Jamelah Chatmon-Lester, Psy.D
Jamelah Chatmon-Lester is a dedicated therapist that actively engages in offering both individual and group therapy while co-facilitating Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs).
Driven by a fervent commitment to fostering healing and empowering individuals to live purposefully, Jamelah integrates a diverse range of therapeutic perspectives into her practice. Her approach draws from existential, family systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic frameworks.
Having graduated from Buffalo State College with a BA in Psychology and subsequently earning a master’s degree in psychology from Ashford University, Jamelah is currently a graduate of Calsouthern University, having recently graduated with her PsyD in Clinical Psychology. She recently completed a dissertation focused on infertility, mental health, and social relationships, slated for defense in early 2024.
Driven by a profound passion for addressing religious trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, and advocating for mental health inclusivity, Jamelah is dedicated to serving diverse communities, including communities of color. She remains deeply committed to enhancing cultural competence within mental health care and actively contributes to ensuring accessibility and support for all communities.
Her expertise lies in working with children dealing with behavioral disorders, ADHD, family and couples therapy, as well as internalizing and externalizing disorders.
In her clinical practice, Jamelah embraces a trauma-informed care approach, emphasizing a compassionate and collaborative counseling style. Her aim is to foster hope, resilience, unconditional positive regard, and healing within her clients.
Favorite Quote
"I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me." - Tracee Ellis Ross
Contact
Position:
Pre-Doctoral Psychology Intern
Address:
8224 Mentor Ave, Suite 208
Mentor Ohio 44060
Email:
jchatmon@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
Phone:
440-392-2222 EXT 861
Fax:
440-565-2349
Articles
All or Nothing Thinking and Various Other Popular Cognitive Distortions
I was trying to think of a blog subject to write about this time for my blog. As I contemplated this, I noticed almost everyone in my Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensive Outpatient Group (IOP) was talking about their struggle to be perfect, or how they feel like failures if things are not exactly as they think they should be. I was hearing phrases like: All or nothing thinking, often called black and white thinking, can go hand in hand…
COVID update for the reopening of the office
The Behavioral Wellness Group will be returning to the physical office to begin seeing clients in person. This is for those clinicians and clients who prefer in-person sessions. A genuine thank you to all of you who tolerated our necessary move to virtual sessions during the pandemic. Below is a summary generally outlining what to expect upon our return. We will continue to see those who prefer to be seen virtually through our platform using Zoom. Of course, this is…
Self-Compassion: The Science of Kindness
As we say goodbye to 2020 and look ahead to 2021, we can all acknowledge it was a particularly trying year for our nation and the world. According to the American Psychological Association, the compounding stressors of 2020 yielded a national mental health crisis across generations. When situational and societal stressors build, we are left to try and find ways to manage. Some people may reach out to family, some may call upon friends, others may rely on mental health…
Bipolar Disorder (Supporting Your Loved Ones)
When your loved one is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there may be a couple of questions that run through your mind. The first question, “What is Bipolar?” and the second question, “What is my role when things start to unravel?” Furthermore, for many people who have been diagnosed with this specific disorder, becoming fearful, confused, and having no concrete plan on how to manage the next episode can dominate one’s thoughts. These thoughts are not easily subsided as a result…
Teens, Entitlement and Instant Gratification
We live in a world where we want things done yesterday. Instant gratification. We have access to the internet via our phones. At any second we can catch up with the news, check our bank accounts, and send an email. We can purchase something and have it delivered within 2 days. We can check our children’s grades online at any time, book an appointment, do research instantly. A decade ago, this wasn’t the case. We used to have to go…