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There should be more resources for Black women experiencing hopelessness, despair, stress, depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, there were insurmountable obstacles we face once we finally decide to seek help for the our emotional and mental instability.
The need for mental health professionals, specifically for Black women, has not gone unnoticed. Our community is gaining more advocates to combat accessibility, affordability, and confidentiality without shame and embarrassment. No one should have to suffer after the loss of a loved one, endure the impact of a traumatic experience, and battle with self-doubt. I reached out to Samantha White, C.P.C. of Consult Positivity to share how her services are meeting the need for self-care that goes beyond bubble baths, girls trips, and shopping sprees.
Photo Credit: https://consultpositivity.com/
MRTV: Samantha, tell me the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a therapist, a counselor and a coach?
SW: A psychiatrist can diagnose and prescribe; a psychologist is an expert in psychology; a therapist is a person trained to complete therapy; a counselor is a person trained to give guidance; a coach is a person trained to develop you to your full potential, a "pusher".
MRTV: How much or how little value is placed on Black women having access to Black mental health practitioners?
SW: For me personally, representation is key! I go out of my way to try to find quality black-owned goods and services that I can utilize at all times. I cried when T'Challa died in the Avengers because I personally was rooting for him! It is the same for me in mental health. I believe that it is essential to have someone that looks like you, can identify with you, has been through something like you [have] to help you through what you are going through! I built my business around this and stand on it!
MRTV: Share your educational background and life experiences that lead you to become a "Christian Wellness Coach"?
SW: As a certified professional coach, I have been helping women break the chains of depression, disgruntled relationships and low self-esteem by offering my support, professionalism and Christian principles. I have spent my life helping women transition from emotional pain to peace. I have an extensive educational background including a Masters in Developmental Psychology and a Bachelors in Business Management minor in Psychology.
My life has been full of ups and downs and each battle that I lost made me stronger to fight in the war! I truly have been striving to greatness and each step I took lead me to help women and I used all of my past battles to give women the tools they need to take control of their lives.
Photo Credit: https://consultpositivity.com/
MRTV: Which stigmas about mental health is Consult Positivity addressing?
SW: I am addressing the stigmas that only crazy people need to talk to someone, black people don't talk to someone, & what happens in this house stays in this house. I am teaching women it is okay to breathe, talk to someone, and enjoy life!
MRTV: Describe what a counseling session with you is like?
SW: It starts with prayer, a recap of the last session, the release of what has happened since the last session, next steps, and prayer to close it out. Each session is an hour long.
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MRTV: How do you work with your clients to develop their action plans over a 6 week period?
SW: We develop a skeleton of the plan from the consultation (the bare bones) as I get to know you more and understand you, we add more and more meat to the skeleton. This gives you a well thought-out plan as time continues.
MRTV: If your client is still in need of your services after 6 weeks, what type of follow up care do you provide?
SW: I am open to text check-ins which I often complete, however, if the client is still struggling I do offer sessions that can be bought separately in order to do some replanning.
Photo Credit: Shuttershock
MRTV: Many women are uninsured or under-insured. How does Consult Positivity meet the needs of women who lack mental health coverage?
SW: I do not accept insurance, therefore I have made my prices slightly more affordable to women in need. My consultations are thirty minutes for $20 and the coaching packages are $225, for six weeks. The payments is broken into a $75 deposit and $25 dollars a week for a total of $225.
MRTV: How do you serve women of other faiths, women who are not Christians?
SW: I can and have served women with other belief systems, however, my target market is women in the Christian Faith.
Photo Credit: https://consultpositivity.com/
MRTV: How did you and your husband meet?
SW: We met the first time on the campus of Fayetteville State University. We met again about four years later through Facebook.
MRTV: Which artist do you listen to when you need motivation?
SW: I listen to A LOT of Contemporary Christian, I literally just have Siri shuffle my library and push through whatever task I am working on.
MRTV: What passage of scripture is your life's mantra?
SW: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV
For more information about Samantha and Consult Positivity, visit her website and schedule your 30 minute consultation. Be sure to follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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