Join Our January 2024 Cohort!
Join Our January 2024 Cohort!
Essence Wellness Academy
Where BIPOC clinical providers gain the cultural responsive knowledge & therapeutic skills necessary to support BIPOC clients who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression & other common mental health diagnoses
Why is Essence Wellness Academy Necessary?
Stereotypes and stigmas within the Black community present barriers to obtaining mental health care. Black women have unique experiences of stress related to both racial and gender discrimination (Hall et al., 2021)
A 2022 study reports, “there is a need for therapists to fully understand Black women’s cultural factors, beliefs, & knowledge to help heal mental illness in this group (Roach, 2022)
Culturally responsive therapeutic practices refer to empirical studies alter the method of delivery by embracing and considering the social behaviors, values, and attitudes of the target group (Chu et al., 2022)
There is a growing body of literature recognizing the lack of culturally congruent mental health treatments that meet Black Americans needs (Chiang et al., 2004; Cooper et al., 2003; Lappan et al., 2020; McClendon et al., 2020; Novacek et al., 2020; Snowden et al., 2009; Ward & Brown, 2015)
Essence Wellness Academy is for
Clinical providers who want to support clients beyond the traditional Eurocentric therapeutic standards
Clinical providers who want to help clients move past feeling stuck with a holistic practice that is natural & authentic to their identity
Clinical providers who want to offer clients a reduction of symptoms for anxiety, depression, identity & other common mental health diagnoses
Clinical providers who want to utilize sound healing, breathwork, chakra assessments, nature based interventions (wellness retreats), sister circles & other holistic practices in psychotherapy sessions to increase client outcomes & engagement
Clinical providers who want to increase client outcomes without 1-on-1 direct practice
Clinical providers who are seeking to diversify their clinical practice to reduce symptoms of burnout
Who Should Attend This Training?
You identify as a BIPOC clinical provider
BSW, MSW, BSN, M.Div, DSW, PhD
LMSW/LCSW/LICSW
ALMFT/LMFT
LMHC/LPC/LAPC
MD, RN, NP, PNP, PsyD, Psych
Other providers who hold degrees, licenses & work in the mental health field (please send a message here for a case by case review if do not hold a degree or license as listed above & you feel this program is a great fit with your professional training/interest)
Professionals who own or intend to own a clinical mental health private practice
Students who are currently enrolled in a mental health degree program
Identify as a member of the BIPOC community
Who Should NOT Attend This Training
Professionals who are NOT degreed or licensed in the mental health field (please send a message here for a case by case review if you do not hold a degree or license as listed above & you feel this program is a great fit with your professional training/interest)
Professionals who are seeking to complete this program as a hobby & is outside of their scope of practice/degree field
Professionals who do NOT own a clinical private practice or intend on owing a private practice
Students who are NOT currently enrolled in a mental health degree program or who have NOT recently graduated from a mental health degree program
What’s Included In Training
Module 1: Introduction to the History of Culturally Responsive Therapeutic Practices
-
Why are Black women left out?
-
Social, Economic, Physical, Medical & Psychological
-
Black women have the right to choose from the type of services available to them
-
What are culturally responsive therapeutic practices & why are they important?
-
Peer Group Activities & Individual Assignment
Module 4: Breathwork - Breathe In, Breathe Out - Breathwork for Anxiety, Depression & Other Mental Health Diagnoses
-
History of Breathwork & It’s Use
-
Identify target symptoms, niche group & formulate a breathwork sequences
-
How to integrate breathwork into your private practice
-
Peer Group Activities & Individual Assignment
Module 2: Group Therapy - My Sister’s Keeper: Sister Circles & Their Power
-
What are sister circles & how are they effective?
-
Data on why BIPOC individuals benefit from Sister Circles
-
How to formulate a Sister Circle, identify your niche group, & integrate them into your private practice
-
Peer Group Activities & Individual Assignment
Module 5: Nature Based Interventions - Wellness Retreats: Integrating Therapy Beyond the Office
-
What are NBIs & why are they considered effective?
-
How wellness retreats can be used as NBIs, retreat activities & intentions, & how to effectively develop a retreat based on desired symptoms/group
-
Booking platforms, facilitator packing tips, groups, regional support
-
How to formulate a NBI/Retreat, identify target symptoms/topic for NBI, & integrate them into your private practice
-
Peer Group Activities & Individual Assignment
Module 3: Somatic Healing - The 5 Senses: Energy & Sound Heals the Body
-
The history of indigenous practices & the emotional/physical impact of it’s use.
-
The history of sound healing & the emotional/physical impact of it’s use.
Types of instruments that can be used for sound baths
-
Chakra Assessments
-
Integrating Somatic Healing into Psychotherapy Sessions
-
Peer Group Activities & Individual Assignment
Module 6: Private Practice - Ethically Integrating Cultural Responsive Therapeutic Practices in Your Practice
-
How to integrate culturally responsive practices into your current private practice
-
Who is your target market, what symptoms would you like to focus on, & which modes of marketing tools will you use
-
Effective tools for culturally responsive practice integration
-
How to comply with HIPAA laws in group settings
-
Importance of removing liability from the clinical provider, tools for liability forms
-
Peer Group Activities & Individual Assignment
What Do I Get For Joining Essence Wellness Academy?
