We recently connected with Taijah Bell and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Taijah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
When I reflect on the idea of taking risks, it reminds me of a pivotal moment in my life where I decided to step out on faith and bet on myself and my family, despite my fears. At that time, I was in a job within the school system that was mentally and emotionally taxing, and it didn’t align with my true purpose. However, I was skilled at what I did and earned a good income.
For years, I had contemplated moving out of state, but the “what ifs” always held me back. What if I couldn’t find a job? What if we couldn’t find suitable childcare? How would my husband and I manage without immediate family nearby? The fear of failure and financial struggles weighed heavily on my mind. It was during a conversation with my husband that I began to seriously consider taking a risk.
He reassured me that no matter what path we chose, we would be okay. Failure, if it happened, would not be the end of the world because we had each other, and together, we could overcome any challenges. Inspired by his support and guidance, I remembered the wise words of my bonus mom, who always encouraged me to step out on faith and trust in a God. She often reminded me that even in the worst-case scenario, we could come back home and start anew.
With newfound determination, we made the bold decision to move to Georgia, not fully knowing how everything would play out. It was undoubtedly a major risk, and we encountered some bumps along the way. But in the end, the transition to Georgia turned out to be the best decision for our family. Our children thrived, my business flourished, and we became proud homeowners, embracing the suburban lifestyle with all its quirks.
This experience transformed my faith in a profound way, and I no longer feared taking risks. Looking back, I realized I had never truly failed at anything; I had mostly achieved the things I went after. The prospect of experiencing a major setback due to a risk not panning out was what held me back. But as my favorite quote goes, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” How could I know the outcome if I never tried?
My perspective on failure shifted, and I stopped viewing it as a negative concept. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Now, I embrace challenges as chances to gain valuable lessons. So, I encourage others not to be afraid of taking risks because of the possibility of failure. There are only wins and lessons in life, and I am always ready for a lesson on any given day.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Taijah Bell, a licensed Master’s social worker with a passion for maternal mental health. I specialize in supporting black and brown moms through their unique journeys. As the CEO and founder of Mom’s Mental Matters, a non-profit organization, my mission is to provide education and therapy to prevent and treat perinatal mood disorders, including postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis.
Having spent six years counseling in schools, I transitioned to teletherapy upon moving to Georgia. It was during this time that I stumbled upon alarming statistics about the suicide rate for mothers after childbirth. This revelation prompted me to reflect on my own experience with pre and postpartum depression, which I faced after losing my 11-year-old sister during my first pregnancy a decade ago. I realized how beneficial it would have been to have resources to help me navigate those challenging times.
In response, I organized a panel discussion to educate women about postpartum depression, featuring other moms who had experienced it. The impact of this event was remarkable, as moms felt seen and heard, realizing they were not alone in their struggles. This led to the birth of Moms Mental Matters, which now offers free monthly support groups and panel discussions, providing a safe space for mothers to connect, seek advice, and share their experiences.
My vision for Moms Mental Matters goes beyond education. I am working diligently to make affordable therapy accessible to moms, eliminating the financial burden that often accompanies seeking help for perinatal mood disorders. Postpartum therapy can truly be a matter of life or death, and no mom should have to worry about affordability when seeking essential mental health support.
While treating women, I noticed a common thread – a lack of self-care. Postpartum depression disproportionately affects women of color, making it crucial for them to prioritize self-care. Hence, I created “Cultivate Joy,” the ultimate self-care guided journal for black and brown moms. This journal empowers moms to prioritize their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational, creative, and financial well-being. It also features quotes from influential mothers in my life.
Pregnancy and motherhood are beautiful, but they can also present significant challenges. Having a therapist or coach to journey alongside mothers through this transformative phase, especially if they have risk factors for perinatal mood disorders, can be life-changing and can prevent these disorders from escalating.
My goal is to remind moms that they deserve to thrive, not just survive, through motherhood. By providing support, education, and accessible therapy, I aim to empower mothers to prioritize their well-being, rediscover their happiness, and embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The decision to relocate to Georgia nearly two years ago prompted a significant pivot in my career trajectory. For six years, I had been working in educational settings, but was unable to find a school social worker role and decided to explore teletherapy with adults and children. I had no experience working with adults but due to the need for greater flexibility to care for my young children, I took on the role. Through a colleague, I discovered an opportunity in teletherapy for children with another company, marking my introduction to contract work. This led me to establish Taijah Bell Therapy Group as an LLC to facilitate this new venture.
While I enjoyed working with children through teletherapy, the scheduling demands didn’t align well with my role as a mother. Balancing my responsibilities as a therapist and as a parent became challenging, and I felt that my household was being impacted negatively. Consequently, I made the difficult decision to step away from that role, leaving me with my LLC and the question of what to do next.
During the summer of 2021, my main job experienced a significant decline in clientele, resulting in a drastic reduction in my caseload from about 50 clients to just 10. This financial strain and stress prompted a realization that relying on a single stream of income within my field was not sustainable. To diversify and explore different areas of social work, I decided to delve into contract work, securing contracts with various companies.
This journey into contract work allowed me to broaden my expertise by engaging in geriatric therapy, teletherapy for children, and teletherapy for adults. While I had not envisioned working with adults or in geriatrics, these experiences have proven invaluable in shaping me as a clinician. Even though my specialization remains focused on working with mothers, I am grateful for the diverse pivots my career has taken, as they have enriched my professional growth.
Looking ahead, I am planning another pivot by the end of the year, choosing to exclusively focus on providing services for mothers. These ongoing shifts in my career have been transformative and have solidified my identity as a dedicated and well-rounded clinician. Embracing change and adaptability has allowed me to thrive in my profession, and I look forward to continuing my journey of growth and impact in the field of social work.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Certainly! One resource that has profoundly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking is the book “Outwitting the Devil.” Authored by Napoleon Hill, this transformative piece has had a significant influence on my personal growth and philosophy.
This year, my family embarked on a virtual book club, an initiative spearheaded by my brother. Together, we engaged in reading this insightful book, taking on a chapter each week. During our discussions, we shared reflections and insights, exploring how the principles presented in the book could be applied to our individual lives.
These principles include definiteness of purpose, mastery over self, learning from adversity, time management, harmony, controlling environmental influences, and exercising caution.
“Outwitting the Devil” challenges readers to question their beliefs, break free from limiting patterns, and take control of their destinies. It advocates for a proactive approach to life, where individuals actively design their paths and overcome obstacles.
Through the exploration of these principles, I have discovered invaluable insights into attaining mental, spiritual, and physical freedom. The book has been a game-changer, completely altering my perspective on life and guiding my management and entrepreneurial thinking.
The process of studying this book and engaging in meaningful discussions with my family has deepened my understanding of essential life principles. I have applied these newfound insights to my management approach and entrepreneurial endeavors, resulting in greater clarity, purpose, and effectiveness in my actions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taijahbelltherapygroup.com and http://www.momsmentalmatters.org/
- Instagram: @momsmentalmatters
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taijah-bell-lmsw-pmh-947747126/
- Youtube: momsmentalmattters
Image Credits
Image credits Jayda Bell