We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, we appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

One of the most recent defining moments in my career as a therapist was in 2020 when there was an influx of college students (specifically from HBCUs) & clients of color desiring therapy. I mean, they were ready to do the heartwork; equipped with journals/notebooks, open to learning, and wanting to break general curses from their families, and communities. While the pandemic created an increase in anxiety, depression, and overall uncertainty, it also created a resurgence of people being intentional about improving their mental health, and well being. The desire to be better, achieve personal growth, & understand themselves was something that truly made me fall in love with my craft. Emails, calls, and texts stating, “I heard about you, and I wanted to know if you can help me, too!”, or “You helped my friend, and they referred me to you. I have never been in therapy before, but I want to try it.” These are the moments when I was reminded that I was living on purpose. It’s such an honor to be asked to be a part of a client’s journey.

Before I became a therapist, I was a high school English & Journalism teacher, and Professional School Counselor. During my time as a school counselor, teen suicide was the second leading cause of death. New ways to self harm & cyberbullying were also increasing concerns. Part of my job was also to serve on the crisis team, to educate families, students, and staff about suicide risk & intervention, teach them to recognize self harm, signs of depression, and support as needed. I remember “walking” a student’s schedule, and providing comfort and grief services to their teachers, classmates, and siblings. A special part of that process was allowing classes to find a way to honor their loved one, and introduce them to safely expressing emotions. Saving a seat was a popular one. It was also important to have relationships with community resources to refer them to services needed that were beyond my scope. While it is heartbreaking to lose a student, it is also a reminder to keep heartwork trending.

Ironically, most of my informal counseling experiences came from working with students. I wanted them to feel like we were a team; a family. We addressed personal needs, and then got to work. Heartwork first! When I opened Heartwork Trending Counseling & Consulting Services, PLLC. (now 323 Counseling & Consulting Services, PLLC.) in 2017, my goal was to cultivate open, accepting spaces in communities & families to break the stereotypes around mental health in communities of color. It means alot to just have someone listen, and help unravel life’s challenges.

I’d like to say that I help people do life for a living, but the lesson that I have learned is that my clients make me a better therapist. The work that they do, I do as well. For example, I create a self care plan, also. I challenge my thoughts, journal, etc. My defining moments have taught me that we all have permission to be human, and to grow through this life.

Stephanie, 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?

Hi, I am Stephanie Davis!

I am mother of a sincere kid. 😉. I am daughter, a christian, a best selling author, an educator/adjunct professor. I am also licensed professional counselor, and owner of 323 Counseling and Consulting Services, PLLC. (formerly Heartwork Trending). My mission is to keep heartwork trending by learning, loving, & leading. My vision is to cultivating communities through compassionate, competent counseling & consulting. My success equation is: Real People +Real Connections= Real Change.

In addition to the heartwork, I am serve as acting secretary of local non-profit, The Troubled Movement, Inc. I am a lover of sisterhood & service to mankind as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. by way of the Alpha Kappa Omega chapter.

Like most, I am a lot of things to many different people. However, I have learned to be more to myself, so that I can show up for others in an authentic way. I believe that we all have gifts, and talents to impart to the world. That’s our heartwork. Let’s keep it trending to bless others. Be present. Be aware. Be alive. Be.

To learn more, check out www.heartworktrending.net

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson that I had to unlearn was that in business, you don’t have to have it all figured out. As a therapist, you never know what your session may look like. I had a therapy goals set for a client, but we ended up working on something totally different. Have a plan, but be prepared to pivot, if needed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Absolutely! I mean, it’s heartwork, but someone has to do it. Honestly, this is my dream job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heartworktrending.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartworktrending
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartworkTrendingCounseling
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-davis-m-ed-lpc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_dxEI2kf2xOdTvSepG-TLA