Today we’d like to introduce you to Nykitia Ledbetter.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I think of my childhood, I have mixed emotions. Overall, it was okay definitely more bad than good memories. My mother went to prison when I when I was 10. She was there for 22 years. I am the oldest of two siblings with my mom. (I have a younger half-sister). Don’t recall living with my mom even before she went to prison. I was with my dad or my paternal aunt and grandma. I recall good memories with my daddy until he went to prison at some point as well, but he was in and out throughout my childhood. Being the oldest I took on responsibility of my brothers who are five and ten years younger than I am. I moved with my maternal grandmother and when she would work, we would go to my aunt’s mom’s sister house where she had five kids. They were my closest cousins. We grew up more like siblings. That’s where most of the fun came in due to having cousins my age and my brother’s age. The drawback was my aunt had lots of parties. I was molested one night by an adult that was attending the party. I never told anyone until I got older, and sex was an issue for me, especially in relationships. I have always worked, I stared at 14 as a waitress getting paid under the table. Then at taco bell and a lifeguard around the same time, therefore, having two jobs. I was always either working or coaching the younger kids’ basketball games. Sports was my outlet, especially basketball. I hate track but for my area, I was considered good. All of that to say, emotionally it was up and down so I was known as the mean person due to my feelings of not having my parents along with having to grown up faster than what would be considered a normal childhood. When I would have good days, it was usually due to some achievement, but I would then get sad because my parents were not there to share the moment, which is why I chose my profession. I didn’t want kids to feel like I did and also have that safe place to talk to someone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Long, stressful, and challenging but worth it. When I decided I wanted to become a child psychologist I was not aware of the total process. So, I went the therapist route with intention on finishing my doctorate. College was eventful to say the least. I was on another level and proud to say that I finished. I made poor choices while being in an abusive relationship. I would go to class on a few hours of sleep because he may have lost a gamble and would take it out on me physically. I would cover black eyes and go to school as if it was just another day. Once he kidnapped me and held me at gunpoint because I was going to this model gig, I had in Houston. He did not want me to go. That relationship only made it hard for me to trust or deal with the current abandonment issues I already had. To financially make it I sold drugs while working to gain the experience for my future career while going to school full time. I participated in track until I had a major car wreck where I punctured a lung and fractured my hip, so track was done for. My poor choices lead to plenty of fights and mugshots. Once I graduated with my bachelors, I went straight into my master’s degree. I got pregnant and when my daughter was due it was the end of the semester, and my professor told me that if I didn’t finish my 10-page paper I would not pass the class, no exceptions. On top of my job would not be giving my maternity leave because I was there on for eight months so the stress of having a baby, I had a choice to make. So, I started applying for jobs. I got an interview, but it was for the day after I was supposed to go into labor. I will never forget it was on a Friday October 8, 2010, I search how to go into labor and decided I was having my daughter early so I can make my interview. I drank castor oil and orange juice. Long story short I had my baby that next day and thank God for nursey because I typed my paper on the HTC touch screen sprint phone. I made it to my interview and passed my class. The only regret is my daughter was not breathing when she was born and was rushed to ICU thank God, she is alive and well, but I didn’t get the job. One thing I can say is I never lost sight of my goal.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mental Resilient Services, PLLC?
I am the owner of Mental Resilient Services, PLLC, and Certified Trauma Care, Licensed Professional Counselor. We believe in the holistic approach by treating the body as a whole. We are driven by our commitment to motivate individuals to reach their full potential of self-actualization and mental resilience. I have worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient treatment settings providing individual, family, and group therapy. My organization includes myself, administrative assistance, and three additional therapy interns with experiences with children, adolescents, adults, and families dealing with life issues such as: trauma, high-risk youth, self-esteem, substance abuse and addictions, anger management, behavior modification and mental health challenges including depression, autism, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia. My preferred counseling style is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but we use an eclectic approach to counseling in order to fit the need of each individual.
What set us apart from others is we thrive on resetting the foundation while building up self in order to deal with and heal past and current traumas. Each therapist is unique in their own way from their personality to their style of therapy and dialogue. I truly love what I do and aim to help and serve the mental health population. We are currently accepting new clients and can check us out at www.mentalresilient.com. Even the strongest can feel lost, unsure, ambivalent, or unhappy at times. Mental Resilient Services helps individuals put reality into perspective. While providing a safe place of unbiased, nonjudgmental, holistic treatment that is Resilient, Relatable, and Real.
I would like readers to also know we do take most major insurance companies such has Blue Cross Blue Shields, Atnea, United Healthcare, Optum, Cigna, Superior Health Plan, Ambetter.
What do you think about happiness?
My daughter and family. They are my backbone and will always find a way to humble me but is my safe haven. Let’s not forget ice cream because I can’t function without it. LOL
Pricing:
- Varies based on copays/coinsurances
- $150 per session if self pay
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mentalresilient.com
- Instagram: theresilienttherapist
- Facebook: The Resilient Therapist
