The live event kicks off with opening remarks from several notable speakers.
The live event kicks off with opening remarks from Dr. Rhonda Wood.
Workshop Focus:
Workshop Focus:
Workshop Focus:
Dr. Rhonda M. Wood is a powerhouse voice in mental health advocacy, an award-winning international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and media personality dedicated to breaking the silence around mental health. Once a thriving corporate professional, she privately battled depression, anxiety, and unresolved childhood trauma. Her decision to seek therapy was a life-changing moment—one that not only transformed her own healing journey but also ignited her passion to empower others to do the same. As the host of The Dr. Rhonda Show, Dr. Wood uses her global platform to amplify the voices of women who silently struggle, fostering a movement of healing, transparency, and resilience. Featured on major media outlets such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, her work has earned her prestigious honors, including two Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards and the United Nations Women of Distinction Award. Beyond media, Dr. Wood serves on the Board of NAMI Prince George’s County, influencing policy and expanding access to mental health resources. She is deeply committed to helping women reset their values, renew their vision, and reclaim their voices. Her message is clear: true healing begins when we break the silence and boldly choose to “heal out loud.”
Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois, LCPC, is a Licensed Holistic Therapist, transformative healer, and guide who harnesses the power of holistic practices to nurture the inner strength of women and guide them toward their power. With over 15 years of dedicated experience, she's inspired and supported hundreds of women in unlocking their innate potential and navigating life's journey with grace and authenticity. Originally hailing from the vibrant streets of Jersey City, NJ, Ms. Jean-Franćois proudly embraces her roots as a firstgeneration Haitian-American. For the past 24 years, Maryland has been her home, where she has cultivated her practice and touched countless lives with her wisdom. Trained in psychology, Ms. Jean-Franćois earned her Bachelor's Degree from Morgan State University in 2005 and her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Frostburg State University in 2008. As the visionary CEO and founder of FLOW With Coach Lou, she has birthed the POWA Circle, a sacred space for women to reclaim their authentic power and embrace abundance. Her signature, Flow Method | Embody Your Power and Create the Joyful Life You Deserve, was birthed from her commitment to empowering women from all walks of life. Additionally, she is the co-founder and co-owner of Better Days Counseling, LLC, a sanctuary for mental health and healing in Greenbelt, MD. For Ms. Jean-Franćois, empowering women is not merely a profession but a sacred calling, a divine inspiration to uplift and elevate. Her holistic therapy and coaching practice integrates mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual principles and practices, honoring ancient wisdom and indigenous traditions. In a world that often challenges women's strength and resilience, Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her unwavering dedication to fostering personal growth and self-discovery illuminates the path for those seeking to embrace their true selves. Through her holistic approach, she creates not only a space for healing but also a community where women can connect, share their journeys, and celebrate their victories together. As she continues to inspire and transform lives, Ms. Jean-Franćois remains committed to her mission: to nurture the powerful, joyful lives every woman deserves, ensuring that they feel seen, valued, and empowered on their unique journeys.
Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC is a native Washingtonian with a heart for helping people! She retrieved her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. After this, she immediately enrolled in Graduate School to retrieve her Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Ms. Faulkner has done extensive research to properly convey how the mind, body, spirit, and emotions of a human being work together. From this, she is able to help many people understand and get to the root of their problems. Ms. Faulkner is not only a leader, but she is also a light that shines bright to illuminate the way for others. By doing so, she is able to help many people find their true purpose in life. Ms. Faulkner understands, she guides, and most importantly, she listens.
Dr. Shaneka McClarty is a licensed psychotherapist, health scientist, and plant-based chef dedicated to improving mental health and overall well-being through evidence-based strategies. As the founder of Therapy Girl Counseling & Consulting with locations in Columbia, MD, and Atlanta, GA, she specializes in health psychology, focusing on anxiety, depression, stress management, and nutrition-related concerns. Dr. McClarty holds a Doctor of Health Science from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a Master of Arts in Psychology with a Specialization in Professional Counseling from Argosy University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Stillman College. A passionate advocate for holistic health, Dr. McClarty leads several initiatives, including Cook to Thrive, a plant-based mental health meal prep program that teaches participants how to prepare flavorful, healthy meals, and Eat Run Pray, a wellness group that combines running, healthy eating, and prayer to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, she is the producer of the edu-documentary, Food Swing: Integrating Nutritional Interventions with Therapy. Through her diverse expertise in mental health, nutrition psychology, and public health, Dr. McClarty remains committed to empowering individuals and communities to thrive.