Rising Hope Counseling and Wellness

06/11/2025

Supervision is more than oversight. It’s an opportunity to mentor with intention, lead with equity, and build trust through cultural humility.

Join us for:
Workshop C – A Practical Guide to Culturally Cognizant Supervision and Mentoring
📆 Tuesday, June 24 | 🕑 2–4 PM EST
🎓 2 CEUs | Anti-Discrimination + Anti-Racism
🖊️ Registration closes June 18 at 11:59 pm.

Whether you’re a new supervisor or seasoned clinician, this hands-on CEU workshop will help you embed culturally responsive practices into how you lead, mentor, and support others in the field.

Led by two deeply respected educators and clinicians:
✨ Brian Gonsalves, LICSW – A Boston College professor with 20+ years of experience mentoring clinicians-in-training and supporting urban youth, especially young people of color.
✨ LaMone Downey Leonard, LICSW – Founder of Rising Hope Counseling and Wellness, specializing in culturally affirming care for BIPOC adults, reproductive trauma, and mental health equity.

Through real case studies, interactive dialogue, and an actionable CCSM framework, you’ll walk away with:
✔️ Tools to address bias and microaggressions in supervision
✔️ Frameworks to support intersectionality and cultural identity
✔️ A customizable plan for implementing Culturally Cognizant Supervision in your practice or agency

💬 This is for clinical supervisors, managers, consultants, and mental health leaders who want to move from performative awareness to purposeful practice.

🗓️ Spots are limited and registration closes June 18.
➡️ Sign up now via the link in bio

05/11/2025

04/25/2025

Infertility will make you question everything - your body, your faith, your enough-ness.

But hear me when I say:
The amount of strength it takes to hope after heartbreak? To keep trying through loss and silence? Whew, chile… that’s a strength this world doesn’t even have a name for.

🧡 If you needed this reminder today, my heart is with you.

And if you have the support to give. drop a heart for someone silently walking this fertility and family building journey.

04/23/2025

Have I ever told you about this plaque that has become on one my beacons?

It came in a care package shortly after I lost my son, Joshua, during one of the most painful chapters in my journey through infertility and child loss.

For a long time I couldn’t open it.

No one knew his name but me and my husband, because we hadn’t told anyone the name we chose for our child.

When I finally did open it, there it was — JOSHUA.
Etched into something real. Something I could touch.
And I just lost it.

I remember texting my husband, crying uncontrollably.
Because in that moment, I didn’t feel strong.
I didn’t feel courageous.
I felt broken.
Angry.
Messy.
Grieving.

To be honest, I thought it was a mistake at first…maybe even a cruel joke.

But now, after some time has passed,

This plaque is a reminder that he was real.

That he is still with me, not just in memory, but in spirit.

And somehow, in all that pain, it began to reflect something back at me:

My strength.
My courage.
My growth.
My faith.

The journey through infertility and loss reshapes your identity.
It asks you to find yourself again in the wreckage.
And what I’ve learned is that being a mess doesn't make you less.
It just means that your love allows you feel it all.
And that’s a form of strength too.

🧡 If you’ve ever held onto something—anything—that reminded you your grief was real and your love was too… I’d be honored if you shared it with me. What’s your “plaque”?

04/20/2025

🧡 If this resonates, drop an orange heart for yourself, or for someone quietly walking through the fertility and family building gauntlet.

The emotional, physical, and spiritual marathon no one prepares us for.

Let’s remind each other we’re not alone.

11/03/2024

✨ Just 1 Day to Go! ✨

Our Tote Bag Stenciling Workshop with the Crafty Crew is happening tomorrow at the Hyde Park Branch of the Boston Public Library! 🎨🖌️ We still have a few spots left for teens to join in, so if you’re looking for a fun, creative way to spend your Monday afternoon, don’t miss out!

🗓️ Date: Tomorrow, November 4, 2024
⏰ Time: 4pm-5:30pm
📍 Location: Hyde Park Branch, Boston Public Library
👥 Open to Teens

Bring your friends, unleash your creativity, and design your own tote bag with us! Sign up now at https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/670e8da37fde612f00f01e24⁠! 🎉

10/31/2024

💜 We honor the strength, the love, and the memories of every parent who has experienced the unimaginable pain of pregnancy and infant loss. There are no words to fully capture the depth of this grief, yet as we stand together, we remind one another that we do not walk this journey alone.

