Get to know
Sharea Farmer
Founder and CEO of RS Counseling & Wellness
Owner and Founder of a successful
Group therapy practice
Racial Equity and Trauma Informed Consulting practice
Mental Health Continuing Education Training and Workshop
I definitely didn't get here overnight though.
In fact, quite the opposite...
When I reflect on how I built a thriving therapy and consulting practice, I’m humbled and proud of the journey. It wasn’t always easy, but through intentional branding, consistent professional development, and a strong focus on specialized services like EMDR and Racial Trauma Therapy, I was able to create something that aligns with my passion for healing and social justice. If you’re a therapist or consultant, or even just dreaming about starting your own business, let me take you through how I got here—step by step.
1. Branding Myself as a Racial Equity and Trauma-Informed Consultant
Success didn’t happen overnight, but one of the key moves I made early on was honing my brand. I knew from day one that my calling was to help others heal from trauma, with a specific focus on racial equity. I made sure that my practice wasn’t just another therapy center—it was a space where Black women, BIPOC, and oppressed communities could feel seen, heard, and understood.
I committed to aligning my work with my values. My branding reflects that commitment, from the language I use to the topics I focus on in my content. It’s about more than having a fancy logo or a nice website—although those things do help! It’s about creating an authentic message that resonates with the people I’m meant to serve. For me, that meant taking a stand as a racial equity and trauma-informed consultant.
Take, for example, my consulting work with organizations. When companies come to me to build more inclusive environments or implement anti-racist practices, I don’t just give them a checklist. I dive deep into the intersections of trauma, race, and mental health. My expertise has allowed me to lead transformative trainings that don’t just look good on paper but create lasting change. This type of branding set me apart from other consultants in the field and attracted clients that were truly aligned with my mission.
If I had to offer any advice to someone looking to build their own practice, it would be this: Find your niche, invest in your education, and be unapologetically committed to your values. The clients, the opportunities, and the success will follow.
2. Building on Continuing Education Training Success
Investing in continuing education was another game-changer for me. It’s one thing to start a practice, but keeping it thriving means staying ahead of the curve—always learning and growing. Over the years, I’ve taken courses that align with my core areas of expertise, like trauma-informed care, racial trauma, and specific therapeutic techniques.
But it didn’t stop at just learning—I also turned that knowledge into a platform for teaching others. I started offering my own continuing education workshops, especially focused on helping other mental health professionals integrate racial equity and trauma-informed practices into their work. This not only built my credibility as a thought leader but also opened new doors for networking and collaboration.
One of my most popular trainings focuses on how clinicians can offer more culturally responsive care. The feedback I get from those trainings is often along the lines of, “I didn’t know how much I didn’t know.” That’s the power of continuing education—not only does it keep you sharp, but it also allows you to serve your community in more meaningful ways.
3. Success as a Racial Trauma Therapist
As a therapist, one of the most profound changes in my practice came when I became certified in Racial Trauma. For me, this wasn’t just about adding another tool to my toolbox—it was about deepening my ability to help clients heal from the layers of trauma they experience, especially racial trauma.
Racial Trauma therapy approach has been an absolute game-changer for my clients who carry generational and racialized trauma. It allows us to go beyond talk therapy and tap into deeper healing. I remember one client in particular who struggled with the impacts of racial microaggressions at work. We used Racial Trauma therapy and tools like EMDR to not only help her process these ongoing incidents but also address the historical trauma passed down through generations in her family. Seeing my client's growth and resilience has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
My specialization in racial trauma has been key to building a successful practice. In a world where racial injustice continues to harm our communities, offering this targeted healing modality has attracted clients who might not have found the right kind of support elsewhere. It’s also positioned me as a go-to therapist for racial trauma in my area, a niche that has only grown more relevant in recent years.
Lessons Learned and What’s Next
Looking back, what stands out most to me is that success didn’t come from any one thing—it came from a combination of branding, continuing education, and offering a specialized, much-needed service. Building a practice, especially one grounded in racial equity and trauma-informed care, takes dedication and authenticity. It’s not just about making a name for yourself but about ensuring that your work reflects who you are and the change you want to see in the world.
If I had to offer any advice to someone looking to build their own practice, it would be this: Find your niche, invest in your education, and be unapologetically committed to your values. The clients, the opportunities, and the success will follow.
And as for what’s next? Well, I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and serving the community in bigger and better ways. I’m working on new ways to expand my consulting and offering even more training on racial equity and trauma-informed care. The work is never done, and that’s what keeps me going.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve been a client, a colleague, or someone just following along, your support means everything. Here’s to continuing to build a more equitable, just, and healed world together.
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Care to get even more personal?
Here are a few fun facts…
I’m a Jersey girl (with a Mississippi family first flare) turned Philadelphian and now back to Jersey!
I enjoy all things basketball, live NBA & WNBA games; but you will only catch me in A'ja Wilson's jersey.
My training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Racial Trauma Therapy.
Other than that you will catch me traveling, coloring, and spending time with family and friends.
Not to give you whiplash and get all "serious" all of a sudden, but just in case you dig a professional bio too...
Sharea Farmer is the Founder and CEO of RS Counseling & Wellness with over 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker. Her training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Racial Trauma Therapy.
Her expertise in both clinical and administration has allowed her to work in the private and public sectors as an advocate for employee wellness, Diversity & Inclusion, Race Equity, and Trauma-Informed Practices. Her unique practice that focuses on empowerment and education creates transformative wellness for her clients, who range from executive leadership teams to supervisors to staff.