Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natasha Ewa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Natasha, thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I have worked in the mental health field for over 12 years and when I received my cancer diagnosis, I had been in the mist of contemplating opening my own private practice, working for myself and starting a professional family that would service the community around me. My diagnosis of stage 2 ER+ breast cancer rocked my entire world, it scared me senseless, but what it also did was immediately define my priorities. Some of my priorities were not in line with the vision I had for myself, and having cancer reminded me (quite bluntly) that if I genuinely do not know what tomorrow brings and if I will still be here, why do I continue to labor in a way that does not meet or align with my values, mission and vision.

Cancer scared me
Cancer forced me to come alive
Cancer reminded me of my dream and my purpose.
Cancer told me… it was time

Out of my health experience and my desire to thrive, came the name of my practice, “I Thrive Therapy and Wellness”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a young girl growing up in the UK (east London), I always recognized that I had the capacity to draw people in and when they left my vicinity, the seemed to come alive. Or, they would express how my presence showed them how to come alive. It’s hard to explain, but in short, I seemed to be the mediator (even with minimal words) between discontent and joy. Then I thought (for about 8 months) that I wanted to work for NASA and go to the moon. Till today, I cannot explain what that short lived dream was about, but it was a very loud dream. Before I knew it, I was back to imagining myself in spaces where I supported the healing process. Whether that be educational healing, cognitive healing or physical healing.

I did know, I did not want to be a medical doctor (Chemistry is not at all my thing) couple that with the obsession I had with the human mind, I found myself each year of my childhood and adolescent life inching towards the world of psychology. Maybe I’d become a psychiatrist? Maybe a psychologist?

I attended Lincoln University of PA where I obtained a Bachelors of Science Degree in ‘PsychoBiology’ with the initial intent of pursuing psychiatry or becoming a Psychiatric Nurse. But I have always known that the typical medical setting was not for me. Though a type of healing space, not one with the kind of creativity my mind exudes. Also, I took a chemistry class, and well… that did not end favorably.

I then decided to get my feet wet in the field and worked various jobs for about 3 years before I decided to pursue my Masters of Social work. Learning that this field would award me an opportunity to study the mind, support individuals not only at a micro level, but also a mezzo and macro level, but more importantly, I could be creative. This was important to me. It was not just about medicine, it was not just about the mind. With social work, it is all of those things, along with being about community, resources, trainings, policy and even art.

With this I earned my MSW, went on to sit for the state board exam in VA to earn my LCSW. I then decided to also earn my LCSW-c in Maryland and my LICSW in Rhode Island (my home state prior to moving to Virginia).

I have worked a variety of roles to include being a clinical director. I now have my own private practice in Chesapeake, VA The clients I currently work with primarily deal with mood disorders, trauma, employment related stress, cultural assimilation needs, and health related crises such as cancer(s), sickle cell and more. My staff also work with individuals with a history of suicidal ideations, psychosis and more. We provide Art Therapy service, Trauma Informed care focused therapy, individual, family, couples, group therapy and more.
I additionally services MSW individuals working towards licensure by providing clinical supervision before they sit for their board exam.

I am proud of the overall woman that I am. Cancer scared me, and I admit that wholeheartedly. But I used what happened to me to propel an idea that had been sitting. I have been on TV shows as an expert psychotherapist, I have led trainings and more. I am excited to be living and I am proud of myself for allowing myself to live while supporting the healing of others who also have a desire to live.

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

If I could go back in time, I would choose the same profession over and over again.

It is where I am supposed to be.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy to growing clientele is honest service and having a system in place. This was important to me. I learned and understand that the client experience is not solely about what occurs in their therapy / counseling session, but what occurs leading up to it, and what occurs afterwards.

Having a system in place is imperative to word of mouth.
My practice has primarily been built on word of mouth. From one client to the other, from one medical professional referral to another.

Contact Info:

• Website: ittandwellness.com
• Instagram: @i_thrive_therapy_and_wellness
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/