We sat down with Latoya Reid, founder of ReiDefine Wellness, to hear how her journey as a mom, advocate, and therapist led her to create the kind of care she couldn’t find herself — one rooted in belonging and community.

When Latoya Reid talks about her work, her passion is unmistakable. “I didn’t choose therapy,” she says. “It called me.”

That’s not just a figure of speech, either. It’s her lived experience. Latoya didn’t plan her path into the mental health field in a career counsellor’s office. It was a response to her community’s needs.

Today, Latoya is the founder of ReiDefine Wellness, a Black-owned, culturally responsive psychotherapy practice that serves clients in Canada across Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

From advocate to therapist

Originally from Jamaica, Latoya moved to Canada in 2015 to pursue studies in social work. She settled in Saskatchewan, where she became an active voice on campus as a graduate student and research assistant. Her work focused on the racialized experiences of students in healthcare-related fields. What she uncovered wasn’t just academic — it was deeply personal, and playing out on her own campus.

“I was hearing from international students, student parents, and racialized students. They were talking about discrimination, isolation, and mental health struggles,” she says. “And I just couldn’t sit on that.”

But even as she advocated for others, her own family was also facing the same discrimination. Her son was experiencing racism at school, and Latoya’s efforts to seek accountability led to a painful, uphill battle with the local school board. The stress took a toll on her health, her family, and their future. “My mental health collapsed completely.”

Advocating both for her son, as well as for students facing the same racism and discrimination, made it clear to her that the support systems in place weren’t working for those who needed them the most.

No longer able to separate her advocacy from her professional life, Latoya realized that if she wanted to see real change for her family and the community she was helping, she was going to have to step into the work herself. “I never thought I would be a therapist,” she says, “But when there is a need in the community and there is a call, somebody has to respond, and I responded to that.”

Building something of her own

In 2020, Latoya began offering therapy to Black residents in Saskatchewan, many of whom had never seen a therapist who looked like them. “There were no Black therapists in private practice in the province at the time,” she says. “So I stepped in. Because someone had to.”

After working briefly as an associate therapist, she realized something important: the clients coming to her weren’t just looking for therapy, they were looking for her.

“I said to my husband, ‘I want to start something of my own,’” she recalls. “And by Monday morning, he had opened a Jane account for me. That’s how ReiDefine Wellness started.”

Her first practice was called Latoya the Therapist, a playful and straightforward name suggested by her daughter. “I didn’t have a space. I didn’t have any overhead. But I had my clients. And they followed me.” From home, she offered virtual sessions and met clients for walks or coffee. “I used to do talk therapy at Balzac’s Café,” she says, laughing. “That was my office.”

Creating a space that feels like belonging

Latoya’s vision for her practice was clear to her from the beginning — to create a space where everyone, especially those who are often overlooked, could feel seen and heard.

“I didn’t set out to create an all-Black team,” she explains. “But I saw how hard it was for Black clinicians to get into private practice. They had to over-explain their credentials and prove themselves twice over. I wanted to offer mentorship and opportunity.”

Today, ReiDefine Wellness includes a team from diverse backgrounds, including Black, South Asian, Muslim, and East Asian practitioners, who serve clients from all walks of life. “It’s not just about identity, it’s about access,” Latoya says. “If you’ve been told there’s no space for you in this field, I want to be the person who says, ‘Yes, there is.’”

Her community impact

The impact of ReiDefine Wellness is best captured in the experiences their clients share.

“There was one family,” Latoya recalls. “The mother came to see me first. Then she referred her husband to my husband, who is a life coach. Then their kids started therapy. Now the whole family is thriving.”

Stories like this remind Latoya why she keeps going, even on days when the work feels heavy, or the systems seem stacked against her. “I read the messages they send me. The emails. The texts,” she says. “That’s my fuel.”

Why Jane matters to her

For Latoya, choosing Jane wasn’t just a practical decision, it was a turning point.

“I’m not an accountant. I’m not a tech expert. But Jane made running my practice feel doable,” she says. “Everything, from notes to billing to onboarding my team, just works.”

She credits Jane with making the transition from the clinic she had been working for feel easy. “My clients’ files came with me. The platform was intuitive, professional, and I felt confident. It gave me what I needed to grow without feeling overwhelmed.”

Her confidence in Jane didn’t stop at her own practice, either. When she took on a leadership role at a non-profit, she advocated for the organization to switch to Jane, too. “They had already invested thousands of dollars in other software,” she says. “But I told them, ‘You’re overlooking an amazing Canadian solution that’s right here.’”

Even now, when mentoring new therapists entering private practice, Jane is one of her first recommendations. “I always ask, ‘Do you have a Jane account?’ Because honestly, it makes all the difference.”

Latoya’s message to other practitioners

As for what’s next at ReiDefine Wellness, Latoya keeps her answer simple and humble.

“I’m living my dream,” she says. “I’ve done it. And I’m happy.”

To other practitioners, especially those feeling discouraged or underrepresented in the mental health space, Latoya shares this advice:

“You’re not alone. The feelings of doubt, fear, and not-enoughness, they’re real. But look at how far you’ve come. Would your past self be proud of who you are today?”

She emphasizes the power of community, both with cultural connections and those with differences. “Whether it’s skin folk, kin folk, or just like-minded folks, we heal better together.”

Her legacy with ReiDefine Wellness

Latoya Reid has built more than a practice, she’s built a community. One rooted in equity, fueled by compassion, and supported by practitioners who believe therapy should be accessible, inclusive, and grounded in real-life experiences.

“I did it my way,” she says. “And I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Resources

• Connect with Latoya on Instagram
• Connect with Latoya and the ReiDefine Wellness team through their website

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