EDUCATE. ENRICH. ELEVATE
From profound loss and years of trauma to self-healing and renewed purpose, this journey is a testament to the power of resilience.
The mental health system failed me—therapy was unaffordable ($260+ per session), and resources didn't speak to my reality as a young Black woman who grew up in government housing without a father.
I educated myself on the biology of trauma through my B.A. in Educational Psychology at University of Baltimore (2024), focusing on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I became Adult Mental Health First Aid Certified (National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 2023).
WHAT E3 IS.
Physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional trauma occurred in my relationships and environment. Without anyone around to protect me from these experiences and expose me to a better, healthier life, they became my norm. As a result, I became consumed by the symptoms of those mental health issues that these experiences created. By the time I was 17 years old, my life had no purpose. Leaving room for death, prison, or worse.
January 14th, 2012 was the day my personal self-healing journey began, after I suffered the sudden death of my mother. That, in addition to the absence of a father since birth, resulted in a life that lacked guidance, care, or the normal basic needs provided by parents. Life became one traumatic experience after another because after living in government housing I didn't know how to properly live or take care of myself.
I created E3 because mental health is a currency, and right now, our institutions are bankrupt. I'm building the bank where everyone can invest—providing accessible, trauma-informed mental health resources to students, hospital patients, inmates, and employees who have been failed by traditional systems.
I educated myself on the biology of trauma through my B.A. in Educational Psychology at University of Baltimore (2024), focusing on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I became Adult Mental Health First Aid Certified (National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 2023).
WHAT DOES
E3 MEAN?
E3 stands for Educate, Enrich, Elevate—the three-phase framework that guides our curriculum and approach to mental health:
EDUCATE
Understanding the biology of trauma. We teach individuals about cortisol (the stress hormone), the fight-or-flight response, heart rate variability, and how trauma manifests in the body. Knowledge is the first step to healing.
ELEVATE
Creating sustainable mental health practices. We teach individuals how to create personal wellness plans, advocate for their mental health needs, and live with mental health challenges in a way that prevents crisis.
ENRICH
Providing tools for self-regulation. We equip individuals with sensory regulation tools (grounding stones, aromatherapy), affirmation practices, mindfulness resources, and psychoeducational materials that empower them to self-treat and heal.
OUR VALUES
ACCESSIBILITY
Mental health resources should be available 24/7, without insurance, appointments, or stigma. E3 vending machines, e-commerce, and pop-up shops ensure anyone can access mental health support when they need it.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
We ground our work in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), recognizing that trauma is biochemical—not just emotional. E3 addresses cortisol spikes, heart rate variability, and galvanic skin response.
COMMUNITY- CENTERED
We serve underserved populations—students, hospital patients, returning citizens, and trauma survivors—who have been failed by traditional mental health systems. E3 is built by the community, for the community.
MY WHY
ERICA JEANIE KING
FOUNDER & CEO
Erica is a trauma survivor, social entrepreneur, and mental health advocate committed to sustaining human life through accessible, trauma-informed resources. She founded E3 in 2016 after losing her mother and experiencing untreated trauma and suicidal ideation. Erica is a full-time entrepreneur working on E3 while pursuing a master's degree part-time.
January 14th, 2012, was the day Erica's personal self-healing journey began after she suffered the sudden death of her mother. That, in addition to the absence of a father since birth, resulted in a life that lacked guidance, care, or the normal basic needs provided by parents.
Life became one traumatic experience after another because after living In government housing, Erica didn't know how to properly live or take care of herself. Physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional trauma occurred in her relationships and environment. Without anyone around to protect her from these experiences and expose her to a better, healthier life, they became her norm. As a result, she became consumed by the symptoms of the mental health issues that these experiences created. By the time she was 17 years old, her life had no purpose. Leaving room for death, prison, or worse.
Understanding that these aren't ideal life circumstances. God had a plan for Erica's life and anointed her to go down a better path.