Introducing: Kindred Conversations

2026 marks four years of Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health. What began as a conversation between friends and colleagues blossomed into a company with multiple locations — we've created a village of our own, dedicated to reminding our community that we're all kindred spirits. While our agency-wide goal is to revolutionize how we conceptualize and treat mental health issues, Kindred Spirit has become much more than a behavioral health clinic. We're a hub for information, a safe space for healing, a liaison for neighborhood events, and a guiding light for culturally centered care. 

Now that we've established the foundation of our company with offices serving the greater Ohio area, we want to continue expanding our reach through digital channels, including our blog. In the months to come, expect to see more posts explaining our unique methodology, offering tips for optimal wellness, and providing resources for further research. But before we share these offerings, keep reading to learn more about what makes us a first-of-its-kind agency.

Why Kindred Spirit?

Our behavioral health agency is made up of like-minded individuals who identified the limitations of traditional mental health practices and are committed to filling in those gaps. We use a for-us-by-us methodology— our practitioners are members of the communities they serve. They’re intimately aware of the specific barriers to care our patients experience because they have dealt with them themselves. 

Too often, traditional mental health professionals overlook the cultural and societal factors that contribute to our well-being. For people who belong to marginalized communities, these factors are not only important but vital to our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Kindred Spirit addresses systemic barriers like racism, sexism, and bigotry when treating clients. 

What is culturally informed care?

We train our practitioners in culturally-informed techniques that consider the impact of discrimination on psychological well-being. This means that we understand the history and context behind various systems of oppression. Instead of assuming that we're all on a level playing field, we acknowledge how race, gender, orientation, and social class inform our patients’ needs. We emphasize the importance of the collective, not just the individual, in the process of healing. 

We focus on worldview and lived experience, understanding that decades of discrimination, prejudice, and trauma influence how we see ourselves in the world. The majority of modern Western psychology is based on European standards, but not everyone fits into a white, cookie-cutter mold. Culturally-informed care understands how marginalization affects mental health, from dealing with stereotypes, having fewer available resources, and navigating internalized biases. 

To combat the many barriers caused by systemic oppression, we utilize strategies like racial socialization to improve confidence and pride, cultural education to dismantle misinformation, and cognitive behavioral therapy to retrain our brains. Our model is holistic, incorporating spirituality, education, and sociology to connect with our clients. 

What is Optimal Conceptual Theory?

Kindred Spirit is based on Optimal Conceptual Theory (OCT), a framework grounded in the research of Dr. Linda James Myers. Our CEO and founder, Dr. Tania Lodge, has contributed to this research and closely collaborated with Dr. Myers. OCT uses a cultural lens, basing its philosophy on classical African tradition. The goal of OCT is to combine traditional African knowledge with modern psychological techniques to promote human development in both the physical and spiritual world.

Dr. Myers notes that "the theory of optimal psychology moves humanity towards the creation of a just, sacred, sustainable world." By using African wisdom, we connect our clients to the origins of humanity, as we are all descendants of the continent. This ancient knowledge helps us actively counter the widespread misinformation that is a product of colonization. Kindred Spirit is the first behavioral health agency to employ OCT in all of our offerings. OCT is the genesis of all that we do. 

A large aspect of the ancient knowledge that grounds our company is the seven principles of Ma'at: truth, justice, harmony, balance, order, reciprocity, and propriety. In ancient Egypt, the goddess Ma'at is the embodiment of these virtues, and they believed that to achieve the highest level of humanity, one must remain aligned with them. 

What services do you offer?

At each of our locations, we provide counseling, case management, assessments and evaluations, and psychiatric treatment. We provide services for individuals and couples of all ages, ethnicities, and life stages. We also partner with various community programs and organizations. We work with the courts to provide psychological context for defendants; we work with schools to establish healthy mental practices from a young age; and we collaborate with like-minded local businesses. Being a proud and active member of our community is another way we achieve our goal of being more than just a mental health clinic.

How can I learn more?

This blog is just the beginning of more resources, education, and information to come. Please join our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter, which is filled with updates, upcoming events, and services. For more information, follow us on Instagram at: @kindredspirit.bh