Check Out Natasha Daniels’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Daniels.

Hi Natasha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always smile at the old adage that says “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” When I was young I always thought that my path would lead me to be an actress in Hollywood. However, little did I know that my “higher power” had a different calling for me. As I entered high school I began to notice that many of my peers were dealing with their own hurtful and painful experiences. It also ignited a fire in me that made me start to question “what causes some people to engage in behaviors that can cause tremendous pain to others; what are the issues that are going on within our communities if there is violence and collective pain that is plaguing our society? This is what actually led me into the field of psychology; as well as finding my purpose as a Licensed Professional Counselor. My passion and commitment to be able to give back by pouring into other people, advocating for positive changes, and being able to be a vessel for healing is what brings joy to my heart.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has not been smooth; however it has prepared me for leadership in various ways. There were many roadblocks that I had to overcome in learning how to use my voice for effective change, even when other people were trying to silence it. In addition, there were many times in corporate settings; as well as non-profit sectors where I experienced microaggressions and bias. I was able to resound to the wise adage of my alma mater “Clark Atlanta University” which is “find a way or make one.” These challenges led me to implement positive solutions such as creating book clubs in some of these settings to have transparent and healthy dialogue surrounding diverse voices.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 22 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in trauma, but what I am most humble and grateful for is being able to advocate at a local and state level for changes in the community; especially surrounding mental health and the counseling field. I serve on the Board of Directors for NAMI GA (National Alliance on Mental Illness) which is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. I am most proud of being able to collaborate and bring stake holders and community partners together to continue to break down barriers, stigma, and oppressive policies that directly impact our communities. One of the main qualities that sets me apart is my ability to inspire others to organize and come together when civil disobedience may need to be utilized as a last resort to bring about positive change or bring awareness to an unjust policy.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was listening to my parents share stories and memories of how it was for them growing up.