MEET Kimberley small
What is the name of your business?
A Village that Heals
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS
A Village that Heals is the non-profit arm to the for-profit Mental Health Private practice, Healing Insight Therapy and Wellness Collective–which offers Virtual Mental Health therapy services throughout the state of Florida. Our mission is to help individuals, groups, and communities access modern, culturally relevant community healing through Trauma and equity informed Holistic Wellness Experiences. Our Primary services include individual and group therapy, yoga, sound healing, and community workshops. Where modern technology has often replaced the traditional need for gathering and community reliance, A Village that Heals provides a space to reintegrate community healing practices into our society once more. We envision the restoration of “villages” that are equipped to foster holistic healing, resiliency, and growth in a globalized community.
what is YOUR WHY?
I believe we can heal from almost anything in the context of community. When I reflect on my experiences, I think of my Life as a 1 1/2 generation American, that of my mother--who was raised in the country side of Jamaica and didn't have access to modern healing practices to help her address her mental health challenges--and that of my daughter- who has access the the entire world at the tap of an iPad. I recognize that each of our generations, carry with it unique vulnerabilities and opportunities when it comes to experiencing community. I want my daughter to have access to both the evidenced based practices that supported me as well as the holistic mental health and community healing experiences that supported my mother. In fact, I believe we all deserve a safe space to pursue healing that is accessible, culturally relevant, and runs deep. This is the belief that inspired me to become a mental health therapist, that inspired me to enter private practice, and now the belief that inspires me to expand access to healing spaces through A Village that Heals. My why is ancestral and intergenerational healing.
What PROBLEM DOES YOUR BUSINESS SOLVE? AND WHY ARE YOU THE BEST PERSON TO SOLVE IT?
There is a preponderance of research that suggests that technology has the power to be both the great connector and the great isolator. As the number of individuals with diagnosable mental illness skyrockets in the past 3 years, in part due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic--and with disproportionate mental health impacts for Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA and folks--it is more important now than ever to have access to affordable mental health treatment grounded both in research and culturally relevant practice.
The intersection of my professional background, Education and personal experiences over the past 15 years equip me to address this challenge in deeply meaningful and energizing ways. With a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University, a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, and extensive post-graduate training in trauma healing and leadership, I’ve been able to translate years of education into brain-based, body-based, and other evidence-based practices that speak the needs of our community today. I am currently the founder and clinical director of a thriving group practice where I already provide Therapy, leadership, and group facilitation through a trauma- and equity-informed lens.
As daughter to Jamaican parents, I am also deeply grounded in the importance of representation and the power of holistic, ancestral wisdom. As such, I regularly step out of the confines of the therapy room to think deeply with “the tribe” about the things that get in the way of our collective healing and growth. In addition to therapy you will find me at various speaking engagements (including Television and Radio), workshops, professional organizations and other community engagement practices related to mental health and community healing.
WhY DID YOU JOIN THE 1909 ACCELERATOR?
I joined the accelerator because I believe the best way to build a company based on community healing is to bake community practices into every layer of its functioning, including into its development. I am excited that through this accelerator I can gain clarity on my personal strengths and growth areas. I can use that knowledge as guide for how I pour into others and also where I can lean into the courage to allow others to show up for me. This is the balance I often encourage for my clients for sustainable wellbeing and so joining the accelerator is a way to "practice what I preach".
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE HELP WITH FROM OUR 1909 COMMUNITY?
I would especially like help with creating a more robust business strategy that delineates which aspects are for profit and which aspects are non-profit. I would like help learning about the grant writing process. I would also like support with logistics of moving into in-person space including securing space, furniture, equipment, etc., I would also like support with developing strategic community partnerships.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIFE LESSON?
My favorite life lesson is that "all roads lead to healing"... This allows me to pivot from perceived failures quickly because I know I will develop wisdom or resiliency by getting through it!