Meet The Team
At Release Wellness Group, we have a team of wellness professionals dedicated to helping you care for your mind, body and spirit. Our team make sure that you get all the care needed for your wellbeing.
Lead Therapist & Practice Owner
Kanisha Barnes
Kanisha Barnes is a dedicated advocate for self-care and self-love, proudly serving as a licensed clinical social worker in Washington D.C. and Maryland. A native Washingtonian, Kanisha brings compassion, expertise, and a personalized approach to her therapy practice, guiding clients on a journey towards healing and greatness.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Delaware State University in 2012, Kanisha pursued her passion for mental health advocacy by completing her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work in 2014. Fueled by her commitment to prioritizing mental well-being, Kanisha founded Release Wellness Group, LLC in 2018 (formerly Restorative Life Therapy Services, LLC). Through her practice, Kanisha provides a warm and inclusive space for individuals to explore their healing and self-discovery journey.
Kanisha’s holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, offering mindfulness and anxiety expertise to facilitate inner peace, resilience, and growth. Additionally, she is a certified flex instructor and is currently pursuing her 200 hr yoga teacher certification.
As the lead therapist at Release Wellness Group, LLC, clients can expect personalized care, evidence-based interventions, and unwavering support on their path to wellness. Kanisha is deeply committed to empowering women to embrace self-love and live authentically, helping them realize the lives they truly deserve.
Wellness Facilitator & Events Partner
J Fils Aime Photo and Biography
Joanna Fils-Aime, a Haitian-American powerhouse, wears many hats with grace and purpose. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington DC, she has dedicated over 8 years to serving disenfranchised populations. Joanna is not just a professional; she’s a spoken word artist, actress, writer, and athlete.
Her passion for erasing mental health stigma is as evident in her clinical work as it is in her creative pursuits. From advocating for self-love to fostering transformative relationships, Joanna is unwavering in her mission to create a world where everyone can show up unapologetically as themselves.
Our Mission
To create safe spaces for healing, growth, transformation, and connection.
Our Vision
To create safe spaces across the world for healing, growth, transformation, and connections so our clients can live fully as the best version of themselves.
Faqs
No, you are not crazy! You are determined to become the best version of yourself!
In the therapy space, our goal is to create a safe space for you to process your feelings, thoughts, and experiences. It is a space where you can learn more about why you think, act, feel, and do certain things. It is also a space where you can learn and practice strategies that help you to connect with yourself and cope with life’s challenges.
All new clients must complete their initial intake session. During this session, we review some of your history and I will gather more information about the problem you may be having. From there, we will identify goals for therapy and how often you may want to participate. Most clients may choose to begin with weekly sessions.
However, you can also participate in therapy on a bi-weekly (every other week) or monthly basis.
The time you are in therapy varies from client to client. However, the time in therapy is often determined by the progress you’ve made towards your goals.
As a licensed clinical social worker and a person that values the therapy process, I have an ethical and moral responsibility to maintain your privacy.
I am not allowed and will not share your personal information without your permission. However, there are circumstances that may arise (issues pertaining to your safety and or the safety of others) in which, I am required by law to disclose information.
Most therapy sessions last approximately 60 minutes.
At this time, all therapy sessions are provided virtually through a HIPPA compliant video platform.
I am currently accepting CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, and Cigna health insurances. We also accept self-pay clients (clients who do not have insurance or prefer not use insurance).
Payments for sessions or session copays are made using our online platform and we accept all major US credit cards.
We ask that you cancel your session within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment to avoid being charged a cancellation fee.
Our hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 am-6:30 pm.