Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani And Nia Brown.
Hi Imani and Nia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Imani: My story is a great example of how our journeys in life are far from linear but that’s okay. I experienced trauma throughout my childhood, such as my father being incarcerated for 18 years. I excelled throughout school until I got to UNC Chapel Hill in my first semester. of college. I had a full ride, but I fell into depression (I had no idea about what it was) which greatly impacted my ability to function. I lost my full ride and transferred to a community college for a semester until I started my 2nd year at The Illustrious North Carolina A&T State University. Throughout my time at A&T, I didn’t make it into the nursing program and had to pivot to something else. I fell in love with Psychology from there because it made so many things make sense. It’s like lightbulbs went off during every class. I participated in psychological research and knew immediately that I wanted to continue my education in psychological studies. After graduating, I applied and started the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at North Carolina A&T. I’ve been an unlicensed therapist since I was a child, so the career was fitting. Once I became licensed, I knew that I wanted to do things my way and be my own type of therapist. Through my healing, I showed my family the power of therapy and addressing your traumas. I believe that everyone should know the same, especially my own community. I built this practice to not only heal but to give back to our community.
Nia: My journey is deeply personal. Although it might sound stereotypical, I’ve truly always wanted to help people. Even as a child, I was known for being really sweet, emotional and sensitive. I just wanted to make people feel better. That natural empathy only deepened as I got older. Growing up, my sister and I experienced the impact of our father’s incarceration, and while I didn’t fully understand it at the time, I knew it left a mark on me. It made me want to support others who were experiencing or had been experienced similar situations . Life threw a lot at me, and for a long time, I carried it silently. But I got through it and that gave me a sense of responsibility to help others do the same.
My turning point came during my first year of college. I lost someone extremely close to me, and it shattered my world. I fell into a deep depression, a place I had never been before and couldn’t understand what I was experiencing. I didn’t know much about grief or how to process it. That’s when I turned to therapy for the first time. That experience changed everything. Therapy gave me the space to heal, to process my childhood trauma, and to understand how it was affecting the choices I was making in my life. Most importantly, it helped me find confirm my purpose. My name means purpose, God knew what I was destined for before I could ever imagine what it would be.
At that point, I realized that I needed to assist others in their healing journey through therapy. My focus turned to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker so that I could serve communities and individuals on both levels.
My sister and I had talked since high school about starting something together. We didn’t have all the details back then, but we always knew we wanted to serve our community and give back in a meaningful way. Now, with our practice, we’re doing exactly that.
This work is more than a career, it’s my testimony, it’s my passion. The things I’ve been through, the pain I’ve faced, and the healing I’ve done have all fueled my purpose. Resilience is what I live by, and it’s what I try to help others find within themselves every day.
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?
No. Nothing good comes easy. Faith, dedication, and discipline are huge factors in success. We’ve had some amazing mentors and most of our journey has been learning as we go with trial and error. People sometimes assume that if you’re in a helping profession, you’ve always had it together but that’s far from the truth. Your journey is what fuels your passion for the work.
One of the biggest struggles was just managing our own healing while still showing up for others. Early on, we had to learn how to set boundaries, protect our energy, and take care of our own mental health while helping clients do the same. That was a challenge, especially as people who naturally wants to give and fix and support. Burnout is real, and self-care is mandatory to provide effective work in this field.
Another major struggle was self-doubt. When you come from a background like ours, navigating trauma, grief, and generational hardship, it can be easy to question if you’re “enough” or if you really belong in professional spaces. I had to fight through that because it’s obvious that we deserve and have earned to be where we are.
Starting a practice with my sister has been a dream come true, but it’s also been a learning experience. We’re not just therapists, we’re business owners so that means figuring out things no one teaches you in school, all while staying grounded in the heart of the work. But through every challenge, we’ve leaned on each other and reminded ourselves why we started. That purpose has carried us through.
We’ve been impressed with Sisters Heal Counseling and Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sisters Heal Counseling and Consulting was established to provide therapeutic services to individuals and promote healing and wellness. We started Sisters Heal to provide a safe space specifically for individuals who don’t have many spaces to feel space. Our practice is completely virtual so that our clients can access our services from anywhere in North Carolina.
We aim to provide care to an often-overlooked population whom we share similarities to, children who have experienced parental incarceration. As a therapy practice, we do more than just provide therapy. We give back to our community in several ways such as scholarships, workshops and fundraisers.
We offer individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We also offer workshops for corporations and organizations to target burn out, work-life balance, and promote wellness in the workplace. We specialize in trauma therapy and provide EMDR. We accept NC Medicaid, BCBS, Aetna, and MedCost.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Extending grace, not just to other but to yourself as well is one of the most important lessons we’ve learned along this journey. Healing isn’t linear for us or for the people we serve. There are no set time limits or quick solutions. It takes dedication and hard work. Everyone’s journey is different, and that includes our own. For a long time, we struggled with the thought that you have to be completely healed to help others, but we’ve learned that being honest about where I am in my own process actually makes me a better therapist. It creates connection, not distance. Just showing up is enough. That lesson changed the way we practice, and the way we live. It’s such a reassuring feeling to know it’s okay to not always be okay and to not always have it figured out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sistershealcc.com
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