Community-Focused Mental Health & Wellness Organization Sets Opening Date in OTR

The Stand to Celebrate Soft Opening This Weekend

CINCINNATI (October 8, 2025) – Community-focused mental health and wellness organization, The Stand Mental Health Consulting, will celebrate its soft opening this weekend in Over-the-Rhine (OTR). Situated at 1428 Race Street – a 600-square-foot space that founder Khiarah Craig is leasing from Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) – The Stand will offer transformative therapeutic services, empowering workshops, wellness retreats, and healing-centered events designed to support resilience, joy, and cultural connection.

A licensed social worker, Craig has dedicated countless hours to supporting court-mandated clients, many of whom live with severe mental illness. Yet, she felt a strong calling to create space for higher-functioning, working-class individuals — those actively seeking therapy and mental health support on their own terms.

“I’ve been passionate about creating this kind of support since college,” Craig shared. “As a young Black woman at a predominantly white university, I experienced racism for the first time and began connecting with peers who had similar stories. Those conversations made me realize I had a gift for listening and helping others navigate mental health challenges — and I knew I wanted to build a space where I could do that every day.”

As a licensed master’s-level social worker, Craig brings a deep commitment to radical grace, creativity, and shared joy. At The Stand, the focus goes beyond traditional services, cultivating spaces for meaningful transformation. Through trauma-informed therapy, culturally grounded workshops, and strong community partnerships, their work centers the lived experiences of each client, meeting them with empathy and intention. The Stand is built on principles of accessibility, collective healing, and the belief that joy and resilience flourish through connection – and offering group sessions in additional to individual therapy gives individuals the unique opportunity to learn from the differing perspectives of like-minded peers.

“At 3CDC, we deeply value the role of accessible, high-quality mental health care and are proud to welcome The Stand to the neighborhood,” said Christy Samad, Executive Vice President of Civic and Commercial Space Activation at 3CDC. “Bringing a resource like this to a walkable, centrally located area enhances the well-being of the entire community.”

The Stand is celebrating its OTR debut with an intimate soft opening this Saturday. Beginning at 3 PM, everyone is invited to gather for fellowship, good company, and a first look at the new space. Light food and drinks will be served, and attendees can learn more about what The Stand has to offer, sign up for group and individual therapy sessions, and get to know founder Khiarah Craig.

Following the soft opening, though therapy sessions are available by appointment only, The Stand will be open during the following times:

• Saturday | 11 AM – 5 PM
• Sunday | 11 AM – 7 PM
• Monday & Wednesday | 5 PM – 8 PM
• Tuesday & Thursday | 11 AM – 7 PM

For additional information, or to schedule a free 15 minute consultation, visit https://www.thestandconsulting.org/contact or email Contact@thestandconsulting.org. To join the waitlist for groups, please visit https://tally.so/r/n0Kqoy?fbclid.

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