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Rev. Dr. Michele DeLeaver Balamani
Dr. Balamani is a native New Yorker who has lived
in the Washington Metropolitan area for over twenty-five years.
She is the founding director of Baraka Pastoral Counseling Center
and the Dancing on Our Graves Institute for Life Enrichment
Dr. B, as she is affectionately known, began her
health care experience as a psychiatric nurse, and now has over
thirty years of experience in the field of mental health care
and wellness. She is especially known for her therapeutic work
and counseling of couples, and the popular “I SEE
U” intensive care (and small retreat) weekends
for engaged and married couples. She is also known for her work
with African American Women dealing with depression.
Out of her years of experience as
a therapist and a minister, and her doctoral studies in the field
of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Dr. Balamani wrote the book “Dancing
On Our Graves: Healing the Hearts and Souls of Women,”
which focuses on a model of care for women of color called SHOUT
(Sisters Helping Others Understand Themselves). To date hundreds
of women are singing the praises of their SHOUT group experience,
as Dr. B continues to facilitate these groups locally, nationally
and internationally. She also a contributing author in “Risking
Connection in Faith Communities: Training Curriculum for Faith
Leaders Supporting Trauma Survivors.”
Dr. Balamani’s passion for
facilitating holistic healing for the world community, and her
extensive experience as a therapist, and ordained minister with
government, military and private industry experience has placed
her in popular demand as a speaker, trainer, consultant and facilitator.
She has broad experience and acclaim for her local, national,
and international development and facilitation of workshops, seminars,
conferences and retreats that focus on areas of holistic health
and well being. She has served as an adjunct professor of Counseling
Psychology, at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Bowie
State University.
Dr. Balamani has enjoyed participation
in many media experiences including co-hosting Heaven 1580’s
“Healing Moment’s” with Dr. Barbara Reynolds,
writing for Purpose Magazine, and a multitude of radio and TV
guest spots as an expert in the field of women & depression,
and holistic health and well being.
Dr. Balamani is an ordained minister
who served as an Elder in the AME church for 15 years, before
becoming the founding pastor of Prince of Peace Christian Community
Church & Healing Center in Lanham, Maryland, a non-denominational
church, under the pastoral covering of Bishop TD Jakes of Potter’s
House Ministries.
Dr. Balamani describes this season of her life
as one of extreme gratitude for the opportunities she continues
to have to be an extension of God’s love and healing wherever
she is called, sent or planted.
E-mail:
Rev.
Dr. Michele Balamani
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