We were lucky to catch up with Monique Evans recently and have shared our conversation below.

Monique, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Back in 2020, the year I was turning 30 felt like a turning point for me. I had finished school and been working full-time as a social worker and finished training as a couples and family therapist. What now? What next? I often asked myself. A few friends and colleagues had been circling the idea of opening my own business. I doubted the idea at first thinking I did not have enough years experience, it’s a whole pandemic, how could I pull this off successfully? Fast forward, on the night of my 30th birthday dinner, two of my friends gifted me my first year of malpractice insurance and told me, “Happy birthday, get started. We believe in you.” A month later, I opened the virtual doors of my business, @therapywithmo. This involved many sleepless nights getting everything ready, building a website, and making content. I am now looking back four years later so happy that I took this risk. I have expanded in many ways since starting my business and hope to continue in the years to come.

Monique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Monique Evans, Black woman, daughter, sister, friend, therapist, business owner. And these are some of the hats I wear. I live and work in New York City. I got into the field of social work in 2016 upon completing my Master of Social Work degree at NYU. I completed post-graduate training at Ackerman Institute for the Family, also located in New York City. I have always loved anything family and think it is no surprise my focus has been on helping couples and families in therapy. I grew up watching sitcoms, family shows, movies, and cartoons, and still enjoy these classics. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I started my own business @therapywithmo which is an online therapy private practice. I work with individuals, couples, and families. I have done therapy with clients across the lifespan in my work (young children, adolescents, adults, seniors). My niche focus in my practice is undoing toxic, undoing toxic mother-daughter relationships. What does this mean? I help people to identify and unlearn what no longer works for them or serves them in themselves and relationships to find new ways of coping, healing, and moving forward. I focus on getting to know my clients/therapy-seekers very well and exploring with them how to make necessary changes. My lived experience sets me apart in very unique ways as a first-generation Black woman from a Jamaican family. Navigating two cultures, expectations, etc. spoken and unspoken rules and how to manage is something I can empathize with and connect with some clients on who share these experiences. I emphasize my love and care for my clients by giving them grace and understanding in our work together. Most also appreciate my direct feedback, insight, and reflection on what I may think they are struggling with to change. I am delighted to have created a business and a space where therapy-seekers are eager to work with me, address some of the most delicate of their relationships with parents or romantic partners, and show up to do the work. When I hear how helpful I have been to a client, it reaffirms for me that in taking a big leap to go into social work and open my business was the right thing to do.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

The truth is, I do not think social work and the mental health field was as respected as it is now. Despite this, I would go back and do everything just the same to become a social worker specializing in couples and family therapy. I remember being a pre-teen or teenager and looking up the meaning of my name, “Monique,” and it means trustworthy, counselor, or advisor. I had no idea at that time what I might be when I grew up. In my working career, I have had moments of confirmation that I refer back to this moment as a young girl and I smile with satisfaction. And it is true, if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. I am living in my calling and doing the work I was destined to do by being a business owner of my therapy private practice.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

For me, community is very important. I have been supported by friends, some family, mentors, professional colleagues, and people I have met along the way. They have all helped me with brainstorming, collaborating, and getting the word out about my business. I also have a special focus in my therapy business on undoing toxic mother-daughter relationships. I am told that I often come to mind as one of the first referrals for anyone with this issue. There is only so much work we can do alone and having a community is crucial to ongoing success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moniqueevanstherapynyc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithmo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093952264820
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbe246/

Image Credits

Tara Nicolas @taraanicolas
Photographer: Vonecia Carswell @voneciacarswell