We were lucky to catch up with Tanika Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanika , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

I opened Breathe Freely during the pandemic. There was an immediate need for mental health agencies that address the needs of the community. I wanted to create a safe, and warm space for people to come to work out their mental health needs and a safe place where they can achieve their goals. I always tell people who desire to start a buisness the sky is the limit. There is a place for everyone to achieve their goals, never be afraid as there is a space in this world for all our dreams and desires we just have to take the steps necessary to achieve them.

Tanika , 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?

My name is Tanika Walker, LMSW, JD, and I am the CEO of Breathe Freely Behavioral Health Systems in Baltimore, Maryland. I opened Breathe Freely to provide quality and individualistic mental health services for persons with medical assistance in Maryland specifically Baltimore. The goal of Breathe Freely is to provide a safe space for persons with mental health diagnoses.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being a therapist is not an easy job as we are responsible for the health and well-being of others. Over the years I have found that being my authentic and true self in every aspect that I serve clients, the community, and the persons whom I employ. In every aspect of my life, I have overcome many challenges such as in college. While I was a freshman in college I was informed by my English professor I should enroll in an honors English class. To enroll I had to get permission from the head of the English department. I went with the paper to be signed and was denied by the professor. While I was inquiring as to why as I had approval from my English teacher. The head of the English department said that as a young black girl from Baltimore, I should stay in my place and be happy to even be at the college. I was devastated and contacted my parents requesting to go home. After having a talk with my father I realized that I belonged there and no one would or could remove me from this college. I used this as fuel to be able to graduate and do so at the top of my class. At graduation, I was able to smile and say to the person who said I was not worthy that “I did it and I did it my way without anyone’s approval”. This is a lesson that I have used to propel and fuel me to be able to know I can achieve everything I desire with hard work, determination, and dedication. This is something I also instill in those whom I serve and the community I reside.

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

If I could go back I would always choose social work. As a social worker I have been able to be so impactful in many persons lives, the community in which I reside, and also my agency. Choosing the career of a social worker has been able to give me a foundation to assist those in need and to provide tools for people to heal, grow and develop a better sense of self and identity. I even left and went and received a law degree and realized that being a servant of the community and helping people to grow and see the light at the end of the tunnel is something I can never receive in another career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.breathefreelybhs.com
• Instagram: breathefreelybhs
• Facebook: breathefreelybhs

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