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What if Black excellence begins with taking excellent care of yourself?
HOMEPAGE QUICK LINKS:
WHAT I DO - WHY I DO IT - HOW I DO IT - WHAT IS COACHING? - TESITMONIALS - SUBSCRIBE HERE
A Favorite Quote of Mine:
“I refuse to participate in the silencing of myself. I do not consent to the erasing of myself."
-Dr. Thema Bryant
Hi, I'm Kandace!
Hi, I'm Kandace!
I'm a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Poet, Mental Health Professional, Certified Mental Health &Wellness Coach, Youth Advocate, Workshop Facilitator, and Founder/Owner of Hello Kandace, LLC.
I have served as a school social worker, school-based therapist, adjunct instructor, and urban community social worker within non-profit organizations. I'm passionate about supporting academically thriving Black teens and young adults along their sacred path of self-discovery. I connect them with the tools and resources needed to better know and understand themselves, so that they can reduce stress and anxiety and live more balanced, joyful, and meaningful lives. I help them feel fully seen, beyond their grades & outward achievements.
My coaching style is compassionate, uplifting, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive. I believe that teens and young adults are the experts in their own lives and that their voices matter. I choose to partner with them on their journey, helping them uncover and fully realize what's already deep within them so that they can not only thrive outwardly, but also take steps to thrive inwardly. I'll help them to accpet themselves, build confidence, and reduce stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and the pressure to be perfect.
WHAT I DO
WHAT I DO
I'm on a mission to help academically thriving Black teens and young adults discover creative ways to reduce stress, anxiety, and the pressure to be perfect so that they can make healthy life choices, lovingly embrace their full selves and feel less weighed down by the pressures in their lives,
(even if on the outside they're the teen or young adult that appears to have it all figured out).
WHY I DO IT
WHY I DO IT
I was an academically thriving Black teen who became an academically thriving Black young adult, and for years, I fought silent battles on the inside. As an educator, I saw first hand that academically thriving Black students didn't have enough safe spaces to unpack the layers of stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and disappointment associated with the many expectations put on them to achieve. The pressure to be successful while navigating the challenges that come with everyday life can wear on young minds and hearts. In addition, the impact of racism, discrimination, and oppression often goes much deeper than microaggressions, stereotypes, or even racial slurs. These structural, intergenerational, and social conditions can cripple Black students from within, affecting their self-worth, sense of belonging, and sense of purpose, eventually leading to debilitating anxiety, depression, and burnout. Being told you have to work twice as hard than those around you while feeling a responsibility to represent your entire race is emotionally exhausting and unsustainable.
I'm here to help high achieving Black youth develop the skills and resources necessary to take more self-loving actions in their lives. Actions that will help them to break free from overthinking, comparison, self-criticism, the pressure to be perfect, & the many messages they may have internalized about themselves. Breaking free is a process that they don't have to do by themselves!
HOW I DO IT
HOW I DO IT
I do this by creating culturally affirming virtual spaces that allow Black students to show up as their full selves, without having to water down their truth. I know that Black students experience stress, anxiety and life pressures through an additional lens impacted by historical legacies and current issues of racism, discrimination, and prejudices. See below.
I also provide 1:1 parent coaching and you can learn more about that here.
Thriving on the Inside: TEENS
Thriving on the Inside: TEENS
Thriving on the Inside is a transformational and collaborative signature coaching program for academically thriving Black teens and their caregivers. It will promote self-awareness, identity development, self-compassion, spiritual growth, and action-oriented strategies for managing stress/anxiety while developing healthy habits to navigate through life.
Empowered to Choose: YOUNG ADULTS
Empowered to Choose: YOUNG ADULTS
Empowered to Choose is all about supporting academically thriving Black young adults on their journey of growth and self-discovery. The young adult years are full of new experiences and big changes that can be overwhelming. It's easier to see the small choices you can take each day for your growth and wellbeing when you can release the pressure of constant achievement & perfection.
WHAT IS COACHING?
WHAT IS COACHING?
Coaching with me is a gentle & collaborative process that guides teens and young adults forward, while empowering them to take loving action steps that can help them to improve their lives, make healthier decisions, and reduce stress. It’s a non-judgmental and confidential space where I cheer them on and help them move in the direction they desire to go in, helping them strengthen their mental and emotional wellbeing in the process.
Coaching and therapy are similar in that they both involve helping teens and young adults make positive changes in their lives. Therapy can be powerful, however, it is not the same as coaching. Mental Health coaching can be preventative and help teens and young adults learn practical skills & tools for their wellbeing before the onset of more serious mental health conditions. Coaching is often shorter-term and there is usually an agreed upon end date, while therapy can continue for as long as the teen or young adult needs it.
