We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tanika Barber. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tanika below.
Tanika, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
In 2020, after several months of self-doubt, I decided to take a leap of faith and quit my full-time job as a Program Supervisor and start my own Mental Health Private Practice. But this also began my journey of struggling with imposter syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is common for individuals to doubt their achievements and fear being exposed as frauds, despite their experience and competence. Even with my advance graduate level education and experience in the field, I struggled with my confidence to become an entrepreneur. I knew my theories, interventions, and clinical diagnosis, but this didn’t stop the self-doubt.
The first thing I had to do was separate my feelings from facts. Seeing that imposter syndrome is driven by negative thoughts about self, I had to recognize when these thoughts arose, I began positive self-talk and affirmations that affirmed my capabilities. I also needed to focus on me and my vision and avoid comparing myself to others to minimize feelings of inadequacy. Having a strong foundational support system was also beneficial to provide guidance and encouragement. Lastly, I began developing a sense of self-compassion. I began practicing activities to promote self-care and emotional well-being. I developed a routine and incorporated stillness, meditation and practicing reiki daily to balance out emotions and negative energy.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Tanika E. Barber, also known as The Energy Healer. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work in North Carolina and Georgia, Licensed Independent Social Worker- Clinical Practice in South Carolina, as well as a Holistic Healer and Energy Healer. I am the Founder and Owner of MBS Therapeutics PLLC, and my new business Respect My InnerG, which was just launched earlier this year.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in human services with a concentration in Counseling from Empire State College and my Master’s in Social Work from State University of New York at Buffalo. I’m an advanced certified Holistic Therapist, Trauma Informed Practitioner, Mindfulness Informed Practitioner, Yoga, Breath Work and Meditation Guide (CYT-300), Level I Certified Sound Healer and Level II Reiki Practitioner. I specialize in Holistic Healing, which can be defined as the return to wholeness through the blending of practices of the mind, body, and soul. I enjoy taking a deeper dive into the art of Science and Soul approaches to healing, while guiding my clients to protect their peace, cultivate joy, improve relationships, embrace self-love and the development of soul-care.
My approach specializes in self-esteem & confidence building, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, abandonment, trauma, abuse, at-risk youth, and family conflict. Assisting people through therapy is a passion and finding satisfaction in working with people who are just trying to figure it all out. Life can be challenging at times and therapy may be an option to get through it.
I created of The Art of Self Reflection Journal, a journal to guide clients in therapy with doing the work outside of the therapy room, and The Art of Affirmations, this coloring book features motivational sayings and more to inspire BIPOC Women and promote positive vibes.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As a mental health and holistic practitioner, I believe some important skills and qualities to acquire is the use of empathy, active listening and an awareness for cultural diversity amongst the clients served.
Developing a genuine sense of empathy is a crucial quality for mental health providers. Empathy allows the clinician to connect and understand our clients emotional level, creating a safe and supportive environment for them to be vulnerable and heal.
Active listening involves the clinician giving full attention while being non-judgmental and responding in a way that conveys to the client that they are heard and understood.
Being culturally competent is more than taking the standard training as a check off, but that of the clinician being diverse in backgrounds, beliefs, and values. Even if you have a specific clientele, doesn’t mean every single person you provide services to is going to share in that same beliefs or values. Cultural awareness involves recognizing and respecting cultural difference and how this may impact their mental health, and even treatment approaches. Developing cultural competence helps building trust with clients and ensures the interventions are appropriate and effective.
The advice I would give to someone that is on their path to become a Healer, is when someone is talking to you, give them your full attention. Put away distractions, make eye contact, and really show them that you care. Avoid interrupting or getting lost in your own thoughts. Instead, focus on understanding their perspective and emotions.
Being empathic, is the ability to understanding and feeling what someone else is going through. To develop empathy, try to put yourself in their shoes. Listen without judgment, acknowledge their emotions, and validate their experiences. It’s about truly trying to grasp where they’re coming from.
Embracing different cultures is so important. Start by educating yourself. Read books, watch documentaries, or have conversations with people from diverse backgrounds. Challenge stereotypes and biases you may have. Treat individuals as individuals, not as representatives of their culture.
Don’t forget to reflect on your own beliefs and biases. Self-awareness is crucial. Recognize how your own cultural background shapes your perceptions and interactions. By understanding your own biases, you can work towards overcoming them.
Remember, nonverbal communication speaks volumes. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. Be aware of cultural differences in nonverbal cues to avoid misunderstandings.
Finally, put yourself in someone else’s shoes. When you face conflicts or disagreements, try to understand the other person’s perspective. This helps you develop empathy and improves communication.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past year, I have continued to do some self-care, but most importantly self-reflection. Taking these steps allowed me to evaluate areas of my personal and professional goals. I had the privilege of participating in the Get Up and Grow Program. The Get Up and Grow program is premier business development program that enables business owners with knowledge and skills to grow, expand, and increase annual sales. The program helps local business owner develop a strategic growth plan.
Building a successful mental health practice requires strong business and financial management skills. Developing these skills assisted me in managing the business finances, attracting, and retaining clients all while making informed business decisions to contribute to growth and stability. I spent time incorporating leadership and team development skills. As a business owner, it was essential for me to cultivate leadership abilities and develop a high performing team of clinicians. Implementing clear vision and goals for my business and fostering a positive office culture. I also invested in a business coach. This was instrumental in my leadership development skills and nurturing a cohesive team as a group practice owner. The skills learned assist in creating an environment that has enhanced my overall productivity, client satisfaction and overall business success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mbstherapeuticspllc.com and https://www.respectmyinnerg.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstherapeuticspllc/ and https://www.instagram.com/respectmyinner_g/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBSTherapeutics/
Image Credits
Cyda “Moon” King https://www.moonkingmoments.com
