A headshot of LaShawn Davis, head therapist at Walking Through Solutions

Meet La Shawn Davis, LMSW

I am an African-American mother and wife from Buffalo, NY. I have been married for more than 21 years and my husband and I have 3 adult children. I was raised in a family like many others in the community, dealing with dysfunction while believing that counseling was not structured for people of color. It was only after I became an adult that I recognized the effects of this dysfunctional way of thinking. Through my professional studies I began to see that the inability to be compassionate and vulnerable with our children was caused by generational dysfunction, and the reluctance to seek counseling has compounded this issue.

FOUNDER

  • My journey began when I started working with youth in a residential facility. I saw parents being labeled as “Bad parents,'' when they were never given the tools needed to assist their children. After working with the families and hearing their stories, I was able to identify with the generational lack of knowledge. which makes them no different than me.

  • I earned my bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Brockport, and my master’s degree in social work from The University at Buffalo. I have been a Master level Social Worker for 20+ years; I have been Licensed in NYS for 8+ years. The combination of my experience, education, and passion for others, Walking Through Solutions was created.

  • I specialize in educating adults and families on mental health challenges.

Meet Deja Middlebrook, LMSW, JD

I am an African American Millennial, wife, and mother to one. I learned early on that embracing vulnerability is almost always uncomfortable, but it is necessary for growth. I have facilitated various group sessions on how to navigate challenging conversations and situations such as intimacy, consent, sexuality, reproductive health, peer pressure, substance abuse, and childhood traumas. I have learned digging into your own and your partner’s childhood trauma is crucial to sustaining an intimate relationship because childhood trauma shapes how we interact with others throughout adulthood. Sometimes, problems in our intimate relationships are triggers or reminders of harm or unmet needs from our childhood.

  • I focuses on vulnerability as a tool to help individuals improve their communication skills and emotional intelligence.

  • I am a Social Worker licensed by the State of New York. I earned her Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University at Buffalo School of Social Work while concurrently earning my Juris Doctor from University at Buffalo Law School(J.D.). My law background adds a wide range of advocacy and conflict resolution skills to her social work practice from working with families in Erie County Family Court; criminal law; matrimonial law; and diversity enforcement in local government.

  • I specialize in relationships. I am a trained mediator and is authorized by the Erie County Center for Resolution and Justice to mediate disputes in a way that is balanced and allows the parties to drive the outcomes. I have experience working with couples debating separation and divorce. I am also certified in Restorative Justice Practices by the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition. Restorative Justice has infused my approach when addressing forgiveness and relationship repair by focusing on building connections between individuals through empathy, listening, and collaborating to redress the impact of harm done by one onto another.

About Walking

Through Solutions

Walking Through Solutions is a eservice that ducates adults and families in Western New York. We are a team from your community with more than 25 years of experience as proven leaders that delivers mental health education.

Did you know that not taking care of your mental health causes physical health issues? 

There are several studies that show that physical and mental stressors can lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Research has uncovered that finances, families, relationships and work are the number-one cause of stress. If any of these things are stressing you out, you’re not alone.

Our Vision

To educate, motivate, and inspire individuals to take control of their lives by providing services and instilling knowledge in the area of mental health.

Walking Through Solutions addresses life stressors such as: how to manage life, understanding trauma, parenting, relationships, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and addiction. We are here to provide the knowledge needed to help you achieve your goals and get your life in order.

We can help you:

  • Educate to decrease stress & anxiety 

  • Learn and understand what is causing your depression

  • Invest in your quality of life

  • Having clarity in your thought process

  • Learn to be a mentally healthy person for yourself and others

Our Mission

Walking Through Solutions mission is to provide you with straightforward, evidence based education to assist with current needs and future planning. Our services will fully support your goals to create a successful healthy future.

Our goal in our personal and professional lives is to help educate as many people as I can, when it comes to mental health. 

Are you contemplating talking with someone? Ready to take control of your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we are ready to assist you and guide you along your journey.