Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Reid.
Hi Mia , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Detroit native of over 44 years raised by my Grandparents. My upbringing was very strict, and I learned about the Lord at an early age, we went to church very often. Our family is big and very close, we grew up surrounded by many cousins, aunts and uncles and had loads of fun. We were shown lots of love, and it made it easy for me to love others sincerely and not be afraid to receive love. My childhood was not typical, yet it was good. Not perfect yet comfortable. I am grateful for my upbringing and especially learning where to look to for help at my lowest.
My lowest came on June 26, 2011 when my first born and only son’s life was taken due to gun violence. My journey took prayer, therapy, and faith to help me in getting regulated, stable, and to regain hope in my life. I was so excited about therapy and how it changed my mindset, that I went back to school and obtained another master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and became fully licensed in Michigan. I wanted to help others using some of the same modalities that helped me. During my studies, I learned a great deal about trauma and got certified as an Informed Trauma Professional. Although grief is normal, it does not feel normal and sharing our story with others that are struggling to process their grief/trauma will help them to realize they are not alone. I have always been a helper and through my tragedy, I learned my purpose,
I love my purpose in helping those impacted by gun violence and poverty. Over the years, I founded a private practice in 2017 and named it “Change Happens Today” because after I put in the difficult work of allowing myself to feel, in therapy, my change happened. In order to heal, we must allow ourselves to feel. Sometimes this can only be done with a professional that has a skillset in the issue we are struggling to resolve. Once I began doing more community work in the gun violence prevention movement, I founded the Charles W. Reid Community Help Center (CWR) in honor of my son. It is a 501c3 Nonprofit that focuses on families impacted by gun violence and poverty. I have realized that it is difficult for anyone to focus on helping themselves emotionally if their most basic needs are not met. We not only bring awareness to ways to prevent gun violence, but we also provide food, basic need items, clothing, and much more.
June is Gun Violence Awareness month, and the CWR Community Help Center will also hold our 5th anti-gun violence march & rally. I have joined several organizations that promote gun safety through awareness and policy change which includes Everytown for Gun Safety Survivors Network, Moms Demand Action, and End Gun Violence Michigan and we work with many likeminded partner organizations such as Giffords. We are a coalition in this movement promoting gun safety. I speak in and out of state often to communities, survivors, and policy makers in hopes of reducing gun violence and inspiring hope. I believe we can drastically reduce gun violence and possibly end this epidemic that takes over 125 lives each day in our country. By advocating together for social justice, gun safety, and helping our vulnerable communities to meet their most basic needs, we can encourage more people to become open to receiving help to address not only emotional issues that have become barriers to success but also help families to become stable and inspire hope.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Initially I struggled a lot with the loss of my child. The death of a child is not the natural order of life and therefore is extremely difficult to navigate, like many others, I felt hopeless. Finding the courage to seek out help gave me the strength I needed to move forward on my healing journey. Learning to process the hurt and pain was challenging and I’m very proud that I put in the work. I don’t believe I will ever get over it, but I’m grateful I got through it. Working to bring change and promote gun safety brings challenges in some communities because people fear what they don’t understand. We are working hard in this movement to bring more awareness and knowledge of the new laws that have been implemented to keep communities safer.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Change Happens Today®?
Change Happens Today® is a private practice that offers individual, couples, and group counseling. Everyone should know that therapist are professional helpers. I cannot fix anyone; it is not my job. My job is to assist anyone that is seeking help to resolve their own issues by providing the proper tools and strategies in a safe and confidential environment. Therapists’ skillsets, experience, and expertise in various areas gives us the knowledge to apply specific modalities during treatment plans because everyone is different. My skillset is Grief & Trauma and I’m known for being a good listener and great speaker. What sets me apart from others is my lived experience with loss & trauma and being able to relate to many symptoms that clients present and experience. I’m most proud of my brand name and the optimistic feeling in knowing that I have also journeyed a difficult path for change and I know that change is definitely possible for my clients too. I’m also proud of being able to use my skills and services along with the nonprofit by offering services to the community.
I would like the readers to know that I’m aware of the stigma for some in seeking out mental health services, I had the same stigma prior to therapy. There is a misconception out there whereas some may think “being strong” is pushing down the hurt and pain and not showing signs of vulnerability, The truth in “being strong” is having the courage to be vulnerable. When you hurt, you hurt, and it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to grieve and allow yourself to feel. It is okay to process the hurt and pain, release it, and recover. Help is available for everyone regardless of insurance, you need only to reach out and the resources will be provided for you. You are not alone.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was going to the diner with my grandma, Georgia Mae. It was the first and only time just me and her sat down to eat outside of home. I remembered how to eat with one hand and keep my elbows of the counter. I took my time and savored that burger, it was so good! I listened to my grandma on the phone the rest of the day bragging on me and how dainty I was with my napkin on my lap and eating “like I had some sense” That day felt so good because I know I made her proud.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.changehappenstoday.com
- Instagram: @change_happenstoday
- Facebook: @ChangeHappensMiaReid
- Other: https://www.cwrcommunityhelpcenter.org
