Therapist

Nakia S. Black, PhD, MSW, LCSW

Email: nakia@niatherapynook.com

Philosophy of Therapy

Hi, I’m Dr. Nakia Black, owner of NIA Therapy Nook, LLC. Life is a journey, much like a marathon compared to a sprint. Throughout our journey, we seek to live healthy, happy, and purposeful lives. Unfortunately, life transitions, circumstances, and obstacles often alter or halt the journey. To achieve goals of happiness, health, and wellness, individuals may need a little support to prevent further derailment and help get back on track to living on purpose.

Through collaborative efforts, my goal is to help individuals, couples, and families feel empowered and re-discover themselves in order to heal, be inspired, and transform. In recognizing the uniqueness of each client, I utilize diverse treatment modalities to avoid a “one-size fits all” approach. I incorporate various interventions into treatment including, but not limited to, Racially and Ethnically Sensitive Practices, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Spirituality Sensitive Practice, Trauma-Informed Care, Strengths-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model, and Family Therapy techniques.

Professional Profile

Nakia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Ph.D. Candidate at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work and Master of Social Work Degree at the University of Connecticut. She brings vast experience in individual outpatient and inpatient settings for children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics, facilitation of groups, college lectures, and curriculum development to her craft and leadership in the therapeutic process and social justice matters.  

As a part of her clinical education and training, Nakia participated in travel studies to Germany and Armenia. In both countries, Nakia had the opportunity to see first-hand the socio-cultural influences of individuals and families, as well as the impact and healing from genocide and the Holocaust on both nations. In her travels, she met with various international social welfare organizations serving individuals impacted by Intimate Partner Violence, members of LGBTQ community, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, government officials, and studied various genocide and Holocaust memorial sites.

Nakia’s past work experiences include working with diverse populations in varying practice settings and serving individuals at various life stages and transitions. She has served those impacted by homelessness, incarceration, severe mental illness, substance use disorder, and HIV/AIDS. Nakia’s professional career has included time working within college campus counseling centers, private practice, three male prisons, community health agencies responding to children and adolescents in crisis, and providing substance abuse treatment to women with children in residential care. She has assisted individuals, groups, and families develop boundaries and gain insight into life patterns to create functional and healthy living.

Prior to graduate school, Nakia worked as a Portfolio Analyst for GE Capital. Working in finance broadened her perspective and understanding of complex work environments. However, after many years, Nakia felt moved and called to pursue social work. Social work is where she has found her “Purpose”, providing services to clients, challenging the status quo, and engaging activism to ensure equity for all.

Areas of Expertise

• Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Attachment Injuries
• Anxiety
• Boundaries/Codependency
• Christian Therapeutic Services
• Depression
• Generational Trauma
• Grief/Loss
• Life Transitions
• Racial Trauma
• Relational Issues
• Self-Esteem
• Shame/Guilt
• Spiritual Sensitive Practices
• Trauma