Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raquel Johnson, LCPC & Stephanie Hockaday, CSC-AD. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Raquel Johnson, LCPC & Stephanie Hockaday, CSC-AD thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Raquel Johnson, and Stephanie Hockaday are the two business owners of Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program, LLC and considering the recent spotlight that has been placed on Baltimore City due to the issues surrounding police misconduct associated with Freddie Gray, and the HBO series “We Own the City.” Ms. Johnson decided to pitch an idea to Ms. Hockaday, during a girls’ night out. Ms. Johnson shared her experience of work-related training and the need for ongoing mental health treatment for Law Enforcement Officers. Therefore, we decided to change the narrative for the city we cherish by creating a therapeutic and holistic program for Law Enforcement Agencies within our City. This mission is meaningful to us because we both were raised in Baltimore City and value Baltimore, despite some of the bad reputation that Baltimore receives. In addition, both owners of Essential Wellness have firsthand experience working within Law Enforcement and the Counseling Arena.

Enlight of the Consent Decree, which was implemented in 2016 to ensure constitutional policing, Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program, LLC is addressing criminal justice reform by providing educational solutions through therapy to Law Enforcement Agencies within Baltimore City and surrounding counties throughout the State of Maryland.

Our goal is to address the mental health instability of local law enforcement officers so that there is a noticeable decrease in suicide, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and domestic violence; as well as supporting law enforcement officers in developing healthy and supportive relationships in the community. Our unique selling point is our focus on mental health and substance abuse services specifically tailored to public servants. Our target audience includes both non-essential and essential members of local law enforcement, specifically those working in Baltimore City.

The Essential Wellness Program for Law Enforcement will offer a range of services such as trauma-informed care, mental health therapy, substance abuse counseling, physical wellness (meditation and yoga), and Community Engagement Actualization Training. Incorporating these educational solutions will help improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of law enforcement officers as well as promote the development of healthy bilateral relationships with the community and reduce misconduct.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The CEO/ OWNERS consists of two experienced practitioners with advanced degrees in criminal justice, psychological services, rehabilitation counseling, and chemical dependency counseling.

Raquel Johnson, CEO / OWNER PSYCHOTHERAPIST, LCPC – has a AA Addiction Counseling, BS in Psychological Services, M.ED Rehabilitation Counseling, LCPC. Raquel Johnson specializes in Psychotherapy, Rehabilitation Counseling and Criminal Justice. She has over 20 years in Therapeutic Counseling and 13 years in the Criminal Justice field, Stephanie Hockaday, CEO / OWNER Chemical Dependency Counseling, CSC-AD. – has a BS in Sociology/Criminal Justice, MS in Criminal Justice/Specialty Law Enforcement, AA Chemical Dependency Counseling, CSC-AD. Stephanie Hockaday specializes in Criminal Justice and Substance Use Disorders. She has over 17 years of experience working in both the Chemical Dependency and Criminal Justice fields.

We are grateful for the support of the Baltimore Police Department, as they have invited us on Saturday, July 15th, 2023, from 11 a.m. – to 3:30 p.m. to the 4th Annual BPD Health and Wellness Family Fair, at the Baltimore Convention Center. We are thrilled to participate as a health and wellness exhibitor. Our participation will allow us to play a significant role in the development, education, and promotion of behavioral health equity and harm reduction. Incorporating these educational solutions will help improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of law enforcement officers as well as promote the development of healthy bilateral relationships with the community and inform officers and the community about our referral process for our proposed Fall 2023 opening of Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program.

We are confident that our partnership with Baltimore City Police Department and other Law Enforcement Entities will be beneficial and support all efforts to address criminal justice reform; as well as address and support the mental, emotional, and physical health needs of the brave men and women that serve Baltimore City. Essential Wellness can ensure you that all our services are person-centered and will support the health and well-being of newly recruited members of law enforcement and those seasoned veterans. Essential Wellness is equipped and ready to support the dedicated men and women that selflessly serve our communities.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Raquel Johnson and Stephanie Hockaday met in 2011 while working at the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services where they both were employed as Senior Agents in the Sex Offender Unit. We bonded over the great work atmosphere, which manifested itself into a great friendship. We shared dual careers in criminal justice and the counseling field and similar interests outside of work such as a desire for worldly traveling and exploring Maryland. Our resilient friendship, trials, tribulations, and leaning on one another keeps our self-confidence high, binds our loyalty, aids in our effective communication amongst one another, strengthens our sisterly bond and it motivates us to uplift Baltimore. We are twin flames in reference to our friendship and we understand that sometimes Soul mates come in friend versions as well.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our personal influences, community connections and lengthy years working in law enforcement and the counseling arena simultaneously have built our reputation within Baltimore City, and surrounding counties. But it has been our community connections that motivate and provide us with continued encouragement. Our community sets the tone for our community-based philanthropy. Philanthropy as defined by Essential Wellness means love of mankind. We are pleased to say that our community supports us, because we put them first and implement harm reduction and behavior health equity for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brand.page/EssentialWellnesstpllc
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/essentialwellnesstpllc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089813007559&sk=about
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/esswelltherapy