By Emalee Gillis, NAMI Spokane Blog Editor.
As part of National BIPOC month, NAMI Spokane celebrates Discovery Counseling Group, a Black-owned business based in Spokane that offers culturally-aware practices.
According to KeMoni Robinson, Marketing Manager of Discovery Counseling Group, “It is important for clients to have access to counselors who look like them. We all feel safer as people when we are around people who look like us. It is important to have counselors who are aware of subtle acts of exclusion that clients regularly face in society.”
Discovery Counseling Group was founded by Dr. Melissa Mace.
KeMoni explained, “Dr. Mace started the office because as she grew up, she noticed that people were feeling alone and weren’t supported and cared for. She hated to see that. She felt that everyone should feel love and care. She wanted to be one of the people offering care.”
Discovery Counseling Group is based on an empathetic, holistic approach. The Group takes the time to pay attention to the entire problem and its related issues. They specialize in a client-first, therapeutic approach. This calls for the clinician to have expertise in several approaches ranging from Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Play Therapy and many others.
According to KeMoni, “Our generalist approach allows us to be adaptable. It isn’t as common as it should be in the mental health field. We meet the clients where they are.”
KeMoni continued, “Our goal and our purpose is to help clients discover themselves and their path. If a client picks Path A, we have the tools to allow the client to follow that path. Together, the counselor and the client discovers what works for the client. We have everything needed for that journey.”
Another unique aspect of Discovery Counseling Group is that the Group accepts private insurance as well as state insurance. The Group serves clients with referrals from the Department of Children and Youth Family Services, Developmental Disability Services, and Aging and Long-term Care.
“Accepting state insurances can be difficult,” KeMoni added. “Rumors about the difficulty with reimbursements are true, but it will all work itself out. We are called to help people, regardless of their financial status. Everyone should have quality health care. That is what we do.”
One of KeMoni’s roles with Discovery Counseling Group is to help break through stigmas. He explains to potential clients that healing doesn’t have to look just like one way.
The symbol for Discovery Counseling Group is a seeded dandelion that is being blown by the wind. KeMoni explained that the Group picked that symbol because it is a reminder of when a child closes their eyes, makes a wish, and then blows on the dandelion.
“We want to help people to dream of a better future. That is our goal with that logo,” said KeMoni.
Discovery Counseling Group has a goal to diversify their counseling staff, but it is difficult to recruit people into a community that is not always welcoming to them and their needs.
Individual, group, and family therapy form the bulk of the services offered by Discovery Counseling Group. In addition, the Group will consult when someone has a need for a mental health counselor for an event. The Group also offers support groups like a teen support group. The Group has developed workbooks and worksheets that they provide.
“The real intent of Discover Counseling Group is to make a lasting impact on our community,” said KeMoni.
According to KeMoni, measuring success with counseling can be challenging. However, he knows many success stories.
“A success can be as small as a client who has extreme anxiety to order a coffee or as large as a client gaining more visitation rights with their children or having their children returned to their care. A success can be as simple as a client not feeling angry this week. We allow clients to determine what success looks like to them.”
To contact the Discovery Counseling Group, visit their website or call 509-413-1193.
KeMoni Robinson is the Marketing Manager of the Discovery Counseling Group. He has been in this position for three years. Previously, he was the Office Assistant for Discovery Counseling Group. He has a Master’s in Social Work.
Emalee Gillis is a writer and blog editor. She is the author of the memoir Adventures on the Path to Living Well with a Mental Illness and has a related TEDx Talk.