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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

Gabriel ObuG

Gabriel Obu

Gabriel Obu, PMHNP-BC, APRN, MSN
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a psychiatric nurse practitioner because I’ve always been passionate about mental health and holistic healing. Seeing the positive impact that compassionate, comprehensive care can have on people’s lives motivates me every day. I believe in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and continue my practice because I want to empower my clients to achieve lasting mental wellness.
Hello! I'm Gabriel Obu, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and I’m committed to providing compassionate, holistic mental health care to adolescents, adults, and seniors. With over 15 years of experience, I blend evidence-based treatments with holistic practices like mindfulness and nutritional psychiatry to create personalized care plans. I believe in open communication and collaboration, ensuring that you feel heard and involved in your treatment every step of the way. My goal is to address both your mental health concerns and overall well-being. I specialize in treating conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, PTSD, and more, using a variety of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and solution-focused strategies. Together, we’ll work toward your mental wellness and recovery, fostering a fulfilling and balanced life. Treatment philosophy: I believe in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. My philosophy combines traditional psychiatric care with holistic practices to create personalized treatment plans for adolescents, adults, and seniors. I prioritize building trust and compassion with my patients, ensuring they feel supported and involved throughout their healing process. My goal is to empower you to achieve mental wellness, resilience, and a better quality of life.
Melisa AlabaM

Melisa Alaba

Licensed Professional Counselor & Breakthrough Coach
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Hi, I’m Melisa Brave Woman, Mom, cancer survivor, Breakthrough Coach, Money Maven and resilient badass Black woman. I know what it’s like to lose something you love and experience your entire life flipping upside down as you try to figure out who you’re supposed to be now. Going through cancer and a divorce at the same time was a serious wakeup call. Life was saying, “It’s time to heal old wounds and reach for new dreams.” I went through all the same “quick fixes” you’ve probably tried (therapy, meditation, heck, you probably don’t want to see the notes I wrote in a couple of those self-help books everyone was talking about at the time.) But it was only when I decided that I had to work on me as a whole rather than work on different parts of me that I started to see the shift. During that time, I discovered healing had to involve my finances. I started by rebuilding my financial foundation, asking for more in my business and for the support I needed at home. This opened up the possibility to recover my entire life. Being Rich and Worthy is knowing we can be emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially abundant. We get to be whole. Through that self-healing journey, I learned about energetic healing and how to release old trauma. However, it was only when I started studying how to heal in my finances and applying abundance principles to my entire life that I noticed a big shift in confidence.
Hello! I'm Melisa Alaba, a passionate Life and Money Coach dedicated to empowering high-achieving professionals and entrepreneur women of color like you. My mission is to help you heal from imposter syndrome, low confidence, and money trauma while guiding you towards creating a healthy, purposeful business and life that aligns with your soul.
Makesa ToureM

