Today we’d like to introduce you to Tashika Holloway.
Hi Tashika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a kid, I always knew that I wanted to be a psychologist, and that’s exactly what I intended to do. I majored in psychology in undergrad at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. After graduation, most of my family had already moved to Atlanta, and I came for graduate school at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology where I earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and completed the first year of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology program. I realized that I did not want to focus on psychological testing and decided to pursue licensure at the master’s level, becoming a licensed professional counselor. Ultimately, life brought me full circle, and I pursued a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. I am now a core faculty member at Walden University, teaching and supervising future counselors and I work in my practice.
My first job in the mental health field was as an assessment counselor at a psychiatric hospital, and I also held a variety of part-time therapist positions in group homes and private practices. I provided workshops and trainings to a variety of employee assistance programs (EAPs) and Military Family Life Consultants. All of these experiences helped me understand the range of issues that people seek counseling for.
At the same time, I transitioned into a career in business development at an Atlanta-area psychiatric hospital, where I developed partnerships between mental health and healthcare settings to connect psychiatric patients to higher levels of care. In this role, I learned the importance of marketing, networking, and collaboration in healthcare. Many of these relationships with local counselors and physicians helped me grow my practice.
In May 2009, after one of the practices I was working at part-time closed, I established TLC Counseling & Consulting Services LLC in Atlanta, GA, as a part-time practice. As a new counselor, I was more of a generalist, providing counseling services to individuals, couples, teenagers, and adults, addressing a range of issues such as depression, anxiety, workplace problems, and marital conflict. For the last several years I have specialized in supporting Black women, especially mothers, as they heal from past trauma that impacts their relationships with themselves and others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a business as a solo entrepreneur has had its ups and downs. On one hand, not having to answer to anyone can be great. On the other hand, all of the responsibility rests on the practice owner. I had to implement proper systems for documentation, billing, payroll, and taxes, and maintain adequate malpractice insurance coverage. Building relationships with other private practice owners helps. I had an office partner for most of the years I’ve been in practice, sharing rent and office costs. I also have referral partners for clients who need services I do not provide, such as couples and family counseling, psychiatric medication management, and other medical and allied health professionals.
As much as you may try to plan, life is not predictable, and it’s difficult to prepare for the unexpected. Having my daughter prematurely was likely the most significant experience. In 2016, I prepared my clients for my upcoming maternity leave, but I developed preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure in pregnancy) and had my daughter prematurely at 28 weeks. She weighed 1 lb 11 oz and spent almost 2 1/2 months in the NICU. I had to cancel and transfer clients and take a break during my doctoral program. I believe that because so much of the first year of her life was focused on her health and development, I developed postpartum anxiety and sought my own counseling. Now we’re all thriving! This experience also led to the next transition in my practice: a focus on trauma and maternal mental health, especially among Black women who have disproportionately negative outcomes during the perinatal period.
Then, of course, there was the pandemic. I pivoted online very quickly, integrating technology to improve systems, and the practice grew rapidly due to increased access to counseling as so many people were working from home. In March 2021, I left the psychiatric hospital to pursue private practice full-time, which ended up being the best change for my practice.
We’ve been impressed with TLC Counseling & Consulting Services LLC., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
In my practice, I focus on the mental health and wellness of women of color. My vision is to help Black women move from “Wholeness to Wellness.” Most of the women I work with do not have a serious mental illness, but rather unresolved trauma and poor coping skills for life’s stressors. Wholeness means reintegrating the parts of yourself (mind, body, spirit, and soul) that have been affected by past traumatic experiences. It is difficult to be well without being whole.
What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise?
I am a trauma-informed counselor with specialty training in Attachment Trauma, Advanced Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International (PSI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I have a unique perspective on balancing the science and art of counseling as a doctorate-level counselor. Being a counselor educator allows me to teach and supervise new counselors, stay current with new approaches, and contribute to ongoing research in the field.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
I provide only individual counseling by telehealth. Clients start with an initial assessment and if we move forward with ongoing counseling, we will typically meet weekly for several sessions before transitioning to bi-monthly or monthly sessions. In the near future, I plan to offer group sessions or “intensives” that are more solution-focused than traditional counseling, with an emphasis on psychoeducation.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned that comparison is the thief of joy. I knew for many years that I wanted to be in private practice full-time, however, I was very intentional about when to make that transition. Also, many solo practice mental health counselors feel that their next step must be expanding to a group practice. I always knew I work best in solo practice and collaborating with other providers in the community. There are so many rewarding ways to serve many in the counseling and mental health field. My practice provides the flexibility to teach future counselors entering the field. Eventually, I would love to grow my practice to include more consultation and continuing education training, and I know that will come in due time as well.
Finally, I strive to live a balanced life. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our daughter, friends, and family. We love our Reynoldstown/East Atlanta community, walking the Beltline, and trying new restaurants. My daughter’s school and extracurricular activities, such as cheer and Girl Scouts, keep me busy and during school breaks we try to travel as much as possible.
Pricing:
- Most major health insurance plans, which determines out-of-pocket costs
- Self-pay individual initial assessment: $225
- Self-pay ongoing counseling 50-60m session: $190
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.tlccounselingatl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtashika_lpc
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tlccounselingatl
- Other: https://linktr.ee/drtashika_lpc
