No one belongs here more than you.
We grow through it all. Through the grief, through the sadness, through the heartache, and even through the brokenness. Every single bone in your body is strong enough to carry your hurt and powerful enough to shift that pain into healing. Trust your resilience. Sit back. Be still. Let the growing begin.
We grow through it all. Through the grief, through the sadness, through the heartache, and even through the brokenness. Every single bone in your body is strong enough to carry your hurt and powerful enough to shift that pain into healing. Trust your resilience. Sit back. Be still. Let the growing begin.
—Minaa B., LMSW
What will working together be like?
My approach to therapy is simple. I am not here to fix you. Firstly, because I am not that talented or powerful, and I’d never claim to be. But most importantly, because there is nothing wrong with you that needs to be fixed. As a great clinician once told me, "Instead of asking people 'what's wrong with you?' We should be asking, 'what's happened to you?'" We cannot ignore how much strength it takes to get through all the trauma, losses, and stressors of everyday life. We are all just getting through it the best way we can, and we’re allowed to ask for help on how to navigate such a journey. I believe it’s time for the world to make space for people prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being.
I don't know what you had to overcome to make it this far but you're here. You've arrived. So be proud of your progress. Be proud of your effort.
—Minaa B., LMSW
What is your approach?
I have been trained in and use a few different modalities of treatment to meet my client’s unique needs. These include:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Family Systems
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Mindfulness
I approach every single person I work with from a place of strengths. What are you doing that’s already working? What supports do you have in place? How have you persevered to reach this point?
That is where we start—always.
Come home to yourself. Stop running. Stop hiding. You are worthy, enough, magical, capable and so much more. Come home to yourself. You are allowed to rest here.
—Minaa B., LMSW
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How do I know if therapy is meant for me?If you don’t take away anything else from visiting my site, please hear this: there is no “ideal” person for therapy. There is no way you have to look, behave, or feel to be a good candidate for it. In my opinion, the reason the stigmas about mental health exist is because we’ve let other things and people influence who this space is supposed to be for. Now is the time for us to reclaim that. Therapy is meant for anyone who is willing to put in the work to make things better. That’s it, that’s all. If that’s you, then therapy is definitely meant for you!
-
Does seeing a therapist mean something is wrong with me?We kind of touched on this in the previous question, but the short answer is no. In fact, I believe quite the opposite. Seeing a therapist is only for the strong, the brave, the change-seekers, the ones who are willing to fight for the things they want to see change in their lives. It takes a great deal of vulnerability and resilience to be able to ask for help, so I applaud anyone who does so.
-
How long will I need to be in therapy?This is a tough question because it will vary for every single client. The easy answer is, as long as you want. The complicated answer is, until you have reached the goals we set in our initial appointments. Whatever those things are that brought you to me, the things you wanted to see improve, the relationships you wanted to see grow, etc., Whenever those things seem “better” to you, we can terminate services. However, my door is never shut permanently. If you ever need to resume therapy for any reason, I’d love to have you back. Please note, I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and a termination process if I determine that the psychotherapy is not being effectively used or if you are in default on payment. I will not terminate the therapeutic relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons and purpose of terminating. If therapy is terminated for any reason or you request another therapist, I will provide you with a list of qualified psychotherapists to treat you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source.
-
How often do I have to come?The answer to this question depends a lot on the client: your functioning, your goals, your financial situation, but most clients will be on a weekly or bi-weekly appointment schedule in order to get the most out of the therapeutic relationship.
-
I know Brittani personally. Can she still be my therapist?Unfortunately, there are boundaries in place that protect you and me that make this a conflict of interest. If you are a friend, family member, or acquaintance, I am unable to be your therapist. That being said, I’m happy to point you in the right direction to find a therapist. Some good places to start to find therapists of color include: www.therapyforblackgirls.com, www.therapyforblackmen.org, www.mytrucircle.com, www.beam.community/bvtn, www.ayanatherapy.com, www.nqttcn.com (National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network),www.inclusivetherapists.com (Use Therapist Identity filter), www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/african-american
-
I really want to go to therapy, but what if I don’t have time?"If you’re searching for the right moment when life calms down, finances are more stable, thoughts are more positive, I get it. That sounds so ideal. I can also tell you that you could spend the rest of your life waiting for some of those things to happen. If the thought of going to therapy has crossed your mind, that is the sign you need! Don’t delay your mental health and well-being.
-
What can I tell people who don’t understand mental health, instead of telling them I go to therapy?"You don’t have to tell them anything, especially not before you’re ready. Taking care of yourself does not need to make sense to anyone other than you. If you need tools on how to explain it to someone you love and care about that you’re seeing a therapist, we can definitely discuss this during your appointment. But, if you’re worried about what people will think when you don’t answer your phone one evening out of the week, tell them you were doing something beneficial for yourself. Period.
-
What if I can’t afford to see you? What are other options?I have a few slots on my caseload reserved for students and sliding scale clients who may be facing financial hardship. I use a simple formula that helps us settle on an affordable rate that can still get you what you need. If I don’t have any slots available and you want to try other ways to take care of your mental health, I don’t think there are any replacements for therapy. Please refer to #5 for other sites to find a therapist of color who may have sliding scale availability or be in-network for your insurance. If you are looking for long term, low-cost therapy, please visit www.openpathcollective.org where therapists provide sessions for $30-$60 per session.
-
What questions should I ask my insurance provider about reimbursing for therapy?You should contact your particular health insurance plan to determine your specific coverage. You may want to ask them the following questions: 1. Do I have mental health benefits? 2. How many mental health sessions per calendar year does my insurance plan cover? 3. What CPT codes are covered for therapy sessions? 4. How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network (OON) mental health provider? What is the deductible for OON benefits? 5. How do I go about submitting my reimbursement claim?
-
I found Brittani’s profile on social media! Can I add her as a friend?Due to the importance of your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any personal social networking accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc). I believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it. You are more than welcome to follow the Meant For Me Therapy Instagram account where I occasionally post therapeutic tips or like us on Facebook for the same.
-
Can I contact Brittani/Meant For Me Therapy during an emergency?Unfortunately, I am not on-call in between sessions. If I’m not meeting with you, I am likely handling administrative tasks, meeting with other clients, or I may be done working for the day. If you are having an emergency and you need immediate support, please don’t wait for our next session. Just utilize the resources below: SUICIDE HOTLINE: Safety Alert: If you are experiencing a behavioral or medical emergency, please call 911 or go your nearest Emergency Department. VISIT https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ CALL 1-800-273-8255 CRISIS TEXT LINE: VISIT https://www.crisistextline.org/ TEXT HOME to 741741 MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/crisistextline/ SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: Safety Alert: Most states do have laws that require local staff to contact authorities in certain situations: if there is a child or vulnerable adult who is in danger. VISIT https://www.rainn.org/ ONLINE CHAT https://hotline.rainn.org/online CALL 800-656-4673 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Safety Alert: Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet usage might be monitored, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline VISIT https://www.thehotline.org/ CALL 800−799−7233 EATING DISORDERS: VISIT https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ CALL 800-931-2237 TEXT NEDA to 741741
Stop for a moment. Feel your feet on the ground. Breathe in all the good. Exhale all the bad. You no longer have to carry the things that don't serve you.
—Minaa B., LMSW
