We recently connected with Macala Lacy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Macala, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I started graduate school knowing that I wanted to eventually be in private practice. My perspective and approach as a community-centered Black queer femme is inherently unique, and sometimes even counter, to the overwhelmingly Eurocentric mental health field. Because of this, I’ve known I would thrive most in a setting that allowed me to show up authentically and seek aligned clients. It has always been a dream- almost personal expectation -to create a therapeutic space dedicated to Black queer and gender-expansive folks’ holistic wellness.

While I always intended to be in private practice, I didn’t expect it to happen so early in my career. Due to the sudden discontinuation of a mental health department that I managed, in late 2019 I suddenly found myself without employment. I was devastated. But with some time and a lot of courage, I used the new freedom to start developing my vision of a private practice (while I searched for other job opportunities, of course).

I find that when things are meant for us, there is ease. Not that the process is always easy, but there is a magical alignment along the way. With the support of my clinical supervisor, Roshni Chabra, LMFT, I began seeing clients part-time early in 2020. It was liberating to determine my fee, my schedule, my clients, and my intentions. It’s now 2023 and I’m grateful to be in full time private practice helping Black and queer people of color, women, and non-binary folks develop holistic coping strategies for relational and complex identity trauma.

Macala, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Well Healing (TWH) is a holistic health resource dedicated to historically underserved communities and individuals experiencing marginalization and oppression. I provide mental health counseling, holistic health workshops, trauma-informed yoga, connection to other local wellness opportunities, and more. I support Black and queer people of color by integrating my experience and knowledge as clinical mental health therapist and yoga teacher.

TWH is unique in its multidimensional and holistic approach to community wellness. We honor indigenous wisdom in addition to evidence-based practice. Knowledge derived from the East, West, North, and South, the streets, academia, and our ancestors are interwoven to create accessible, intentional, and transformative wellness tools designed to heal the whole person. We offer diverse discussions and events ranging from medicalized mental health to astrology, yoga, the arts, intersectional identity… I invite you to come join us at The Well and discover for yourself!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

My suggestion to any therapist starting their own practice is to know who you are. Or maybe, to be active in the process of knowing yourself, as we are always growing and changing. Knowing ourselves allows us to make the most authentic choices along the journey and create the practice that is most aligned with our needs. And when we show up whole, we support others’ healing too. I would encourage Black and clinicians of color especially to connect with community, whoever that is for you. Rooting into our relationships helps with grounding through the inevitable storms of operating your own business.

Finally, for everyone with a dream: Rest. Don’t quit.

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

I’m less attached to the title of “therapist” and more to the role it allows me to play in others’ lives in a sustainable way. My professional title is: EMDR-trained Associate Yoga Psychotherapist and I specialize in helping Black, queer, and gender-expansive people of color to develop holistic coping strategies for relational and complex identity trauma. But I grew up understanding I intuitively provide safety for people to be vulnerable. That’s what matters to me. My work is deeply connected to my life’s calling and I sincerely believe I am where I’m supposed to be. I’m grateful to say that if I could go back, I’d do it all the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thewellhealing.com
• Instagram: thewellhealing
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheWellHeal
• Linkedin: The Well Healing

Image Credits
Mackenzie A. Lacy