Hidden Gems: Meet Dr. La’Tesha Sampson of Greag Joy Counseling and Consulting Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. La’Tesha Sampson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. I overcame multiple forms of childhood abuse, homelessness, and adversity that could have easily defined the trajectory of my life. Instead of allowing my pain to silence me, I made the decision to transform it into purpose, healing, and service to others. Those experiences shaped my commitment to mental health, social justice, education, and community empowerment.
Through determination, faith, and an unwavering belief that healing is possible, I went on to earn two Master’s degrees and two Doctorates. Today, I serve as a licensed psychotherapist, professor, author, activist, and serial entrepreneur. I lead four private practices across multiple states, oversee a nonprofit organization committed to community healing and empowerment through Great Joy Community Development Corporation, and direct two academic programs at Seton Hall University. My work allows me to bridge clinical practice, higher education, leadership, and advocacy in ways that create lasting impact.
Beyond my professional accomplishments, I am deeply passionate about exposing people to the power of culture, perspective, and global connection. I have traveled to 19 countries, experiences that have strengthened my worldview and reinforced the importance of equity, compassion, and culturally responsive leadership. Whether I am writing books, mentoring future leaders, advocating for underserved communities, building businesses, or speaking on healing and wellness, my mission remains the same: to help people understand that their past does not disqualify them from living a meaningful, impactful, and extraordinary life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. My journey has been marked by significant personal struggles, including overcoming various forms of childhood abuse, trauma, grief, periods of instability, and moments where the weight of life felt overwhelming. There were seasons where I had to fight not only for success, but for survival, healing, and peace of mind. Building businesses, pursuing advanced education, and leading organizations while carrying unresolved pain was not easy. There were many moments of exhaustion, self-doubt, loss, and sacrifice that people never see behind the accomplishments.
What helped me continue moving forward was my faith and the incredible circle of supporters God placed around me. My faith grounded me during some of the darkest periods of my life and reminded me that my pain had purpose. I also leaned heavily on mentors, friends, family, colleagues, and community members who encouraged me, challenged me, prayed for me, and supported my vision even when the road became difficult. I learned that resilience is not about pretending to be strong all the time—it is about continuing to rise, heal, and evolve despite adversity.
Those struggles ultimately shaped the woman and leader I am today. They deepened my compassion, strengthened my voice as an advocate, and fueled my passion for helping others heal and thrive. Today, whether I am leading organizations, mentoring students, serving clients, traveling the world, writing, or advocating for social justice, I do so from a place of lived experience, authenticity, and purpose

We’ve been impressed with Greag Joy Counseling and Consulting Services , 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?
Great Joy Counseling and Consulting Services was founded with one mission in mind: helping people heal, grow, and become whole mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. What began as a vision rooted in lived experience and a passion for service has grown into a multi-state mental health and consulting organization that has served thousands of individuals, families, couples, students, professionals, and communities.

We specialize in culturally responsive mental health services, trauma-informed care, grief counseling, family and relationship dynamics, anxiety, depression, childhood trauma recovery, and empowerment-centered therapeutic work. We are especially known for creating safe spaces for underserved and historically marginalized communities, particularly within the Black community, where conversations around healing, mental health, generational trauma, and emotional wellness are often stigmatized. In addition to psychotherapy services, we also provide consulting, leadership development, workshops, trainings, speaking engagements, and community wellness initiatives that bridge mental health, education, social justice, and community impact.
What truly sets Great Joy apart is that our work is deeply rooted in authenticity, compassion, lived experience, and clinical excellence. We do not believe in one-size-fits-all healing. Our approach is holistic, relational, and culturally grounded. People connect with our brand because they feel seen, heard, and valued. We lead with both expertise and humanity. As a licensed psychotherapist and educator, I have intentionally built a team and organization that understands healing not just academically, but personally and communally as well.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Great Joy has become synonymous with impact, healing, empowerment, and resilience. We have expanded across multiple states, collaborated with schools, organizations, and community partners, and built a reputation for excellence while remaining mission-driven and community-centered. I am also proud that our brand reflects both professionalism and purpose. Whether through therapy, advocacy, authorship, speaking engagements, nonprofit initiatives, or wellness events, we are committed to helping people reclaim their voices and rewrite their narratives.
I want readers to know that Great Joy Counseling and Consulting Services is more than a business—it is a movement centered around healing, transformation, and hope. Everything we create is designed to help people move from surviving to truly thriving.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with and support greatjoycounseling.org⁠� in a variety of ways. We provide psychotherapy and consulting services for individuals, couples, families, organizations, schools, and community groups across multiple states. Clients and organizations often connect with us for trauma-informed therapy, leadership development, mental health trainings, wellness programming, crisis support, grief counseling, workshops, speaking engagements, and culturally responsive consulting.
We also welcome collaborations with schools, nonprofits, corporations, faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders who are passionate about mental health, healing, education, and social impact. Whether it is developing wellness initiatives, hosting conferences and workshops, partnering on advocacy campaigns, creating community programs, or building strategic partnerships, we believe collaboration creates deeper and more sustainable impact.
In addition, people can support our work through greatjoycdc.org⁠�, our nonprofit organization focused on community healing, empowerment, education, and underserved populations. Support can include sponsorships, donations, mentorship, volunteerism, partnerships, scholarship funding, or participation in our events and initiatives.
Readers should know that our work is rooted in purpose and service. Every collaboration, client relationship, and initiative is approached with intentionality, integrity, and a genuine commitment to helping people heal and thrive. We are always looking to connect with individuals and organizations aligned with that mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.greatjoycounseling.org
• Instagram: @Iamdrlatesha @greatjoycounseling @greatjoycdc
• Facebook: Great Joy Counseling and Consulting Services
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/la%E2%80%99tesha-sampson-ph-d-dsw-lcsw-acsw-mpa-b863001a7/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamdrlatesha
• Other: https://www.greatjoycdc.org