Meet Scarlett Ekeroma, MA, LMFT, CMHP | Inner Wound Healing Therapist & Boundaries Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scarlett Ekeroma, MA, LMFT, CMHP and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scarlett, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Whew! Let me start by saying I never thought I would be a business owner. One, because the word ‘business’ intimidated me and lastly I didn’t feel ‘business savvy’ enough. I initially withheld starting a therapy private practice (TPP), because the thought of the start-up costs was overwhelming and daunting. In addition, I didn’t want a traditional brick & mortar office. At the time there were just some barriers I did not want to explore. Fast forward to 2018-2019, my colleague/friend informed me she had an online TPP. I immediately was intrigued and said to myself ‘Yep, that’s what I want to do!’ She started her online TPP before the pandemic, despite the backlash she received at that time. After picking her brain, I finally decided to move forward and began building my business.

In addition, I started my business because I no longer wanted to work a traditional 9 to 5 job. I was always exhausted and felt burnt out frequently (as the job didn’t necessarily end at 5 o’clock.) Despite working in mental health programs, the environments were toxic, ‘squeezed every ounce out of you,’ and had low pay.  For example, when working at a community behavioral health program,  I would have eight to nine client sessions per day for several days in a row. It was taxing mentally and emotionally. I wanted freedom from that complexity and really envisioned my life a different way. I envisioned showing up better as therapist and enjoying life outside of my career.  I wanted to create time wealth, mental wealth, along with financial wealth, which is what owning my business has done for me.

Having my own business has also allowed me to venture in different avenues as well. For example, this year I authored a successful therapeutic journal called My Worries & Wins Journal ©️ (available on Amazon).

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

Of course! I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and a boundaries coach. As an LMFT I am allowed to provide therapy services in Georgia, Florida, and Washington (state). As an LMFT I specialize in healing inner wounds and as a boundaries coach I help individuals set healthy boundaries in their personal life and career. These two go hand-in-hand, because there is no one without the other. I work with women and BIPOC adults who are tired of ‘holding it all together’ and being the strong one in their personal life and career. Working with me we discuss and explore giving a voice to the inner wounds you carry and learn how to heal those wounds. We also explore and identify solutions to break negative generational cycles and so much more. I help my clients discover the best and healed version of themselves! It’s hard, powerful, and rewarding work for my clients. I get extremely excited about this work!

I get excited, because I have definitely been ‘the strong one’ in my personal life and career. It got to the point where it was unhealthy physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for me. I had to start doing my inner wound healing work to break out of toxic and negative behavioral cycles. This meant standing up for myself by setting healthy boundaries with several people in (and some now out) of my life.

When I started to think about my business name, I thought about my life story and how I assist my clients. Hence, the birth of Elevate Healing, LLC. Healing is in all of us and we must be intentional about elevating it. In addition, when you do your inner healing work, there is different life elevation you experience as well. This essentially requires you to do the necessary work to encounter it.

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

I would first say we are going to the beach! Being by the water is so calming, I would definitely make the long drive to a beach. I would also schedule several museum and historical park visits, because I think they are amazing and I’m a history nerd. Some places we would visit are Martin Luther King, Jr. Historical National Park, World of Coca-Cola, Delta Flight Museum, and the Georgia Aquarium just to name a few. In addition, we would also experience The Illuminarium! This is such an immersive experience and a must go!

Food wise, we’d be standing in the line to get some Slutty Vegan everyday. Atlanta has so many food options, I don’t even know where to really pinpoint. It really would be what we are in the mood for, and I know for sure Atlanta would have it.

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?
There are actually two people I want to give a shout out too. These two women have been pivotal in my life transformation both professionally and personally. The first is Rhonda Baker, MA, LMFT (owner of Luxury Perspectives). She has guided me in my personal and professional life in so many ways that a movie trilogy wouldn’t even scratch the surface to explain how much she has done for me. She is an answered prayer and I thank God for answering my prayer with her. Next is Dontea’ Mitchell-Hunter, MA, LMFT (owner of Soirees’ in Therapy). She is an intentional person you want to be around because it’s safe and there is clarity. She has assisted me in numerous ways that it brings realness, joy, and happy tears. These women are the ultimate zenith and epitome of unconditional love, connection, and support.

Website: www.elevatehealingllc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevate_healingllc/ (@Elevate_HealingLLC)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elevatehealingllc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElevateHealingLLC (@ElevateHealingLLC)