Today we’d like to introduce you to Malissa Melton-Otunba.
Hi Malissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How I got started, that is an interesting question because I feel like I have been on a constant journey of restarts! So, I will start with my biggest start over. In 2015, I started over as a single mom of three children after 15yrs of marriage. I had my master’s degree in counseling and was working as a Program Director at a Christian organization. I was trying to rebuild my life while helping others, to do the same. I had the great blessing of providing resources and support to families in crisis but knew God had other plans for me to support my own family after finding ourselves in our own crisis. I took my next step working for Parkland Hospital as their Lead Mental Health Counselor for the WISH perinatal program supporting women struggling with a host of common mental health issues. During this time, I learned a great deal working alongside medical providers in a safety net hospital about issues that directly impact minority women, how their mental, medical health, and social issues all impact wellness. Although this was a great platform for me to grow as a clinician, after a few years, it was time to take my next step to my overall goal of working in private practice. After a few years working for another practice-I knew I was being called to open my own. In all logical terms, it made no sense, it was the middle of a pandemic, a single mom of now, three young adults, had just lost two sources of income, and had a steady stream of clients where I was. But when God says jump, you obey and trust that he has you, so I did. In November of 2021-I took a leap of faith in the middle of one of my most difficult years to start FaithworX Counseling & Consulting Services. I was given the name FaithworX years before and had not idea how meaningful it would be. It is based in my life verse, Hebrews 11:1 ” now faith is the confidence of things hoped for and the assurance of what we do not see.”
FaithworX Counseling & Consulting is a vision I had for years of a holistic mental health agency that is for community members at the intersection of mental health, wellness, culture, and faith. I wanted a place where people of all backgrounds could feel safe, welcome, and find healing. I think it is important to overcome the stigma felt in many minority communities to get support for mental health issues and learn the skills needed to overcome any obstacle and pursue purpose.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It certainly has not been a smooth journey but one well worth it. Most of the obstacles were ones in my own healing journey from the pain of being raised in a single-parent home by a mother who struggled with mental health issues and lack of relationship with my father who spent most of my childhood in prison, to the grief of the end of an unhealthy marriage and being a healthy mother for my children. I have come to realize that God never allows us to go through something that at some point to use to help can be used to others around us. I have had the great opportunity, out of my own healing to help support families struggling to heal from pain, overcome obstacles and rebuild healthier lives.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started FaithworX in 2012 after completing my internship as a licensed professional counselor while working for a nonprofit. For several years, I worked my business as my side hustle because I was afraid I would not be able to grow it full time. During the pandemic, I realized the great need for mental health services and saw the need grow significantly for people of color. I decided to take the leap of faith and leave the practice I was working at to pursue growing my own business. FaithworX specializes in working with highly motivated, professional people of color in areas of holistic wellness, healthy relationships, codependency recovery, healing past trauma, financial wellness, career advancement, and conscious parenting.
I am most proud of the people first approach. Each client is seen as an individual who deserves respect and dignity in helping them reach their goals and live a more awakened and abundant life. I have been blessed to have many returning clients and referrals. I believe that when you build relationships and practice acceptance it provides the platform for long-lasting transformation.
In 2022, God willing, FaithworX Counseling & Consulting hopes to add additional clinicians, provide a supportive BIPOC internship program for new interns and sell products to promote mental health, faith, and culture.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
A surprising fact about me is I started my college career majoring in photojournalism and had a dream of being a wildlife photographer for national geographic. Although, that no longer is my dream, I still love taking pictures as a hobby and plan to build a business around that passion in the future!
Contact Info:
- Email: faithworxcounseling@gmail.com
- Website: https://faithworxcounseling.clientsecure.me
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithworxcounseling
Image Credits:
Malissa Melton-Otunba
Cammy Herrera
