Meet Dr. Tamitra Clark of ROTM Wellness Coaching, Consulting, and Supportive Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tamitra Clark.

Hi Dr. Clark, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
As I reflect over my life, there have been many experiences that contributed to where I find myself today. One such occurrence happened at the age of thirteen when I contacted a local planned parenthood organization to gather required information for an assigned eighth-grade English literature paper. The subject matter was teenage pregnancy. Upon arrival that day, I was surprisedly invited to interview for a position as a peer counselor. After receiving permission from my considerably conservative mother, I was selected for the job. I believe this was by design rather than coincidence, as it set a president for my purpose and passion in serving others, sitting with those in vulnerable situations, and speaking intentional words that often bring inner peace and resolve. 

And so, the journey began. I continued to receive invitations to make presentations to middle and high schoolers, college students, and youth groups. And of all the possible subject matters that I was often requested to speak on, human sexuality, more often than not, seemed to be at the top of the list. 

I became the project coordinator for an African American male mentor program entitled Special Friends in collaboration with the Pasadena Police Department. My position entailed working as a liaison between local schools and families in support of the minors participating the program. It became my love and was a confirmation for my career path in psychology. 

Despite the knowledge acquired during my aforementioned first job, my college path became one of an all too familiar life-changing story. I became pregnant during my second year. And my mother, well, let’s just say she told me to “be on the next thing smoking back to Southern California.” 

From attending a state university, now enrolled in a local city college, I became the brunt of all the myths. I heard it all, from “You won’t finish,” “You’re another statistic, to “Your son will be another problem child from a single Black mother.” But rather than allowing these unfair judgments to impact me negatively, I made a conscientious decision to become a success story, and to make the best life possible for my “black boy.” I was determined to NOT be just another statistic. I transferred to Cal State University Los Angeles, completed my course of studies, and went to work proving my point. 

I’ve always lived my life in multiples. I worked for three years in residential and school-based mental health settings. Afterward, I returned to graduate school, where I obtained both my MA in Psychology and my Doctorate within four years. I entered into the foster care world, where my passion became further ignited. I began to see how the system was failing not just our children but the total family. I supported the foster parent, now resource parents, and the bio families alike. I encouraged a co-parenting relationship between the families that allowed me to sit with them and assist with looking at areas to improve the family structure. I began coaching each side in ways to care for the children as the parents worked toward the goal of reunification when that was the best plan. 

As I began working with the LA County of Mental Health, the experiences of grieve within my caseload began to hit one by one. The number of deaths I came upon within the families I worked with were many. I realized, during these experiences, that I became a different person. The way I approached the situations took on a new trajectory. My thoughts changed, my behaviors changed, my language changed, and my intentions changed. My role with these families and minors was no longer “cookie cutter.” I was required to be what each situation or experience needed me to be. It brought me great satisfaction to help navigate, educate, and support individuals and families during their most vulnerable times. It became “my job”. 

As time went on, I transitioned from the mental health segment and began working at the senior center. My goal was to assist them in living a life of wellness. It was during that same time that I became ill, resulting in being off work for four months. As I diligently worked toward regaining my health, I received an invitation to work with veterans on wellness and apathy. 

It was then, while developing workshops for the veterans that I began to take a serious look in the mirror at who I was and what I had become. I made a decision that the workshops would not only be for them but for me as well. I made a commitment to be better to myself. 

I started to examine my own Eight Dimensions of Wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, environmental, occupational/vocational, social, financial, and spiritual. I knew I was on to something that everyone needed to know more about. In discussing the subject with an acquaintance, she encouraged me to develop what is now known as “Renewing of the Mind Wellness Coaching, Consulting, and Supportive Services, LLC.” We work with individuals, families, and organizations – taking a look at the eight dimensions to examine best practices for making overall adjustments for better living. 

In 2021, after the transition of my father in 2019 and my brother in 2020, my vision shifted tremendously. It was at this point that I realized nothing I had previously learned or studied could get me through this process of pain and grief. My eight dimensions of wellness had been impacted in a way that was indescribable. I became frustrated with grieve as I watched it take a toll on my family. I cried out to God for an answer, and the book “When Numb Is Not Enough” was dropped into my spirit. 

