Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Riley.
Natasha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I knew after staying up late one night watching Ask Dr. Ruth that I wanted to be a sex therapist. Even in high school my favorite part of human anatomy was naming the reproductive organs… aced it every time. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services from Clayton State University I did some work in the homes with families providing them with skills and resources to cope with mental illness. Eventually I landed a job in a behavioral health hospital working with patients suffering from suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, psychosis, and substance abuse. While this was very interesting work I was determined to stay on my path to becoming a sex therapist.
Fast forward a few years I returned to school to get my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. After graduation I began the search for therapists in Atlanta that would be willing to mentor me and point me in the direction of sex focused trainings. Once I started there was no turning back. I became extremely passionate about helping women connect with their bodies and awakening the sexual identity that we like to suppress because we have been told to do so. Now I not only run my own private practice, but also my own coaching practice focused on sex and intimacy for women.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say that this has been a learning experience. In my studies I was never taught how to be a business owner. This is something entirely new to me and at times it can get really hard. I can honestly say, without my support system and mentors I would have given up a long time ago. When putting my effort into anything I always want it to be perfect. One of the biggest things my mentors have taught me is perfect does not exist. I had to put myself out there without the perfect website or office space to just start. It was a struggle for me to realize that my businesses will forever be changing and growing so there is always more to do. Accepting this fact helped me to be kinder to myself and learn to just enjoy the process of birthing something so special to me.
Another struggle for me was having the confidence to tell people what my dreams were. There is always a lot of judgement when I say I’m a sex therapist or I’m a sex coach. Many people don’t understand what that means or what it includes so they say things that can come off as offensive. At times I found myself hiding my passion or only allowing my close friend and family to know. Over the last two years of building my businesses I realized that there is a need for the space I provide. Women are asking for a safe space to discuss their sexual concerns or issues and I owe it to them to make myself public.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Javery Integrative Wellness Services is my private practice where I do therapy. I help women who have been struggling with some type of sexual concern or issue and now it has caused dysfunction in their lives. A lot of women have a hard time being open and honest to their partner about what they need. A good bit of time these women need help finding their voice to communicate what they need or setting boundaries with partners. I provide them with a space to tell their truth along with how they got there.
Then I have my newest venture, Natasha Chentille Sex and Intimacy Coaching. With my coaching programs I help women connect with their bodies and awaken their sexuality. I work side by side with my clients to help them meet their most intimate sexual goals. Some women feel that their sexual desire and fantasies have been stifled by either external or internal factors. To be sexually liberated means to take back power and control, so many of my clients feel like they have no control or say so in their sexual pleasure.
I am very proud to be in this line of work. I get so much joy out of a client telling me that she now feels confident in her body or that she has rid herself of limitations she’s put on what feels good to her. My companies allow me to give these women permission to be selfish and put self first. This permission is what I believe sets me apart from others. I take the negativity out of being selfish and help my clients reprogram what it means to pour into themselves.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
It may seem simple, but I love riding around looking at the buildings and beautiful homes in downtown Atlanta. Riding around downtown at night just puts me in a good space. There is so much beauty and love in Atlanta. I also love that there is so much opportunity available for Black people. The sky is the limit living in Atlanta!!! Honestly, what I like least about Atlanta is the never-ending construction and traffic. I’ve been living here for over 20 years and they are still doing construction on Panola Rd… LOL.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.javerywellness.com
- Phone: 470-601-6706
- Email: info@javerywellness.com; nrileycoaching@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/javerywellness
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/javeryiws; www.facebook.com/NatashaChentille
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/javerywellness
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