Today we’d like to introduce you to Khadijah Alana Ramadan. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Khadijah A. Ramadan is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds her Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling Psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communications and Public Relations from Metropolitan State University.
Khadijah’s combined experiences, both personally and professionally, have contributed to her decision to pursue a career in counseling.
In addition to providing mental health counseling services, Khadijah is also active in her community of origin, largely in providing mentoring and empowerment coaching, as well as participating in partnerships with other members of the community to provide different aspects of wellness, including nutrition, physical fitness, and entrepreneurial endeavors. She is also the owner and operator of Loving Care Minnesota, which she established in honor of her grandfather, for whom she and her family provide personal care and nursing services. Khadijah has three biological children and two cats.
Khadijah’s core values have been greatly influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”, and she ascribes to an existential/multi-cultural philosophy. Khadijah believes that change is a decision that must come from within, and her role as a therapist is to assist in supporting each person’s desire to change.
In her free time, Khadijah loves to see movies and plays, especially Shakespeare. She says that she is not very athletic, although she used to teach aerobics, including kickboxing and yoga. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books or listening to them to fall asleep, dancing, and singing karaoke with people all over the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the things that are challenging for me as a therapist are making sure that I practice good self-care and continuing to do my own work for my mental health.
I believe that the best therapists have therapists of their own. I think that it’s very important that you continue to improve yourself and to make sure that your health is always Paramount when you’re working in a field that can make you so vulnerable. I am trying to make sure to take time off when I feel it’s necessary. I also am working hard to listen to my body.
What have been some barriers or hurdles you’ve faced in school or just in pursuing this degree?
My mental health and capacity to withstand extremely complex traumas while also trying to maintain my educational status. Since starting at Saint Mary’s, I suffered multiple mishaps and pitfalls. This was one of the reasons that I left my first practicum site because I was dealing with a lot of mental and emotional health concerns. As a person who follows a code of ethics both in my personal life and in practice, I felt it was best for me to take time off to make sure that I addressed those concerns and that I did not create more problems for the clients that I served (do no harm). Unfortunately, this news was not well received by my clinical supervisor, and I had little support from the school. I left my position and was not going to continue. After a year of focused work on my personal mental health, I resumed my education and practicum at a new location. I applied at several agencies but was repeatedly turned down before I was directed to Hope and Healing Counseling Services, LLC.
I chose to apply for a position at HHCS because of a referral from a family friend who was familiar with my father and felt that HHCS was doing great work. The rest is history!
Now that I’ve completed my graduate program and have earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, my next step is to complete my 4000 hours of post-graduate training, to complete my additional coursework to complete my requirements, and to enhance my knowledge and expertise in areas of interest. My goal of opening a women’s center is still very active in my thoughts. I want to provide basic needs (food/clothing/shelter/health care) so that people don’t have to go to multiple locations. I also want to work with different community partners to be able to provide resources in the community that promote healing and the enhancement of education for BIPOC working in the fields of psychology, social work, and human development/interventions. I like to work with clients of color or marginalized communities. I believe that this would be a good opportunity for me and fits my theories of practice.
What is my philosophy regarding clinical therapy?
My theory of practice has been multicultural with a combination of techniques that I learned from CBT cognitive behavioral therapy—How to change behaviors based on changing one’s thoughts. Create New ideas For people By changing The way they think about their Lives. A lot of times, people actually have situational depression, Where it’s not so much a chemical imbalance—their life is imbalanced. And so, I practice in a way that helps people see and find different perspectives for their life problems in order to enhance their ability to heal. I also practice the concepts of finding meaning in life, which is based on an existential way of thinking and viewing the world and how you fit in this world.
Who do you look up to and how has it shaped your theory of practice?
I’ve been working for a number of years with a mentor, Ella Chapman who has created her own program, which is the seven principles to find your purpose in life. And I also have read portions of Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life. My theory and theoretical practice support those ideas but also include and combine multicultural and cognitive behavioral theories.
What have you learned and how have you evolved?
Laws of Life and 4 Agreements
At Aruba, my supervisor was an lmft and a social worker. She has been providing supervision for a number of different types of counselors and therapists. What was really great about that opportunity, in that time that I spent there, was that I got to do a lot of things:
I was able to lead groups.
