Hidden Gems: Meet Keisha And Nyema Bedell of Cultivate Counseling and Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha And Nyema Bedell

Hi Keisha and Nyema, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We both had a dream of one day having our own mental health private practice. While we each had unique reasons for this shift, the journey that led us to where we are today has been both unexpected and inspiring. Our story began with a shared vision of transitioning from the agency sector into private practice.

In February 2020, Nyema stumbled upon an advertisement on Craigslist for office space in Cuyahoga Falls—yes, Craigslist! It was an opportunity we couldn’t resist. We promptly filled out the application and were thrilled to get approved. Just a month after securing our office, the world shut down due to COVID-19. Our initial setup consisted of two offices and a back breakroom, which would eventually become Nyema’s office as we quickly outgrew our original space.
At that time, Nyema was ready to transition full-time as a therapist in our newly established private practice. However, I was juggling two jobs while already providing mental health counseling. The pandemic changed everything. I was laid off from one of my jobs just a month after we were approved for the office space, while the other shifted entirely to telehealth. Suddenly, I went from having no time to an abundance of it, allowing me to focus on getting our practice up and running.
During those initial months, we concentrated on setting up our office, purchasing furniture, and enlisting the help of a dear friend to design the space. By spring 2021, Nyema was seeing clients, and I began seeing clients that summer. It was just the two of us handling the day-to-day operations: answering phones, scheduling appointments, and managing everything ourselves—all while raising twins and a teenager.

Reflecting on that time, I don’t think we fully realized the extent of our hard work; we were simply getting things done. By the end of the year, I left my other job to commit to Cultivate full-time. We both found ourselves working full-time with full caseloads, navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic.
COVID-19 reshaped our business landscape, opening the door for telehealth services that allowed us to reach clients throughout Ohio. This pivotal moment transformed our practice and set us on a path of growth and connection.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been smooth, but we both agree that doing this together has made it so much better. Being able to bounce ideas off each other and having someone beside you who understands the challenges because you’re both walking the same path has been invaluable. Some of the struggles we faced were simply trying to navigate through unknowns—things that weren’t easily answered with a quick Google search. However, along the way, we’ve been blessed to meet people in the field willing to share their knowledge and support us.

Maybe “smooth” isn’t the right word, but rather, we’ve had a series of transitions that were like growing pains. That we needed but just kept happening quicker than anticipated. One of the early challenges we faced was space. We started with a modest office—a two-office space with a breakroom, which eventually became Nyema’s office as we quickly outgrew it. By that time, we were already full of three therapists, including myself, working out of those offices, and Nyema tucked into the backroom. We hit a dilemma: more clients were calling, but we had no more room for additional therapists.

So, we began actively looking for a new office space. After months of searching, we finally found a location we both loved. On May 5, 2022, we moved into our new office, expanding from three offices to six, including a breakroom. We were excited to hire more therapists and continue expanding our practice. Our motto from the beginning has always been to “grow healthy, not fast,” but it seemed the more we focused on healthy growth, the more opportunities came our way.

There was another building right next to us, and we were offered the chance to expand further by using the offices in that building as well. At first, we were hesitant, unsure if we would need that much space. However, within a few short months, most of our offices were already filled with therapists. Taking a step of faith, we agreed and April of 2023 we expanded have both buildings, which gave us a total of 13 office spaces, two waiting rooms, two breakrooms, and four bathrooms.
As of today, we have 17 therapists and 2 administrative staff, and we definitely needed that space! In addition, in 2024, one of our own therapists from our Cuyahoga Falls location became our couples therapist at our new Columbus location, which we launched on May 6, 2024. Our growth has been undeniable, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built. Of course, this growth hasn’t come without challenges. One of the biggest struggles has been evolving our policies and procedures. We can no longer operate as if it’s just the three of us. Thankfully, our office manager and admin team has been incredible at navigating the day-to-day operations and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
Looking back, it’s been a journey full of ups and downs, but every step has brought us closer to where we are today, and we’re grateful for that.

We’ve been impressed with Cultivate Counseling and Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?

We are both license mental health therapist and the founders of Cultivate Counseling & Consulting. A little bit about us, we are private practice, located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio near Akron and Cleveland area. Our second location is downtown Columbus OhioWe provide mental health counseling for individuals and their families servicing children, teens, and adults. We provide in-person and telehealth. We accept both commercial insurances, Medicaid and self-pay. Services we provide are EMDR and trauma therapy, ADD/ADHD Counseling, Anger Management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Counseling for Anxiety, Counseling for New Mothers, Emotion Focused Therapy, Grief & Bereavement Counseling, Life Transitions, Men’s Issues, (OCD) Counseling, Personal Addiction Counseling, PTSD, Therapy for Depression Family Counseling, Divorce, Parent-child conflict, Problems between siblings, and Domestic violence.

