Meet Extriara Gates | LCSW/Psychotherapist

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

Hi Extriara, what is the most important factor behind your success?
There is a quote by David Frost that says ‘don’t aim for success if you want it just do what you love and believe in and it will come naturally”. My practice was naturally birthed because of my love for helping people navigate the human experience and my belief that all humans are deserving of wholeness. While some might suggest that my practices success strictly derives from the number of clients I serve or dollar amount earned, I would argue that my practice has been successful because I have chosen not to be successful but to be of value to the community that I serve. My success is based on my practices model to provide a safe space for individuals to heal.

What should our readers know about your business?

After working in the non-profit sector for a 10 plus years, I kept seeing a on-going theme in black communities, more than half of the clients I served had some undiagnosed or untreated mental illness that had kept them from maitaining employment, housing and having healhy relationships with their families. Unfortunately, my experiences with mental illness had not been limited to my professional life, I had witnessed the impact of depression, anxiety and acute stress on members of my immediate family. So my work is not just work, it is my way of helping to not only individuals but helping communities thrive as well.

Lavender Grove Psychotherapy was founded in 2019 and provides preventative care to primarily Black Women ages 25-35 experiencing trauma related depression and anxiety. Utilizing a strengths based model, Lavender Grove seeks to provide
compassionate care in a safe environment aimed at alleviating the debilitating effects of mental illness. Lavender Grove prides itself on being a holistic practice that not only believes in healing the mind but the body was well. Recently we have been working with the talented Jasmine Bradfield of Village Guru to provide monthly yoga classes to individuals experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma.

My transition to private practice was not as difficult because every role prior to my transition had prepared me for what to expect, sure taking such a risk can be scary but I was always taught that fear and faith cannot exist in the same space, so when money was tight and clients where not as consistent I relied on my faith and talent to keep me a float. one of the most important things ive learned in being a practice owner is to no limit yourself to just serving individuals in office, your work can be done in larger groups or as a consultant, so being able to pivot and use your talent in other spaces is always necessary for long-term success.

Lavender Grove doesnt just provide therapy, we provide people with the tools and resources they need to live freely.

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.
I am a native Atlantan so I love supporting home grown business some of my favorite breakfast/ brunch spots are

Gocha’s breakfast bar in South Fulton
The Real Milk and Honey in College Park

for lunch I would swing by Get Fruity for a Healthy Salad or Smoothie before going for a walk or ride on the Beltline

for the evening I would take them to Noveau Bar and Grill or Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen for good food and music, if they were feeling fancy we could take in a few cupcakes at Kupcakerie

for rest of the week we would visit some of my favorite places like the Zucot Gallery, The High Museum and Iwi Fresh spa. to relax i would end the with a massage at Agape Touch by Tai and a yoga class at the Yoga Hive with Jasmine Bradfield

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have been apart of my journey but had it not been for the love and support of black women whom have carried and cared for me.I cannot give shout outs to anyone before i thank my mother Lisa and grandmother Sarah for being the giants whom shoulders I have had the honor of standing on. My family , close friends and mentors for there unconditional love , support and encouragement. Last but certainly least i have to thank God for the privalege to be of service.

Website: lavendergrovepsychotherapy.com

Instagram: @lavendergrovepsychotherapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/extriara-gates-lcsw-936b6241/