Community Highlights: Meet Nedra Cannon of Harmony in Hues Wellness Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nedra Cannon

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a soulful, empathic, and warm individual dedicated to helping people heal from mental and emotional trauma. My focus, to date, has been on women-centered wellness practices and healing racial trauma. I have a strong history working with marginalized populations, as I identify within several intersections and have always been called and fueled to find ways to destigmatize mental wellness as well as pave the way for up-and-coming mental health clinicians of color. I got into the field of Social Work, because early in life, I wish I had someone to talk to, and couldn’t identify what that looked like, until school shooting became prominent. Mental health became a clear vision for me, as I knew how invaluable my own mental wellness was.

My happiest places are engaging in Speaker Events and Training. I provide data-driven, educational, relational, and inspiring talks on everything from Counseling Black Women, Trauma, Treating the two most common female sexual complaints, High Functioning Anxiety, The Impact of Racial Trauma on Providers, Treating and Understanding trauma as the result of Narcissistic Abuse, and Betrayal Trauma. My talks and workshops span disciplines and can be curated for any audience, from youth to the older generations, and from Universities and residential centers to boardrooms.

I have a private practice – Harmony in Hues Wellness Center – through which we see teens and adults struggling with attachment, trauma, relationships, self-concept, gender dysphoria, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, anxiety, sex-related issues, and depression. I am an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and provide letters for medical transition when appropriate. Our practice has hosted MSW interns, Social Media interns, and macro practice interns. My passion for holding space for communities of color drew me to start my non-profit organization, Healers of Color Collaborative of Michigan which provides a space for other wellness practitioners to hold space for each other, scholarships for mental health services, and a provider directory.

Over the years, I have been blessed to be the author of “Journal Prompt Card Decks: Healing, Growing and Thriving as a POC ” and the forthcoming Journal Workbook, entitled “Being in Harmony: Finding Hues of You.” I was featured in the 2022 Marquis Who’s Who of America and featured on the Podcast: “Yoga and Yum“ to talk about mindfulness. I have had the pleasure of chatting with KC Armstrong on Podcast Business News Network (PBN) in 2022 on the Impact of mental illness on relationships and boundaries over guilt. I had the pleasure of previously presenting at the Michigan Nursing Association on Mental Health and Stress as well as the Michigan chapter of the National Association of Social Work on “ We Need Help Too! Counseling Black Women.” I have been featured on Michigan’s WILX Studio 10 to discuss responding to cyberbullying, response to violence against black people at the hands of the police, high-functioning anxiety, holiday stress, and uncomfortable conversations.

We are often told not to “brag” about our accomplishments or “boast,” but, I have found that not shining a light on the good works, has in the past, impacted my self-view. My passions lie in saying “YES” to self, saying “ Water your garden when no one else will or may be able to.” My resume and my cover letter are a snippet of who I am. I know that we are interconnected and in this work, I desire to be a passenger for as many will allow. I have taught on the collegiate level via the University of Phoenix and worked at Michigan State University via the Counseling and Psychiatry department. I got my start in Community Mental Health.
What I always come back to, is finding joy in private practice, in speaking and connecting in panels and workshops, as well as mentoring. Joy comes from the inside out and I hope to walk alongside someone, as they lean into JOY.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have had many bumps along the way. I went to school to help people and myself, but never knew the business side of things. I started my business over, after a few years and the new iteration of it, I felt like I didn’t just want it to be about my name, so my practice has gone through a few name changes, to reflect the work we do, as well as the people we serve, and who made up the practice. I have realized also the importance of not making decisions out of my own “lack” , lack of mentors for myself or people pleasing. I am slowly learning the business side of running a mental wellness practice. It has come at a cost, with me needing to start at the drawing board and re-write the way I ran business. I have learned that I need to make sure that I am pouring into myself as much as I have poured into others. My oldest daughter, Chase is the Business Manager for the practice, and our legacy is very important to me. I have a sense of urgency it getting it right this time.

As you know, we’re big fans of Harmony in Hues Wellness Center. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I started my business under my name, Nedra Cannon LCSW LLC, and have since created a DBA of Harmony in Hues Wellness Center. My practice is not just a counseling practice, but we invite masters levels interns to grow with us and learn the clinical and macro side of the field. We are known for working specializing in racial trauma, sexual trauma, generational trauma and as an EMDR Consultant, ( eye movement desensitization reprocessing ), I am able to offer consultation to those working towards certification. I also am able to provide supervision for those seeking full licensure in Clinical or Macro Social Work. I am an author of forth coming journal workbook with my daughter, Chase titled ” Being in Harmony” and have also created Journal card decks ” Healing, Thriving and Growing as a Person of Color.”
I am passionate about whole wellness and have led workshops on ” The Impact of Racial Trauma on Providers and Clients,” ” We need help too! Counseling Black Women, ” ” Treating the two most common female sexual complaints,” ” High Functioning Anxiety, and ” Implicit Bias.” What sets us apart from others is our diverse team and experience in trauma, in particular. This year we will co-host our second annual ” Ultimate One Day Women’s Retreat ” in November, and I offer a fall women’s workshop series on mental wellness topics such as anxiety, stress management, mom guilt, and betrayal trauma.
I want people to know how passionate we are about serving our community and breaking down stigma attached to mental health, in particular amongst people of color. I am most proud of my daughter being able to work with me and the people who have been on this journey. I hope people take time to reach out to us to get the details about our upcoming retreat and fall women’s wellness series.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I have taken quite a few risks, and have generally held the belief to do ” it” whatever “it” was, afraid. Doing the “scary or unknown” thing could end up rewarding at best and at worst, but still not so bad, I could learn many valuable lessons. Starting my own business was a huge risk, and I have had many rewarding experiences and have developed many amazing relationships because of it, but because I took this risk, I have also learned how to improve and to give myself grace. I believe that when we think of the word, “risk,” we inherently, view it as bad, or fearful, and that mindset, can impact our outcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.harmonyinhues.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyhueswc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyHuesWC
• Other: https://art-of-rest.my.canva.site/