In my role as a mental health coach, I am not diagnosing or treating specific mental health conditions, nor am I helping teens and young adults unpack and process deeply distressing events from the past (although, they may come up, and I can provide insight & reccomendations in the moment to help you find more support & resources for that area). Some teens and young adults have found it helpful to have a therapist and coach at the same time.
As a virtual mental halth coach, I am available to meet with teens and young adults across the U.S & abroad. For teens & young adults livng in the Indianapolis area, I may be able to provide in-person sessions or a hybrid option.
Still have questions? Let's Chat
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH ME?
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH ME?
WHAT ACADEMICALLY THRIVING YOUNG ADULTS ARE SAYING:
Young Adult: "Before we began working together, I was facing an influx of transition in my life - moving to a new state, reconnecting with family members, and learning how to take care of myself. These coaching sessions have allowed me to dedicate time and space to myself and prioritize my own healing and growth. You have pushed me to take care of myself before I take care of others, and even when that feels uncomfortable (and sometimes impossible), I have been given tools to work through it one step at a time. The journey is never ending! ." - Prefers to Remain Anonymous
Young Adult: "Kandace provided tips as it relates to outside funding resources as a student of color, as well as reaffirmed my place as a prospective graduate student. Kandace remained professional, prompt and guided each discussion with patience, which I greatly appreciated. I can confidently affirm her skillset to be useful for all demographics! I highly recommend Hello Kandace, LLC. " -CS
WHAT PARENTS & CAREGIVERS HAVE TO SAY:
Parent: "You have meant so much to my daughter and to our family. God put you here for a reason and our daughter having a strong faith filled Black woman to look up to and guide her meant EVERYTHING. Thank you for truly caring. Thank you for being there for me and my husband as a ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for your guidance and kind words of encouragement." - EE
Parent: "You did an excellent job helping my son and we're very grateful. Thank you for everything. You've been a true blessing to us and many others for sure." -RM
WHAT ACADEMICALLY THRIVING BLACK TEENS HAVE TO SAY:
(10th grade): “Thank you so much for being there for me during some tough times! It really helped me a lot being able to talk to someone outside my family and friend group about my dad. I also want to say thank you for your amazing Wellness Wednesday videos! They encourage me every week, and give amazing advice and reminders when I need them." - CM
(11th grade): "I really want to thank you [Mrs. Kyere] from the bottom of my heart. I fight a silent battle within myself everyday but with your amazing help I am slowly learning to open up and allow those who truly care to listen and help. Having a positive impact on someone's life means so much and you have done just that. Thank you for making me feel safe." -LC
(12th grade): "Thank you for never giving up on me when I was giving up on myself. You are much appreciated beyond words can explain." - JK
WHAT EDUCATORS, NON-PROFIT LEADERS & ADMINISTRATORS HAVE TO SAY:
Non-Profit Leader: "Kandace facilitated a relevant and engaging workshop for teens in our summer program. Her topics were intriguing to the students and she was able to effectively relate to them, engage in meaningful dialogue with them, and provide tips and strategies they could implement into their lives. From start to finish, Kandace was professional and easy to work with. The booking process was seamless and she very thorough to ensure she met our program goals. I highly recommend Hello Kandace, LLC. ." -CH
High School Campus Minister: "I got to witness firsthand the passion that [Kandace] has for working with youth, and her inestimable gift to listen, understand, and attend to the needs of our students. I had the pleasure of witnessing the beauty of her relationships with students; relationships built upon trust and care, Kandace touched the lives of so many of our students by allowing them to see themselves in the same way she sees them: as worthy of love, and capable of greatness. It is also worth mentioning how impressive her adaptability has been during the COVID-19 pandemic to remain available and connected to our students; her advocacy for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion within our institution; and her ability to lead Professional Development with our entire faculty and staff on SEL learning, among other topics .- F.G.
High School English Teacher: " Mrs. Kyere builds genuine rapport with students, who can tell that she genuinely cares about them and their wellbeing. Students know that Ms. Kyere has their best interests at heart and trust her with sensitive information. I have heard students say that they previously did not trust school counseling resources, but that 'Ms. Kyere is different, she helps.' Equally impressively, Ms. Kyere has made significant improvements to our school’s social and emotional support procedures. Prior to her arrival, school employees relied on informal conversations to refer students for counseling or support. Ms. Kyere introduced an easy-to-use website to help teachers make student referrals. Her website also assists students in making self-referrals, as well as finding resources to learn more about their own mental health. Ms. Kyere also helped our school make connections to external therapy services and assists students in signing up for weekly therapy services. Recently, several students told me that the therapy supports they received because of Ms. Kyere’s help 'changed their lives.' She is always willing to collaborate with teachers on ways to support the social and emotional health of students. When I was revising my own course curricula to include social-emotional journaling, Ms. Kyere provided me with numerous resources to help in the planning process." -F.K.
*Please note that initials are used to protect client confidentiality.
Want To Stay Connected?
Want To Stay Connected?
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