We were lucky to catch up with Nikquan Lewis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nikquan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a Relationship and Sex Therapist, Speaker and Consultant, my mission is to advance the world’s knowledge of sexual health and assist people with having healthy relationships and great intimacy. I do this by working with singles, couples, groups and corporations to create unified experiences that allow them to connect with others in a deeper and intentional way.

Educating others on sexual health as a whole and building healthy relationships whether the relationships are platonic, romantic or professional became my mission because of my own lived experiences but it is especially important to me as a black woman in the field because of the lack of representation. It is vital that I do my part to close the gap of black licensed therapists, particularly black relationship and sex therapists. Increasing representation increases chances of minorities seeking treatment and fighting stigma.

I am passionate about healthy relationships and great intimacy as so many of us weren’t taught how to build healthy foundations for either. I assist individuals and couples with creating healthy foundations and designing healthy sex lives that are perfect for them and I assist corporations with teaching leadership how to build healthy relationships in the workplace.

Nikquan, 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?

Sure! Professionally, I am known to assist people with improving intimacy with themselves first and then others. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Relationship/Sex Therapist, Speaker and Consultant located in Katy, Texas. For several years, I have treated individuals and couples in a variety of settings and own a private practice, Intimate Connections PLLC, where I am dedicated to improving relationships whether romantic, platonic or professional.

I am the creator of the “How Do You Want It?!” Relationship and Sex Conversation Cards and the accompanying Interactive Digital Guide to Intimacy. These products are utilized to assist people with designing healthy relationships and having great intimacy that is perfect for them!

I speak at conferences, facilitate workshops, trainings, private sessions and appear on panels and podcasts and am committed to educating people on ways to increase intimacy, build healthy relationships and sexual health in general. I became a Relationship and Sex Therapist to advance the field of sexual health, assist people with building healthy relationships and intimacy and to increase representation for minorities and underserved populations. It is my perspective that underserved populations include those experiencing sexual health issues as there are several barriers to treatment including feelings of shame, finances, lack of knowledge, etc. which prevent people from seeking services.

Now! Personally, I am a wife of almost 8 years and mother to a 22-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old son who have always been my motivation to strive to be my best self and reach for the stars in an effort to show them that the sky’s the limit! They are a big part of my “why” I am determined to first, myself have healthy relationships and show others how too as well. Particularly, showing my children how to build healthy relationships!

What sets me apart from others is being an educated black woman that is dual licensed (LMFT and LPC), a sex therapist, a small business owner who is also an overcomer who has ended generational dysfunction in my family. I am most excited and proud of being a strong image and model of responsibility, healthy relationships, work ethic, effective communication and love for my children!! It’s always going to go back to interrupting generational dysfunction for me and creating healthy patterns.

What people should know about me and Intimate Connections PLLC is that my mission influences everything that I do and I am committed to assisting others to live the lives that they desire!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Becoming a small business owner definitely required me to stretch and break down narratives created by financial triggers growing up. Initially in my practice, I was the therapist, biller, bookkeeper, receptionist, social media manager, everything!! Working with a Business Coach was vital to my success and assisted me with understanding my relationship with money which was responsible for my fear of hiring staff. I have since changed that narrative and hired staff despite my fear. I’ve learned that sometimes, you have to do it afraid! I now have others to work “on the business” so that I can work in it, serving clients.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I opened my practice, I literally had less than 200 followers. I have grown significantly within months and it is absolutely due to the social media strategist that I hired. She is amazing and a major part of my long term business structure. Hiring her was one of the best investments I have made in my business.

I would highly recommend hiring someone to manage social media if you are like me and it is a source of stress. My voice, brand and knowledge are still displayed without the pressures of doing everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://intimateconnectionspllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intimateconnectionspllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntimateConnectionsPLLC/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikquan-lewis-ms-lmft-lpc-st-0b42787a/

Image Credits
Paper Chris