Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Westbrook.
Hi Nina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began as a collegiate athlete at the University of California Los Angeles where I studied English and Psychology. Then I pursued a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and eventually became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
I started working as a marriage and family therapist in community-based counseling centers and then moved to inpatient facilities where I had the opportunity to serve children and adolescents who were struggling with mood disorders as well as victims of sexual trauma. I was also able to practice therapy at an inpatient psychiatric program for adults age 55 and older who required comprehensive cognitive and mental support.
I moved into school-based counseling before I had my son Noah and eventually made the decision to try something new, venturing into the world of entrepreneurship. I opened my first business The Little Ark and then founded Minibrook followed by Bene by Nina. My experience with The Little Ark made it clear that there was an unmet need for epicene children’s clothing and that realization, along with my children, inspired Minbrook.
Having a husband in the NBA meant we relocated multiple times and it became clear that I wouldn’t be able to go back to practicing therapy, but I was missing the work I did around mental health. I decided to pivot and refocus energy on my first passion which resulted in the creation of Bene by Nina Westbrook, as well as the addition of a mental health pillar to the Why Not? Foundation and the creation of my Do Tell! Conversation Card Game.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any entrepreneur would say the journey is an entirely smooth one. I’m constantly juggling being a mother of three small children, a wife, and a business owner, all while running a digital wellness platform. It can be very taxing and a lot of mistakes were made along the way but those all became valuable lessons that helped me grow. In addition, living somewhat in the public eye brings its own challenges which has forced me to step out of my comfort zone and get creative about the ways I can support others through their mental health journeys and contribute to the field of mental health in general.
At times, it felt really difficult to continue moving forward, but the support of my family and friends made it possible for me to push through, and I’m so happy I did because it has allowed me to continue making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I currently have three businesses, including Minibrook which is an epicene children’s clothing collection offering stylish essentials that are comfortable, durable, and responsibly crafted in Los Angeles.
Bene by Nina Westbrook is a digital wellness platform I created to serve as a safe space where you can access resources and useful tools, all designed to cultivate wellness in every area of life. I also recently launched the Do Tell! Conversation Card Game, which is a fun way to spark meaningful conversation between friends and loved ones as you bond over your exploration of important topics like intimacy, intention, wellness, and self-awareness. Do Tell! brings people together and builds a sense of community, offering each player the opportunity to address subjects they may normally be too afraid to discuss. It’s a game that encourages vulnerability and reveals commonalities across groups and individuals, reminding us all that we aren’t on this journey through life alone.
I’m passionate about what I’m doing with Bene and Do Tell! because I want people to remember that mental health is incredibly important; it directly impacts our everyday experiences and the relationships we share with others. As a qualified professional with the credentials to address crucial mental health topics, my goal is to normalize the discussion around mental wellness so that it doesn’t feel scary or overwhelming, all while providing relatable, action-based information designed to improve overall wellness.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
In our mission to remove the stigma that surrounds mental health, we want to reach as many people as possible and sharing Bene by Nina Westbrook resources with others by reposting content from @benexnina helps us do that. We also love inviting wellness experts to join us on BenebyNina.com and welcome you to email us at [email protected] if you would like to be our next guest!
Purchasing a copy of the Do Tell! Conversation Card Game is another way to not only collaborate with our team but to connect more deeply with those you love, which further promotes the message of hope and healing we’re trying to share with the world.
Pricing:
- The Do Tell! Conversation Card Game retails for $35 and can be purchased at https://dotellcardgame.com/
- In addition to the free resources on BenebyNina.com, you can also find digital wellness workshops that range from $29.99 to $69.99.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.benebynina.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benexnina/
Image Credits
Viby Creative
