about
With nearly 20 years of experience providing mental health counseling in residential, community mental health, and outpatient settings, Shaketa Bruce intimately knows the shortcomings of traditional mental healthcare. Firstly, accessibility is a major issue. Therapy and professional counseling can be expensive and considered a luxury when it is a fundamental right. Even for those with health insurance coverage, there can still be hidden out-of-pocket costs.
Additionally, years of being in private practice and working with health insurance companies made it evident to Shaketa that the Western approach to healing is based on a medical model which only focuses on the body. This involves relying on medication to treat an “illness.” While she is not anti-medicine, Shaketa believes that there is more to achieving healing than just addressing physical concerns, and her vast experience has only validated that belief.
"The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well" - Hippocrates
Shaketa recently studied abroad in Africa to help survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. During this time, she trained members of the community and mental health professionals on trauma narrative treatment. This experience was the inspiration for Sankofa. Helping trauma survivors in underprivileged areas in other countries became the new mission.
Channeling her passion into action, Shaketa founded Sankofa to provide attainable, holistic mental health support for those who lack equitable access to resources for healing.
The Sankofa approach is driven by the belief that the mind, body, and spirit are connected. Equipped with various African-centered wellness models rooted in ancient esoteric and Eastern practices, such as yoga, hypnosis breathing, dance, and sound healing frequencies, Sankofa seeks to nurture the mind and spirit as well as the body.
In addition to her work with Sankofa, Shaketa speaks professionally at conferences, colleges/universities, organizations, and community events on systemic racism, mental health in African Americans, intergenerational trauma, and trauma recovery. She has also been featured on the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, in Pop Sugar magazine, and in local news segments discussing mental health issues unique to African Americans.