Nakia Austin, MA LPC
Co-Founder and CEO
The Healing House, Inc.
The Healing House was created from a simple but urgent truth: healing should not be a privilege. It should be accessible, compassionate, and rooted in community. I co-founded The Healing House after walking through personal loss and discovering how few spaces truly exist for people to heal without judgment. Years after the tragic loss of my son, I began to recognize how many women were carrying trauma in silence. I felt a deep responsibility to create a place where women could be seen, supported, and cared for on every front. The Healing House began as a refuge for women to process pain, rebuild strength, and receive compassionate care. Over time, the needs of our community made it clear that this work had to grow.Â
Every day, children, families, and adults in our region carry invisible wounds from abuse, neglect, violence, systemic inequities, and chronic stress. Too often, these experiences go untreated because of barriers like cost, stigma, and lack of access to culturally responsive care. The Healing House exists to close that gap.
We are a trauma-informed holistic Licensed Behavioral Health Center committed to helping individuals and families not just survive, but truly heal. Our work centers on providing therapy, advocacy, and supportive services that recognize the long-term impact of trauma while honoring the resilience already present in every person we serve. Since opening our doors, we have supported hundreds of clients across the Kanawha Valley and beyond Healing is not about pretending the pain never happened. It is about having a safe place to bring it, unpack it, and rebuild from it. That is what we are committed to creating every day at The Healing House.
Recently, we expanded our services to support the entire family unit. This growth includes services for children, men, couples, and families, reflecting our belief that healing is most effective when individuals are supported within their relationships and home environments. As we continue building this program, our goal is to create spaces where families feel safe, understood, and equipped with tools that strengthen emotional well-being across generations. What makes The Healing House unique is our commitment to removing financial barriers. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. We actively seek funding, partnerships, and community support so that cost never determines whether someone receives care. Mental health is not a luxury. It is foundational to thriving families and communities.
We are now in a season of growth that requires a permanent home. Through our Forever Home campaign, we are working to secure a larger, stable space where healing can expand. A dedicated facility will allow us to serve more families and create an environment intentionally designed for safety and restoration. This vision is not about a building alone. It is about ensuring that healing resources remain accessible for generations to come.
Every day, children, families, and adults in our region carry invisible wounds from abuse, neglect, violence, systemic inequities, and chronic stress.
None of this work happens in isolation. It is sustained by a community that believes healing matters. Every investment in mental health ripples outward, strengthening families and building a healthier future for the Kanawha Valley
At The Healing House, we witness transformation every day. We see individuals regain joy, families rebuild trust, and survivors step into hope. These moments remind us why we do this work and why it matters.
Healing is not just personal. It is communal.
When one person heals, a community grows stronger.
And that is a future worth investing in
