Carla Shoates-Smith
Carla relocated to Charlotte NC from Atlanta GA in 2009 to provide guidance to individuals and small groups through e-consultations, small group workshops, articles, and blogs in order to support and enhance the emotional wellness of women. Personal and professional experiences fueled a passion for understanding emotional wellness, specifically for women. At the pubecent age of 13, Carla learned that her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which was commonly referred to as having "a nervous breakdown". While complicated to understand at the time, she began to assess the stress her mother was exposed to in effort to understand the impact of stress and the illness that consumed her.
During her pursuit of a Bachelor's in Social Work, Carla gained experience working as a case manager with populations varying from homeless family services, residential maternity home, and youth group home, and as a mental health associate for a psychiatric hospital working with children, adolescents, and adults dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Carla was faced with greiving the unexpected loss of her maternal grandmother to cancer during the week of her final exams. Later, her mother was diagnosed with cancer as well and died approximately 2 years later. In addition to understanding the impact of stressful circumstances on mental health, Carla started to recognize the connection between lifestyle choices and personal habits, including diet & nutrition, that may have contributed to the onset of diseases such as cancer and mental illness.
Honoring their memory, she studied massage therapy and other integrated techniques of healing. Presently, Carla uses her personal and professional experiences to encourage self-help for personal growth, preventive care and the integration of a holistic approach to healing for women's emotional wellness and overall well-being.