Exploring Life & Business with Raising Resilience Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raising Resilience Counseling. They and their team shared their story with us below:

We started as child mental health therapists and noticed a gap in the support system for parents and caregivers to talk about their pregnancy and postpartum experiences. We observed how birth trauma, relationship struggles, family hardships, lack of support, and mental health issues affected how parents took care of themselves and their babies. Many times, parents don’t get a chance to share their stories about loss, financial difficulties, or mental health problems during the early months of the postpartum period and how it continues to impact them. This inspired us to explore ways to transform our passion for maternal mental health into our own mental health practice. We began to dive into the disparities and lack of cultural competence in mental health when it came to black women and couples who needed mental health support that felt safe and also acknowledged who they were without bias. 

Our approach in this field is unique because we prioritize minimizing bias in health and mental health care for black women and couples. We recognize that maternal mental health is a critical aspect that needs attention even before having children. Unfortunately, black women receive many distressing messages about childbirth and the emotional challenges of motherhood, which can lead to negative mental health experiences. Our goal is to bridge the gaps and improve mental wellness for black women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We understand the importance of mental health for black women and strive to create a safe and supportive environment for them. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a mental health practice that specializes in black women’s mental health, we face the challenge of proving to others why black women deserve priority in their mental wellness. We constantly have to give a disclaimer of why we hold space for black women and couples. Our practice provides a safe place for black individuals who are not often heard. To make our private practice thrive, we had to learn about ourselves as therapists and black women, as well as our own relationship with each other as friends and business partners. We grounded ourselves in defining our niche, serving our aligned clients, and knowing our worth as therapists. Valuing our worth and taking the initiative to step out on our own has been a risk, but it has allowed us to better serve our community. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Raising Resilience priority is providing support for black women and couples during their pregnancy and the postpartum period. We provide virtual mental health services to women and couples across North Carolina, DC, and soon-to-be Georgia. We help women navigate the emotional challenges of motherhood to be more aligned with their self-identity and reduce burnout in parenting. We are licensed mental health therapists providing therapy for modern motherhood. We understand the number of black women and couples who navigate the challenges of postpartum depression and anxiety alone and how detrimental it can be to them during the most vulnerable time of their lives. We also provide psychoeducation and mental health products to educate women and providers on the importance of dismantling fear-based birthing experiences for black mothers. 

What sets us apart from others in this field is the priority to decrease bias in health and mental health care for black women and couples. We also understand that maternal mental health begins before you have children. There are so many scary messages sent to black women about birth and the emotional challenges of motherhood. We aim to bridge the gaps of negative mental health experiences for black women that leave them with an invisible load of regret and shame when it comes to their mental wellness in the postpartum period. We understand the value of mental health for black women. 

Our goal is to secure funding for “Harmony Haven: A Black Maternal Wellness Center.” Our wellness center will serve as a sanctuary for pregnant and postpartum Black women, aimed at promoting their holistic well-being. Harmony Haven, we will recognize the unique journey that Black mothers go through during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We envision our center to provide a supportive and nurturing space where women can focus on postpartum recovery and wellness. 

Our mission will be to expand on broadening access to address the physical, emotional, and cultural needs of Black mothers. We aim to create an inclusive environment that celebrates the beauty of motherhood while providing comprehensive care for postpartum recovery and wellness. Our services and offerings will include culturally competent therapeutic services, postpartum recovery programs, educational workshops, wellness classes, community support groups, and holistic healing services. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
At Raising Resilience, our clients are the heartbeat of our practice, and their stories, resilience, and journeys are the very foundation of our success. We understand that the path to maternal mental wellness is unique for each individual, and it is our clients who inspire us to continuously evolve, innovate, and create a nurturing space tailored to their needs. 

Raising Resilience is not just a practice; it’s a movement for change. Our clients play a pivotal role in advocating for maternal mental health awareness and dismantling stigmas surrounding mental health. Our client’s willingness to share their experiences contributes to a broader narrative that promotes understanding, empathy, and a call for positive change. 

At Raising Resilience, our success is intertwined with the empowerment and well-being of our clients. Their stories illuminate the path for others, creating a legacy of resilience, support, and transformation within our maternal mental health practice. Together, we build a harmonious space where every client is not just a participant but an essential partner in the journey toward empowered motherhood. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weareraisingresilience.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raising.resilience?igsh=MWttdXBpb3V1Mm1tag==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaisingRes
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raising-resilience-5a657b257/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Raisingres
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz6llzm0w8SfABQQrq2PH8A
• Other: https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/32059592#page

Image Credits
Ariel Perry Photography