Black History

I must tell you, I am proud of myself! I am so proud of myself! I am proud to be a Black therapist. For me there is no surprise that I am here. As a child, one of the very purposeful person I wanted to be was a psychologist. Although I am not a psychologist but instead a licensed clinical social worker, the work I do is the same. Sitting with individuals, couples, families and groups and helping them as they navigate their lives. Added to that, I am able to also work on a macro level within whole communities and cross culturally.

I must admit, I love seeing other Black therapists. In fact, all therapists of color but in particular for me as a Black woman, seeing Black therapists brings a level of pride and joy in my mind, heart and soul. There is a unique and specific safe space that only we can hold. A space that was denied to us for generations. A space that we constantly have to prove to others, who do not look like us, that we are qualified to occupy.

Black therapists are BLACK HISTORY. We are creating a new Black History. We are adding volumes of success to the road paved by our ancestors. We are grabbing on to the dream that they had and making it reality, we are living it! I hope we ALL are doing so LOUD and PROUD!

I see a variety of clients with diverse backgrounds, varied races, different level of faith and cultures. I feel honored that each person trusts me to be the person to hold a safe space for them. I am deeply moved when a Black child, a Black man, a Black woman looks at me and exhales. .. letting go of the notion that I will not be understood or seen.. Once our eyes meet there is a non verbal communication of I know you got me. I feel seen. I feel understood. Not to mention, a Caribbean person, then it is cemented, you are not only Black, you are a Caribbean!

There are countless times when I get inquiries and the person on the other line says, I reached out because you are Black. I called because I see you are from the Caribbean and I am too. I will add, there are also those who say my faith is also a factor why they choose me. .. all apart of my Blackness…

I will always serve people who are diverse, different from me because that is what I am called to do. I am very fortunate that I do connect well with a diverse group of people. I am blessed that those who choose me as a therapist who are not people of color, who are not Black, connect with me still and trust me to help them. For this I am grateful. This fact confirms my purpose.

I am proud of myself, I am so proud of myself! .. I am purposeful about the Black History I am helping to create. Are you? Black therapists, I encourage you to walk fully in your purpose. To show up well. To never fall in the stereotype but to prove it wrong, over and over again. To hold our ethical and legal standards in high regard but even more follow them always. .. and if something needs to change in the law, help to make that change. However, don’t ever allow your ethical and moral stance within your profession to be compromised.

Whether you are a Black person or not, therapist or not, you are helping to create Black History…. How will you help change how our history has been?