Conversations with the Inspiring Ariane Camille

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariane Camille.

Ariane, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started The Emotional Exchange because of my personal experiences that I have had with my own emotions. I have had extremely emotional encounters as a child, adolescent, and as an adult. In the last two years I have realized how important being intune with my own emotions was for my outside relationships. I have personally been emotionally disconnected with my friendships with women, my friendships with men, and within my romantic relationships. In realizing how disconnected, I was in some of my past relationships, it made me notice, my emotions that were attached to those relationships. The hurt, the resentment, the different situations that I held on to, not expressing them, not telling people how I feel. Feelings are meant to express the unconscious truth & I was not being authentic by hiding behind my feelings. I was burying all the experiences and feelings that make me who I am. I was being a product of my environment. Suppressing my feelings because the outside world tells me that I’m overly emotional for a woman. And being surrounded by men who weren’t expressive at all, because their messages tell them not to be emotional, and not to be “in their feelings.”

The Emotional Exchange is a meeting space for people to discuss topics that we may not talk about with our friends regularly, but we all experience in our individual ways. In sharing with our peers our unique stories, we will normalize our personal feelings, empathize with one another, and ultimately become more connected to those in our communities. Through these actions, my goal is to increase our emotional intelligence. What is emotional intelligence exactly? Emotional intelligence (EQ) is our ability to recognize the emotions of others and regulate our own emotions in response to our environments. High levels of EQ form great leaders, better communicators, and contribute to positive mental health.

I am passionate about giving people the tools to understand their emotional connections with trauma and their authentic experiences. The Emotional Exchange is place to facilitate growth and development towards higher self-confidence and self-identity by understanding your individual story.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth, of course, not. I am still in process of figuring out how to reach large amounts of people. Trying to make sure I’m sensitive enough to everyone’s trauma while providing substance and a safe environment to learn about your peers and yourself. The hardest part has been the normal entrepreneurial struggles of financing your own business.

My advice would be not to rush something that you are passionate about. Take the opportunities that come to you, but do not force business relationships that are unnatural. Have confidence in your ability to concur and achieve. As you start this journey, remember that every step you are taking, is only temporary. Continue to water your soil, which is your brain, continue to give your flower light, which is your confidence, and remember that every plant needs oxygen to grow, and so do you. Appreciate every breathe that is yours.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Counseling Professional and soon to be Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Brain Injury Specialist. I am educated in Mental Health Counseling with higher education in counseling individuals with disabilities. I’m certified in Trauma Competency and Youth Mental Health First Aid. I have been a counseling professional since 2013 and pride myself in my abilities to communicate with extremely diverse groups of people. Although professionally, I work with individuals with disabilities, I feel that it has given me the confidence to educate others on emotional intelligence. Specifically, individuals who possess the social skills necessary to grasp the concepts and lessons.

I love the fact that I am not a teacher, there is not a lecture or a sermon during The Emotional Exchange events. I am only the facilitator of the message, which feels awesome. I get the opportunity to witness strangers open up to each other and share their personal stories. It’s extremely satisfying to orchestrate authentic connections through emotional connection. My goal is for people to hear and feel their neighbors, that goes beyond just existing.

My brand is different because I’m doing something that I have never seen done before. Groups of people getting together talking about the life experiences that sent them on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a space of healing created by the individuals that participate and their peers.

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the healing of Trauma” – Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD

“Emotional Intelligence 2.0” – Travis Bradberry & Jeab Greaves.

^^ These are two books I really lean into to develop my content for The Emotional Exchange. My goal is to spread knowledge by presenting it in a relatable way for my peers. Transforming textbook language to the needs of my audience.

“You are a Badass: How to stop doubting your greatness and start Living an awesome life”- Jen Sincero

^^ This book is my personal connection to making sure I move confidently and not allow self-doubt to bog me down.

I also listen to “Therapy for Black Girls” Podcast by Dr. Joy Bradford and am apart of her facebook group for women. She has definitely been an inspiration for me this year.

I would definitely encourage women to find someone to look up to who has similar passions or has accomplished some of your future career goals. To have someone to look up to who is still on their progressive personal career journey keeps me motivated.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 678-977-3543
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @The.Emotional.Exchange
• Facebook: Ariane Camille

Image Credit:
Quintavius Oliver, Ashley Banks

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.