We are holding space for you—for your tears, your silence, your moments of reflection, and your hope. Grief has no timeline, no rules, but it does not define you. You are not broken. You are not alone.

Take this time to remember, to honor, and to heal, in whatever way feels right for you.

"

10/28/2024

For years, we’ve been quietly bringing creativity to our community through arts-based workshops, and now we’re excited to officially introduce The Crafty Crew! 🎉 The Crafty Crew is a mobile craft studio offering empowering, therapeutic experiences that foster community, conversation, and creativity. We tailor each experience to your group—whether it's friends, churches, schools, or community organizations, big or small!

We’re beyond excited to partner with the Hyde Park Branch of the Boston Public Library for this upcoming Tote Bag Stenciling Workshop for Teens! This is just one of many events we’re hosting this year, and it’s all about unleashing your creativity. Join us to design your very own custom tote bag!

👥 This event is for Teens and IT'S FREE!
🗓️ Date: Tuesday November 4, 2024
📍 Location: Hyde Park Branch, Boston Public Library
⏰ Time: 4pm-5:30pm
🖊️ Sign up here: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/670e8da37fde612f00f01e24

If you know a teenager, please invite them to join in on the fun! 🌟

✨Want to add a little craftiness to your friends' group, church, or other community organization? DM us to bring the Crafty Crew to you! 💌

Let’s get creative together! 🌈🖌️

10/27/2024

🕯️We continue to light candles and whisper the names of the little ones who we never had the chance to hold, but who live forever in our hearts. The emptiness may feel unbearable at times, but in those moments, remember that your love for them endures beyond space and time.

As a therapist, I’ve walked alongside many who carry this invisible weight—and I, too, have felt the ache of loss. It’s okay to grieve, to cry, to sit in the stillness. But it’s also okay to breathe again, to smile again, to find moments of peace in the midst of the storm.

In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, I invite you to allow yourself whatever you need: space to mourn, space to remember, or space to hope.

"

10/26/2024

As the seasons change, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — Depression that aligns with the shift from sunny summer days to the colder, darker months. If you’re feeling extra tired, irritable, or just not like yourself lately, it could be more than just the “winter blues.” Here are some ways to manage SAD and boost your mood:

🌞 Light Therapy: Try sitting near a light box to mimic natural sunlight.
🏃‍♀️ Stay Active: Even short walks or gentle exercise can help release feel-good hormones.
🧠 Talk It Out: Therapy can help you manage feelings of sadness and fatigue.
🥦 Fuel Your Body: Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support your mental health.

If you’re struggling with these seasonal changes, click the link below to schedule a consultation with Vanessa and get the support you need and deserve. Link: forms.gle/CojPP5yeJ1FnDDh97.

10/25/2024

🎃 When Halloween Feels Scary for a Different Reason🎃

For many, Halloween is a fun time filled with costumes, kids, and candy. But for those struggling with infertility, it can bring up feelings of sadness, loneliness, and longing. Seeing families and children can be a painful reminder of what you're yearning for. Here’s how you can navigate these feelings during this time:

Feel your Feelings: It’s okay to experience grief or sadness. Your feelings are valid, even when the world seems to be celebrating.

Set Boundaries: If attending certain events or seeing baby costumes feels too difficult, it’s okay to say no. Prioritize your mental health.

Lean on Your Support System: Talk to a friend, partner, or support group who understands the challenges of infertility. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Create New Traditions: If Halloween feels too hard, plan something special for yourself or with a partner — a quiet night in, a movie marathon, or a dinner date.

This season can be tough, but remember to be gentle with yourself. 💕

10/23/2024

You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt like you don’t deserve your success or that you’re just “faking it” — this feeling is called *Imposter Syndrome*. Despite your achievements, you might feel like you’re just waiting to be "found out." But here’s the truth: Many people experience this, even the most accomplished individuals! Here’s how to start tackling those feelings of self-doubt:

📝 Acknowledge Your Success: Focus on the facts, and take a moment to list your accomplishments. You’ve earned your place!

🗣️ Talk About It: Acknowledge and release feelings, open up to friends or colleagues — you’ll be surprised how many others feel the same.

🔄 Reframe Your Thoughts: When self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself that you’re qualified and capable.

🙌 Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward is worth celebrating. You’re growing, and that’s what matters!

Remember, you are enough. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and your success is no accident. ✨