I represented the organization at college fairs.
I was able to share the knowledge that I have received over the years and provided leadership to newer trainees.
What does your future look like and what would you share with a new therapist?
I’ve actually been working since I was 12. And so some of that knowledge was acquired—trial by fire. When you work in anything that works with people, you’re going to get different ways of thinking and different ways of responding to situations. I think that that is one of my best strengths is that I have a way of connecting with people right away, you know, I’m pretty good at building rapport. I am able to kind of just be comfortable in a space. One of the things that I did at Aruba was practice community-based therapy. I enjoyed it. And I also learned from it that one thing that I really would like to do is work in an office because I do need structure, and that structure will come from being in an environment that course having structure.
And I think that part of that will be doing paperwork; there are things that I want to be better at. I’m a good writer, but I’m not as succinct as I would like to be. So learning to be detailed but to the point when writing is important to me. I also feel like I need more opportunities for learning to draft a DA and create a treatment plan.
How do I not know this? I basically kind of looked in books about learners writing a DA and treatment plan using Wiley and a few other template-style formats.
I really want to create individualized treatment plans that are tailored specifically to the client. And I want to learn how to do that in a way that, you know, supports their diagnosis but also has space to really address their specific needs. I feel like the DSM is lacking. Because it really wants us to label people and I have a really difficult time labeling people. I am more person-centered in the sense that I work for people incorporated, and some of the practices we had there were that it’s the person with a diagnosis, not the person with a diagnosis. And so kind of segue into that. I’m also kind of an activist when it comes to talking about and taking away the stigma of having a mental health disorder or a difference in how you see the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Loving Care Minnesota, LLC (LCMN)
Vision…
To create a holistic village that offers healing to individuals, couples, and families. While many community-based mental health clinics offer traditional services in a clinic office or using online video services, LCMN goes beyond the status quo by offering holistic and culturally specific support in conjunction with the traditional methods of healing. Many individuals, couples, and families are in need of healing and the current system of mental and emotional health is insufficient, LCMN offers more!
At LCMN, we work tirelessly to foster and facilitate counseling sessions that support clients in getting to the root of their emotional distress. We also offer regular community healing circles and collective wellness experiences.
The Lotus Flowers Empowerment and Healing Network is a social enterprise, part of LCMN, which provides the services listed below:
The non-profit sectors of the Lotus Flowers Empowerment and Healing Network hold regular monthly community-based group therapy and wellness events, which are facilitated by members of the Lotus Flowers and supporters. All Groups and group events are organized/co-facilitated by Master Psychological Counselor Khadijah A. Ramadan, also known as “MzKhadijah”.
Seeds n’ Petals and Roots n’ Stems are the (2) youth groups focused on mentoring and providing guidance to youth (all genders) ages 9-21. In collaboration with Hope and Healing Counseling Services, LLC, and The DoorStep Foundation, we are able to offer comparable programming for our young and adult males ages 14 and up, further extending into male adulthood.
All work that we do is to support the resurrection of the “village” (nobody who ever succeeded did it alone). There is no I in Team, and no We in lose. Let’s Win by working together! United we conquer, divided we fall.
Our Partners
LovingCareMinnesota (LCMN) and the Lotus Flowers Empowerment and Healing Network are active supporters and collaborative partners with many other community-based organizations, clinics, and like-minded individuals. We have partnerships on all levels, including local, national, and international.
Listed below are some of our partnerships, sponsors, or friends of LCMN and the Lotus Flowers Empowerment and Healing Network(this list is not exhaustive of all our friends, family, and supporters):
* VF Solutions – Coach Valerie Fleurantin
* Doorstep Foundation/Bad Boy Entertainment – Andre and Dr. Zakia McNeal
* MN Black Film Festival – Natalie Morrow
* The Nemerfieger Group- Claire Fenske
* Allied Global Marketing Minneapolis – Grace O’Neil
* The Zola Experience Inc. -Katurah A. Bryant
* Sankofa – Nathaniel W. Hurse
* Hope and Healing Counseling Services, LLC – Marques Armstrong
* The Hemp Collection (THC) – Iche_Palms
* We Win Institute – Titilayo Bediako
The LCMN program is designed to ensure the collective growth and recreation of “villages” inspired by community-based excellence in all mental health services offered throughout a community. By working collectively with other clinics, agencies, and organizations, we can ensure that everyone regardless of socioeconomic disparities, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and color, is being provided the best service.
