Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniella Shaw.
Hi Daniella, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I assist others in their healing journey through my profession as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist. In my Private Practice, I specialize in adolescent and family services, Anxiety & Depression management, and recovering from Grief & Loss. I was raised in Miami Gardens by my mother along with the help of my very close aunt and uncle, step-dad, and family members in NYC and Miami. I have always felt a strong connection to my Jamaican and Black American heritage. I was always described as a wise soul who is very sensitive to the feelings of others and wanting to help others. I witnessed firsthand poverty, community violence, substance abuse, poor resources and reading materials in primary school, and lack of mental health awareness and treatment due to culture, finances, and limited knowledge in minority communities.
I moved to North Lauderdale in my early twenties and obtained my Masters in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, eventually meeting all the requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker after seven years of undergrad and grad school. I worked in different community mental health agencies, treatment centers, and inpatient hospital settings. Throughout my personal and career journey, I noticed unequal access to mental health education, resources, and treatment for minority communities, especially those without the income or means to afford a Psychiatrist, Therapist, and other treatment providers. I experienced the traumatic loss of my mom to cancer when I was 24. Being her main caregiver and only child, I relied on my faith, strong involvement in my local church, learning coping skills, tremendous support from family and friends and dedication to increasing my knowledge and continuing my mother’s legacy of strength and healing for our family. A few years after my loss, I eventually began meeting with a Therapist to address my trauma. I was informed that I have high functioning anxiety and symptoms of PTSD with a history of Depression. My unwavering faith in God and belief in his purpose and calling for my life has grounded me and reminded me to always pray and meditate and ask for guidance when feeling disconnected, lost, and without purpose. I am also an avid reader and Perfectionist so I would constantly practice the skills and techniques I was reading and learning in my Social Work program.
I always envisioned myself helping a large population of youth, parents, business professionals, and community advocates and leaders. I always envisioned myself providing education about mental health symptoms, coping skills, and self-discovery and acceptance to a large number of community members with the intention of engaging in their healing journey and becoming difference makers. My family always spoke openly with me about generational trauma we suffered as African Americans with Native American roots and how after slavery was abolished we continued to struggle economically, with unequal access to housing, education, healthcare, and mass incarceration. My main purpose has always been to help other minorities break free from mental bondage and help to increase their knowledge and skillset, heal from their unresolved traumas, and train our children to change the narrative from hurting to healing by instilling knowledge and skills within them to live productive successful lives.
I serve as the Founder, and Executive Director of Mental Exchange, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to uplift, inform and restore our underserved Black & Brown communities. I founded The Mental Exchange in 2020 in response to the horrific death of George Floyd, racial inequality, and civil unrest. I took a major leap of faith and expressed my vision for the Mental Exchange movement to other like-minded individuals and professionals within similar fields such as Social Workers, Psychologists, Educators, Financial Consultants, Officers, First Responders, Community Advocates, etc. Many were in alignment and we established our main goals to include social justice policy reform, financial education, career preparation, and socio-economic empowerment by means of strategic problem-solving guidelines and practices. Our organization offers peaceful and purpose-driven guidelines for responding to racial discrimination, bias, institutional oppression, and restricted access to services disproportionately affecting our Black & Brown population.
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?
The biggest struggle has been feeling as though I am not reaching or helping enough people to shift their mindsets and focus on healing and growth. It is difficult being aware of the depth of societal issues when many are focused on surface-level changes or quick fixes. I constantly have to learn to remain patient and accept that everyone is at a different place in their healing journey and some may not want to heal at all. It has also been challenging accepting that few people have the time, energy, and dedication to help our communities on a volunteer basis.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Mental Exchange offers virtual community support and empowerment groups focusing on three main categories.
The first is Mental Health & Wellness. We provide effective strategies for learning to embrace and love yourself, protect your peace of mind, and build healthier communication skills.
The second is Educational Groups & Trainings. We provide community guest speakers who are activists, entrepreneurs, and professionals who provide insight into breaking ineffective generational patterns, career preparation, and money management and budgeting.
Lastly we focus on community development. We host leadership conferences networking events with small business owners and community members, and we participate in community toy drives and back to school drives by partnering with local community leaders in south Broward and north Dade.
Mental Exchange, Inc. consists of mental health professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, frontline workers, faith-based leaders, community activists, parents, students, veterans, public service workers, and government workers. We intentionally use our platforms to positively connect with each other, raise mental health awareness, educate community members, and build liaisons between civilians, the legal system, and state/local government officials.
Our Seeds of Wisdom mentor program serves youth ages 14-19. Our community-based team of mentors are dedicated to collectively heal generational trauma and unequal access by providing education, leadership development training, mental health support groups, social/emotional skills, community involvement, and workshops about the basic principles of finances and career preparation. We offer virtual mentor groups with twice a month with different topics relating to mental health, life skills, leadership development, and career preparation.
I also offer therapy sessions at an affordable cost through my private practice Peace at Last Counseling, specializing in Anxiety and Depression management and recovering from Grief & Loss.
As someone who was able to break the chains of generational poverty, learn from professional and community mentors, start a mental health private practice and intentionally increase income and money management skills, I understand firsthand the education and resources needed to increase knowledge/skills, improve mental health, and improve socioeconomic status.
I am honored that Mental Exchange is essentially my life story, a strategic approach to providing education, intervention, and community mentorship and connections to build Leadership, knowledge, and self-love so we can live in our divine purpose and overcome the systems of oppression by means of mental and financial freedom.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When seeking a mentor listen to their experiences, worldview, and knowledge/wisdom. Always remain coachable and don’t be afraid to reach out to someone if you feel their knowledge and skillsets are valuable and in alignment with your goals. When networking, you have to step out of your comfort zone of location/region, culture, and social settings. Venture to new cities and networking groups if they are advertising mixers for your career/field of interest.
Also, be vocal and honest. Mentors must be found meaning you have to communicate what you are looking for and express what you need to work on.
Being totally honest, listening, and remaining in consistent contact as well as not being afraid to reach out has helped me secure and maintain my mentors and networking.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@mentalexchange.org
- Website: mentalexchange.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalexchange2020/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thementalexchange/
- Other: peaceatlastcounseling.com
