Meet Taren Allen of Well Within Myspace in Southern

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taren Allen.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Taren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Where I am right now is a far contrast to where I thought I’d be. I totally thought I’d be a Nurse Practitioner. I remember doing a career folder in middle school where you research all the information about what you wanted to be. It’s funny looking back on it. As much as I wanted to be an NP, life was shaping my course around me. Growing up, I saw my family involved in child welfare situations, substance abuse issues, mental health issues and criminal/legal issues.

I never realized how much it impacted me because I also saw people close to me genuinely care, give, and help people. Fast forward to college and I determined that being an NP wasn’t really my thing but I did have a passion for being of service to others, especially families and individuals in the social service field. As a first-generation student, I graduated with a BS in psychology and, subsequently, a Master’s in Social Work. I’m currently a licensed Clinical Social Worker for a school district, adjunct professor, clinical social worker for the Sickle Cell Association of Texas – Marc Thomas Foundation and a private practitioner. In my private practice, the main focus is the destigmatization of therapy for women of color in lower socioeconomic levels.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting to where I am now has not been smooth. Getting to college was always preached but the set up while you are there is not discussed. My family didn’t have the resources to help me pursue my academic endeavors and that financial responsibility was a heavy weight on me. Not to mention losing my mother in graduate school to cancer and currently helping my dad fight cancer as I continue to grow my private practice. The road to success is lined with triumphs and tragedies but the pinnacle is worth the climb.

Another issue is destroying the stigma in the field of Social Work. Generally, in the profession of Social Work, people tend to think that our job is working in the child welfare system (CPS) and removing children. While, that is an aspect of Social Work (andan honorable one at that), it is not all that the field entails. Helping others to realize that Social Work encompasses a wide variety of fields including professional sports and legislative work is a mission of mine as well.

We’d love to hear more about Well Within My Space.
Well Within My Space is a low-cost individual therapy practice focusing on women of color and maternal health. We specialize in postpartum depression, stress, depression, identity and anxiety-related issues and disorders. What sets us apart is that we allow a safe space for women of color to heal with others who understand their cultural and religious context within therapeutic care. I am most proud that we can offer not only cultural relative care but we can do it from a variety of religious and spiritual perspectives.

Contact Info:

• Website: WellWithinMySpace.com
• Phone: 2148105368
• Email: wellwithinmyspace@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/wellwithinmyspace?igshid=1ir5lpg1rufwc
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/wellwithinmyspace/

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