Nerissa Legg LPC-S of Metro Detroit on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Nerissa Legg LPC-S and have shared our conversation below.

Nerissa, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day in the life of Nerissa looks like a decent balance of work and life. I appreciate that I am able to start my days very softly by praying and of course scrolling through my phone like a true millennial! I also answer emails first thing in the morning while I feel refreshed. I am also able to get a nice walk in which helps me to ground myself so I can be the best therapist and business owner that I can be! The remainder of the day is filled with various meetings and sessions with my clients. I end the day by cooking and relaxing on the porch!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the owner of Black Girls Crowned, a non profit organization focused on destroying the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and illnesses in the Black Community through community services and therapy. We have a unique approach in that we include our culture into our services. We are able to quickly build rapport with our clients and communities with this approach. It is our main priority to create safe spaces that allow our Community to feel Seen and Heard.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Many of my teachers and professors from First grade onto college at Wilberforce University saw me before I could fully see myself. I went to a small but mighty elementary school in which we were a very close knit community. Each of my teachers through those years were able pour into me the values of seeing each person uniquely and allowing us all to appreciate each other for who we were. They recognized that each child learns differently and normalized this instead of ostracizing us based on our “abilities”. Our lesson plans were literally catered to each student, at least it felt that way. Not only did they see us clearly academically but personally! They provided us a safe space of comfort for any personal issues that may arise. This is what I often model services for BGC after! We provide safe spaces specifically catered towards our Community.

Throughout my undergraduate career my professors also allowed me to feel Seen and Heard! They really molded me into the therapist that I am today. Despite struggling with being away from home, they helped me to feel safe! I can fully recall several conversations with my favorite professor Dr. Grisby who encouraged me to not follow the traditional modalities of therapy due to these methods not being made for the Black Community but rather against us. On the last day of campus he and my other favorite professor Mr. Church (who also saw me) strongly encouraged me to get as much experience in the field as possible before settling down into one specific area which I always thought would be in Veteran Affairs. They saw my passion even before I did. After graduate school Dr. Grisby also encouraged me to start BGC and get into private practice and reminded me that it was necessary to have this unique approach.

Without my village who followed their own passions by creating a safe space for me, Black Girls Crowned would not be!

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been several moments where I felt like giving up but in short God kept me going. My faith in God is my business plan! Starting a business in hard work and we often don’t see the barriers until we approach them! When I first began my nonprofit and private practice I was working full time for another organization and business. There was a certain point when God told me that I needed to go full time in my own business. After ignoring this for a couple of years I took the leap of faith. Whew, that was a hard jump! Despite my best efforts, things did not go as planned, but of course, thats to be expected. My finances were suffering but every single time that I began seeking other employment, my business would flourish more! There have been many highs and lows in this purpose but I refuse to give up! God has always provided for me because He gave me this mission and purpose. I’m grateful that today I am seeing the fruits of my labor even more! Now I am able to see that those Highs and Lows are most necessary for growth!

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I continue to strive to be the same person that I see in private as well as public. I’m a vibe in and out of session as I like to say. I know that there is this stereotype of what a therapist “should” be, but I destroy the “should”s. I am a real person, I struggle, I laugh,I cry,I’m me!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Everyone has a story! We have all been through a lot and these things have shaped and molded us into who we are today! Given this information, we all need to be kind towards others and ourselves. Passing judgement and provoking shame just adds on to our struggles, we win best with love!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackgirlscrowned.com/
• Instagram: @blkgirlscrowned
• Facebook: Black Girls Crowned
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nerissa-legg-canton-mi/448101