Today we’d like to introduce you to Areinia Adams.
Hi Areinia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Areinia Adams a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and approved clinical supervisor. I am the owner and therapist at Purpose and Peace Therapeutic Care, PLLC in Cary, NC. My story starts in Queens, NY where as a young child I watched my Nana work with mental health patients and I knew then that I always wanted to do work where I would be able to help people. When I was 14, I worked for the Summer Youth Employment Program in NYC and my first job placement was at a children’s psychiatric hospital where I was a teacher’s assistance working in a classroom with 7 and 8 year old children. I can remember how natural and comfortable I felt with helping these children who at the time I did not even know what their challenges were, but I knew that I just needed to treat them like I would treat any other child and I just connected with them. In college I took my first psychology course and that sealed the deal for me, I knew then that I wanted to be in the counseling field. Throughout college, I worked 2 jobs and one was in the NYC public high schools. During my downtime from my assigned job, I gave myself the title of “counselor” and I would take time out to talk with the students when they had challenges. I even tracked down the school psychologist and asked if I could work with him to help administer tests to the students and I talked my manager into adjusting my schedule so I could do this because I was studying psychology. This was such a blessing to me to be able to have this experience. After I graduated college, I worked with an agency that provided assistance to adults who had traumatic brain injuries as children and I worked with the group to teach social skills. I remember not really understanding their challenges, but again I just knew I felt comfortable being with the group and helping them everyday. It was not until years after I stopped working there that I realized that the population I was serving were diagnosed with Autism and Asperger’s syndrome,
After moving to NC, I worked in IT, but during that time I knew that was not the place for me so I researched graduate programs for counseling degrees and found Marriage and Family Therapy which I had never heard of before. I had no clue what I would do with that degree, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to work with couples and families. I am so grateful to God for blessing me through this journey because so many people were brought into my life who opened so many doors and opportunities to me. I started working in Community Mental Health while I was in grad school in the intensive in home and community support team departments. After I became a licensed therapist, I was able to work in different departments within the agencies which helped me to grow in my skills. I am grateful for every director, supervisor and co-worker who guided me along the way because there was so much to learn. I eventually transitioned to working at a group private practice where again I was blessed with opportunities that I could have never imagine. In 2021, I became an AAMFT Approved Clinical Supervisor which allowed me to supervise and train upcoming therapist and interns. I was trusted with developing and directing the internship program at the practice and that was also a fulfilling experience that allowed me to tap into skills that I did not know I had. In 2022, Purpose and Peace Therapeutic Care, PLLC was created and the rest is history! I can truly say that it has been a journey for sure and I love all of the lessons I’ve learned, the skills I developed, the relationships that I have made and the people who have helped along the way. I am not finished yet because God has more plans for me and I am here for the journey!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth at all. I think that every journey has some bumps, but they are all lessons to be learned and nuggets to take away. There were plenty of challenging moments, but through prayer, the support from my friends, family and mentors, the struggles did not stop me. I felt that I couldn’t dwell on the struggles because I would get distracted. I would just try to keep a positive outlook and find the good in all situations. There has been a good mixture of success and failure along the way, but the failure just motivated me to keep going and find other ways to get to my goals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My vision is to create a sanctuary where every individual can embark on a transformative journey toward finding purpose and peace. I am dedicated to providing a safe, empathetic, and empowering space where people are free to explore their innermost thoughts and feelings without judgment. I love humor and I am free to be me with my patients.
My practice is built on the belief that true mental well-being arises from a deep sense of self-awareness and connection. I strive to guide people through personalized, person centered, evidence-based approaches that honor their unique experiences and aspirations. By fostering a nurturing environment and collaborating with them every step of the way, I aim to help people uncover inner strengths, develop resilience, and achieve a fulfilling sense of balance in life. In my most recent work, I help wives and moms reclaim their dreams and pursue their careers without guilt. Together we work on practical strategies to enhance self-compassion so they can treat themselves kindly and achieve inner peace by accepting their true self. My hope is that they expect to gain clarity in relationships, develop a stronger sense of identity and create a fulfilling life that aligns with their aspirations and purpose.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and AAMFT Approved Clinical Supervisor, I serve individuals, couples, and families who are seeking to find purpose and peace in their lives. I work with people to help them understand and navigate their emotions, relationships, and life challenges. Additionally, I support and mentor other therapists, guiding them in their professional development to ensure they are equipped to effectively help their clients. My mission is to create a supportive environment where everyone can discover their own path to fulfillment and inner calm. I envision a world where mental health is prioritized, where every person feels valued, and where the pursuit of purpose and peace is a shared journey toward collective and individual harmony.
I think what sets me apart is my approach to developing a trusting relationship with my patients and just be human and relaxed in a space that can be tense and vulnerable. I allow patients to truly be themselves and take their time with the healing work they are doing. My personality sets me apart from others, the way I value the work that I do and the way I care for people and truly have a passion for helping people find their strength, their peace and their purpose is what makes me different from others.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to grow my practice and bring other clinicians on this journey with me. I am in the process of searching for the right therapist to hire and grow with me in the practice. I want to eventually have a training site for interns and provide space where they can learn clinical skills and learn the real life experiences of being a therapist that they do not teach you in school. I want to show others that there is more to being a therapist than what is in the textbook. In the future, I would love to have premarital and marriage seminars for couples.
I am looking forward to where God leads me in my role in the community and just continuing to help people on their healing journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.purposeandpeacetherapeuticcare.com/
- Instagram: purposeandpeacetherapy
