We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nakeesha Kenney-Futrell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nakeesha , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Discovering my purpose was a profound journey, intricately woven with faith, prayer, and unexpected turns. At its core, prayer played a pivotal role. My relationship with God, guided steps, and unwavering faith became the cornerstone. Prayers from my ancestors, especially my father and mother, echoed across time, connecting me with divine purpose.
Even in setbacks, I found purpose. The loss of what I thought was my dream job in the midst of the 2020 pandemic became a turning point. Working from home, juggling the roles of mom, wife, social worker, and makeshift teacher for my three school-age kids, I thought I was managing it all. However, my boss disagreed, and I faced an unexpected termination. It was a challenging time, yet from this adversity, a new path emerged.
The unraveling led me to a moment on my porch, crying out to God for direction. In that vulnerable space, a divine download occurred. God whispered, “Breathe,” and clarity unfolded. “I sent you here to Elevate my people,” resonated in my heart and mind. This revelation marked the genesis of “Elevated Mental Health Services.”
In those moments of uncertainty and prayer, my purpose materialized — to elevate and support others through mental health services. Every twist, every tear, and every prayer converged into a purposeful journey, and I am grateful for the wisdom gained along the way.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the founder of Elevated Mental Health Services, an outpatient mental health clinic dedicated to serving individuals of all ages and families. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), my focus is on diagnosing and treating a diverse range of clients, including men, women, children, and adults.
At the heart of our services is a commitment to fostering mental wellness, and a key initiative that reflects this commitment is the “28 Days to Elevate Challenge.” Currently tailored for women, this challenge and the accompanying support group offer a transformative journey towards balance and fulfillment. It’s not just a program; it’s a modality designed to catalyze positive change and promote holistic well-being.
I’m excited to share that while the challenge is presently developed for women, plans are underway to create a version specifically tailored for men. This expansion aims to address the unique mental wellness needs of men and further our mission of promoting overall well-being.
In addition to these clinical services, I’m actively working on a non-profit initiative. This endeavor focuses on educating and supporting the Steelton community in the realm of overall wellness. The goal is to create a positive impact by providing resources, guidance, and a sense of community around the importance of mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
I am deeply passionate about making mental wellness accessible to everyone, and these initiatives reflect my commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact on the communities I serve.
In addition to my professional endeavors, I am a proud mother of five children, a devoted wife, and a woman who wears many hats, just like the incredible individuals I serve. This personal connection fuels my dedication to supporting and empowering other women on their journeys.
Thank you for allowing me to share a glimpse into my journey and the exciting developments at Elevated Mental Health Services. I look forward to continuing to grow and serve with dedication and compassion.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and navigate challenges has been crucial. Life, especially in the realm of mental health services, is filled with unexpected turns. Developing resilience allowed me to persevere through difficulties, learn from failures, and emerge stronger.
Advice: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. View setbacks as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. Cultivate a mindset that sees resilience as a skill to be developed over time. Seek support from mentors or a network of like-minded individuals who can provide guidance and encouragement.
Empathy and Cultural Competence: The ability to understand and connect with diverse individuals is fundamental in the field of mental health. Empathy fosters a deep connection with clients, and cultural competence ensures that services are respectful and tailored to the unique needs of each individual or community.
Advice: Actively work on developing empathy by actively listening, putting yourself in others’ shoes, and seeking to understand their perspectives. Invest time in learning about different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Recognize and challenge personal biases to foster an inclusive and supportive environment.
Adaptability and Continuous Learning: The field of mental health is dynamic, with evolving theories, techniques, and approaches. Being adaptable and committed to continuous learning has allowed me to stay current, integrate new insights into my practice, and offer the best possible support to my clients.
Advice: Embrace a mindset of lifelong learning. Stay curious and open-minded, seeking out professional development opportunities, workshops, and conferences. Surround yourself with a network of professionals who are passionate about staying informed and evolving with the field.
For those early in their journey:
Build a Support System: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, or a community who can provide guidance, support, and share experiences. Learning from others’ journeys can be incredibly valuable.
Invest in Self-Care: Prioritize your own well-being. The demands of the mental health field can be emotionally taxing, so it’s crucial to develop and maintain healthy self-care practices.
Stay Curious: Approach each day with a curious mindset. Stay open to learning from every interaction, whether it’s with clients, colleagues, or through personal experiences.
Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback and be open to constructive criticism. Feedback is a powerful tool for growth and improvement.
Remember, the journey is a continuous process of growth and discovery. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and remain committed to the transformative power of your work.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Pause and Breathe: I take a moment to pause and engage in mindful breathing. This simple yet powerful practice helps me center myself, calm my thoughts, and regain focus. It allows me to step back from the situation and approach it with a clearer mindset.
Reflect and Reassess: I reflect on the source of the overwhelm or challenge. Understanding the root cause enables me to reassess the situation objectively. I ask myself questions like, “What aspects are within my control?” and “What steps can I take to address this challenge?”
Prioritize and Delegate: I prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. If the overwhelm stems from a workload, I identify tasks that require immediate attention and those that can be delegated or postponed. Delegating responsibilities when appropriate is essential for maintaining balance.
Seek Support: I’m not afraid to reach out for support. Whether it’s seeking advice from colleagues, talking to a mentor, or connecting with friends and family, having a supportive network is invaluable. Sharing challenges often provides new perspectives and solutions.
Practice Self-Care: I prioritize self-care activities. This might include taking short breaks during the day, engaging in activities I enjoy, or ensuring I get adequate rest. Taking care of my own well-being is non-negotiable, especially in a profession that involves supporting others.
Set Realistic Goals: I reassess my goals and expectations, ensuring they are realistic and achievable. Adjusting expectations helps alleviate unnecessary pressure and allows for a more realistic and sustainable approach to the challenges at hand.
Learn from Challenges: Instead of viewing challenges solely as obstacles, I approach them as opportunities for growth and learning. Each challenge presents a chance to refine my skills, adapt to new situations, and develop resilience.
Professional Supervision: In the mental health field, seeking professional supervision is crucial. Discussing challenging cases or situations with a supervisor provides valuable insights, guidance, and a space to process complex emotions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elevatedmhs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrselevated/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrselevated
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/lindseyfordphoto/
