Meet Dr. Tamitra Clark | Bestselling Author, Grief and Loss Educator, Community Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Tamitra Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Tamitra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The original thought process for my business was inspired and motivated by the challenging work environment I endured from 2014-2019. I had very little support from the executive team as I worked diligently to keep the organization afloat. In the process of doing this, I was approached by one of our partners who founded a non-profit working with senior veterans. I was asked if I could perform a series of workshops with them around apathy and wellness. As I began developing the curriculum, I started to see areas of my life that had become fragmented due to where I was in life. After spending several weeks with the veterans and seeing some of them experience “Aha” moments, I knew there was work to do on myself. As I continued in my work environment, I became even more depleted. I requested two weeks off, which turned into four months. It was during that time when I had my own “Aha” moment. I made a commitment to myself to never work for someone else to the point of sickness again. I began to explore my own Eight Dimensions of Wellness: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, occupational/vocational, financial, and spiritual, in another way. I knew if I felt like this, there had to be others. I began to create these workshops designed to support wellness in others as a way to reframe how we view mental health, especially within the Black and Brown community. Little did I know, my world would soon take a turn to shift this entire idea of mine. I shared this original thought with my brother, my chief cheerleader. I knew if he understood it, I had something worth building. After I was strongly encouraged to secure my LLC, my world was shattered. My father transitioned, and within a year, my brother. This back-to-back grief left me and my family in a place I still struggle to understand, even as a Mental Health Professional. After praying and seeking God, the focus of my business shifted. It was no longer just providing coaching support to people through their dimensions of wellness; it was now examining the impact of Grief and Loss on the various dimensions of wellness. I began to do my work, and in searching for an answer for me and my family, my book, “When Numb Is Not Enough,” was dropped into my spirit. My book has afforded me the opportunity to take my business to uncharted territory as I sit with individuals, families, organizations, agencies, and various groups and coach them through navigating the impact of various types of grief and loss on their Eight Dimensions of Wellness and gain the tools available to Embrace the Pain, Honor the Loss, and Live Intentionally.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My doctorate degree in Multicultural Clinical Community Psychology and my work in the Social Services field for over two decades, unknowingly, prepared me for where I am today, with not only my business, but my ministry of service. I specialize in navigating the stages of loss in the various dimensions of wellness to promote intentional living, through my business Renewing of the Mind Wellness Coaching, Consulting, and Supportive Services, LLC. The name was intentional. With any change or transformation, it must start in the mind. It takes a shift in our mindset to do the work that is required to heal. My speaking platform allows me to meet the needs of hurting individuals on a larger scale. When I can see the breakthroughs happen right before my eyes, the feeling is indescribable. My heart rejoices to see others give themselves PERMISSION to grieve their own way and be unapologetic about their journey. It is an opportunity to take off the mask, so many of us have hid behind for years as we suffered in our own silence, trying to grieve in accordance to superficial rules set by society to dictate our grieving process. My workshops will stretch you, but they are necessary for healing and transformation. I never leave a coachee broken. It is imperative that each one is handled gracefully. My desire is to break every myth and stigma around grief and loss as it relates to our own mental health and overall wellness, specifically in the Black community. I aim to share the tools and strategies that have freed me and continue to help me navigate my life in this new way of “being” while learning to EMBRACE THE PAIN, HONOR THE LOSS, LIVE INTENTIONALLY!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am really a very simple girl. I get the most pleasure from “ME TIME” when I am home alone, however, to the surprise of many, there is another side of me that finds pleasure in a few activities in the downtown LA and Hollywood area. I enjoy theatre and musicals. I love live jazz venues, and there is one in particular, The Outlet LA, that I am looking forward to going to with my girlfriends. I enjoy a good comedy show. Laughter, is definitely good for the soul. Because I enjoy the water, sitting out on the docks of the Marina is always a nice, serene place to visit, while dining at one of the seafood restaurants. The newly renovated Queen Mary boat is always a treat to enjoy some of the exhibits on display. I enjoy nature, so sitting in the park, under the tree, admiring God’s creation and enjoying a nice refreshing cocktail is one of my favorite spots. Should a friend visit with me for a week, hitting these spots in no particular order would definitely make up the weeks’ itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Several people have contributed to where I am today and where I am headed in the future. My mother, Sandra, is the blueprint of what it means to be of service. She modeled how to treat others and to be sensitive to their needs. She demonstrated how to serve from the heart, even when it meant sacrificing yourself. I have several mentors, too many to name, each of who have played a pivotal role in shaping and molding my career path, either by exposing me to other amazing people and environments or by literally taking me by the hand and, at times, pushing me out of my comfort zone to think beyond the bubble I had enclosed myself in. I’d like to acknowledge my good friend of mine, Tianna, who sat me down at her home one day and said, “No more excuses! File your LLC right now.” It was the spark I needed to get the fire started and where the journey began. I shout out my book writing coach, Lakisha, who was patient and encouraged me not to stop. I’d like to shout out my publisher and brand manager, the most amazing, Adrienne E. Bell who contacted me for one thing and within six weeks, my book was completed. I shout out my two older sisters, Mia and Traci, who made themselves available and vulnerable to share the process with me. I shout out my biggest cheerleader, my son, Kameron, who is the calm in the storm. He keeps me grounded and always expresses how proud he is of his mother. There are no words to express how much I love him. Finally, I shout out every person who has taken the time to purchase my book, attend a workshop, promote my cause, and my clients for trusting me to be the container for their most fragile emotions, feelings, and thoughts.

Website: www.drtamitraclark.com

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Youtube: YT:DrClarkSpeaks