Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasmine D Merveus.
Hi Yasmine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into the mental health field began with a deep desire to help others heal and find meaning through their struggles.
Mental health wasn’t always my first choice. Being from a Haitian descent, parents always expect you to either be a nurse, a doctor, lawyer or engineer. My first stop in college was nursing school at Farmingdale State College in New York. After completing my first 2 years, I could not turn off my calling for mental health. So instead of continuing into nursing school, I transferred to a 4-year college into a social work program. After my bachelors, I went to earn my first master’s degrees in human services counseling, with a focus on marriage and family, then I went back for a second master’s degree in social work as I wanted a career in mental health where I could serve others in many different settings.
Over the past 2 decades, I’ve worked in various settings, from community mental health, child welfare, medical and mental health case management to clinical management, supporting individuals, couples, and families through some of life’s most challenging seasons.
Being of Caribbean descent, I’ve witnessed firsthand the barriers to mental health care in our communities; from language and cultural differences to the deep stigma surrounding mental illness. In my culture, it’s common to be told to “pray about it,” “talk to Jesus,” or “open your Bible” long before anyone ever suggests seeking therapy. Many people silently suffer because they’ve been taught that faith alone should carry the weight of their pain.
There’s also so much unspoken trauma within Caribbean and Latin communities, experiences that are rarely named or understood as trauma. From surviving natural disasters like earthquakes, to losing loved ones, witnessing violence, or enduring emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, these stories often remain buried beneath resilience and silence.
After working under so many great clinical supervisors, eventually, I felt called to create a space where therapy could be both culturally affirming and holistic. That vision became Mental Wealth Tribe: a small group practice made up of clinicians who are American, Latina and Caribbean. Our mission is to provide high-quality, integrative mental health care that honors culture, identity, and the whole person.
I founded Mental Wealth Tribe to help change that narrative, to normalize conversations around mental health not just within the Caribbean population, but among all people of color. My work is rooted in creating culturally affirming, holistic spaces where healing is accessible, stigma is challenged, and our communities can learn that seeking help is not weakness, but strength.
Today, I’m proud not only to serve as a therapist but also as a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, qualified supervisor, and mentor to other clinicians. My path hasn’t been linear, but it’s been deeply rewarding to see how every experience: personal and professional, has shaped the compassionate, grounded approach I bring to the work I do today.
At Mental Wealth Tribe, we welcome everyone! but for our Caribbean and Latin communities, we want you to know there’s a place here where you don’t have to explain your culture, or translate your experiences, because we understand the cultural nuances, the language, and the unspoken stories. One word, and we got you!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There were many times I questioned if I should keep going or just return to corporate America. Navigating the world of private practice, especially dealing with insurance companies and systems that don’t always value the work we do as providers, can be incredibly discouraging. There were moments when the weight of it all made me want to give up.
But each time I felt that way, I reminded myself why I started – to make mental health care accessible and culturally affirming for my community. I realized that I was living in the very prayers I once made, and that perspective helped me stay the course.
Starting and running a private practice is far from easy. It takes faith, perseverance, and a lot of late nights. But I remain grateful, grateful to be doing meaningful work, to give back to my profession, and to show up authentically for my clients every day. As a dear friend and colleague once said, “The things we’re living in today are the things we prayed for yesterday.” That reminder keeps me grounded and thankful, even on the hardest days.
Some struggles along the way were:
– Insurance and Reimbursement Issues
Many therapists struggle with low reimbursement rates, delayed payments, and complex billing requirements. Insurance systems often undervalue the work providers do, creating financial and emotional strain-especially for small private practices.
– Administrative Overload
Between documentation, treatment plans, insurance authorizations, and compliance requirements, providers often spend more time on paperwork than in actual sessions. This can be draining and limit time for meaningful clinical work.
– Stigma and Misunderstanding About Mental Health
Even within communities they serve, providers often face resistance, skepticism, or stigma toward therapy. It can be challenging to engage clients or families who were taught that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
– Limited Access and Equity in Care
There’s a constant tension between wanting to make therapy accessible and navigating systemic barriers, like lack of insurance coverage, high costs, or language and cultural gaps that prevent people from seeking care.
– Balancing Business and Clinical Roles
Running a practice requires being both a therapist and an entrepreneur – managing finances, marketing, staff, and compliance while still being emotionally available for clients. That balance can be difficult to maintain.
There’s so much more struggles that I can list, but no matter the struggle the work is worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mental Wealth Tribe is a group practice rooted in cultural connection, authenticity, and holistic healing. We are a collective of American Caribbean and Latina clinicians dedicated to providing therapy that honors the mind, body, and spirit, because we believe true healing goes beyond the surface.
Our slogan, “Because MENTAL HEALTH is WEALTH,” reflects our core belief that your mental well-being is your greatest asset. Just like financial wealth provides stability, mental wealth provides peace, clarity, and purpose. When your mind is well, everything else in your life: relationships, career, and personal growth begins to thrive. Our goal is to help clients invest in that kind of wealth: the kind that lasts a lifetime!
We specialize in working with children, individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, perinatal and postpartum challenges, and relational issues. Each clinician has their on specialty. Our team is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and integrative therapeutic approaches that combine evidence-based practices with holistic and mindfulness-centered care.
What sets Mental Wealth Tribe apart is our deep understanding of culture and identity. Our clients often tell us that for the first time, they feel seen and understood. We welcome everyone, but we also want people of color – especially those from Caribbean and Latin backgrounds to know that this space was created with them in mind.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Mental Wealth Tribe represents more than just therapy, it’s a movement to normalize mental health within our communities and break generational cycles of silence and shame. We are here to remind people that healing is not just possible, it’s powerful.
We want readers to know that when you prioritize your mental health, you’re building wealth that can’t be taken away, peace of mind, emotional freedom, and a stronger sense of self. That’s the foundation of everything we stand for at Mental Wealth Tribe – because MENTAL HEALTH truly is WEALTH.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is seeing people heal and begin to believe in themselves again. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching clients go from surviving to truly living; seeing them embrace peace, joy, and self-worth they once thought were out of reach. That transformation fills me with purpose every single day.
I’m also happiest when I can show up as my authentic self (no code switching) whether I’m in session, mentoring other clinicians, or connecting with my team at Mental Wealth Tribe. Creating a space where people feel safe, seen, and understood brings me deep fulfillment. In the office we talk, we laugh we dance, we show up really like our true human self.
On a personal level, happiness for me looks like watching my family, friends, and our generation break generational curses, creating safe spaces for our children, setting healthy boundaries without fear, and healing in ways our parents and grandparents didn’t have the tools to.
That kind of growth makes me proud and hopeful. And of course, I find joy in the simple things too: good food, laughter, quality time with loved ones, and yes, unwinding with a good Netflix binge. For me, happiness is peace, purpose, and gratitude, knowing I’m living in the prayers I once spoke.
Pricing:
- Initial Assessment $180 (53-60 min)
- Individual therapy $150 (45-60 min)
- Couples/Family therapy $200 (53-60min)
- EMDR Therapy $200 (90 min)
- Brainspotting therapy $200 (60-90 min)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mymentalwealthtribe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalwealthtribe_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068836993157
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mental.wealth.tri
Image Credits
Kenneth Lamor Headshot & Branding (headshot)
