Supporting the Emotional Well-Being of Children & Families

Guest Contributor: Trayonna Barnes, MSW, Licensed Mental Health Therapist, & CEO of Trayonna Barnes Books

What does Black Mental Wellness mean to you?

Black mental wellness means creating spaces for African American people to exist, think and heal and create freely to increase emotional well-being.

How do you promote change and well-being in the Black community?

I promote change through policy (working with community politicians) and creating resources (my books) that challenge stigma in the Black community.

What are some upcoming events you are leading, that promote mental health and wellness, that you would like for our Black Mental Wellness audience to know about?

I will be in the Cincinnati Black Child Book Fair February 27th. I will also be the guest speaker at a virtual lunch and learn at Howard University date TBA.

Tell us about your educational and/or professional training, and current area of expertise related to mental health and wellness?

I attended Northern Kentucky University, where I earned an integrated degree in Psychology, Social Work, and Entrepreneurial Studies. I also graduated from the esteemed Howard University with a Master’s degree in Social Work. I have been working with children for 10+ years, and I have been working with children in a clinical environment for 4 years. I have been Applications in Resilience trained for 2 years and I am TF-CBT trained. 

What are some ways that you promote mental health and wellness through your area of expertise?

I am a mental health professional, so I encourage all my clients to engage in self-care and a share my personal ways that I keep up with my mental wellness such as counseling, Zumba, journaling and yoga.

What are some things that we should know about your area of expertise?

Children are not small adults. They understand, process and interact with the world differently requiring a different set of skills.

How can we encourage more people to seek mental health treatment?

By continuing to break down stigma with more conversations and positive testimonies.

What are your recommendations for ending stigma in the Black community?

Sharing more success stories of what therapy and mental health treatment did for Black people and families.

What can potential clients expect during an initial session? Follow up sessions?

They can expect for me to treat them with respect, conduct a thorough assessment, engage in rapport building and for me to provide the best recommendation of care for them.

Do you have an experience with seeking mental health treatment that you would like to share with the Black Mental Wellness audience?

Yes! I was in mental health therapy for 5 years before becoming a therapist.

What wellness strategies do you think should be given more attention within the Black community? Are there any reasons why you think they are not given more attention?

I believe we should give more discounted therapy sessions to process race relations as Black people in America. I believe it is not given to the systemic racism and misunderstandings in America.

How do you make time for your own wellness and self-care?

I journal and I provide myself with at least 1 full day off a week.

What are your top 5 favorite wellness and self-care strategies?

1. Journaling

2. Resting

3. Zumba

4. Time with friends

5. Taking a walk.

What resources do you find most helpful to encourage mental health and wellness?

Honestly, social media, freebies and word of mouth.

Guest Contributor

Trayonna Barnes is a Cincinnati native who has been passionate about mental health since she was a young child. Trayonna attended Northern Kentucky University, where she earned an integrated degree in Psychology, Social Work, and Entrepreneurial Studies. Trayonna also graduated from the esteemed Howard University with a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2023. Trayonna currently serves as a licensed Mental Health Therapist and the CEO of Trayonna Barnes Books where mental health is prioritized through literacy.

Trayonna’s newly published Children’s Book “Tony and the Scary Thing” held the #1 spot in Mental Health Children’s books for 3 weeks gaining her recognition from local FOX19 News and Channel 12’s “What’s happening in health?”. Trayonna has also created partnerships with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati in conjunction with local mental health agencies to develop programs that teach Life skills to the youth of Greater Cincinnati. Trayonna’s passion and leadership has led her to become a fierce advocate for Children’s mental health in Cincinnati Ohio!