Nakela Cleveland, csw
Relatable, nonjudgmental support with real accountability. Helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Grounded Support When Life Feels Heavy
Nakela creates a space where you can show up as you are…no judgment, no performance. Her style is warm, direct, and practical, blending compassion with accountability so you can work through what’s weighing you down and build real momentum.
Therapy should feel like a real conversation, not a checklist.
My Background
Nakela is from Frankfort, Kentucky and earned her BSW from the University of Kentucky and her MSW from Eastern Kentucky University. She discovered her passion for therapy while supporting youth in residential care, where she saw how powerful consistent guidance can be during hard seasons. She’s currently pursuing doctoral work through Capella.
Approach & Philosophy
Nakela meets clients where they are—relatable, down-to-earth, and honest. She offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space while also helping you stay accountable to the changes you want to make. If you’re looking for someone who can validate you and challenge you, her sessions are collaborative, steady, and focused on growth.
Fun Facts
Nakela is a proud Black woman who values showing up authentically in the therapy space. In first grade, she once spelled every word on a spelling test correctly… just backwards. She loves the gym, immersion reading, cooking TikTok meals, listening to music, and spending time with her niece and nephew.
Specialities
Nakela’s style is warm, direct, and practical. She focuses on building trust first, then helping you develop the insight and tools to navigate life with more confidence and stability.
- Life Transitions & Feeling Stuck
- Stress, Overwhelm & Burnout
- Relationships & Boundary Building
- Self-Esteem & Confidence
- Trauma & Healing from Hard Experiences
- Support for Teens and Young Adults
- Accountability & Practical Coping Skills
Same Week Availability
Insurance & Fees
*Commercial Insurance is purchased either through an agent or employer. It is not state-funded like Medicaid or Medicare*
- Aetna Betterhealth (Medicaid)
- Humana Medicaid
- Kentucky Medicaid
- Wellcare
- Passport
- United Healthcare/United Behavioral Health
My fee is $90 per hour for individual therapy.
Start Therapy with Nakela
You don’t have to carry it all alone. Nakela is now accepting new clients in Lexington and across Kentucky via telehealth.