We recently connected with Sherese Danielle Ezelle, LMHC, LPC, NCC and have shared our conversation below.
Sherese Danielle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Early in my career, professional spaces often felt highly monocultural. As a Black woman navigating the mental health field—an area already laden with stigma, particularly within communities of color—I frequently found myself as the “only one” in the room bearing my specific intersection of identity and expertise.
Initially, this solitude felt like a pressure cooker to conform. The turning point came when I actively replaced the feeling of isolation with a powerful reframing truth: “Everywhere you are, you are one-of-one.”
Leaning into this idea transformed my approach. I realized my value wasn’t in blending into the existing clinical landscape, but in offering my authentic perspective as a unique asset. This shift allowed me to build my practice, Therapy with Sherese Danielle, on a foundation of genuine connection rather than clinical distance. By showing up authentically—embracing my own journey and heritage—I create a truly safe space for clients to do the same.
It is deeply rewarding to witness clients in my sessions and workshops feel permission to drop the exhausting weight of comparison. By owning my “one-of-one” status, I empower them to embrace their own winding, unique paths toward emotional wellness and freedom, striving for the best version of themselves because they see me authentically striving for mine.
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?
At the heart of Therapy with Sherese Danielle lies a simple yet profound truth: “Everywhere you are, you are one-of-one.” This isn’t just a mantra; it is the foundational ethos of my practice. In a mental health landscape that can often feel fragmented or impersonal, particularly for communities of color, I built this brand to be a sanctuary where authentic identity is not just accepted but celebrated as a superpower.
What excites me most about this work is the privilege of witnessing clients drop the heavy armor of comparison. My practice is designed to be more than just a clinical service; it is a collaborative journey toward emotional freedom. Whether through trauma-informed teletherapy or personalized coaching, I strive to create spaces where individuals can embrace their winding paths without judgment. Seeing a client realize that they don’t have to fit into a pre-existing mold to be “well” is the greatest reward of my career. We focus on conquering anxiety and depression not by erasing who you are, but by stepping fully into your self-defined purpose.
As my practice grows, so does my commitment to nurturing the next generation. I am incredibly proud of the continued expansion of the EmpowerED Youth Program. In partnership with the Unity Center, this initiative represents a critical evolution in how we approach emotional wellness for young people. By providing our youth with the tools to navigate their emotions early on, we are breaking generational cycles of silence and stigma. It is a collaborative approach that ensures our children know, from a young age, that their unique perspectives are valuable assets to the world.
Furthermore, I recognize that true healing is often holistic, requiring us to bridge the gap between talk therapy and medical support. To that end, I am thrilled to highlight my collaboration with fellow wellness providers like Dr. Jen, a board-certified Family Medicine physician. This partnership allows Therapy with Sherese Danielle to support increased offerings, including medication management and physiological care. Dr. Jen’s whole-person view—considering everything from hormonal changes to lifestyle stressors—perfectly complements the therapeutic work we do.
This integration of services means our clients have genuine choices in their mental health care. It is not about choosing between therapy or medication; it is about building a comprehensive support system that honors the complexity of the human experience. By bridging medicine and therapy, we allow the deeper emotional work to take root more effectively.
Ultimately, Therapy with Sherese Danielle is about empowerment. Whether you are a young person finding your voice in the EmpowerED Youth program, or an adult seeking a holistic path to healing that includes medical support, you are met with the same core belief: You are unique, you are worthy, and you are one-of-one. My goal is to ensure that everyone I come in contact with feels supported to strive for the best version of themselves—authentically and unapologetically.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three pillars that have most defined my trajectory are Unapologetic Authenticity, Collaborative Vision, and Resilient Self-Compassion.
First, Unapologetic Authenticity was the antidote to the isolation of being the “only one” in the room. Early in my career, I felt the pressure to minimize my identity to fit into clinical spaces. However, embracing my “one-of-one” status as a Black woman became my greatest asset. It allowed me to connect deeply with clients who felt unseen by traditional systems. To those just starting: trust your voice early. Do not code-switch yourself into invisibility. Your unique perspective is not a liability; it is the specific medicine your community needs.
Second, Collaborative Vision moved me from being a solo practitioner to a community leader. I realized that mental health cannot exist in a vacuum. Partnering with medical doctors like Dr. Jen and community organizations for the EmpowerED Youth program allowed me to offer comprehensive care that I couldn’t achieve alone. My advice is to resist the silo mentality. Actively seek out mentors and peers in adjacent fields. Build a network that allows you to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Finally, Resilient Self-Compassion. Navigating personal challenges—including processing the loss of my grandmother, our matriarch, and supporting family through cancer—while running a practice taught me that I am human first. You cannot sustain a career in trauma work without a fortified internal foundation. For early-career professionals, my advice is simple: prioritize your own healing. Build a support system that holds you up, so you can hold space for others. Treat your own winding path with the same grace you extend to your clients.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, my first step is to pause and extend grace to myself, stepping away from the demand to be “on” for everyone else. In my practice, I often write about this necessity. As I shared in my blog post, 4 Essential Practices for Cultivating Self-Compassion, the most vital tool in our kit is the ability to treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer a friend. Overwhelm often stems from a disconnect—trying to pour from an empty cup.
I also lean on community. In my blog post 5 Meaningful Ways to Strengthen Connections, I emphasize that we don’t have to carry our burdens in isolation. Reaching out isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strategy for resilience.
However, the core of managing overwhelm lies in reframing our relationship with our flaws. We often panic because we feel we are failing to meet an impossible standard. This is where I find deep comfort in shifting our perspective on “imperfection.” I love the sentiment derived from the spirit of Audrey Hepburn: when we look at the word imperfection, the very word itself says, “I’m perfect.”
This isn’t about arrogance; it’s about wholeness. It is a reminder that our quirks, our struggles, and our winding paths are exactly what make us “one-of-one.” By accepting our imperfections as proof of our unique perfection, we release the pressure to be different than we are, allowing the feeling of overwhelm to settle into a feeling of acceptance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapywithsheresedanielle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsheresedanielle/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherese-danielle-ezelle-lmhc-lpc-ncc-22315b56/
Image Credits
Brett Renville
Auston James
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