Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Young.
Hi Erika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am excited to be in this space telling my story and introducing my business to those unfamiliar.
I play several roles in this life. My purpose is to serve others. I teach, l lead, and I guide. I am what the spiritual world knows as an empath and intuitive. One of the most important roles I play is Mom to 3 earth angels (ages 19, 17, & 8). These three seeds gifted to me are by best friends and my why. Because I serve in various roles in my career and as a mom, I have learned the value and importance of self-care and setting boundaries. Meditation, intentional journaling, and spiritual baths are among my top 3 ways to stay grounded and keep my vibration high. My favorite hobbies are hiking to waterfalls, working out, and napping, LOL! I am a Libra sun (people love to know your sign, lol).
Physical wellness is extremely important to me, as an addition to working out I was nudged by my trainer to start a juicing business which I call JuicE. In between time, I like DIY projects, making chocolate-covered strawberries, and having wine with my homegirls. I come with a lot of excitement about life.
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?
Coming up as a kid we constantly have others asking us what it is we want to become when we grow up and mostly without fail it’s the automated response is a doctor, lawyer, police officer, firefighter, etc. That was for my generation anyway. This current generation is so profound, their answers are completely different. I knew I wanted to be a nurse. In fact, when I enrolled in college my major was Biology. My plan, certainly not God’s plan, was to become a neonatal nurse. I was set so I thought. I went through the ebbs and flows of changing my major multiple times and finally settled on B.S in Psychology. I knew I wanted a master’s degree but had no clue what I wanted to do. I finally decided based on an assessment given to me by an academic advisor at Capella University that my field of choice would be mental health.
At the time, I wanted to work with kids. Well, life has a way of redirecting your path when you’re not listening to your intuition. During the last year of my master’s, I was released from Semester 1 of my internship and had to sit out a full year. BUT GOD!! What is for you is just that, FOR YOU!! No one can stop your success. I picked up where I left off in my program and graduated one year later. The road to obtaining a master’s degree in counseling as well as the process to becoming a fully licensed clinician certainly had its ups and downs. I completed my degree working a full-time job while raising my 3 starseeds. Some days I questioned if I was in the right field or even on the right path. But as with anything, there are paths to walk and lessons to embrace. I know now that I am right where I am supposed to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of Desires to Change Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
An additional role I have is the CEO/Owner of Desires to Change Counseling, LLC. My passion and purpose led me to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia. I obtained my bachelor’s in psychology at Georgia State University and master’s in counseling at Capella University. I am trauma certified and a certified meditation facilitator. Seven years into this counseling journey and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences.
Prior to completing my master’s in counseling, I was employed as a 911 operator with Dekalb County for 9 years. This is where I say I received my best training. Being on the front line to other’s crisis readily prepared me for my future as a therapist. From there I served several therapist roles, including being a part of the ACT team, school-based therapist, Employee Assistance Program, and several years in private practice.
I was guided to open my practice, Desires to Change Counseling, full-time and on April 1, 2021, the desires of my heart manifested. This would allow me to have a more hands-on approach in my client’s healing process. My clients & I work together on transforming and releasing old belief systems. Naturally, exploring the misrepresentation of childhood beliefs that are showing up presently. We work together to formulate which skills would work best for the client on their personal journey.
Desires to Change Counseling is a holistic wellness practice committed to providing holistic therapy that encourages Black Women to heal their minds, bodies, and souls stemming from inner child traumas that have caused anxiety, depression, and/or stress. We stand on:
1) Integrity – creating an honest and respectful environment for clients that facilitates a trusting therapeutic process
2) Autonomy – supporting women in their personal journey to self-development
3) Safe space – providing Black women with a non-judgmental space where they can be completely vulnerable while having their experiences validated
4) Healing – promote healing that will develop healthier sense of self
I have taken great pride in creating a safe space for women of color to unpack and identify where their core issues stem from. I want to help Black Women restore their personal power through techniques like meditation, journaling, and boundary setting.
Any big plans?
Desires to Change Counseling is currently in the rebranding phase. I am super excited about our growth and the plans we have to build a holistic wellness center which will offer holistic therapeutic practices like Reiki, Yoga, Sound Bowl healing, and other meditation services. In the very near future, group meditation services will be offered twice a month. Speaking engagements are also lined up. My impact in one-on-one services has been exceptional, however, there is a great need to reach Black Women on a larger scale filling up rooms to be a catalyst for much-needed transformations.
Pricing:
- Free 15min consultations
- Individual 50min session $200
- One on One meditation services – $111 must book a minimum of 2 sessions
- Young Adult Women (ages 18-22) enrolled in a College or University will receive special pricing
- Therapy packages are available upon request (6 sessions, 8 sessions, 10 sessions)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://desirestochange.com/
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/desirestochangecounseling
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/desirestochangecounseling
- Other: https://Instagram.com/_allnaturaljuice
Image Credits:
Photo credits: IG @hemphillian FB @williwjames
