Partnerships
IT TAKES A VILLAGE!
Why it takes a village…
At The Healing Institute, we value all of our partners. We collaborate with African and African American agencies and vendors who can provide the highest quality of knowledge, skills, interventions, and products to improve the quality of life of people throughout the diaspora. Our partnerships are important and maintain an African-centered, strength-based approach to providing mental and behavioral health interventions and strategies. At The Healing Institute, we know the impact of good mental and behavioral health on physical health and individual, group, and community stability and productivity. Our six focus areas are the holistic approach through an African-centered worldview, cultural competence, community engagement, capacity building, resource pooling, and increased social impact that brings a healthy balance.
In summary, partnerships are vital in mental and behavioral health, particularly in an African-centered strength-based approach, as they foster a holistic understanding of clients, enhance cultural competence, promote community engagement, facilitate capacity building, pool resources, and increase the overall impact of mental health services.
Our Partners
Ann Dillard, MFT
Founder and Director of Project Safety Nets
Ann Dillard is the founder and director of Project Safety Nets (PSN), a non-profit organization that has been providing quality services to the Senegalese people since 2008. Through PSN's three pillars, education, economic development, and health, Ann has decreased infant mortality, increased girls' education, and provided thousands of eyeglasses to those in need. Ann believes in creating sustainable projects that allow Senegalese children, youth, families, and communities to thrive. Ann is a global licensed marriage and family therapist, author, trainer, and speaker. She has developed the Daughters Heal curriculum that focuses on healing issues in mother-daughter relationships.
Dr. David White
Founder of Entrainment Counseling
Dr. David White founded Entrainment Counseling LLC, located in Atlanta, Georgia. He has an extensive mental and behavioral health history, working primarily with men and boys. Dr. White is a renowned substance abuse counselor who integrates brain-body-based interventions to treat depression, anxiety, and addiction. He has developed schools in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. White has served as Head Master of several schools in the US and has supported students' academic and sports success by decreasing anxiety related to performance anxiety.
Amy Niang, Special Education Teacher
Brainspotting Practioner, Senegal
In 2021, Amy Niang became the first Senegalese Brainspotting practitioner in Senegal, West Africa. Amy is a pioneer in bringing brain-body-based therapy to West Africa. Amy is the director and teacher at Najee Classroom in Senegal, West Africa. She is passionate about working with exceptional children who experience difficulty accessing services due to their unique abilities, which include cerebral palsy and autism. Amy holds certificates in mental health first aid, Neurodivesty play therapy, and the power of parents in the playroom. She bridges neuroscience and play to educate families and improve access to children with disabilities to specialized services that will increase their chances of economic independence.
Dr. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon, LICSW
International Therapist, Author & Professor
Dr. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon is a native of Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Rhonda is a graduate of Howard University School of Social Work's master's and doctorate programs. She is an international therapist, author, and professor. Dr. Rhonda was intricate in developing the social work program at the University of Accra in Ghana, West Africa. She is the chair of the doctoral program at Morgan State University. Her most recent project is publishing the social work text, Trauma and Mental Health Social Work with Urban Populations: African-Centred Clinical Interventions.
Denise Montgomery, LICSW, RPT
Clinical Director of Esteemed Families
Denise Montgomery is Esteemed Families, LLC's clinical director and licensed clinical social worker. Her specialties included working with children exposed to abuse, neglect or managing mental health issues. Denise is a licensed marriage and family therapist and nationally recognized Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Denise graduated from the National Association of Black Social Workers' Nea Onnim Circle of African-Centered Social Work, where she incorporated traditional African customs, language, and rituals in her therapy with children, youth, and families. Denise is a sought-after national trainer and speaker and subscribes to the philosophy of Fredrick Douglass, African American abolitionist: " It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
Mayssa Ndiaye
Translation & Support
Providing the best in French and Wolof translation, Mayssa Ndiaye has been an intricate part of The Healing Institute's ability to visit and navigate Senegal's language, customs, rituals, and traditions. Mayssa has partnered with The Healing Institute since 2019 and continues to expand our knowledge of Senegal's rich history.