Meet Pamela Shakir | Mental Health Advocate, Consultant, Speaker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Author

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

Hi Pamela, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

At the age of 17, I became a mother for the first time. I was once told by a family member that I was not going to be anything. Those words echoed in my mind, but at the same time it lit a fire inside of me. That fire represented the drive and motivation I needed to graduate from college. Years later, while working as a social worker, I encountered many women who were broken or either suffering from pain, mental health, or substance abuse. I realized then what my purpose was. I wanted to help women heal. I wanted to see them thrive and soar. So, I decided to go back to college to obtain a master’s degree in social work. Once I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I started learning the private practice business. A year later, I opened my private practice business and published a book called Creative Strategies: A Self-Guided Journal To Help You Kick Depression.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

At Healing Minds and Hearts, LLC, I provide psychotherapy to women, couples and individuals who are suffering from relationship trauma, depression and anxiety. I service clients in the State of Georgia and California. Since COVID, I have been seeing my clients via telehealth. The age population I service is from age 15 to 60 years old. I believe what sets me apart from others is I have actually experienced being in an unhealthy marriage and I have experienced a family tragedy. I know and understand how it feels to have experienced infidelity and a tragedy. My overall goal is to help my clients navigate through their pain, not around it, and actually process through each stage of the loss. I am most proud of being a mother, helping others on their journey to healing and becoming an author. I was raised in the “hood” and to see where I am now is mind blowing. When I reflect back over my life, I know for sure God carried me through it all. As I stated in my book, Creative Strategies: A Self-Guided Journal To Help You Kick Depression, I encouraged the readers to place themselves in a book. I asked them what their book title would be. I instructed them to take a moment to escape and rewrite their story. I pondered over what my book title would be. One of my favorite scriptures in the bible is Isaiah 61:3. It talks about God giving us beauty for our ashes. My book title would be Resilience: Ashes To Beauty.

My business journey started with a conversation in a parking lot one summer day. I was sharing with my dear friend on how I wanted to help people heal from relationship trauma and what my plans were. From there sparked a desire to learn the private practice business. Was it easy becoming a business owner? I would say there were some ups and downs along the way but when destiny meets purpose it all comes together. I overcame those ups and downs through prayer and by recalling how my dad handled opposition. My dad always kept a smile on his face and did not make up excuses on why he could not do some things. If his car broke down, he would walk to his office. He was a go-getter. Seeing my dad being a business owner taught me how to be a hard worker and to be tenacious.

The lessons I learned over the years was to stop letting others place me in a box. I started to realize the people I was around or looked up to played a part in me dimming my light. I also realized that I had to stop telling others about my dreams and to get busy creating the life I wanted. I started surrounding myself with like-minded people who wanted to see me win. I tell people often that it is okay to not know everything. If you do not know something research it, ask questions and/or get into circles with people who can teach you.

I want others to know that if I overcame a family tragedy, becoming a mother at the age of 17, walking away from an unhealthy marriage, graduating with two master’s degrees, owning a business and now an author. You too can become whatever it is you inspire to become. Yes, it will take some work. You have to picture yourself living the life you want. If you made a mistake, REWRITE your story. If you have goals write them down. Create a vision board or an affirmation wall with words that empowers you. Continue to thrive and be bold. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I moved to Atlanta, Georgia almost a year and a half ago. Since moving here, I am still trying to get acclimated to my new environment. When my sisterhood, visited me for my birthday the first night, we went to the Keith Sweat’s concert. We love a great concert and the concert was so much fun. After the concert we stopped by this hot spot called Chicago’s Pizza and Sports Grille. It is definitely a vibe and there was a lot of eye candy. Ladies, you all know what I mean. There is also a separate cigar lounge and the pizza and wings are so good. We did a little shopping the next day before we attended the Atlanta Jazz Fest. Later that day, we enjoyed this cool cozy spot called the Sage Woodfire Tavern in Atlanta, GA. This is a great place for a date night. I have eaten at a few breakfast places here in Atlanta but my favorite is Atlanta Breakfast Club. Again, the atmosphere is nice, great music and the food is tasty. I have heard that Breakfast at Barney’s, Views Bar and Grill, Two Urban Licks and the Sleepy Potato are all great places to eat and have drinks. PASHA Restaurant and Bar is another great hangout spot. The ambiance is chilled, definitely a vibe for a date night and the food is delicious. There are also several fun hangout spots for all ages so if anyone comes here to visit they will definitely leave with a smile.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

First, I would like to give honor to God for all of my blessings. I would have never imagine my life to be where it is currently. Special shout out to my mother, Debra. WE DID IT MOM! To my siblings Alicia, Todd, Lennean and Mark. Thank you for loving me. To my beautiful and intelligent daughters Courtney, Lyric and Sa’miah. You are my WHY. You all are the reason why I did not give up. I am who I am because of your purest love. I would be remised if I did not mention all of these women who deserves a special shout out. My spiritual mentors Lady Vicki Kemp and Patricia Perry. My sisterhood: Patrinia Redd, Niesha Davis, Patricia Roland, Matasha Level, Jenene Shears and ShaMekka Ludd. To my family and church family. Thank you for always praying and supporting me.

Website: www.pamelashakirlcsw.com

Instagram: @pamelashakirlcsw

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-shakir-lcsw-097a9a1a2

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Healing-Minds-and-Hearts-LLC-102769687910370

Image Credits
Carrington Prichett