MentalHealthEmergencyFund.Com Jessica A. Smith

D’Shawn Harris, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of MD and Founder of Safe Haven Therapy. Drawing on systemic and family-centered approaches, D'Shawn creates a professional and safe environment where clients can embark on their journey toward transformation. With a focus on fostering healing, empowerment, and growth, D'Shawn is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their emotional concerns and build a brighter future.
In this episode, he talks about why he decided to switch from being a counselor in the criminal justice system to a private practice setting. He also discusses his new mental health conversational card game, “Hey Friend, How Are You?” and how this will be an important tool to help friends better check in on each other. Keep up with him as he soon announces which state he’s expanding his services to next!
Contact:
www.safehaventherapyservices.com
www.instagram.com/safehaven_therapy
 

 
Jayden Aubryn (they/them), LICSW, is a Black, queer, non-binary, and ethically non-monogamous psychotherapist, personal trainer, and consultant. They specialize in the holistic healing of trauma by integrating mental, physical, spiritual, and sexual health. They aim to make healing both accessible and fun!
In this episode, we talk about ways to incorporate art, music, movement and nutrition into one’s treatment plan to make mental healthcare more holistic in nature. This also helps us live life more authentically and understand that healing can be more affordable than we realize.

tiseconsultingandtherapy@gmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TISEConsultingandTherapy

Cynthia Issac is a personal growth and transformation mentor, EFT practitioner and personal development trainer. She is a widow whose purpose in life is to encourage, equip and empower widows worldwide to grow beyond their grief and loss so they can heal hurt and heartache, rediscover their real selves and recreate a more prosperous, fulfilling future they love with grace and ease.
 
In this episode, Cynthia talks about the support systems she was able to lean into when her husband passed away and how that became a catalyst for the grief coaching work she does with widows today. She also shares information on her upcoming collaborative book and solo book that will be releasing soon.
 
Contact Cynthia at: CoachIsaac@yahoo.com

Kiara Hartwell Opara, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor based in Virginia Beach, VA and is also licensed in Maryland. In 2017, she opened her private practice where she helps millennial and gen-z aged women heal from anxiety, depression, life adjustments, and trauma by incorporating experiential and evidenced-based approaches, mostly internal family systems therapy (parts work).
In this episode, Kiara shares the concept around Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and how it’s a treatment modality for people who may want to process trauma and engage their body in the healing process. The idea around IFS is that we have sub-personalities or “parts,” that can experienced through beliefs, emotions, bodily sensations, images, impulses, psychological responses and sounds.
Follow Kiara’s work on Instagram @kjhartwell or visit her website at www.kjhartwell.com.
 
 

Charles Robinson-Snead was born and raised in Delaware but recently relocated to the DMV to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Howard University.
Charles is a licensed therapist and a wellness coach, a role in which he enjoys working with individuals and groups from Black and Brown communities through trauma-informed treatment approaches.
Ultimately, Charles believes in the social justice work of liberating Black and Brown people from the impact of oppressive systems and structures.
 
In this episode we discussed the importance of definitions and distinctions in the field of therapy. Charles taught us about the differences between therapy and wellness coaching; he spoke on the distinctions between mental illness and mental health; and he educated us on how therapists don’t give advice but actually give treatment plans.
 
For more information please follow and keep up with Charles’ brands’ IG pages: @colourmymindco and @brownbrothers.cmm and his main account @madeprodigy_.
You can also find him on LinkedIn by searching Charles Robinson-Snead
 

This special solo episode features our very own Jessica Smith, Founder and Executive Director of The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc. and Host of The Mental Health Emergency Fund Podcast.
She shares her personal journey of becoming a nonprofit founder, resulting from what felt like a professional failure. She first told this story during Women's History Month, as part of The Stoop Storytelling Series in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University’s Women in Business Initiative at the Carey Business School.