Today we’d like to introduce you to Umi-Aisha Thomas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Umi Aisha Thomas, and I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 18 years of experience in nursing. My nursing journey began in California and later continued in North Carolina, where I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of medical and mental health settings. These experiences have helped shape my compassionate and holistic approach to patient care.
I was born and raised in Sierra Leone and migrated to the United States in my late teens. My personal journey, combined with my professional background, has given me a deep understanding of resilience, empathy, and the importance of accessible mental health care. I am passionate about helping individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving diverse populations and working in complex, high-acuity environments. My experience includes medical and behavioral health, corrections, where I served as a lead bedside nurse, and in management, crisis care, emergency psychiatry, and inpatient behavioral health. I worked at UNC’s Crisis Unit, providing care to mental health emergency patients across the lifespan with a wide range of psychiatric and substance use disorders. I have also worked at WakeMed, where my journey as a nurse practitioner began in their Behavioral Health Unit, serving patients in both emergency and inpatient settings.
At WakeMed, I had the invaluable opportunity to learn alongside some of the most skilled and compassionate psychiatrists and mental health professionals. That experience laid the foundation for my clinical practice—not just through formal education, but through real-world mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on care. The knowledge I gained continues to shape how I practice today.
When I say I understand mental health, I truly mean it. When I say I understand trauma, I understand it deeply. Mental health is not just a diagnosis or a stigma; it is real, it is serious, and it can be an emergency. I have personally lost one of my closest friends to suicide, so this work is not abstract to me. It is personal.
This is not “just a job” or simply a career path. It is a calling. It is purpose-driven work. And it is work that I love.
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, it has not been a smooth road. Starting my practice has come with many challenges, especially making my presence known in the community. While I truly love the work and enjoy meeting patients and guiding them through their experiences, the business side has been difficult to navigate. Learning about the legal aspects of owning a business, working with insurance companies, and understanding marketing has been a challenge.
I am also self-funding my practice while continuing to work, because I want to avoid taking out loans. Balancing the financial responsibilities of supporting both my business and my family has not been easy. There are times when I would love to dedicate myself to the practice full-time, but realistically, I have to make sure I can still provide stability for my family.
Even though the journey has been difficult, I remain hopeful that things will improve as I continue to establish myself and grow my practice.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Renew Wellness and Behavioral Health?
Renew Wellness and Behavioral Health was created with the goal of helping individuals who struggle with mental health challenges, especially those who have difficulty accessing quality care. There is still a significant stigma surrounding mental health, which often prevents people from seeking help or admitting they are struggling. Mental illness is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone at any stage of life. It can be influenced by both environmental and biological factors, and the goal is to provide support, relief, and intervention before individuals reach a crisis point. Sometimes, simply having someone who listens and understands can make a tremendous difference.
My passion for this work comes not only from my professional experience in the mental health field, but also from personal experiences supporting loved ones through their own mental health journeys. That perspective allows me to approach every patient with compassion, empathy, and understanding.
At Renew Wellness and Behavioral Health, patients are not treated as a diagnosis, but as people. We take the time to listen, understand their concerns, and address their symptoms in a holistic and individualized way. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and bipolar disorder. I work with adolescents ages 12 and older, adults, and geriatric patients.
While I specialize in medication management, I also provide supportive therapy because I believe medication alone is not always the complete answer. At Renew Wellness and Behavioral Health, we believe in treating the whole person through a combination of medication management, psychotherapy, supportive counseling, and lifestyle coaching. Our holistic approach is one of the things that truly sets us apart.
I am also proud that Renew Wellness and Behavioral Health collaborates with two therapy groups to provide comprehensive therapy and medication management services. Our mission is to create a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered on their healing journey.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe the most important qualities that contribute to my success are empathy, resilience, and the ability to genuinely listen to people. Before becoming a provider, I worked as a bedside nurse for over 14 years. That experience shaped me into the provider I am today. It taught me how to meet patients where they are, treat them with compassion, and care for them without judgment.
My therapeutic approach is present in every patient interaction. I listen carefully, I do not rush appointments, and I do not treat people like numbers or diagnoses. Every individual is different, and each treatment plan is tailored to that person’s unique needs and experiences. I want my patients to feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their journey.
I am also a wife, a mother of three, and someone who understands everyday life struggles. As an immigrant who came from very humble beginnings, I have faced many personal and professional challenges. My resilience and determination have guided me through those experiences and continue to shape how I care for others today.
What truly sets me apart is that I genuinely care about helping people heal and improve their quality of life. I am solution-oriented, compassionate, and committed to creating a safe space where patients feel comfortable being themselves and seeking the help they need.
Pricing:
- At Renew Wellness and Behavioral Health, accessibility to care is very important to us. I am credentialed with most commercial insurance companies as well as Medicaid to help make mental health services available to more individuals and families. I also offer affordable self-pay options for patients without insurance. In addition, we provide sliding scale options for individuals who may not have insurance coverage or cannot afford standard self-pay rates. My goal is to ensure that financial challenges do not become a barrier to receiving quality mental health care and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renewwellnessbh.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewwellnessbh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586791529397
