We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia ‘Trish’ Noel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia ‘Trish’, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my business/career has taught me is 1) you’re never too old and 2) don’t give up.

I pursued my career as a Social Worker later in life, after the adoption of my now 21 year old daughter. She was my inspiration, as I changed my major from Business to Social Work. My family’s experience, at the time was not the most positive during the adoption process and I was determined to become a social worker who could show compassion and empathy. I was able to graduate not only with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work but I was presented with the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree, as well. I was older and this was my second career choice. I tell folks it took me 25 years to complete my undergraduate degree, due to this thing called life but I never gave up.

As I started my career, I did not go through life without facing many obstacles, like so many others. I was married at the time with 3 children, relocated from Maryland to North Carolina, a parent caregiver, living with chronic pain, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (now an 8 year survivor), the loss of my older brother from stage 4 lung cancer, and recently divorced after a 28 year marriage and its impact on my children, all within the past 12 years. Yet, through God’s grace and mercy, here I am! I never gave up, even in my darkest moments, I couldn’t give up!

After my divorce. I had to take time to find myself. I sought therapy, as a therapist, I thought, why not? We are humans too. We don’t have it all together. We are the “wounded healers,’ working through our own wounds. I had to work through the negative thoughts I was experiencing, the self doubt, the “who am I now?” The journey at times was painful but I held on with the help of my village. I knew through all the pain there would be healing, there would be growth, there would be victory.

Throughout my career, I desired to open my own private practice but I could not pull it together to get it off the ground. I thought to myself, what now? There was so much going on in my life, I didn’t know where or how to begin. I had a mentor who pushed me beyond my limits and when I didn’t believe in my capabilities, she did. I began to surround myself with powerful, strong women of color that were doing incredible things in the community. I wanted what they had! These women inspired me to level up. These women sat at tables I desired to sit at, yet, did not feel competent, confident nor comfortable enough to approach. They challenged me and I admired them…from a distance. I wanted to be like them but I had to overcome my fears, insecurities, lack of faith and lack of self belief. I took baby steps. One meeting, one social event, one invite at a time.

After years of dreaming, I knew I had to put some action behind it but I was afraid. Faith without deeds is dead, right? I needed to find the faith to go with that dream and not be afraid to go for it. I was being encouraged and many times PUSHED by people who saw my potential, even when I didn’t see it nor believed it. I then began to see it, I began to feel it. The change was real. My dreams, my thoughts began to manifest right before my eyes. I began to believe in myself and my abilities. Doors were opening and not from anything I was doing, they had to come from God. Once I made a decision to have faith over fear and to push past those feelings of being uncomfortable, things began to happen in my life. It didn’t happen instantly, it took faith, work and time but it was all worth it.

My favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:28-31: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” In my weakest moments, there was still HOPE. I didn’t know how or when but I believed that no matter what God would see me through and He did and still continues to do so.

What’s the most important lesson my business/career has taught, you’re never too old and never give up on your dream. I had to stop comparing my desires, successes to others and realize that when it’s my time, it’s my time! I’m seeing my business, my career soar right before my eyes. Like the mythical Phoenix, I was born, died and reborn from the ashes of life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the founder and CEO of Noel Integrated Services (NIS), Incorporated. NIS provides behavioral health and addiction counseling to individuals, families, and groups. My passion lies with working with young females, ages 12-21 struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideations utilizing Solution Focused, CBT and CBT-Trauma Informed Therapies.

I became a social worker, after the challenging process my family and I experienced while in the process of adopting my now 21 year old daughter. The process inspired me to want to become a social worker that would exhibit compassion and empathy to everyone, no matter what their situation may be. I wanted to impact peoples lives, one at a time.

My career as a therapist began to grow but I always knew there was more. After relocating to North Carolina from Maryland, my family began to face it’s own challenges. My middle child experienced bullying for the first time which resulted in her experiencing depression and anxiety. Middle school was hard for her but she was determined to push threw. It was heart-wrenching when I found out she was introduced to cutting to deal with challenges she was facing, As a therapist, I was devastated but as a mom I was heartbroken. How did I not see it? We went through this journey together and as she got older, she had to learn different coping skills. As her journey continued, she began to share about other friends going through similar situations. She wanted us to be able to help them too. In 2021, we created a support group for females ages 12-21 struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation, God has blessed that group and we are now seeking non-profit status, as we want to reach many others going through the same thing.

My practice offers what many others do. I am a Black woman who provides a service to people who look like me.
However, what sets me apart is that I am my own person. I have my own unique style. My own approach. We may all offer the same or similar services but we don’t provide them the say way. I love what I do. I love the population I serve. I’m a down to earth, no nonsense person. I’m direct with my clients and they appreciate that. I don’t look down on the population I serve, I encourage, support, and empower.

Starting my private practice was not easy. The challenges were and are still very much real. It came with a lot of fear, self doubt, insecurities and I still face them all today but I push forward. I had to learn to believe in myself. I had to stop giving doubt and fear power over my life, over my dream.

My business is where it is today, due to my faith and my strong support system. Family, friends, mentors, women who have empowered, inspired and pushed me to stop being afraid and to step out on faith. My Village has been with me though thick and thin and has been on this journey with me every step of the way.

In my journey, I have learned that I’m not too old, never give up on my dream, and it’s never too late. I want people to know to never give up, no matter what obstacles you face in life. Trust God, trust the process and learn to trust yourself. I am Business Owner. WOW!! Nothing but God! Faith over Fear!

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 love this question, as I love girls’ trips. I have 2 girlfriends that I grew up with. We try to schedule regular trips to visit one another, yearly. However, COVID has put a damper on that.

We all grew up in Maryland. I is in Ohio. 1 is in Maryland and I now live in North Carolina. A girls week trip in North Carolina would consist of checking into a local Air BnB for the week. We would spend the first night catching up, ordering take out and chilling. I would then plan the next day to visit some of the local sights, such Duke Gardens and the NC Museum of Life and Science. I would then plan a day to tour the city on the Trolley Pub Public Tour which is a pedal-powered tour. We would then have a day of relaxation which would include a spa day and a quiet dinner. We would visit one of the local restaurants such as The Pit or Backyard BBQ for some Carolina bar-be-que. We would close out the week with catching a live play/show at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) or Motorco Music Hall or maybe even catch a Durham Bulls baseball game at Durham Bulls Stadium with some of my other girlfriends to bring a close to a great week.

We would have the time of our lives!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a Shoutout to my Village. Over the years, I have developed a strong support system from family members, special friends, and mentors. They each have impacted my life in their own way and have believed in my, even when I didn’t believe in myself. During my darkest moments, my Village was there to hold me up and at times, pick me up. I am grateful for each and every one of them and they know who they are. It takes a Village, is REAL in my life.

Website: www.nistherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nis_inc/

Facebook: Noel Integrated Services, Incorporated

Image Credits
Affirm Photography In God’s Image Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.