MAKING MENTAL HEALTH POPULAR
TRINA ROSE FRAZIER WITH POPPSYCH AND THE ROSE CENTER PLLC
In today's fast-paced world, the importance of a great therapist cannot be overstated, as they guide individuals toward better mental health awareness and personal growth. One inspiring entrepreneur has taken this commitment a step further by launching a clothing and apparel store dedicated to making mental health a popular topic of conversation. Her store features chic designs with empowering messages, encouraging people to wear their mental health pride and destigmatize the dialogue surrounding it. By merging fashion with mental health advocacy, her innovative approach provides both style and support, creating a sense of community for those seeking understanding and acceptance. This unique initiative not only highlights the significance of mental health awareness but also empowers individuals to embrace their journey towards well-being.
Let's meet Trina Rose Frazier, owner and CEO of The Rose Center PLLC and clothing and apparel line, PopPsych:
Trina Rose Frazier is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Army veteran, educator, and the founder of The Rose Center, PLLC, where she provides therapy, workshops, and consultations focused on healing through understanding. With a BS in Psychology from Lamar University and an MS in Juvenile Forensic Psychology from Prairie View A&M University, Trina has built a career rooted in diverse mental health experiences, including crisis intervention, corrections, and community-based care.
A lifelong Texas resident, Trina is deeply committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within communities that have been historically marginalized and harmed. As a proud member of Peaceful Rest Baptist Church in Port Arthur, TX, she holds her faith close while creating spaces for healing and growth.
In 2020, Trina founded The Rose Center in response to the increasing need for accessible mental health services. She later expanded her mission with PopPsych!, a mental wellness boutique that fuses fashion with affirmation, aiming to normalize conversations about mental health.
As the self-proclaimed Unicorn Therapist, Trina embraces her full, expressive self in everything she does. She believes that understanding is the key to healing, and she strives to make mental health both relatable and accessible for all.
Background & Inspiration:
My journey into the world of therapy began with a deep curiosity about human behavior—I still remember how intrigued I was in my Intro to Psychology class. I wanted to understand why we do what we do, but more importantly, I wanted to understand myself and help others do the same. Because understanding is the gateway to healing.
I also entered this field with a strong sense of purpose: I want people who look like me to have access to professionals who look like them—especially in spaces where we’ve historically been underrepresented or harmed. Mental health has been taboo for far too long, particularly in communities that have faced exploitation and the weaponization of their struggles. My work is about changing that narrative and making mental health both accessible and relatable.
Interconnection of Fashion and Mental Health:
PopPsych! started as a creative outlet and turned into a platform. I literally said that I wanted to help make mental health popular. I believe that, especially as a culture, we express ourselves through our fashion and and I saw how clothing could be more than fashion—it could be a tool for education and expression. Apparel with messages about boundaries, emotional support, and affirmations can spark conversations and shift perspectives. It’s therapy, but make it wearable.
Practice Philosophy:
I believe that the beginning of healing often starts with understanding. Life can be a rose, but every rose has its thorns. At The Rose Center, we work to heal from life’s thorns so we can get back to smelling the roses. I believe in blooming at your own pace. My approach blends structure with compassion—using tools like CBT and trauma-informed care while holding space for each person’s unique experience. Mental wellness isn’t just the absence of struggle; it’s learning how to navigate life with grace and clarity, acknowledging the importance of self-love and its impact on our ability to love others.
Challenges & Triumphs:
Balancing a private practice and a wellness boutique comes with its challenges, but the rewards make it all worthwhile. As a solo practitioner at The Rose Center, I manage everything—from clinical work to administrative and technical responsibilities. At the same time, I serve as the creative force behind PopPsych!, handling everything from design to vending.
It can be exhausting to wear so many hats, but the impact keeps me going. There’s something powerful about seeing people wear PopPsych! items with pride—those moments fill me with joy. Some of my favorite experiences happen at vending events, where conversations about mental wellness flow naturally. When someone connects with the message on a shirt just as deeply as they would in a therapy session, it reminds me that healing doesn't have to look just one way.
Community Engagement:
I love creating events that mix education with ease—workshops, mixers, pop-ups, and more. Whether it’s hosting a self-love workshop with affirmations and adult coloring books or raffling off wellness items at a community event, I aim to make mental health approachable and relevant. I enjoy partnering with other entities in the community to join efforts in promoting mental wellness. Providing information to the community is one of the best ways to plant the seeds that generate growth.
Design Process & Message:
Each design starts with a message I wish more people heard. Sometimes it’s a reminder to rest, a note about boundaries, or a truth about emotional regulation. I test ideas, get feedback, and make sure each piece feels authentic and thought-provoking. It’s about starting conversations, not just selling products. Each item also comes with a keepsake card with a mental health tip to help along the way.
Impact of Therapy During Mental Health Month:
As a practicing counselor, I promote mental health all year round, as this is my life’s work; however, during Mental Health Awareness Month, I amplify everything. As a therapist, I participate in multiple community events each year as a speaker, host, vendor, etc. With green being the color for mental health awareness, PopPsych! offers green apparel to highlight the cause. It's a time when I showcase the boutique more boldly, using it as an outreach tool.
Client Interaction:
My clients often smile when they realize I’m that therapist with the emotional support mug or the “boundaries are beautiful” shirt. It humanizes me and opens new doors for conversation. Sometimes, people find me through the boutique first and then explore therapy—it’s a beautiful full-circle moment. While I keep my therapy practice and boutique intentionally separate in the office to maintain ethical boundaries, I do allow clients to purchase items if they choose to. Interestingly, some clients have discovered The Rose Center through vending events, where our conversations about mental wellness often lead to discussions about therapy. It’s been a unique way to bridge awareness and access.
Many of my clients have complimented the blend of fashion and mental health messaging, whether it’s the "Just Breathe" hoodie or the Emotional Support mug. Even seeing someone wear an item can spark a meaningful conversation. That appreciation of both style and substance feels incredibly rewarding. It reminds me that mental health awareness doesn’t have to live only in the therapy room. Sometimes, it shows up in everyday wear, and that’s powerful.
Future Plans:
I recently acquired a larger space that allows me to house both The Rose Center and PopPsych! under one roof. While the PopPsych! The storefront is still under construction, the online boutique continues to grow. I'm excited about the opportunities this expansion brings—I plan to build a small team, host more intimate workshops, and create custom wellness kits for events and organizations.
At the heart of everything I do is a mission to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health resources. Whether it's through therapy, creative events, or wearable affirmations, I want people to feel seen, supported, and empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.
Personal Reflection:
Passion isn’t something you have to invent—it’s something you nurture. And the truth is, you don’t have to choose between passion and profession; with intention, you can blend the two in a way that feels authentic and impactful. The days of mental health professionals having to fit into a rigid mold are behind us.
I don’t call myself The Unicorn Therapist for nothing. I’m expressive, fashionable, and deeply committed to helping others—and I bring all of that with me into every space I enter. Whether it's the therapy room, a vending event, or a professional gathering, I show up as my full self. Because people need to see real people doing this work—people they can relate to, and feel safe with.
Find and Support Me:
Website: www.therosecenter-bmt.com
Mental Health Boutique: PopPsych Online Boutique (The Rose Center, PLLC) – Monique & Co.
Instagram: @therosecenterbmt
Facebook: @therosecenterbmt
@PopPsych
TikTok: @unicorntherapist
Photo credit: Kristin Francis, Owner of Monique and Co
