Community Highlights: Meet Renata Rhodes of Lifted Minds Psychiatry & Wellness PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renata Rhodes.

Hi Renata , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story began long before my career ever did.

As a young child, I found myself helping care for my grandmother and other family members. Even at an early age, caregiving felt natural to me—it was simply how I showed love and responsibility. I was a shy kid, and for most of my childhood I was essentially an only child until my younger brother was born when I was 14, but I always had a strong inner knowing that my life would have purpose.

Growing up in a very small town, I became aware early on of how much mental health and emotional well-being were overlooked, especially in close-knit communities where people often suffered in silence. I paid attention to my surroundings, to the unspoken struggles, and to how deeply those struggles affected families and generations.

After joining the military and later becoming a nurse, that awareness became impossible to ignore. I saw firsthand the gaps in mental health care and the lack of culturally responsive support—particularly within the Black and African American community. I realized that my upbringing, my lived experiences, and my professional training had uniquely positioned me to serve in this space.

That realization shaped my path. I chose to focus my work on mental health and wellness so I could pour back into the very communities that shaped me. My goal has always been to create care that feels safe, affirming, and accessible—care that acknowledges both clinical needs and lived realities.

Everything I do today is rooted in that early sense of purpose: using my experiences, my voice, and my expertise to help people who look like me feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Most definitely not. My path has been shaped by detours, deployments, and seasons of uncertainty. For a long time, I wasn’t the person who felt comfortable using my voice. I was shy and often questioned whether my voice would even be heard. Still, I always knew I was different and that there was purpose on my life.

There were many starts and restarts along the way. I was repeatedly deployed, went back to school multiple times, and worked my way from LVN to RN, earning my associate’s, bachelor’s, and eventually my master’s degree. Each step came with its own challenges,; financial strain, exhaustion, and moments of doubt.

Then COVID hit, and everything shifted. What I once thought would be a completely different path became a clear calling. That season forced me to stop waiting and step fully into my purpose.. to speak up, serve boldly, and become a voice for those who didn’t feel seen or heard. I didn’t allow setbacks, fear, or lack of resources to stop me from pursuing what I truly believe God placed in my heart.

As you know, we’re big fans of Lifted Minds Psychiatry & Wellness PLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Lifted Minds Psychiatry & Wellness PLLC is a mental health practice rooted in culturally responsive, compassionate care. We provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and holistic mental wellness services with a strong emphasis on understanding the lived experiences of our clients—not just their diagnoses.

Our specialty lies in serving individuals who have historically felt unseen or misunderstood in traditional healthcare spaces, particularly within the Black and African American community. We approach mental health through a lens that honors culture, identity, trauma, faith, and life experience, recognizing that healing is deeply personal and not one-size-fits-all.

What sets Lifted Minds apart is our honesty about the healing process. We don’t sugarcoat growth. While we provide support, guidance, and clinical expertise, we also emphasize accountability and personal responsibility. True healing requires effort, self-reflection, and a willingness to do the work. We partner with our clients, empowering them to take an active role in their mental wellness rather than relying on quick fixes.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built. Lifted Minds is known for care that feels affirming, intentional, and real. Every offering – whether clinical services, wellness education, or social outreach – is designed to move people from survival mode into sustainable healing.

What I want readers to know most is that Lifted Minds is more than a practice; it’s a mission. We exist to normalize mental health care, challenge stigma, and create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their healing.

What’s next?
Looking ahead, my focus is on growth with intention. I plan to continue expanding Lifted Minds Psychiatry & Wellness PLLC in a way that maintains the integrity of the care we provide while increasing access for those who need it most. That includes broadening services, building community partnerships, and creating more educational and wellness-based offerings.

I’m also looking forward to building platforms beyond the clinical space—through speaking, writing, and community conversations—that allow me to advocate for mental health awareness, accountability, and healing on a larger scale. My goal is to continue creating spaces where people feel empowered to take ownership of their mental wellness and break cycles that no longer serve them.

The biggest change ahead is continuing to lead boldly and unapologetically in my purpose. I’m committed to evolving without losing sight of why I started: to serve, to heal, and to help others move from survival into sustainable, whole lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liftedmindspw.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getliftedpsychnp?igsh=MTMzNXE0bHYxYzV3dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gitm1sypi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@getliftedpsychnp1?si=AELGRmy7Xegt0jPZ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@getliftedpsychnp?_r=1&_t=ZP-93ji2lSy3El