Faith-Centered Mental Health for Today’s Church

Rev. Dr. Mekeshia D. Bates is an ordained Baptist minister, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, author of No Shame!, and the founder of Gift of Dreams Wellness & Consulting, LLC. She brings together clinical expertise, biblical wisdom, and cultural understanding to help churches, organizations, and leaders create emotionally healthy, spiritually grounded communities.

From national conventions to local congregations, Dr. Bates equips faith communities to move beyond stigma and into healing.

Dr. Bates offers keynote messages, sermons, workshops, and trainings on topics including:

• No Shame: Bridging Mental Health and Faith in the Black Church
• Kingdom Mindset and Emotional Healing
• Trauma-Informed Ministry
• Mental Health Awareness for Churches
• Clergy Burnout and Wellness
• Faith-Based Suicide Prevention
• Healing the Wounded Healer
• Building Emotionally Healthy Churches
• Trainings include:
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Soul Shop for Black Churches
  • Soul Shop for Faith Leaders
  • L.E.T.S Save Lives

Each presentation is tailored to the audience and can be delivered as a sermon, keynote, workshop, or multi-session training.

Dr. Bates works with:

• Churches and faith-based organizations
• Denominations and conventions
• Conferences and retreats
• Schools and universities
• Nonprofits and community organizations
• Mental health and wellness initiatives

Whether your audience is clergy, church members, educators, or community leaders, Dr. Bates brings practical insight, spiritual depth, and professional expertise.

Dr. Bates stands at the intersection of faith and mental health.

She is:

• An ordained Baptist minister
• A board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
• A public health professional
• A national speaker and trainer
• The author of No Shame!

This unique combination allows her to speak with both spiritual authority and clinical credibility, helping churches and organizations address mental health with compassion, accuracy, and faithfulness.

Dr. Bates is the author of:

No Shame! Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health and Religion in the Black Church and the No Shame! Companion Workbook

Books and workbooks are available for:

• Conferences
• Church-wide studies
• Workshops and trainings