Meet Tamara Nelson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tamara Nelson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamara , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Had someone told me during my childhood that I would become a mental health therapist, I would have never believed them. Growing up I first wanted to be a veterinarian because of my love for animals. However, as I got older, I found myself wanting to follow in the footsteps of my mother, who was an English professor. My first major in college was English literature. After a while, I discovered that I wasn’t interested in pursuing a career related to my major; it was merely an academic field in which I excelled.

The spark was ignited when I took my introductory psychology course in college. My professor was incredibly intriguing, inspiring me to enroll in more psychology courses as my electives. I was so captivated by the subject to the point where I eventually decided to switch my major to Psychology. At this point I still didn’t know what I wanted to do professionally, but I was finally in a major that I felt passionate about. During undergrad, I did an internship at a private counseling practice, which solidified my decision to pursue a career as a mental health therapist. After completing my bachelors degree in Psychology, I went on to graduate school and obtained my masters degree in mental health counseling. The further I followed this path, the more I knew it was where I belonged.

My journey to becoming a mental health therapist was filled with self-doubt, fear, and anxiety. However, amidst these emotions, my passion never waned. The mental health field became more than just an academic subject or career for me, it became part of my life. I saw how many people in my community were struggling with their mental health, but didn’t have the knowledge and/or resources to get help. This inspired me to organize mental health panel discussions and workshops in my community. I also noticed the lack of mental health professionals who looked like me. You could count the number of Black students in my graduate school program on one hand. When I began my career as a therapist after completing graduate school, I consistently found myself as the only or one of the few Black therapists in the majority of the positions I held. I knew that even if my community had access and resources to mental health services, they likely wouldn’t go due to lack of representation. I knew my purpose was more than just being a therapist, I was here to serve my community.

Every time a client shared that working with me was the first time they felt truly understood as a person of color, or that they chose to pursue therapy because they saw my face—a representation of them—on the website, it further solidified my purpose in this space. I’ve been a mental health therapist for 9 years now and I’m blessed to say I am living my purpose. I’m also excited to see where my purpose continues to take me in the years to come. I see purpose as the alignment of our unique gifts, passion, and soul. It’s an undeniable force that fear and doubt can never restrain. Often, we perceive purpose as an elusive concept that requires arduous searching. We don’t find purpose because purpose is always within us. All we have to do is drown out the noise of the world and simply look within.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Tamara Nelson (she/her). I also go by Tammy (nickname). I received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with the state of Florida, Qualified Supervisor (QS), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), and Certified Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher. I currently work full time as a licensed mental health counselor in a hospital setting and I also have a part-time private practice (Mind Body Whole LLC). I currently teach yoga part-time at various locations. As a yoga instructor i’m passionate about creating inclusive spaces for Black and other communities of color to engage in yoga.

I was born in New York but raised in Orlando, Florida. I am first generation American, with my family originating from Barbados and Jamaica. My hobbies include dance, roller skating, reading, writing, and engaging in movement. Additionally, I am vegan and passionate about health and wellness. I love soca music and enjoy attending fetes and Caribbean carnivals!

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?
Three important qualities/skills that have had the most impact on my journey are self-discipline, consistency, and self-reflection. Establishing daily rituals and allocating dedicated time to focus on my craft aided in my gradual improvement. Engaging in journaling and reflecting on my thoughts and emotions helped me maintain self-awareness and navigate the challenges I encountered along the way. Building structure and maintaining consistency in life lays the foundation for excelling in any endeavor you undertake.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My most significant area of growth in the past 12 months has been learning to trust myself and act in alignment with my worth. The idea of having my own business used to terrify me, and I didn’t believe it was something I could pursue. Additionally, I found myself remaining in situations that didn’t serve me, driven by the fear that I couldn’t provide better for myself. However, in the last year, I established my LLC and have been steadily working towards building my business. I also left a job and terminated partnerships that didn’t align with my vision and worth. Furthermore, I have become more comfortable with charging my full rate for my services without compromising. I am learning to truly value myself and have faith that I can create a life for myself that surpasses my expectations.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Yoga headshots: DLB Photography (IG @dlbphotographyfl ) Professional Headshots: D’mitri de Castro / Star Moment Photography / starmomentphotos.com

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