Here’s a video of my commitment to creating “pockets of Hope” for our families.
– https://youtu.be/P1VCiFlS9Ts
Lotus Seeds and Petals (LSP) is a “branch” of the Lotus Flowers Empowerment and Healing Network. The founding group, Lotus Flowers Women’s Empowerment and Healing (LFW) was created with the Mother in mind. We believe that the Mother is central to the strength of the Village (community). When the Mother isn’t cared for, it weakens the Village. By providing opportunities for her healing and focusing our attention on providing support to the Mother, she can then extend that loving care to her family, which will strengthen the entire community.
We offer various opportunities through collaborative partnerships with agencies and clinics like the Black Women’s Wealth Alliance, West Broadway Business Coalition, VF Solutions, MN Black Fashion Week/MN Black Film Festival, and many more. By working with other community-based organizations, we can provide our youth with more opportunities for the present and their future.
The Lotus Seeds and Petals (LSP) supports young women between the ages of 9 and 18 as they navigate the intricacies of adolescence and move into adulthood. The youth are viewed as “seeds” and the adult mentors from the village as “petals,” who help them navigate and support the young women on their journey.
In addition to mentoring support, the Lotus Seeds and Petals (LSP) youth members are invited to participate in interactive classes on independent living skills, receive financial literacy/education/coaching, as well as attend several social connection opportunities throughout the year. We also offer a future leaders component, which promotes social justice, awareness, and change. Mentors “petals” also provide support to LSP youth members with planning and goal setting. This may include such activities as touring colleges, participating in summer internships, and interviewing business owners and entrepreneurs.
About LovingCareMinnesotaLLC’s CEO/President — Khadijah A. Ramadan “MzKhadijah”
As a business owner, MzKhadijah believes in collectivism and community partnership.
MzKhadijah has never forgotten her roots or the community that helped shape her to become the philanthropist and change agent that she is today.
MzKhadijah, a native of North Minneapolis, Minnesota, often shares that she feels a responsibility to give back and help her community heal.
MzKhadijah is immensely proud to be part of the movement towards community healing. Many have commented that they enjoy working with MzKhadijah because of her transparency and authenticity as a business owner and healer.
Incorporating the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, MzKhadijah believes that in order to see change, you have to be the change that you wish to see in the world.
As CEO of Loving Care Minnesota, LLC, and co-founder of the Lotus Flowers Network, MzKhadijah believes that her methodologies will be influential in the healing of symptoms related to mental health and substance abuse while also facilitating collective community wellness.
MzKhadijah’s operations and the LCMN program are designed to ensure the collective growth and recreation of “villages” inspired by community-based excellence in all mental health services offered throughout a community. By working collectively with other clinics, agencies, and organizations, we can ensure that everyone regardless of socioeconomic disparities, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and color is being provided the best service.
MzKhadijah’s responsibilities as CEO of LovingCareMinnesotaLLC include:
– [ ] Giving clear and consistent leadership, management, and mentorship to team members
– [ ] Ensuring appropriate staffing coverage and management of facility schedule
– [ ] Create a strong team, keeping them up-to-date with company updates and changes and fostering connection and morale
– [ ] Identifying quality issues and proposing solutions
– [ ] Overseeing client financials
– [ ] Managing budgets, supplies and building cleanliness
– [ ] Establishing strong relationships with county caseworkers and external vendors
– [ ] Overseeing medication administration process to maintain quality
Hours:
CEO Position —Full time/40+ hours per week
Work schedules may generally follow normal business hours.
At least 16 hours per month must be worked on weekend days to ensure a connection with the weekend team and to provide weekend services (healing circles, activities, facilitating groups, and staff/team bonding meetings/retreats)
Evening and weekend availability by phone for emergency on-call crisis service line. Every team member must participate for on-call crisis support (rotating schedule).
