We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia-Ann Samuel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia-Ann, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote/affirmation is an old African Proverb that reads: “If you educate a man you educate an individual (community), but if you educate a woman you educate a family (nation). This proverb speaks volume to why I am so determined to be a business owner, why I chose to further my educational path to get my doctorate, why every child around me I would rather gift them books then toys and so much more. Knowledge is power! As a woman specifically as a Black woman, it is so important to elevate myself especially during these times uncertainty. My education and the knowledge that I have acquired over my course of life is the reason why I do not stress about whether or not I have enough to bring to the table. This proverb reminds me of the firm stance the women around have when it comes to education and bettering themselves. Growing up, my nanny (Caribbean British name for grandmother) would repeat to me up to this very day “that whatever you have up here (while pointing to my brain) no one can ever take away from you”. This African Proverb reiterates to me that I am enough and that I can and will make a contribution to my society through my work in early childhood mental health work.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Therapeutically Beautiful LLC is a community-based private practice focused on prevention and promoting the early childhood mental health within South Florida communities. The concept behind the business name has becomes the business mission and vision which is finding beauty amidst the chaos. No matter who you are or what stage in life you are in, life will feel chaotic at some point in time. Therapeutically Beautiful is not about finding solutions to the problems but rather being able to see the positive lessons within the problems we are facing and how we can do better in the future. Fun fact, Therapeutically Beautiful use to be the name I had for a therapeutic resource board I created on Pinterest. There is so much beautiful elements to our mental health especially when we really start do the work to improve it which is what led to the creating the name Therapeutically Beautiful. Starting the practice paperwork wise was easy but the challenges I have and still face is more on the marketing end and letting people know I exist. However, I embrace these challenges because my mentors gave me a heads up and guided me as best a possible to really help me get on the ground running. As always, whether starting a business or adventuring out to something new, nothing in life is free of challenges but if you have a dream, take a risk and go after it. Embrace every chaotic moment! Therapeutically Beautiful LLC wants to help all ages find the beauty amidst the chaos especially during these times of uncertainty. If you are ready to do the work, Therapeutically Beautiful LLC is ready to help guide in your mental health journey!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
South Florida is filled with so many exciting adventures, it is all just dependent upon the person and the vibe they are going for. Hoping that my guest can stay for a three day weekend, I would start the day 1 itinerary in downtown Fort Lauderdale, if my guest came in the evening I would go straight to sightseeing at the beach and the masses on A1A along with catching a bite at one of the local restaurants (most likely Lulu’s bait shack or Rock Bar). If they came during the day, I would take them to breakfast at Bulegreen and Foxy Brown both located in Fort Lauderdale. I would also probably would take them around Broward County to the big malls like Sawgrass or Galleria mall and local museums. Day 2 itinerary would be visiting Palm Beach and going to the Boca Raton Art Museum located in Mizner Park or visiting Mounts Botanical Garden as well hitting the downtown Delray Beach at night. Day 3 itinerary would be in Miami Beach, spending most the day to night on the beach, bar hoping from Fat Tuesday to Wet Willies and eating at the local restaurants near by. I would also encourage them to take a stroll down Lincoln road to check out the shops. Whatever they are looking for, South Florida is a guaranteed great three day weekend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh where do I begin, I first want to say thank your to VoyageMia for giving me a platform to present myself to the world. With that said shoutout to my close family members, friends and field colleagues that I have not named specifically but have played a major role in holding me emotionally through my course of life, being the comforting and listening ear I needed. I would like to specifically shout out my Nanny, the woman who inspired me to go after my dreams and be my best self. Shout to my mentors in the field Sonny Etienne of Introspective LLC and Dr. Hutchinson of The Journey Institute who did not shy away from sharing what they know to help me launch myself into private practice. Most importantly shout to big man above who have ordered my steps in life and allowing these blessings and lessons that I have experienced in life.

Website: https://therapeuticallybeautiful.com
Instagram: @therapeuticallybeautiful

Image Credits
Images by Creative Circus Agency