Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! I say happy because after many years of mental health being a taboo subject that often came with misinformation, fear and stigma, it is wonderful that we have dedicated space in our calendars to recognize its importance. Our mental health is both affected by and affects every aspect of our lives. It is highly important that we do not ignore or neglect our mental health- how you feel, think and behave is not random or by chance. We have the opportunity to explore who we are and how we want to respond to our experiences. We have the ability to learn new ways of thinking and adjust our perspectives. We have the right to care for ourselves and others!  

I have been a mental health therapist for 14 years and one misconception about myself and those in my profession is that we must have it figured out- that we know the right ways to live and are experts in the human experience. I found it very interesting early on in my career that people would assume that I knew how to handle anything just because I had a degree and specialized training in mental health therapy. Well, as I have told each of my clients when they began working with me, I am not an expert. I know a lot of things and I am more inclined to explore thoughts, emotions and behaviors, but I do not know everything. I don’t want to know everything. I am a human being with experiences, struggles, and life lessons that I must continuously learn every day! 

Early in my outpatient therapy work, I decided to share with my clients that I too have a therapist. The shock that some people still display lets me know that I must continue to help destigmatize mental health therapy and treatment by sharing my personal journey.  One of the reasons that I wanted to be a therapist is because I desired to have a space where I felt heard, understood and validated. I did not get the opportunity to experience therapy until my mid 20s and I can remember my first session. She asked, “what brings you in today” and I immediately began to cry, and I mean ugly cry. Years of stuff had been piled up within me and I before I could talk about it all, I had to release the tears. And what a much-needed release! 

From that moment until now, I have consistently met with a therapist, sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly or even quarterly. The frequency may vary, but my attendance and engagement has been consistent because “life be lifing” and sometimes it hits harder and sometimes it hits softly, but it still hits and I need support through it. I worked with my first therapist for 10 years and it was so beneficial. I was able to explore traumas, wounds and various experiences and also heal, learn and identify strategies to address the symptoms of anxiety and depression that I had throughout my life. I had help carrying the mental and emotional load! 

In 2022, I decided to try a different therapist because I had new goals and needed a different type of therapy. As a new business owner and Black woman in her mid 30s, I needed help evolving into the woman I often envisioned of myself- confident, a leader, and assertive.  My therapist has helped me evolve into this woman and is still helping me challenge thought patterns and habits that helped me survive but also need to change so that I can thrive. I just celebrated my 40^th birthday and we have been working hard! I appreciate it and don’t see me stopping anytime soon. 

I am a strong advocate for mental health care, both as a provider and a client.  If it’s still shocking to hear a therapist talk about their therapy journey then I ask you to consider it this way- just as a doctor needs a doctor and a dentist needs a dentist, a therapist needs a therapist. Health care providers cannot and should not treat themselves. No amount of knowledge and expertise can replace the need to have someone else care for you. I hope it helps to know that mental health providers engage in the same wellness care that they promote to their clients. 

This therapist certainly does!