Makesa Toure

Makesa Toure PMHNP-BC,APRN,CRNP
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have a deep passion for helping people navigate the challenges of mental health and discover their strength and resilience. Witnessing the transformation in my patients' lives—whether it’s overcoming anxiety, managing depression, or achieving a healthier outlook—fuels my motivation every day. The opportunity to provide compassion, understanding, and practical solutions inspires me to keep learning, growing, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Hello! I'm Makesa Toure, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner serving Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. I specialize in diagnosing and treating behavioral health disorders in adults, offering services such as medication management, therapy coordination, and personalized treatment planning. My approach blends compassion with professional expertise to ensure that every patient receives individualized care tailored to their needs. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including those addressing opioid addiction, mental health crises, and chronic conditions. This diverse experience has strengthened my ability to connect with patients from all walks of life. I believe in fostering open communication and creating a safe, supportive space where patients feel heard and understood. I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Immaculate University. With advanced training in psychopharmacology and emergency response, I am dedicated to offering the highest standard of care. Collaboration is central to my practice. I work closely with counselors, healthcare teams, and community organizations to promote holistic, patient-centered mental health care. Whether in-person or via telemedicine, my goal is to make psychiatric services accessible and effective for all who need them. Outside of work, I’m passionate about health education and disease prevention, working to empower communities with knowledge and resources for better overall well-being. I’m here to listen, support, and partner with you on your journey to mental wellness. Together, we can create a healthier future. Treatment Philosophy I believe in treating the whole person, not just their symptoms. My philosophy centers on compassion, collaboration, and patient empowerment. By fostering a safe, supportive environment, I help my patients feel heard and understood. Each care plan is tailored to individual needs, ensuring personalized treatment that promotes long-term recovery. I work closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic, integrated care, and I am committed to empowering patients with the tools and knowledge for lasting mental wellness. Specialties & Conditions Mental Health Psychotherapy Depression Anxiety Bipolar disorders PTSD ADHD Insomnia Relationship issues Family counseling Mood disorders Trauma Panic attacks Substance use disorder Personality disorder Grief and Loss Counseling Addiction Schizophrenia Treatment approach Psychopharmacology for mental health treatments Collaborative care with multi-disciplinary teams Individualized treatment care plans for patients Crisis intervention and management strategies Education on medication and disease prevention Psychiatric evaluations and assessments Cognitive behavioral therapy for addictions Mindfulness approaches in addiction recovery Trauma Focused Psychoanalytic Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Psychodynamic Structural Family Interpersonal Motivational Interviewing Insurance Aetna Cigna Humana Medicare Blue Cross Blue Shield UnitedHealthcare Optum Medicaid Oscar Health MultiPlan Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania Oxford
Kara LondonK

Kara London

LMFT | Ecotherapist | Mindfulness Practitioner
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
My path to becoming an ecotherapist started in the Sierra Nevada foothills, from the barefoot, creek splashing, forest hiking, bird spotting days of my childhood. I fell in love with the natural world. From a young age, I also grew a passion for people, the mind, and the helping role. Across my life, I faced my own hardships, with family conflict and divorce, the mental health concerns of loved ones, and my own experiences with anxiety and loss. This is what charted my course towards becoming a therapist, and continues to influence my work today. In the Fall of 2020, I became increasingly aware of both my own need to seek solace in the outdoors, and the planetary perils we are facing as a species and in our ecosystem. Through a natural unfolding, I discovered and began study in the fields of ecopsychology and ecotherapy - finally merging my love for nature and people. From this, I’ve come to understand the oft underappreciated role of nature in our mental health, and the importance of re-discovering our innate, reciprocal ties with nature. My passion and drive to continue come from this wish to help others to source themselves in nature, and a deep empathy for the trials that we all face on life's journey.
Hello dear one. Thank you for your curiosity in seeking guidance. While I may not yet know the journey that has brought you here, I’m glad that we are crossing paths. I am an ecotherapist, mindfulness practitioner, and Earth Mama! My work is grounded in humanistic, interpersonal, attachment, mindfulness, motivational, strengths-based, and ecotherapeutic frameworks. I also appreciate philosophical, spiritual, or existential exploration, and creative expression. Blending a warm, person-centered, and gently challenging approach, I will tailor our sessions to fit your needs.
Stefanie LawsonS

Stefanie Lawson

Psychotherapist
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Like many therapists, I came into this field because of a desire to help people heal from whatever they are going through. I have been in your position before and understand that opening up to a therapist can be difficult. I understand the importance of finding a therapist that “gets it.”
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Frederica JohnsonF

Frederica Johnson

Licensed Professional Counselor
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and discover their inner strength. Witnessing clients overcome obstacles, grow, and improve their mental well-being motivates me every day. I believe in the transformative power of therapy and am committed to supporting my clients in achieving their fullest potential.
Welcome! I'm a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor, holding certifications in both Louisiana (#7879) and Texas (#92774), as well as being a National Certified Counselor (#1499769). I have worked in the mental health field for over 14 years and my expertise is related to working with individuals who are experiencing grief, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, anger, self-esteem issues, etc. I specialize in working with all ages. My therapeutic focus is person-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, in which my clients are able to fully express their thoughts and feelings in a safe and confidential environment without judgment. My goal is to assist individuals in working towards fulfilling their fullest potential by successfully accomplishing goals that will help them to gain a new perspective on life. Over the years, I have enjoyed seeing the progress of my clients and it gives me hope in working with other individuals who are looking to improve their overall mental health.