Today we’d like to introduce you to Gena Golden.
Hi Gena, 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?
Greetings, my name is Gena Golden, LCSW, NBCFCH. I am a holistic and culturally attuned psychotherapist and a board-certified fellow of clinical hypnotherapy.
I am the daughter of Karyta, the grand daughter of Alberta and Elsie and the great grand daughter of Phene and the great great, grand daughter of Charlotte. My ancestors come from Africa and the Muskogee/Creek nation.
I’ve been working with individuals, families, and groups since 1991 as a social worker. However, it was not until 2013 that I discovered a method called hypnotherapy. Since then, I have become a National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy, which mandates annual continuing education to maintain the highest professional development and practice standards.
My journey to becoming a hypnotherapist was a natural progression because Hypnosis incorporates the properties of mental, physical, spiritual, and metaphysical teachings practiced in my personal life. It felt right to share this transformative modality with my clients.
In 2013, when I began this journey, hypnosis was not widely used nor accepted in mental health. An even smaller percentage of hypnotherapists were Black women, and I knew that it wouldn’t be easy to push through glass ceilings and sit at tables dominated by men.
But here we are over a decade later, and hypnotherapy services are sought out by people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and gender identities and from across the nation, including actors, film and television executives seeking hypnotherapy consultation and voice-over services.
Over the years, I have developed and continue to fine-tune my HypnoSistah method, which sits at the intersection of cultural, social justice, and liberation-focused practices. It has elements of Neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness Meditative Practices, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, and Mind/Body Therapies.
My hypnotherapy approach is decolonial and liberation-focused and seeks to repair the psychological damage perpetuated by systemic inequity and injustice. By tapping into the subconscious mind, we can uncover and shift the internalized messages reinforcing oppression, paving the way for healing and transformation.
The HypnoSistah™️ method intersects ancestral wisdom, culture, social justice, and liberation-focused practices. It adapts evidence-based practices to make them culturally responsive, including Trauma-Informed Therapies, Client-Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness Meditative Practices, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mind/Body Therapies.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Access to our office was a barrier for many, however, after COVID, we went virtual fulltime, thereby making our services more accessible to Georgia residents.
As a practice owner, it is always a challenge processing and managing insurance claims and accepting lower reimbursement rates for mental health providers of service.
Another set of challenges include the lack of education about hypnosis and its mind-body-spirit benefits. We work to dismantling false information and bust up long held taboos that stem from hollywoods depiction of ‘mesmerism’, ‘mind control’ and the ‘sunken place’. and negative beliefs that stem from the faith community at large. .
We’ve been impressed with Inner Coach Counseling, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of an integrative mental health (virtual only) practice in Atlanta. I am a holistic and culturally attuned psychotherapist and a board-certified fellow of clinical hypnotherapy.
I am also a professional coach to leaders, healers and change agents who seek to slay their inner critic and defeat the outer critics to become their ancestors wildests dreams; I am a trainer and speaker.
I have a course that teaches black women my decolonial and liberation focused hypnosis methods called the HypnoSistah™ Academy Collective which is a space for black healing professionals passionate about decolonization, collective healing, and liberation. The HypnoSistah™ method doesn’t rely on Western conceptualizations of health and well-being when much of the harm inflicted is through institutions of white supremacy.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
At 55+, I love to jump double dutch, line dancing and rollerskate with my peers. I believe in the importance of joy and playfulness at any age. Doing so in community is essential to the collective healing of our community. I read books and articels and engage in social justice activites whenever possible. I love metaphysics and natrual healing remedies. I love spending time with my husband of 29 years and two adult children. We are a tightknit family- talk to my young adult children almost daily about everything including social issues, politics, money, comedy, relationships, spirituality and so much more. My husband and I love going to the movies together and discussing politics and social issues.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hypnosistah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genagoldenLCSW
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innercoachatl
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genagoldenLCSW
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hypnosistah
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iam_hypnosistah
