NYASHA POITIER | Don’t Forget to Be Kind to Yourself
Have you ever met a person that just effortlessly exudes sunshine?! Whether through her smile, her voice, or simply her presence, our friend Nyasha Poitier embodies all things loving and warm. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Jacksonville, FL committed to making positive changes within her private practice and her community by helping others recognize the value of self-care and self-kindness. It’s impossible to know her and not be a fan-girl.
She has big things in the works, and we are here for all of it!
Please watch this beautiful message from Nyasha and then enjoy the interview below…
S-A: Describe the healing modality (or modalities) that you offer.
NP: I utilize a collaborative approach (client-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a holistic approach) in the therapeutic process with my clients. I also utilize expressive arts in therapy to help my clients process their thoughts and feelings because healing cannot always be expressed through words. The foundation to my practice is treating the whole person and through this we focus on client’s self-care practices and overall wellness.
S-A: How did you come to this as a practice? And then as a profession?
NP: I began my journey as a therapist about ten years ago during my graduate school internship at the Women's Center of Jacksonville. There I fell in love with the process of teaching women how to heal and take care of themselves. I graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2012 and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2014. My title is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, but truly I am a just a helper. I help people help themselves. My journey as a helper started as a young child. As early as I can remember, I have been passionate about helping people and empowering my family, friends, and anyone that I crossed paths with to be their best self.
Post-graduation, I have been providing mental health counseling services and holistic care to individuals who deal with trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, childhood abuse, self-esteem, and health concerns in Jacksonville, Florida. Also, I provide wellness coaching to the women of Body Precepts, an all-women fitness company also in Jacksonville. I provide mental health counseling services and treatment at my private practice, The Art of Healing Jacksonville, with my colleague and best friend, Melissa Brown. We opened our private practice in June 2017, and it has an amazing journey. Having a private practice has always been a part of the plan and I am grateful for it all.
S-A: What is unique about your approach?
NP: I am intentional about building therapeutic rapport, safety, and trust throughout treatment with a client. I believe having a safe space encourages one to be their authentic self which cultivates healing.
S-A: What would you love people to say about what you offer?
NP: I would love people to say that I truly help them to help themselves. That they truly feel empowered, seen and therapeutically supported.
S-A: What do you hope to share with the people who practice with you?
NP: I want people to know that mental health is health and that you can attend therapy whenever you feel the need to. I want people to know that self-care is their birthright and that their needs matter. I want people to know that their ability to choose well for themselves is their superpower.
S-A: What understanding do you wish you could share with the world?
NP: I want people to understand that they are not broken and that they do not need to be fixed. I want people to understand that they are not a project to be constantly worked on and that healing is a journey. It’s your journey and that being kind to yourself will bring about much healing! I believe everyone has everything they need on the inside of them, and as my role as a healer, I am here to guide them back home to themselves.
S-A: Hw do you self-heal?
NP: I self-heal by maintaining my self-care regimen. Self-care is the thing that keeps me grounded. I am mindful to evolve my self-care according to my needs. Currently my self-care regimen consists of my spiritual practices, journaling, dancing, and meditation.
S-A : Is there a subtle shift or easy practice you can recommend for others’ healing?
NP: I always tell my clients, “Don’t forget to be kind to yourself.” To be kind to yourself means to love and embrace yourself and your journey. Practicing self-kindness changed my life. I have found that whenever I feel drained or that I have made a perceived mistake…being kind, loving and compassionate towards myself eases the pain. It’s self-soothing.
How do you start the practice of self-kindness? The easiest way to start is to be mindful of how you speak to yourself. Take a deep, cleansing breath and be intentional about talking to yourself the same way you would talk to someone that you love deeply. Self-kindness is important, it’s essential for healing.
S-A: When do you feel most alive? For instance, catch yourself subconsciously smiling?
NP: I feel most alive when I am dancing and creating. Dancing is my soul’s love language. When I am dancing, I feel free and joyous. I love to dance randomly around my house, it’s one of my favorite forms of self-care! I also enjoy Zumba with Body Precepts. I feel most alive when I am creating. I enjoy creating memories, experiences, art, poetry and content for my businesses. Also when I am worshipping God, serving others and spending time with my friends.
S-A: What is a personal mantra of yours? When do you bring it to mind?
NP: My personal mantra is, “Everything happens for me, not to me.” I created this mantra a long time ago when I began my own healing journey. This mantra helped me to shift my perspective from a victim mentality to an empowered mentality. I practice this mantra often and it also helps me to open my mind to all the choices I have when life happens.
S-A: Describe the “season of life” you currently find yourself in.
NP: I am in the season of cultivating the seeds I have planted throughout the years. I am being intentional about finding the balance between being, consuming and producing. I am excited about this season in my life. I am excited to see myself bloom, to see my flowers blossom. I am currently cultivating something that is so precious to me, my latest business venture, Second Nature Wellness. SNW is a self-care company for women that will provide tools and resources in the form of subscription boxes. I am so excited, stay tuned! Your box filled with self-care goodies will be at your doorstep soon!
Nyasha’s Favorite Quote:
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” — Audre Lorde
SPEED ROUND:
What are you listening to right now?
Lady Like: The Boss Tape by Lady London
What is your favorite song?
Refiner by Maverick City featuring Chandler Moore and Steffany Gretzinger
What are you reading?
Communion, The Female Search for Love by bell hooks
What is your favorite quote?
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde
Favorite way to connect with nature?
Being by water! It’s my happy place!
What is your favorite smell?
Pineapple!
What are your favorite self-care rituals?
Having alone and quality time with myself, getting beauty maintenance and journaling.
Do you have a mentor or guru?
My sisters and friends are my mentors and gurus! I have an amazing friend tribe; they are the family I have chosen, and I am blessed to have them in my life. I admire them all. We pour into each other’s cup often.
Nyasha Poitier, LMHC - @nyashapoitier
MS, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
The ART of Healing Jacksonville - theartofhealingjax.com
creativity, courage, change
Second Nature Self Care - @secondnatureselfcare
Self-care subscription boxes (coming late summer 2022)