Quenise Harrison
Bio
Quenise Harrison, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in trauma-informed care for children, families, and adults. A proud EOF and Rutgers alumna, she earned her MSW in 2006 and has since dedicated her career to supporting marginalized communities through clinical work, advocacy, and education.
Shaped by her own lived experiences of childhood trauma, loss, and systemic adversity, Quenise is passionate about helping women heal, reclaim their power, and thrive. In 2021, she founded Mental Empowerment, LLC (M.E.), which evolved into Vital Minds Psychotherapy & Life Coaching, LLC (VMPLC) in 2024, a New Jersey based private practice focused on client-centered, culturally responsive care. Through VMPLC, she has provided a sanctuary for healing and growth, with a desire to build a collaborative network of mission-driven clinicians committed to client-centered care and social impact.
Now pursuing her Doctor of Social Work at Rutgers, her research interests include intergenerational trauma, racial and gender disparities within the juvenile justice, prison system and world at large, and the intersection of faith, resilience, and identity in Black communities. Through research, clinical practice, and mentorship, she aims to bridge the gap between lived experience and scholarly discourse—elevating voices often overlooked and equipping others to thrive. She welcomes collaboration with fellow researchers, clinicians, and change-makers who are committed to equity, healing, and transformational impact.