Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Paschel.
Erica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a 25 year old Black Woman who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. In my early years, I lived in the inner city (West and North City St. Louis before moving to North County) where my 15 years old mother and 17 years old father continuously sacrificed their needs to bring a better living environment and education for me. I was raised to remain humble and strive for whatever I set mind to. They did their very best raising me. Over time, I was able to experience a sense of community, protection, love, better education, diversity, and more from my mother and peers. I also experienced hardships involving generational trauma, violence, toxicity, colorism, bullying, and more from the system, peers, and family. I knew that I wanted to grow to be the best version of myself. I was exhausted from seeing my cousins, even some that I looked up to, flood their lives down the drains engaging in addictions, unprotected sex, dropping out of school, run ins with the police, violence, dying, and other disappointing lifestyles. I desired to be the voice that I’d wished that I had when I was younger, for the youth and for those that felt muted. I found myself consistently engaging in community outreach, continuing my passion for dance, academically assisting kids and peers, providing resources and more.
Three years ago, I made the big move to Atlanta, Georgia. My passion to bring about unity and healing in others led me to further pursue my Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Georgia State University. I was inspired by Atlanta in which there was Black Excellence, successful Black men, women, and families; diversity and dance community; hospitality, and community support. I felt like I began to become closer to understanding my Black history and roots. Overall, it was inspirational and led me to discover and identify my purpose and mission. I further grew into my spirituality and relationship with God. I continued my identity in Christ; however, I wondered about how far back my bloodline in ancestry went. What was I rooted in? I think it is very important that everyone discovers or have a sense of what is rooted and integrated in their identities.
I founded I am Rooted in 2018 where I provide a variety of wholistic services that are culturally sensitive. Such services include free sit and chat on the ATL Beltline, open groups, therapeutic coaching, mentoring, motivational movement, dance fitness, unlimited wellness check ins, and more. My mission is to embrace healing and unity among families while empowering men, women, and children of different ethnicities (ages 4 to 28 years old). Also, to embrace who we are all becoming and recognize our roots. My work is informed by a wholistic and integrative approach to TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) techniques. My approach is also shaped from a creative therapeutic lens that incorporates body techniques such as physical movement & dance (I have over ten years of experience in hip-hop, heels, contemporary dance, African dance, praise dance and more!).
Overall, I do feel grateful that I chose to stand on my faith as a young female entrepreneur. I just knew that I had no interest in continuing working in Corporate America. I chose to not settle for less and go for what I am passionate for because I believe this is bigger than me. Being an entrepreneur has both its blessings and challenges; however, I am honored to establish countless enrichment in communities, relationships, collaborations, experiences, and being a part of others’ chapter(s) in their journey to healing.
Great, 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?
Life is hardly a smooth road, but I believe it can be possible for balance to be created. A few struggles that I temporarily experience include building a full clientele and financial resources as a business owner. I continue to balance my experiences with a healthy outlook through creating positive intentions, increasing knowledge, building rapport in the community, and creating affordable prices for mental health services.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about I Am Rooted – what should we know?
I am Rooted serves to place engagement in the community as very salient. I provide weekly outreach mental health services over metro Atlanta. Culture is big in who we are as the people, so I am Rooted integrates our culture combining with mental health services to creatively reduce the stigmas. For instance, we are innovative, artistic, and creative so we have several events such as Walk It Out Wednesday that serve to motivate people of all ages and showcase their work. I also have a dance fitness group that is called Walk it Like I Talk It where I strive to serve as support, increase self-esteem, increase healthier living, and provide wellness check-ins and outs. I am most proud of I am Rooted in the connections within the community that has been established.
What sets me apart from others is that I do not engage in traditional therapy, I meet people where they are in life using many congruent outlets and types of frequency to communicate other than just talking (i.e., different styles of music, art, dance, poetry, and other techniques) all at an affordable price. There are not many mental health services with a wide variety of such services to engage and provide for the community. It can be very expensive for others to afford services, especially without insurance. My clients do not have to worry over if they can afford such an essential necessity to contribute to their mental health.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Humility is the most important quality to my success. If anyone lacks that, it can affect one’s journey, the energy one attracts, unbalanced in one’s life, and missed blessings.
Pricing:
- $80 per session/Self Pay
- 2 therapeutic coachlike sessions using a sliding scale
- $120/monthly includes 2 therapeutic coachlike sessions with and 3rd extra session of unlimited wellness check infor a time length period. Individuals may substitute their wellness check ins for a session of choice from our services (i.e. walk it like I talk it/dance fitness, walk it out Wednesday, mindfulness yoga, etc)
- $165/monthly includes 3 therapeutic sessions and 1 session of choice from one of our services (i.e. walk it like I talk it/dance fitness, walk it out Wednesday, mindfulness yoga, etc)
Contact Info:
- Phone: 470-465-0170
- Email: iamrootedoffice@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Erica Paschel
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