What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?

At Cultivate Counseling & Consulting, our mission is to empower individuals and families through culturally competent, trauma-informed counseling that promotes emotional healing, positive transformation, and personal growth in a safe, supportive environment. We offer a wide range of therapeutic services, including specialized support for pet loss and trauma healing. We have several staff members certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a highly effective approach that helps individuals recover from trauma. Our personalized approach ensures that each client receives care tailored to their unique needs, helping them achieve meaningful and lasting progress.

What sets you apart from others?

What truly sets Cultivate Counseling & Consulting apart is that we are a family-owned, husband-and-wife, clinician-owned practice, and we have personally experienced the benefits of counseling ourselves. We understand therapy from both sides—as therapists and as clients. This unique perspective allows us to connect with our clients on a deeper, more empathetic level, offering not only professional guidance but also personal understanding.
Additionally, as a clinician-owned practice, we prioritize the well-being of our team. We believe that by supporting our clinicians, we empower them to offer the best possible care to our clients. When therapists feel valued, supported, and have room to grow, it reflects in the quality of care they provide. This commitment to clinician support ensures that our team is always at its best, which directly translates into better outcomes for the clients we serve.

What are you most proud brand wise?

We are proud of how effectively we work together as a couple, providing mutual support to each other and our team. One of the best things about our workplace is the environment we’ve created, where therapists feel supported and empowered to grow, whether that’s launching their own private practices or transitioning to another organization as great clinical leaders. With a diverse staff, we have the opportunity to help people navigate their daily challenges—it truly doesn’t get better than that. Our commitment to making therapy approachable and accessible ensures that individuals from all walks of life feel welcomed and empowered, fostering deeper connections that lead to meaningful progress.

What do you want readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?

At Cultivate Counseling & Consulting, we’re here to guide you through whatever challenges you’re facing—whether it’s trauma, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, or life transitions. We offer both in-person and telehealth options, making therapy flexible and accessible to suit your needs. Our compassionate, experienced team is ready to help you cultivate growth, healing, and well-being.

We also take pride in providing excellent customer service and offering a diverse range of therapeutic approaches. Our team brings varied perspectives and specialties, allowing us to tailor our services to meet each client’s unique needs, ensuring personalized and effective counseling experience.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Keisha Bedell: Growing up, I was adaptable and able to fit into any environment. I was generally a happy kid, but if I wasn’t, no one would know unless I chose to show it. From a young age, I learned to mask my thoughts and feelings, a habit that carried into adulthood. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized the importance of being intentional about removing that mask and allowing those I feel safest with to see the real me.

I’ve always had a strong desire to help people. I would “nurse” my baby dolls and Barbies back to health and always asked for a play stethoscope and nurse jacket. From early on, I knew I wanted to be a nurse because it seemed like a clear path to helping others. However, God had different plans for me. After three years in nursing, I realized I struggled with needles and certain aspects of the job, which led me to transition into the counseling field instead.

As a kid, I also loved cartoons—Saturday mornings were spent watching Looney Tunes, Recess, and Hey Arnold. Some of my favorite childhood movies were Aladdin, Monkey Trouble, The Land Before Time, and Blank Check.

I was an extroverted child, always enjoying the company of others, and that hasn’t changed. I enjoyed organizing things, giving directions, and solving puzzles. Looking back, I can see how my childhood experiences shaped the determined person I am today.

Nyema Bedell: Growing up as a first-generation American with my family from Liberia, I experienced life through a unique lens. While I faced bullying because of my name and skin tone, I had a solid network of friends and family who always looked out for me. They stepped in to advocate for me whenever I needed it. That constant support taught me early on how powerful advocacy can be and made me appreciate the importance of having people in your corner. Looking back, I realize those experiences sparked something in me—an understanding of what it means to feel heard, understood, and supported, eventually leading me to pursue counseling.

Outside of the challenges, there were plenty of things that brought me joy. I enjoyed superheroes, whether it was Spider-Man, Batman, or even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each cartoon I loved presented characters who faced problems but always managed to transcend them, which resonated with me. I also loved going to the library, which became a regular escape for me. I’d spend hours there, diving into different books, exploring new stories, and letting my imagination run wild. Whether it was through comics or books on business and self-help, the library became a place where I could explore endless adventures and new ideas.

Pricing:

• 150 (one time fee) initial/1st session
• 130 60 min individual counseling session
• 250 Initial assessment couple session
• 130 60 min couple session
• 160 75 min couple session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cultivatecounselingconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivate.counseling
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063725913825
• Other: https://www.cultivateccolumbus.com