Today we’d like to introduce you to Merlyndia Bellevue.
Hi Merlyndia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Miami, FL and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti for the first 12 years of my life. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field – more specifically a pediatrician. I love children! I knew I wanted to make an impact from a very young age.
Fast forward to 2005 where I developed my passion for Psychology – mental health to be more specific during my undergraduate studies.
I was first introduced to Psychology as a freshman in college. During my introductory psychology course, I had the opportunity to watch a movie during class which truly resonated with me. What I learned from watching this movie was the power of resilience and how it is embedded in all of us. Watching this individual experience daily life while navigating challenges and obstacles and overcoming was impactful and inspiring. This showed me that everyone we see has a story and they may be navigating through one of the biggest chapters of their lives unbeknownst to others.
During my graduate studies, I had the opportunity to complete my practicum internship at a substance use residential facility for teenagers. Upon completing my internship at the site, I was offered a full-time position where I would remain for the next three years. I then transitioned to accepting a position as a child trauma therapist where I worked with children and teenagers whom experienced trauma. In 2018, I decided to shift from working with the youth population and began working as a Prenatal therapist providing in-home services to expecting mothers who are at risk for negative maternal or infant health outcomes. I had the opportunity to work with the maternal mental health population and serve the Creole-speaking community. Working with women experiencing daily stressors, anxieties, life transitions/changes facilitated my desire to expand and reach more women in need of support. Upon reviewing my goals with my circle of supports, I was encouraged to take the leap and started my own private practice in May 2021.
Since opening my practice, I have learned to embrace the process of developing a business, maintaining work-life balance, and working with my ideal clientele. This was the scariest yet most rewarding decision I have made. I am excited for what is up next!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No way! It certainly has not been a smooth road leading to where I am now. There have been many experiences where I could have allowed myself to become defeated however I was able to create meaning through those challenges. This is actually a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skill! I trained as a DBT therapist since starting my practicum internship and these are skills I also implement in my life.
Developing and navigating a private practice while serving your ideal clientele can be taxing – yet doable. If someone told me I would leave my agency job during a pandemic and start my own practice, I wouldn’t believe them.
When I think about where I started and where I am now, I smile because I achieved what I said I would…and I am continuing to take more steps in my journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started my practice, Be Well & Blossom Counseling, to help women create meaningful shifts in therapy. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in South Florida serving women who speak English, French and Creole.
Whether a woman is experiencing daily stress, anxiety, life transitions/changes, and other women’s issues, I am here to support. I believe in a collaborative approach that will essentially lead women to a life worth living. As a woman experiencing any of the aforementioned, your healing and wellness journey awaits.
My objective is to facilitate an environment where women can feel comfortable to express their thoughts and feelings utilizing techniques that are individualized to their unique needs. I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR.
The focus of Be Well & Blossom Counseling is the implementation of evidenced based interventions where women gain a deeper understanding of their underlying issues, increase sense of self, and feel empowered to make meaningful shifts.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
During my graduate studies, one of the professors emphasized how valuable having a mentor was in the field. This truly resonated with me. I must say during my internship experience, I ensured to learn from each leading therapist at the time. They all had valuable feedback to share which truly assisted me in developing my own style as a therapist.
One particular clinician shared with me to never get complacent. She shared ‘’Once you get too comfortable, it doesn’t do you or the client any good.’’ Since then, I keep this reminder as reinforcement to expand my skills and remain open to learning as the mental health field continues to evolve. In fact, if you were to ask any of my previous supervisors, they would attest to the fact that I would inquire about the next workshop, training or certification opportunity.
What has worked well for me is developing and maintaining connections with peers during my graduate studies, internships and work experiences from the past years. With this era of social media, networking with others has proven to be quite valuable as it has allowed me to connect with many individuals otherwise I wouldn’t be able to connect with. As an entrepreneur, networking has proven to be a vital ingredient for growth and success.
Contact Info:
- Email: merlyndia@bwbcounseling.com
- Website: https://bwbcounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbcounseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeWellBlossomCounseling
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bwbcounseling
- Other: https://linktr.ee/bwbcounseling