Annual CEO Compensation:
Salary:
$65K- 73K, based on experience and profitability of the business as a whole.
Estimated that by year 10 in growth and life of the Business, we will gross $253,440.
Business Budget
$73,000 Salary for CEO (actual $69,350 before tax deduct $3650 HSA insurance medical + $1350 FSA Dependent/School Programs and Activities Care)
Business Budget after CEO salary:
$180,440
-$25,344 Operating Expenses (10% of business cost— Fiduciary Agent)
——
$155, 096 Personnel and Business Infrastructure
Savings 3 months without income
$21,120 per month x 3 = $63,360 savings
——
$91, 736 for payroll and office
$14,936 office non-salary (equipment and infrastructure including space rental) / 12 months = $1,199 per month
——
$76,800 divided by 4 staff = $25 per hour no benefits = $8000 per month (4_part time 20 hours per week people x 48 weeks in a year = 80 hours of service per person x 240 hours per month of work available)
$192,00 per staff member
$76,800 per year from 91,736
——
I am transparent.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
This is 43…
There is something about the number that when added is the month of your birth and multiplied is the day you existed. Last goodnight to the old you…welcoming in the new you. As the days start to shorten and the earth rotates once more. We say goodbye to 40 years of Life, Love, and Family in one house. My house is a HOME when I’m surrounded by my legacies, the originals, and me(a neurodivergent Black Unicorn celebrating her astrological/destiny vessel—living a lunar eclipse of the moon type of life…waiting for the moment that she rises out of darkness, like a Phoenix on fire, burning and breaking cycles, opening like the petals of the lotus flower holding onto people and connecting villages like the rooted tree which blooms often after 40. And she says goodbye to the three children, one boy and two girls.
The “artist/singer/performance art/model/designer/caregiver/empowerment coach/psychological anthropologist aka head doctor (Khadijah); “the ambassador of cool/dancing machine/left hand-right minded/ultimate frisbee playing/finger breaking best big and lil brother two girls could have” (Muhammad), and the last born/little live baby doll for her big sister/little Muslima for her mother who shares the same sign but is able to go with the flow in her stubbornness/married to a classical piano basketball ‘player’ with dreams and aspirations beyond this life/the homemaker and the only Trump supporting devout Believer (Aleyyah). I enjoyed three years to myself with my parents but mostly with my cousin Jahhee. There is something crazy about life when you don’t know you need something or someone in your life until one day, they show up in it, and they change everything. Thank you to everyone who has been more than just a chapter in my memoirs. Which by the way, I’ve been writing since I was 12, but probably long before. I started taking care of my community way back in the late 80s because the cultivation and nurturing of a community often must come before you. When someone gives of themselves freely without expectation beyond gratitude, then they become God-like… or for lack of a better term “WWJD”…I remember when children would know, not ask “What does that mean?” Life comes full circle to the place where we began. One love, new life, and the day my Momma found her MAN.
Love, Khadijah Alana Ramadan (in acknowledgment of my 43rd birthday and the honor of being part of a long legacy of Faith, Family, and Friends
Here’s to the legacy and ancestors of Miller/Brooks/Pope/Thompson/Witherspoon and the new Ramadan/Bilal/Hunsberger/Nelson/Johnson/Jenkins/Omar-Taylor/Payne
With great power comes great responsibility. Everyone won’t see the world as it should be, not as it is. Being a vessel/giver/uncommon/anomaly is a hard job, but everyone can’t be a Morgan…most people are Ewe (you). Here’s to the Lotus blossoms!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dagaztherapy.com/scheduling/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifulblackunicorn79?igsh=YnVpdWV6bW1tM2Jo&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008225208601&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khadijah-ramadan?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MzKhadijah?si=riRUjAXU90HyVf0U
Image Credits
Featured people and products: MsEllaInspires, Gary Demetrius Bonds Jones, Laela A. Payne, Ayanna E. A. Payne, Coach Valerie Flueretin, Ms. Paula J. Spearman, wearing Just Beautiful LLC clothing.
