Meet Cynthia Moore | nonprofit CEO, social worker, music therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a social worker and music therapist, I witnessed this disheartening trend in the inpatient and outpatient mental health populations. Quite a few of the patients would discharge only to return on multiple occasions. there were several reasons that stood out to me: 1) They lacked the healthy coping strategies to mitigate ongoing stressors, 2) they experienced barriers to ongoing mental health support, or 3) their caregivers/support systems often failed to recognize when they were demonstrating early warning signs of a mental decline until they were in crisis. The thought process was to find some holistic, simple, effective ways to reverse this trend. We had a desire to improve the quality of life and outcomes of those struggling with mental illness and improve access to wellness services for the underserved communities in general.

 ||

What should our readers know about your business?

Be Natural Music Therapy and Wellness is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the mental and physical health outcomes of the communities we serve. One of the things that sets us apart is our focus on equipping community members with the awareness, skills and support necessary to manage their own mental health, wellness and/or mental illness. I’m most excited about our youth and adult mental health first aid (MHFA) classes and our self-expression center with songwriting, drumming, slam poetry/spoken word and qigong/tai chi classes. We were focusing on mental health and stress management before it became “a thing.” Now, it’s “the thing” and we are in a perfect position to educate, advocate for and support to achieve maximum impact. I’m proud of the team for sticking it out with me for the past 4 years. I got here with a lot of prayer, support, mentoring and hard work. Nope, it was not easy at all. I considered walking away because the task was daunting, community stakeholders showed little interest and I felt ill equipped. My husband (Eric), my kids, family, my friend Carmelita and my mentor Valerie encouraged and supported me every step of the way.
I’ve learned several lessons: 1) things are always more difficult than they appear 2) just because it sounds like a great idea doesn’t mean anybody cares, 3) having someone believe in you is paramount, 4) DO THE WORK.

I am not in this for the “likes” or followers or the notoriety. I (we) am in this to impact the communities our organization serves.
I am in this to pursue the purpose for which I was created.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Personally, I would take them to Chic fil A for a cookies and cream shake or to the Cheesecake Factory. We could see the latest movies (animation of course). We would go hiking at Cedar Hill State Park and hang out at Joe Poole Lake. Most importantly, we would go to a Dallas Symphony Orchestra Park concert or attend music in the park concert in Cedar Hill. We would definitely attend a football game somewhere, anywhere. Ok, so I don’t get out much.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Valerie Ballard, the Executive Director at Operation Tiny House in Dallas.

Website: www.benaturalwellness.org

Instagram: @benaturalwellness

Linkedin: Be Natural Music Therapy and Wellness

Facebook: @benaturalmusictherapy