Meet Tavara Franklin | Psychotherapist & Your Healing Accountability Partner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tavara Franklin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tavara, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I will have to thank “Annie” my anxiety for my success. You’re probably thinking and chuckling to yourself, “Your Anxiety? Why would you give anxiety your success?” For many years, I have suffered silently with my anxiety. It was not overwhelming to the point where I needed medication, however it was preventing me from being authentic. I remember one point in my life, I would often hide within the shadows of pleasing others and being afraid to be my authentic self due to fear of rejection. I would silence my voice because my inner critic was so loud where Annie would have a field day. That was until one day, I woke up and had a long conversation with myself. I told myself that my mentor Stefanie Hughes was right. Annie can walk behind me, she can walk beside me because at times she will need to make an appearance to give me that push I need. BUT, ANNIE CAN NOT LEAD ME. I had to give myself permission to be completely authentic and love myself unconditionally regardless if others will agree with me, like me, or love me. This is the day where my therapeutic and lifestyle stance H.O.T (Honesty, Openness, and Transparency) was birthed. It was in that moment, I began to believe that through my journey of healing from the anxiety of being my authentic self I come to believe 3 things.

When you’re comfortable in your HOTness:

1. you are bolder- thus more willing to take positive emotional risks
2. You are more authentic- you realize that “faking it ‘til you make it” or pleasing others does you more emotional damage in the long run.
3. You are unapologetic about your truths- your truth is your truth and YOU are the credible source for validation of your truth.There is no need to apologize for your beliefs. Should you become apologetic, then you’re invalidating your true self

I truly believe that H.O.T.is a therapeutic vibe that other people who are healing are most attracted towards because of the level of hope and authenticity that it speaks. So I thank Annie for shaping me into the person that stands before you today. Not a perfect person but a person progressing. Most importantly a person who is completely comfortable at being authentically H.O.T unapologetically- for this is the true essence behind my success.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Although I am a therapist, I often don’t refer myself to others as such. When people enter into therapy, either as their first rodeo or several, there’s always these apprehensions about therapy and a certain “stage” they believe a therapist presents. Because I know these things and as a former client of therapy myself, I let others know that I consider myself a Healing Accountability Partner. I explain to them what that entails and immediately they are relieved. They are even more relived when I am transparent with them about formerly being in therapy. I believe this is important to share because as people we want to be validated in a sense of knowing that they are not the only ones going through struggles. I let my clients know straight up no chaser, I am not perfect, but I am progressing and as their partner I want to assist them at progressing towards healing. Creating an atmosphere that is welcoming all flaws and placing myself out in the deep with clients to help pull them through with validation, transparency and authenticity is what sets me apart from others. It’s an environment that makes you want to lay it all out without fear or judgement. All of these things are what I am most proud of and gets me super excited about helping others become comfortable in their HOTness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay so first, we are going to hit up slutty vegan because their food is A1, the atmosphere is always a crazy vibe, and the banana pudding is irresistible. Then we will most likely scope out the downtown- Piedmont park area because it’s always something going on. Lastly, when night fall we will come back to the house for some adult friendly game night with food drinks and laughter. I think anyone can appreciate a good game night!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have an entire team of phenomenal women who constantly pushes me daily. They hold me accountable and each of them inspire me to strive for quality and excellence. These women are my Therapy Partners. Stefanie Hughes, Tiffany Taylor, Cheron Crouch, Jamila Talton, SherVonne Grose, Jessica Wilson and Cathy Agee-Clark, I love each of these women for pouring into me in ways I never knew a person could or would ever. My family and close friends are very much the backbone of my brand. They are always encouraging me to continue to keep going and to continue to have faith that I am called to do what I am doing.

Website: www.healinggroundstherapy.com

Instagram: instagram.com/healinggrounds_therapy/

Facebook: http://fb.me/hgtwellnesscenter

Image Credits
Professional individual and group shot credited to Jarvis Releford/ The Studio B Atl