Mental Health Practioner Elisha Suttles Provides a Safe Space In Her Community
By: Xitlally Velasco
Elisha Suttles is a well-established provisional licensed mental health practitioner and founder of Intentional Healing Inc.
After serving at risk-women, their children and other families in the community, Elisha established Intentional Healing, Inc. for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC). She recognized that there was a high need for a safe space to allow BIWOC to be their authentic selves and heal from systemic cycles of trauma by reconstructing, recovering, and restoring their life with purpose.
Elisha graduated from Priscilla's Way Economic Development, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship Program in the spring of 2022 as one of their Determination Award Winners. The program improves the understanding of financial literacy while empowering and aiding participants in attaining entrepreneurship.
Elisha believes, “It takes someone in the family to be willing to feel it, heal it, and let it go!”
When Elisha is not serving in her private practice, she is working full-time at Nelson Mandela Elementary as the Scholar and Family Support Liaison and as an Outpatient Behavioral Therapist at the Center for Holistic Development.
Elisha is married to Darrin Suttles, and together they share two beautiful and vivacious daughters, Za’Riya and Zion.
“As a Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, I believe in the power of self-care and having items that hold significance to joy and fulfillment. ”
“I hope you enjoy the humor in learning the five things I can't live without. It was fun to take a moment and think about the things I naturally and unconsciously add to my daily schedule. That is the counselor in me; creating a routine that brings me joy and fulfillment!”
- Elisha Suttles
1. Coffee.
"Today's good mood is sponsored by coffee!"
- Elisha Suttles
Every good start to the day, I am sure, is the result of having a hot cup of coffee. Not just any old coffee, but Jamaican Me Crazy mixed with Italian Sweet Creamer or any sweet creamer, if I’m being honest. Coffee is the thrill of my day, especially on a cold morning. Coffee is to life as five is to numbers; you get the point.
2. Fuzzy Socks.
“Fuzzy socks bring me warmth anywhere I go, and they’re ideal for cozy sleeping.”
- Elisha Suttles
According to science, blood flow is first reduced to the skin and the peripheries, including the fingers, hands, and feet. You may be asking, what in the world can we wear to prevent blood flow limitations when it’s cold? You guessed right, gloves and fuzzy socks. It's not just thick wool socks that will keep you snug; fuzzy socks are where it's at. Fuzzy socks bring me warmth anywhere I go, and they’re ideal for cozy sleeping. I can't live without my barefoot dreams, and love that my toes can move freely without restriction.
3. Apple Watch.
“My Apple Watch will affirm me throughout the day with rewards for moving and grooving through health.”
- Elisha Suttles
My Apple Watch is like my accountability partner. My day starts at 4:15 am for boot camp at 5:00 am, and that reassures me that I’m starting my day with success. My Apple Watch will affirm me throughout the day with rewards for moving and grooving through health. Not only do I enjoy being held accountable and affirmed, but I also love being connected with notifications without having to carry my phone around and watching my background pictures of my family on the slideshow I created. Every morning before I take my first step, I put on my watch, awaiting the next challenge from my previous fitness day.
4. Daily Motivational Quotes.
“Motivational quotes help me begin my day by brainstorming on what type of "superhero" I will be for others.”
- Elisha Suttles
Motivational quotes provide a quick and timely burst of wisdom that helps me jump-start my day. They help me get refocused, cater to my emotions, and offer inspiration during times of need for any day or occasion. Motivational quotes help me begin my day by brainstorming on what type of "superhero" I will be for others. As a mental health counselor, it's important to me to show up in my client's space with the most positive energy possible. My role as a counselor is to pour into others, meet them where they are, and empower them to be the best version of themselves. Motivational quotes fuel my tank of fulfillment when I promote pride for others daily.
5. Prescription Glasses.
“To have wisdom is to wear my prescription glasses daily.”
- Elisha Suttles
Have you ever tried to find your way in the dark? Your eyes widen as you begin to feel around until you find light to illuminate the room. Well, without my glasses, I feel as if I’m navigating through a war zone blindfolded. To have wisdom is to wear my prescription glasses daily. In fact, I depend on them so much that I sometimes fall asleep at night with them still on. It's safe to say that my glasses are a high priority.
Xitlally Velasco is a University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism student with a concentration in public relations and advertising and a minor in Psychology. Velasco is the Digital Content Curator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. Send your tips and story ideas to office@lozafina.com
