and interdisciplinary work. I plan to offer more work shops and speaking engagements moving forward again being used by God to impact community. I got married last year so I want to also continue to enjoy my amazing husband and build our family and legacy. God is Good! My advice to anyone is that you are exactly where you supposed to be when you are led by God and actively pursuing your purpose. You are not an imposter! What is meant for you will be with effort!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therapysolutionsrtp.com
• Instagram: michellectherapy
• Other: tiktok @michellectherapy