Game Changers: The Conscious Culture Men With Vision 2020 Edition | Page 36

MEN WITH VISION SPOTLIGHT
Dr. J. Ken Harris
written by Dr. J. Ken Harris  
A Fresh, New Face In Mental
Health & Consultation
ABOUT DR. KEN
Dr. Ken of Trate Consultants is one of the fresh new faces in
mental health and consultation but is no stranger to it. He is
an Atlanta native who has over 14 years of counseling
experience and is known for his relatability and humor when
it comes to serious issues regarding mental health,
relationships, diversity, and topics of great sensitivity. His
refreshing “no holds barred” approach to most situations is
inviting, yet serves as the impetus to create change. He is a
firm believer that every answer anyone needs lies within
themselves; you are the authority on you. Dr. Ken believes
that he is merely the conduit through which change and
improvement are facilitated.
HIS STORY
At the age of 16 I lost my father.  I came from a
religious/spiritual 2-parent home, where my father was the
breadwinner and also a senior pastor.  He died from a
massive heart attack on our front steps, and I was the one
who found him.  Being the youngest of 4 (with 3 much older
siblings), the impact of his death (and finding him) was
greater than most people realized.  Not knowing exactly
how to handle the situation, my mother decided I needed a
therapist.  This need for a therapist grew more urgent as
two and a half weeks after my father passed, our family
dog died the same day as my paternal grandmother; it
seemed like everyone near and dear to me was dying.  I
expressed such concerns with my new therapist, who in turn
began to cry and stated "I don't even know how you're
making it".  In my 16 year old mind, I didn't feel that that was
the best response.  I looked at my mother, who glanced
back, and we both decided to leave.  It was in that moment
that I realized that boys/men, particularly boys/men of
color, needed a safe space in which to be emotionally
vulnerable, and that they would be more inclined to be
vulnerable with someone who looked like them.  I wanted to
be the therapist that other brown boys and men of color
could come to and feel safe with.  After matriculating at
the University of Georgia and earning my B.S. in Psychology,
I earned my Master of Science in Professional Counseling
from Georgia State University, subsequently becoming a
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).  This license allowed
me to do exactly what I sought to do: create a safe space
for emotional vulnerability.  I worked as a Child and
Adolescent Therapist at the State level for a few years
www.trateconsultants.com
before doing so at the collegiate level, also to include
familial and couples therapy.  In turn, this lead to the
creation of my therapeutic and consulting practice, Trate
Consultants.
GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE | 36