Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Miller
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?
I knew at a very young age that I was in the business of helping others. Something about it came naturally to me and made me feel closer to God. I was intrigued by psychology, especially after spending a lot of my time volunteering in my community and seeing so many variations of untreated health issues. Mental health was not a popular topic growing up and was not regularly discussed in my family. It was difficult at times experiencing tough emotions and not always having an outlet to express myself in healthy ways. I knew at the very least, I wanted to be a safe space for people to come and express themselves freely. I started my journey by majoring in Psychology at Georgia Southern University and never looked back. Little did I know I was embarking on a long, tedious, and painfully eye-opening journey of becoming a mental health provider. College was an amazing experience for me in every way. I met my life-long friends there and really got a better understanding of the field of psychology. I decided to become a mental health therapist after graduating and enrolled in Mercer University School of Medicine for graduate school. While getting my master’s degree I got my first real experience providing therapy by working at a non-profit program for homeless women and children. I experienced some traumatizing moments that at the time made me question if this was really the career for me. I was able to manage my empathy and channeled it into a passion to be an advocate for quality mental health, specifically for my community. After getting my master’s degree I became fully licensed and was able to practice at various levels. I can say that every space I’ve work in has molded me into a more compassionate and inclusive person. I started as a substance abuse counselor and then moved on to being an assistance clinical director for a psychiatric facility. I eventually worked my way up to becoming the Clinical Director and was able to implement quality therapy and advocate for patients who didn’t have a voice. The goal, however, was always to work for myself. My last job working for someone else was as the Director for an Autism Child & Adolescent Crisis Stabilization Unit. Having a career in mental health is not for the weak-hearted. I learned quickly that mental health is not always prioritized and lacks the resources to have quality care available for people in need. Working for organizations was insightful, it also taught me things to avoid as I embark on my own path. Patient-centered care has always been so important to me, and I knew very quickly that ultimately, I would need to have my own practice to be able to exercise my values without limitations. The long and hard hours working for companies who may not fully understand the dynamics of a diverse community or have the proper resources to aid its employees in ensuring patient’s needs are met; while not burning out its employees has opened my eyes to the importances of providing strong mental health care on every level. I now am a business owner and have the privilege of providing therapy to the amazing men and women who make up this great state.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Becoming a mental health provider takes getting your bachelor’s degree in a field such as psychology and then getting your master’s degree in a mental health graduate program. I received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. This required 2.5 additional years of school after undergraduate, 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after receiving my Master’s, and passing a licensure exam to be able to legally practice in the State of Georgia. Georgia does not appear to prioritize mental health, which unfortunately results in low pay for mental health providers and lack of resources for patients seeking help. Meanwhile, a lot of companies benefit financially on a higher level but are not tending to the actual problems and needs within the community. It can be soul crushing at times, especially because there is such a great need yet little support and resources for mental health providers. Individuals who seek to work in this field must have a passion and heart to help others. Mental health can be challenging yet worth the effort as we work to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Holistic Coalition (THC) is a client-centered practice for mental health and overall wellness. We were founded in 2016 and since then have been able to positively impact so many individuals and families through therapy, social events, guided journals, self-care packages, and various resources. We empower individuals to live at their optimal level of wellness by offering individual, family, and couples therapeutic counseling. An additional service includes holistic wellness consulting. We take an alternative approach to traditional therapeutic services by incorporating holistic wellness into our treatment process. We believe that to treat a person effectively, you need to consider their circumstances holistically.
THC is owned by two Black women who have over a decade of experience in the mental health field. We have been able to take our experiences and mold them into a practice that is based off our standards. During the pandemic, we were successful in transitioning our business from in-person to virtual and have been extremely successful in reaching clients from all over the state. We can reach a larger and broader demographic by utilizing our virtual platform.
We have a passion for empowering others to take control of their lives and heal from whatever is no longer serving them.
I am most proud of being a positive representation for Black women in particular. Most of my clientele are Black women from various backgrounds. I specialize in treating Anxiety, Depression, mood disorders, and challenges that come with life adjustments. Being able to provide counsel and utilize my skills to strengthen others is the best gift. I truly enjoy what I do! Our mission has always been to provide a culturally appropriate safe haven for holistic healing of individuals and families in the African American community, by offering a wide range of healing services from a network of African American Holistic Wellness providers.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
As of now, I am accepting new clients. People can support me and The Holistic Coalition by recommending therapy, and our services in particular, to anyone they think could benefit from it. I am open to collaborating with anyone who is an advocate for mental health. I am available to speak on topics related to mental health and I welcome the opportunity to share my expertise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theholisticcoalition.com
- Instagram: TheHolisticCo_
- Other: inquire@theholisticcoalition.com
