Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiarra Faulkner
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to being a mental health therapist began in childhood, watching my two brothers navigate their own unique life challenges. My youngest brother has autism and my older brother has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While growing up, I was interested in how they thought and navigated life and it piqued my interest in psychology. When I was high school I took an AP Psychology class and I knew I wanted to learn more. I then went to graduate with bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis. After graduation, I moved to San Diego, California where I worked in a psychiatric hospital for a couple of years and still felt a calling to go deeper into the field of mental health and increase my capacity to help others. Shortly after, I moved to Chicago, IL and graduated with my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. In 2020, during the pandemic, I ended up moving back to Memphis. In 2024, I started my private practice, Plant + Bloom Counseling, where I am able serve those residing in TN and IL. I specialize in working with those who have experienced trauma and relationship trauma. I’ve always had a goal to give back to Memphis and take everything I learned from the places I’ve lived and worked to give back to the city.
Alright, 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?
There were definitely many challenges to get to this place. In the beginning of my journey, I struggled with all of the hoops to have to get through to becoming a licensed mental health therapist. At times, it was overwhelming, daunting, and lots of self-doubt started to settle in. I also had a lot of challenging life transitions that exacerbated the struggles. Overcoming the doubt and keeping focused on the vision, leaning into my faith helped me to keep going. Having a supportive network helped me to stay encouraged. I had to remember that I wouldn’t be brought this far just to give up.
As you know, we’re big fans of Plant and Bloom Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a mental health therapist where I am able to provide therapy services to individuals including adults and teenagers. I specialize in trauma. I mainly work with those who have experienced childhood trauma, relationship trauma, depression and anxiety, and experiencing life transitions. In working with relationship trauma, this mostly encompasses betrayal trauma, divorce, and domestic violence. I am also a speaker and media contributor. I tend to speak on topics such as attachment, the impact of traumatic relationships, and general mental health topics.
I offer virtual therapy sessions to those residing in TN and IL.
My hope for my clients is that through taking the vulnerable and courageous step of reaching out for help, is to know they can become a healthier version of themselves and that healing belongs to them. That we can all begin to write a new narrative for our story and no longer letting past traumas or others be the author of our story. Plant and Bloom Counseling’s mission is to help people know they can bloom into the best versions of themselves.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the quiet one. You had to be in my best friend circle or my family to see my bubbly, fun loving side. I loved art, music, and dreaming big dreams. Remembering my quiet nature, it may be surprising to many that I talk to people for a living and speak. In my work with clients, I am often talking about how our childhood impacts our adult lives and we all have an inner child we have the ability to connect to. For me, I am intentional with connecting to my inner child through play, music, and things I used to love to do growing up. I am enjoying using my voice in this stage of my life and I still love art, music, poetry, and dreaming big dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.plantandbloomcounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithtia/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiarra-faulkner-ma-lcpc-lpc-mhsp-ncc-cctp-15b04472/