You As A Provider Will Be Able To:
Understand the history of & implement culturally responsive therapeutic practices into your psychotherapy sessions
Facilitate Sister Circles as a form of group therapy
Understand the history of & implement somatic healing practices such as sound healing & Chakra assessments into your psychotherapy sessions
Understand the history of & implement breathwork sequences into your psychotherapy sessions for clients experiencing anxiety, depression & other mental health symptoms
Understand the history of & implement nature based interventions & wellness retreats into your private practice
Ethically integrate all culturally responsive therapeutic practices into your private practice
Your Clients Will Be Able To:
Decrease symptoms of anxiety
Decrease symptoms of depression & other common mental health diagnoses
Increase confidence in their identity & race
Increase coping skill utilization outside of the therapy room
Increase sense of belonging with Sister Circle groups
Reduce somatic symptoms due to racial trauma, anxiety, depression & other diagnoses
Become unstuck by implementing relatable culturally responsive therapeutic practices
Your FREE BONUSES for joining Essence Wellness Academy
Basic Life Support (BLS) Course
You will become certified by the American Heart Association in CPR to assist with any emergencies while integrating nature based interventions & other culturally responsive therapeutic interventions!
Reiki Level I
You will become a Certified Level I Reiki Practitioner. You also will have access to secure your Reiki Master level certification!
Aromatherapy
You will learn about the aromatherapy & the phytochemistry of essential oils & their ability to improve the mood of clients!
Culturally Responsive Directory
All graduates of the Essence Wellness Academy will be added to our Culturally Responsive Clinical Provider Directory to enhance your clinical visibility!
6- Month Mentorship
All graduates of the Essence Wellness Academy will have access to a FREE 6-month membership to remain connected to the practices & to enhance
Once You Complete Essence Wellness Academy You Will Be:
A Certified Culturally Responsive Practitioner
A Certified Sound Healer Practitioner
A Certified Nature Based Intervention Practitioner
A Certified Sister Circle Facilitator
A Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Facilitator
A Certified Energy Practitioner
A Certified Reiki Practitioner - Level 1
American Heart Association Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS)
$4,600
PAY IN FULL
INTRODUCTORY RATE
$1,000
SAVE $150 when you pay in full!
$1,150
4 PAYMENTS
Pay over time & secure your seat now!
Meet Your Facilitators
-
Dr. Kimberly R. Mayes, LCSW
FOUNDER
Dr. Kim is a psychotherapist. Known as a passionate leader who brings clarity & mental health supports to her clients, Dr. Kim has successfully added value to her clients using various treatment modalities.
Dr. Kim’s approach to mental health practices is holistic, as integrates culturally responsive therapeutic practices into psychotherapy sessions with BIPOC clients, such as spiritual practices & concepts, physical health to promote total wellness. This includes yoga, breath-work, Reiki, chakra assessments, sound healing & much more.
As a clinical provider with over 15 years in the field of mental health, Dr. Kim decided to pursue her Doctor of Social Work degree at Simmons University to study the effects of implementing culturally responsive practices into psychotherapy with clients & the level of engagement from BIPOC clients. Her research topic is: “Black & Ignored: Implementing the Most Impactful Culturally Responsive Therapeutic Practices for Black Women”. Dr. Kim was able to utilize her research & passion for supporting the BIPOC community to create the Essence Wellness Academy, where she trains BIPOC clinical providers to implement culturally responsive therapeutic practices in to their own private practices.
Dr. Kim is the Founder & Clinical Director of Essence Therapy & Wellness Center, where the mission is to “Recreate the definition of therapy & self-care for the BIPOC community through effective, relatable & holistic therapeutic services”.
www.essencetwc.com
-
Joy Carter
BLS Instructor
Joy Carter is proudly an Instructor with the American Heart Association (AHA). As a former healthcare professional, Joy focused her knowledge on training the importance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to community based organizations throughout Georgia & other States.
Ms. Carter's known reputation for excellent communication, creates a fun learning environment teaching individuals & groups life saving skills.
-
Due to the ethics & standards surrounding this training program, the expectation is that clinical providers have formal educational training in a mental health degree field. We will be more than happy to do a case by case review if do not hold a degree or license as listed above & you feel this program is a great fit with your professional training/interest. Simply send us a message HERE & we will request additional information as needed.
-
Sure thing! We have payment options available, whether in full or over time, via After Pay or Affirm.
-
Yes! Each week providers will be responsible for self-paced work along with attending (1) live integration session per week for the duration of the program. Providers are required to complete all parts of the program to graduate from the program & receive certifications
-
There are no refunds of the Essence Wellness Academy. However, in the event that you decide to push back starting a cohort, we will transfer your tuition to an upcoming cohort, or invite you to put your tuition payment towards one of our wellness retreats.
-
This cohort is scheduled for the following dates:
September 9, 2023
September 16, 2023
September 23, 2023
September 30, 2023
-
We understand that sometimes schedules can be hectic, there will be an accommodation offered to those providers who aren’t able to attend the live session. If you have concerns about missing a day, please contact us here & we will be more than happy to discuss options to ensure you complete the program.
