Inspiring Conversations with Taifa McLarin of Kaneel Esthetic Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taifa McLarin.

Hi Taifa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I look back on my life, I have always had a knack for listening to people. It just seemed natural that people would come to me and the least that I always felt I could do was to listen. It was an unspoken goal not only to listen but to actively listen to others in a way that made them feel comfort.

When I was 17 and a freshman in undergrad I learned that my only surviving grandmother was sick and given a prognosis of not much longer to live. This within itself was shocking to me however, when my mother described the lack of bedside manner and lack of empathy and compassion that my grandmother was shown, I was angered. I learned that she was casually told to get her affairs in order without the respect, care and concern that she deserved. This started my professional journey in mental health. I then declared my major in Bereavement Studies and went on to work for my first hospice as a Bereavement Coordinator within the first few years of graduating from undergrad. This allowed me the opportunity that is supposed to be seen as an honor. he honor to walk with those at the end their life as well as their family members who experience this often difficult transition with them. Following that, like many of us life happened. My own mother fell ill and not long after passed creating a difficult moment for me that I had to navigate. This led me to take a break from working in mental health spaces.

I took a break at times from mental health feeling that I didn’t have what it took to help others when I myself had a tough time moving through the difficult moments of life. I didn’t always understand that that very feeling would be extremely helpful in working with others as I could relate in many ways to others during their difficult moments. Despite breaks, my journey in mental health always seemed to arise as its clearly a part of who I am and my purpose on this earth. I continued my education to be able to help others in an independent way that came natural for me as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Through my personal life experiences in the United States it has given me a particular perspective of the Black woman’s experience. From the microaggressions in employment to the experience of childbirth pre and post birth, and women’s health and experiences throughout the lifespan, understanding the unique journey of women became important. Further, realizing the disparities in care both physiologically and psychologically spawned a movement within myself to offer a safe space for black women to get the mental health care and advocacy that they deserve with a warm, inviting and gentle approach and a specific cultural awareness and understanding that they may not experience out here in this world.

Through work and life experience I have learned that just being truly seen is powerful in it’s own right and can do wonders for our health. Being seen and understood often begins the journey of dissipating stress and despair that many black women including myself have felt. I decided that I could offer that through a counseling practice. Just being able to validate an experience of microaggression that a black woman is told she is fabricating is therapeutic. Being able to understand a Black women’s journey in a unique way and offer support to promote healing is priceless. Through a culmination of experiences, this is how I came to create a space to offer counseling support to Black women focusing on women’s health issues, anxiety, depression and life transitional issues.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For me, the road to success was not always smooth. My challenges were shaped by the unique interplay of identity and environment. Reflecting on personal experiences, one theme emerges clearly: the cultural differences and perceptions that shape how a person is treated and understood can profoundly influence their professional and personal trajectory.

One striking challenge has been the way demeanor, often influenced by cultural upbringing, is perceived in certain settings. For a Black individual, the cultural lens through which our demeanor is interpreted may starkly contrast with the expectations of the environments we find ourselves in. In my own experience, my inherent demeanor—reserved, thoughtful, and not one to wear emotions on my sleeve—has often been misunderstood. While I may be described as empathetic and caring by those who know me well, my outward presence has, at times, led to ostracism. The inability of others to “read” me, to decipher my thoughts or feelings, created barriers in spaces where openness and emotional transparency were culturally expected.

This misreading extended beyond mere perception; it impacted opportunities. Despite being hardworking, a team player, and maintaining a pleasant disposition, my presence seemed to disqualify me from the informal networks of mentorship and guidance that are so crucial for growth. Even when I sought advice, asked for guidance, and demonstrated a willingness to learn, these opportunities were scarce. The cultural disconnect seemed to result in a lack of trust or understanding, as if my differences disqualified me from being seen as deserving or capable.

The absence of mentorship and support meant that my path was not only more challenging but also longer and lonely. Without those guiding voices to steer me or provide insight, I had to navigate the complexities of life and work largely on my own. It required not only resilience but also deep self-belief to persevere. Self-doubt lingered at times, especially in the face of microaggressions—those subtle, often unintentional acts that communicated exclusion or otherness. These moments, though nuanced, underscored that I wasn’t playing “the game” in the ways expected or accepted by some. These combined experiences led me to stand on the belief that sometimes you must create your own space, to operate in a way that is best for yourself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kaneel Esthetic Therapy?
What should others know?
My practice named Kaneel Esthetic Therapy is a solo mental health counseling practice that I founded and own. Kaneel Esthetic Therapy offers tailored services to Black women, and embodies the understanding that cultural differences and cultural issues affect mental health related concerns such as help seeking, and personal experience. It is my belief that a women’s experience is different than a man’s and should be addressed as such. Further, addressing a person’s whole being, specifically the mental, physical, social and spiritual parts of a person, will lead to optimal mental health and wellness.

What do you do?
I support black women through individual mental health counseling. The counseling I offer helps my clients to navigate life in a tough world and arm them with the improved ability to effectively work through current difficult moments or let go of past pain resulting in realized control, empowerment, redefined purpose, a strong identity, and positive self-esteem.

What do you specialize in? What are you services?
I offer culturally sound expertise delivered through individual psychotherapeutic telehealth counseling services that reduce symptoms from anxiety, depression, women’s issues and life transition. In a nutshell, Kaneel Esthetic Therapy offers individual counseling services that will support clients in being active with creating their own unique path to mental wellness.

What sets you apart from others?
In my practice, Kaneel Esthetic Therapy, I don’t view cultural differences as something to hide or push down to be a part of society or in order to be accepted. Instead, clients are supported in celebrating their culture and drawing on culture as a natural part of themselves to be included in their journey of healing.

Most proud of?
I am proud to offer intentional guidance to find what works for each beautifully distinct client which adds to the building of a safe environment and a strong therapeutic relationship. At Kaneel Esthetic therapy I am proud to offer a safe space full of understanding and a platform for clients to be unapologetically human.

What do you offer?
I offer counseling services via telehealth. The platform via video allows me to lengthen my reach and offer services to anyone throughout the state of Georgia. This allows mothers to be at home with children and still be serviced, for busy professional women to steal time away and have a session and not choose between work and healing. It also allows for people with mobility issues to have services in the comfort of their home. It is a wonderful way to offer a service limiting the issues with only offering services in a brick and mortar establishment.

How do you think about luck?
Like I tell my clients perspective is everything directly effecting how you experience life. Therefore, I don’t think that I have had good or bad luck. When something positive happens I see it as a culmination of my efforts to obtain a goal and when something bad happens I interpret it as a part of the ups and downs of life. What some people call bad luck, I now call a life challenge. Honestly, it’s my life challenges that have shaped who I am today. My difficult moments inspired me to do something to help myself and others. In addition, the lack of guidance and the barriers I faced forced me to develop a heightened sense of self-awareness and determination. I learned to advocate for myself, to find alternative sources of inspiration and knowledge, and to build resilience in ways that I might not have, had the path been easier (or more lucky). I also discovered the importance of creating spaces of belonging for myself and for others—spaces where mentorship and guidance are freely given without expectation of conformity, or without having to play what we often call “the game”, and where diversity of presence and demeanor is not only accepted but celebrated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kaneelesthetictherapy.com
• Instagram: @kaneeltherapy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taifa-mclarin
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/taifa-mclarin-atlanta-ga/1056973