Check Out Jenaiya A. Coleman, MA, CA’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenaiya A. Coleman, MA, CA.

Hi Jenaiya A., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Jenaiya A. Coleman, MA, CA. A Knoxville, TN native who has resided in Atlanta since 2007. I am the mother of an amazing 13-year son, Adonis. Growing up, I’ve always had a way with comforting individuals, even as a kid. In 2018 after graduating with my master’s degree in counseling, I decided to improve my company, “Uncover Your Beauty,” and focus on merging my purpose and passion to create “Uncover Your Beauty: Dance Therapy.” As a child, I always loved to dance. I began taking ballet lessons at the age of 8. Dance allowed me to escape the environment I grew up in. My love for dance followed me from a young 8-year-old into adulthood. I always feel so free when I allow the rhythm or words to a song to resonate with my soul.

While in college, I had my first counseling session. Transitioning from Knoxville to Hampton, VA and not having friends took an emotional toll on me. So, I decided to make an appointment with our on-campus counselor. Therapy has been a big part of my life since then. I’ve experienced a lot of trauma over the course of my life. However, the tools I’ve learned from years of therapy, I’ve been able to grow from those experiences. With UYB, I wanted to provide a service where people could feel free through movement but also feel free in their minds.

We all face challenges but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I officially started Uncover Your Beauty in 2013. My first dance class, only my close friends showed up. I still taught the class, as I appreciated the support, but I was discouraged. From 2013-2018 UYB was very successful through word of mouth and social media. When I made the decision to revamp, the same thing occurred. In 2019, I had my first “Dance Therapy “class, not one person outside of friends and family showed up. Just like before, I still taught the class and conducted a group counseling session. Unfortunately, covid hit in early 2020, just when I created a new marketing strategy and plan. It was a blessing in disguise because I was able to focus on my counseling skills. A lot of people were seeking my services because of the mental strain covid was causing. Coming out of the pandemic, many of my clients are those I saw during covid. I have not been able to do an actual event yet. I offer discounted services during certain months. For the Month of May (Mental Health Awareness Month) I have 30-minute counseling sessions for $25.00. It has been difficult to get clients as of recent, even with me offering discounted services. Although it has been difficult,  2023 is the 10-year anniversary of Uncover Your Beauty and I intend on doing something to really commemorate what I’ve started as I believe wholeheartedly in the services I offer. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally I am a victim witness program coordinator. As a nationally recognized victim advocate, I have access to multiple training opportunities about the mental and emotional health of victims. This knowledge assists in the level of skill I have when working with my clients outside of my 9-5. I enjoy helping my clients get to the other side of their trauma. After each session, I send out weekly goals with homework. I like to challenge my clients. I do not want their sessions to be focused solely on the difficult areas of their lives that brought them to me but to highlight their healing and how they will move forward in their journeys. I am most proud to see my clients once they’ve finished a few weeks or months with me. It’s like a proud parent. Seeing them flourish and fly is priceless. I believe what sets me apart is I know when it is time to say “see you later” to my clients. It’s not about the money for me. When I see their goals being met and a level of confidence in them that I didn’t see when they initially started, I let them know it’s time to cut the cord. I always welcome them back for follow-ups and future sessions. I also offer affordable services, as my hope is more people will have the opportunity to seek counseling services if they so choose. I take a completely different approach than what most people see on TV regarding therapy and counseling. I speak with them like I’m just their homegirl that came to listen and offer some advice and adding some dance in there for a little razzle dazzle.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory would have to be me telling my mother at the age of seven I was moving to Atlanta when I was an adult. Looking back, I truly understand the power of manifestation. I would have never imagined all the opportunities this city has afforded me. That memory sticks out to me so much because a lot of my childhood I don’t remember, because I blocked it out. For whatever reason, I desired to live here not knowing my greatest memories as an adult would come from living here; but I would also rediscover myself.

Pricing:

• 1 hour dance class $35.00
• 1 hour one on one session $45.00
• 1.5 hr Dance Therapy group session (6 participants) $240.00
• 1 hour weekly session (6 weeks) $50.00 per week
• 30 min weekly session (6 weeks) $35.00 per week

Contact Info:

• Website: www.uncoveryourbeauty.com
• Instagram: @uncoveryourbeauty

Image Credits
Photographer: Reginald Duncan, Cranium