The book has become an inspiration and motivation for others as I sit on a coach with families and individuals or provide a workshop for an organization. It is my calling, my purpose, my ministry for life. The assignment is tall and can sometimes get heavy, but I know without a doubt that have been equipped for the journey. Moreover, it causes me to continually exam myself and my own process toward healing. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road definitely has not been smooth. I seems that I am on a different road daily as I continue to try and figure it all out. The world as an entrepreneur is so new to me and presents its own set of challenges. Nevertheless, I am engaged and learning something new on a daily basis. The Grief and Loss space is bigger than I ever imagined; however, I am convinced that my approach is like none other. What I have is a God-given gift. It may sound the same or have the same appearance as other methods or teachings; however, the work is uniquely designed for each individual, family, or organization. One of the challenges I continually face is centered around the fact that I am a pre-licensed psychologist. Many are convinced that if the words “Licensed Psychologist” are not included behind my name, that what I have to say holds little to no value. I beg to differ. I can assuredly say that my life experiences as a consultant, coach, and counselor outweigh the letter or words in front of or behind my name. The letters truly don’t define or equip me. 

Another obstacle I face is in obtaining clients within the community I am called to serve. There are so many people: children, youth, young adults, seniors, families, organizations, etc., who have been impacted by grief and loss. So much so that their lives have all too often come to a complete halt. Yet, they do not give themselves permission to invest in the healing process. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ROTM Wellness Coaching, Consulting, and Supportive Services, LLC?
I have a Psy. D. in Multicultural Clinical-Community Psychology. I have served in the fields of Social Services and Mental Health for twenty-two years. I have served in both in-patient and out-patient psychiatric facilities, private practice, and the Child Welfare System, including probation. I have provided service to infants through geriatric populations. Facilitating groups, workshops, and classes is where my passion lies. Currently, I work as a therapist in the Intensive Outpatient Programs of a Behavioral Health Hospital. I also provide in-home support care for seniors facilitate classes for two community colleges and one university. In addition, I provide my greatest passion, grief and loss support coaching, to assist individuals, families, organizations, and agencies navigate the stages of loss in the various dimensions of wellness. I promote intentional living training through my business Renewing of the Mind Wellness Coaching, Consulting, and Supportive Services, LLC. Speaking engagements allow me the opportunity to meet the needs of hurting individuals on a larger scale. 

Seeing breakthroughs happen right in front of me is an indescribable feeling. I sincerely rejoice when I see others give themselves PERMISSION to grieve their own way and be unapologetic about their journey. My workshops are definitely tough to emotionally shoulder. But they are necessary for healing and transformation. I never leave anyone broken. It is imperative that each one is handled gracefully. 

My desire is to break stigmas and myths about grief and loss in relation to our own mental health and overall wellness, specifically in the Black community. My goal is to share the tools and strategies that have helped me continue to navigate my life and learn a new way of “being” while learning to EMBRACE THE PAIN, HONOR THE LOSS, and LIVE INTENTIONALLY! 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, it goes without saying that I give all credit to my Lord and Savior for blessing me with the gift to sit with people in their most vulnerable state. It is He who has not only given me the vision for the business/ministry but also He Who sustains me in the call. The vision is still under construction, and the journey is far from over. Throughout this process, He has definitely placed people, places, and things in my path to support, guide, and even correct me at times. There are many people who have played a pivotal role in where I find myself today. 

I start with my mother, who, in my opinion, is the textbook example of what it means to be of service. She modeled how to treat others, being sensitive to their needs. She demonstrated how to serve from the heart, even when it meant sacrificing yourself. 

I also have several mentors, each who have played a pivotal role in shaping and molding my career path, either by exposing me to other amazing people and environments or by literally taking me by the hand and at times, pushing me out of my comfort zone to think beyond the bubble in which I had enclosed myself. 

I shout out a good friend of mine who sat me down at her home one day and said, “No more excuses! File your LLC right now.” It was the spark I needed to get the fire started and where the journey began. 

I shout out my book writing coach, who was patient and encouraged me not to stop. 

I shout out my publisher and brand manager, who definitely was a divine connection. She contacted me for one thing, and within six weeks, my book completed with the launch date scheduled. 

I shout out my two older sisters, who made themselves available and vulnerable to share the process with me. 

I shout out my biggest cheerleader, my son, who is the calm in the storm. He keeps me grounded and always expresses how proud he is of his mother. There are no words to express how much I love him. 

Finally, I shout out every person who has taken the time to purchase my book, attend a workshop, and promote my cause, along with my clients, for trusting me to be the container for their most fragile emotions, thoughts, and feelings. 

Contact Info:

• Website: drtamitraclark.com
• Instagram: drtamitraclark
• Facebook: Tamitra Clark
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tamitramclark22
• Youtube: Dr. Tamitra Clark

Image Credits
Blame the Shooter Photography