Meet Tiera Couch | Therapist and Private Practice Owner

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

Hi Tiera, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I’ve worked in my field in a few different environments and capacities and one thing that’s been consistent across the board is toxic work conditions for clinical staff and limited culturally competent services for marginalized clients. I was diligent in identifying the things that weren’t working, I’d go to the stakeholders and advocate for better conditions and resources and more inclusive and open-minded practices but progress was slow and hard. I got tired of trading my energy and mental health to fight the good fight. Starting my private practice is the first step in expanding to a place where therapists can grow and learn while being compensated fairly then expanding to a community organization where clients are more than numbers. The culture of a company is influenced from the top down and I need to be at the top to make real, effective, and consistent progress in mental health support for marginalized populations. Starting Unfcked Therapy and Wellness gives me the freedom to be in the mental space to do so.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Unfcked Therapy and Wellness to apply my raw and authentic approach to providing mental health services. Being yourself, as simple as it sounds, is revolutionary in the mental health field. We have a lot of rules about how we should present that are rooted in eurocentric professionalism. That’s why you see clinicians like @mtoliver_lcsw and @TheShaniProject be received so positively, I look to them and other clinicians doing the work to affirm my role in decolonizing therapy. From my experience, people know what to take down the veil. Therapy can be messy, scary, ugly, as well as hilarious and joyful. Some clients want to know the person sitting across from them has warm blood flowing through their veins. I’ve also heard a lot of horror stories from clients who have been invalidated by therapists, felt judged, or just didn’t find it helpful. I am validating and warm, my clients know they can tell me anything and I won’t bat and eyelash, I take a relatable approach to applying clinical practices and I challenge my clients to do what they said they came to do. My approach isn’t for everyone but I’m here for the people that it resonates with.

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’d give my friend a balanced experience, a picnic, and games at the Roswell Mill tour many lounges maybe Sivas, Atlantis, we’d have to hit up The Goods and Views Bar and Grill because you’re not going to be from Detroit and not frequent a business from a Detroiter, a lit brunch BQE is my favorite when I can get in, bar vegan, and skyline park, then circle back around to pho at pho dai loi and a relaxing day at Jeju. I don’t bounce back from turning up like I use to so rest has to be intentional and all of this is packed into a 3 day weekend because auntie has to be fully alert to show up in full capacity for clients.

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’m a strong believer in the use of education (formal or informal) as a significant contributor to upward mobility. I’m a first generation college graduate, my parents maybe have a 9th grade education, I come from a neighborhood where criminal activity is often the most attractive way to make some money. I also struggled in school once I got to highschool and was counted out by my teachers. My whole plan was to be a school social worker, a support to the students that slipped through the cracks, needed extra understanding, and respect.

I was working for an agency in the school-based department when one of my previous supervisors reached out to ask if I’d join her private practice. I was burnt out and broke so I took her up on the offer initially starting part-time. In the back of my mind I wanted my own practice but didn’t have the confidence or courage to execute.

Shakenya Burch has a mission to help clinicians of color to grow in a healthy environment, serve their chosen communities and make adequate rates. As well as help those who chose to start their own private practices. She is the owner of Trust2Change llc here in Atlanta. Shakenya is a dynamic colleague and mentor. I wouldn’t have realized my potential to do more if she had not seen something in me. I’m forever grateful for her and honored to adopt her model to help my fellow clinicians.

Website: unfckedtherapyandwellness@gmail.com

Instagram: theunfckedtherapist

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiera-couch-136715a3/

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tiera-couch-atlanta-ga/794268

Image Credits
Sofa Hood (muralist) Essence Renata (photographer)