So, what is a mental health collective? A group of professionals who are passionate about supporting their clients by providing individual and group therapy, coaching, and specific programming and events to elevate the potential of clients reaching their goals. Why is this important? Because we believe that attending to the whole person amplifies positive change in our individual lives, within our families, relationships, and ultimately our communities.

Transforming wellness.

Awaken Wellness, MHC was founded in 2009 by Chanel Tazza. At the time, she was a solo practitioner who wanted to explore private practice as it offered a more direct approach to supporting individuals in attaining and maintaining their mental health. In 2017 with the desire to transition out of the non-profit sector, Chanel began to dedicate her time to the growth of Awaken Wellness, MHC. In 2018 she began hosting graduate interns who remain as contractors and now are fully licensed, professionals. 

Due to the onset of COVID-19 in the Winter and Spring of 2020, there was a high demand for mental health services, and we transitioned to offering a telehealth option. This allowed the practice to grow. Our staff developed professionally, becoming more skilled and licensed, and we could host additional interns. We use a variety of approaches and modalities that are evidenced-based, including narrative therapy, CBT, DBT, and ACT. We do not specialize in one; however, staff are familiar with and trained in all and use aspects of each. As individuals, we are complex and evolve, as do therapeutic modalities. We are not prescriptive in our approach however focus on building rapport, identifying patterns, and offering psycho-education to build self-awareness and make connections in behavior. We then apply parts of different modalities to promote change in behavior which then influences a change in one’s emotional and cognitive state. 

Awaken Wellness, MHC does not specialize in any one specific population, and much of that is due to the diversity reflected in our community. Ridgewood, Queens borders Brooklyn. Our referral base is comprised of individuals and families of color, the working class - the community is also gentrifying while also home to many first-generation immigrants and families of all backgrounds. According to the 2020 Census, the location is the 2nd most populated zip code in the State of New York. 

Thank you for considering Awaken Wellness MHC, as part of your journey!

~ Chanel Tazza

Chanel Tazza

LMHC, CASAC, NCC

OASAS Approved Provider

  • The founder of Awaken Wellness, Chanel Tazza, graduated in 2006 from Adelphi University and became Licensed as Mental Health Counselor in 2009 and founded Awaken Wellness. Ms. Tazza continued post-graduate education at Ackerman Institute for the Family, focused on family and couple dynamics. She is also a Credentialed Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselor and has additional training in Gambling Addition (CASAC-G). Additional training focused on Emotional Focused Therapy, Dialectical, Behavior Therapy and incorporates meditation and Trauma Sensitive Yoga techniques in her practice should the client be open to exploring this as a skill in their toolbox towards recovery. Ms. Tazza worked in the non-profit sector for over ten years with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and mood disorders, as well as developmentally delayed adults. In 2018, she became a certified divorce mediator.