Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Wise-Brown.
Hi Andrea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’m often asked why I’m called the “Power Starter.” The answer is simple; I was born to identify and show others the Unique Power that they possess, then help them strategize how to use it so they live the life that they truly desire. I empower and educate people on how to IGNITE the POWER they possess which is often ignored due to family of origin trauma. I am a licensed Mental Health Expert/Psychotherapist.
The journey began in elementary school while living in the “hood” inner city of Newark, New Jersey when I was in the fourth grade, just before my peers began calling me “Miss Know it all”, and I would be reprimanded by teachers for talking too much. One day I overheard my teacher telling another that his students were not as smart as the students in the other fourth-grade class. In that moment I began to look at myself differently. I realized that I was one of his “not as smart” students which I interpreted as, “something is wrong with me, I’m not smart”. My mode of operation switched; I became intrinsically motivated to learn nonconventional ways to make it in the world. I went into Survival mode.
However, fifteen years later I decided that I was going to Stop Living to “Survive “and Start living my Dreams! I was a Cosmetologist who lived off of exactly what I earned daily, did not have financial literacy however I was determined to survive as a hard worker, who was intuitively good at manifesting. I owned a hair salon where my staff and patrons were women who I loved; they were my family. I’ve always connected to others in a way that was deeper than most. I’m interested in people’s stories, choices and helping them strategize for better outcomes. I enjoyed the women who frequented the salon; however, I hated the work. I was torn; surviving and seen by many as successful yet not fulfilled in my purpose to empower and educate the masses.
As a salon owner, I had been married for three years and recently had my beautiful baby. I was now running a business that I did not like and suffering from postpartum depression. This was a pivotal time for me. This was the time in my life when I made a decision to co-create my happiness by going after my dream of becoming a motivational speaker who helps others to live their dreams. I made a choice to jump! I had always been the person that everyone would come to for advice and motivation, I was already doing the job for free which I loved, but now it was time to make a career out of it.
It became clear to me that as a motivational speaker I would need to know all about the brain and the pathology to complacency. I needed to know why people get stuck and stay stuck. Why they are not motivated and what happens in their brain when they become motivated. I needed to study the brain. I needed to be able to decipher the difference between how the brain works when it is functioning and when it’s dysfunctional. I needed to understand the state of the brain when a person is intrinsically motivated and the state of the brain when they are not motivated at all. I realized quickly that I needed to go to school which I was avoiding. I figured out that I had to pull all the strength that I had to face my fears.
I feared going to college. I began to look up colleges that had psychology programs that were close to me. The first hurdle was getting admitted to a college after being out of school for 10 years. As I began to look, I found a school that was near the salon that I owned and near my baby’s nursery school. I applied to a program that the university had for adult applicants and I got accepted!!! I was so happy because I could see that things were working in my favor, but the next five years was a struggle. I almost lost myself, I gained 60 pounds because at that time I did not have the coping skills to process the added stress. It was an unhealthy defense mechanism to ignore my emotions with the distraction of food, but I’m grateful because I believe it helped me keep my sanity at the time. For those five years, I strategized taking care of my baby, my husband, my home, my business and now my education, but I did not lose my mind! I graduated with a dual degree in Psychology/Psychiatric Rehabilitation from Kean University and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, with honors and top of my class. The same girl who was told in the fourth grade that she was “not as smart as” the other class. At that point, I understood how the brain worked and what stimuli it needs to get motivated and stay motivated.
I then moved to Texas where I was able to lose weight and maintain my pursuit of education. I obtained a master’s degree, then became a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor; I have Mastered how to motivate the brain! I connect people with their purpose, teach couples the tricks that keep relationships together, help people find a better quality of life and businesses strategize to increase their bottom line by employee retention and shifting culture. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience working with people while helping them break cycles, face challenges, and overcome barriers to live the life that they desire.
In addition; I’ve worked for Department of Family and Child Protective Services, truancy offices, emergency psychiatric services, inpatient facilities, facilitated group services, worked as a trained hostage negotiator, mental health expert, trainer, and team member for the police department, educated and empowered corporations, churches, colleges, groups, etc. I also have a private practice where I am able to empower individuals, couples, and families to face dysfunction and soar in their goals to live a better life. Today I have the privilege of sharing my expertise all over the world through speaking engagements, seminars, and appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox 4 News, Tom Joyner Morning Show, Good Morning Texas, Sirius XM, and many more media outlets.
I am Living My Dreams and providing classes where I teach others how to do so too. I teach others how to make money while following their dreams!!!
We’ve been impressed with Intrinsic Motivation Counseling LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a formerly trained Hostage Negotiator. I am a member of Psi Chi, and Texas Counseling Association who provides individual, couples, and family counseling using research-based therapy approaches for adults and families. I utilize a non-judgmental approach to therapy. My method of practice is contingent upon each individual and centered around that person’s need. The goal of therapy is to help each person find healthy solutions to lead full and productive lives as they see it. My commitment is to create an environment in which my clients feel comfortable and safe to explore their innermost thoughts, needs, and emotions.
My professional experiences include; Keynote speaker, corporate workshops, College and High School Seminars, Relationship classes, Empowerment panels, Team Building, providing strategies and skill training for overcoming life’s barriers. I have provided home-based treatment for high-risk youth and families, drug abuse, truancy, and domestic violence. I served as an investigator for Child Protective Services. In addition, as a Mental Health Expert, I educated local and federal law enforcement agencies on identifying mental illness within the community.
I am the author of the book, “6 Pillars To Power Up Your Mind, Mental-Health is a Lifestyle.” It’s a “go-to” guide that provides specific tools for keeping the mind healthy and strong. I have presented nationally on topics such as; Psychology of Prejudice & Racism, Mental Health, Relationships, Powerful Living, Resilience, Trauma, Self-esteem, Parenting, and The Impact of the Media on Body Image. I have appeared as an expert on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), FOX4 NEWS, SiriusXM, Tom Joyner Morning Show, Blackamericaweb.com, Get Up Erica! Good Morning Texas and other national media outlets. I have been featured in “Heart & Soul” magazine. I have written informative articles promoting mental health for “Healthy You Now”.
I am currently providing workshops and masterclasses where I teach people how to make money while building the business of their dreams.
Andrea Wise Brown
bookings@awisebrown.com
469-225-9551
#MentalHealthIsALifestyle
What are your plans for the future?
1. Eradicate Stigma surrounding Mental Health in the Black Community.
2. Continue to create masterclasses and workshops where I teach and empower others.
3. Continue to mentor
4. Sell more Mental health Products. I currently sell merchandise with my logo “Mental health is a lifestyle!”®️
5. Expanding my current business so that it impacts the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: awisebrown@gmail.com
- Website: awisebrown.com
- Instagram: @awisebrown
- Facebook: @awisebrown
- Twitter: @awisebrown
- Youtube: @awisebrown
