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“Heirloom Summit” hosted by Deran Young. February 23rd-26th, 2023 -> Register today!

Our Mission

REVERSING RACIAL TRAUMA THROUGH COLLECTIVE HEALING

Black Therapists Rock Team

Healing the Healers

Mental Health Awareness Month

This month serves as a time for us to come together and bring awareness to trauma and mental health.

But today, we would like to take a moment to thank all of the clinicians that make up the heart of the Black Therapists Rock community. Things like Mental Health Awareness Month would have no meaning without the work that you all do, so we thank you!

We encourage you to take time to be aware of your needs as a frontline worker in the mental health community. The work that you do does not go unnoticed. We see you!

As an organization our goal is to continue to enrich and impact those that are doing the work within our community. As you continue to do the work, we strive to continue to bring you opportunities to help you go back out into the world and ROCK!

♦ ♦ ♦

We’re Headed to the Largest Psychedelic Gathering in History!

This June, members of our BTR community will be heading to Denver for Psychedelic Science 2023! This year our organization was awarded 25 full scholarships for BTR Rockstars to join this elite conference 100% free. Learn more about the conference here.

The future of the psychedelic movement is storytelling. It will be driven by the stories and voices of those who have healed or whose lives have been positively transformed. At A Ceremony of the Psychedelic Story, featured on the Community Stage at Psychedelic Science 2023, stellar BIPOC luminaries will present their personal narratives as an offering to the altar of psychedelic story. 

♦ ♦ ♦

Become a Rockstar Today!

A BTR Rockstar is a member that has an active paid annual membership. This membership allows us to continue to form dynamic partnerships with organizations such as Brene Brown, Fluence, and Therapy Wisdom (visit our partnership page for more info). Your membership also awards you exclusive access to scholarships and discount opportunities to courses and events. Among other benefits; a private community of over 30,000 therapists, exclusive BTR member meetups, and much more.

Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know about these and other amazing opportunities that we have in store!



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The Work is Never Done

Monthly Community Letter

Let’s take a moment to reflect on all that has been accomplished within our community so far this year. Black History Month especially is a profound month for our organization. Our esteemed founder, Deran Young, spent the month traveling, speaking and advocating for the mission and vision of BTR. This year we hosted our Third Annual Heirloom Summit where the focus was healing our bodies. We discussed topics such as: Shame and the Body, Five Basic Needs of the Heart, and Re-tuning Your Nervous System.

 

We celebrated with Deran as she received The first-ever Vanguard Award from Psychotherapy Networker. She’s so deserving for all the strides she has made in the mental health world to ensure that BIPOC Therapists have a place and a voice in their field of work.

 

As an organization our goal is to continue to enrich and impact those that are doing the work within our community. As you continue to do the work, we strive to continue to bring you opportunities to help you go back out into the world and ROCK!

Become a Rockstar Today!

A BTR Rockstar is a member that has an active paid annual membership. This membership allows us to continue to form dynamic partnerships with organizations such as Brene Brown, Fluence, and Therapy Wisdom (visit our partnership page for more info). Your membership also awards you exclusive access to scholarships and discount opportunities to courses and events. Among other benefits; a private community of over 30,000 therapists, exclusive BTR member meetups, and much more.

Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know about these and other amazing opportunities that we have in store!

Deran Young, LCSW

BTR Founder & CEO

Join us in fostering self compassion, confidence, and inner peace for 100,000 black healers

Tragedies such as the murders of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd have become more visible, and the implications for vicarious collective trauma and long-term mental health effects for marginalized people, has become more evident. Black Therapists Rock was established to provide culturally relevant mental health awareness for collective healing that addresses and resolves the lifelong impact of racial trauma.

Within the last 12 years research has just started to acknowledge a link between racism and psychological distress. Nationally representative polls and surveys have indicated that approx 87% of Black Americans “characterize racism as a very serious or serious problem”. Additionally, the PTSD prevalence rate in our community is 40% higher than whites and Hispanics. Despite the unique stressors and higher rates of trauma, Black people seek treatment at significantly lower rates, often due to lack of trust in white professionals and Eurocentric therapeutic styles.

Our Community

Join our 30,000+ Members

The psychological well-being of our community, and the society as a whole, is in a critical state. We are the first responders of social and emotional wellness for individuals, families and organizations. Black Therapists Rock works towards Community Development by supporting healers who are vital to our collective forward movement.

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Our Partners

We work to empower organizations and individuals who are aligned with BTR’s mission and values. With a commitment to dismantling barriers to equity at the forefront of our partnership relationships, we help organizations develop inclusivity initiatives and bring relevant programming to our members in collaboration with mental health organizations. Our leadership facilitates and advocates for meaningful change and is dedicated to the success and endurance of our collaborative pursuits.

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IFS Institute
Brene Brown
Somatic Experiencing
  • Psychedelics
  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
  • Neurofeedback

In Conversation

These ongoing exchanges, observations, and dialogues inform BTR’s future investments in programming, collaborations, and resource development offered to our members. We welcome you to join the conversation and share your work and vision for how to grow your organization and community.
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Black Therapists Rock Book

Our Story

BLACK THERAPISTS ROCK

The Black community is often thought of as an ongoing saga of reliance, incredible strength, and perseverance, in spite of a brutally harsh past.

However, the obvious connection between mental health and racial oppression, health disparities, cultural differences, societal factors, poverty, and reduced quality of life, often goes unspoken.

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Why Members Join Black Therapists Rock!

Black Therapists Rock is a place of healing, community, empowerment, and growth.

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We welcome your feedback about how we can better support our members.  Please send questions, concerns or suggestions to [email protected]

Carl Hart, PhD

Carl Hart
PhD

Dr. Carl Hart is the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University. He is also the Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry. Professor Hart has published numerous scientific and popular articles in the area of neuropsychopharmacology and is co-author of the textbook Drugs, Society and Human Behavior (with Charles Ksir). His most recent book, High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society, was the 2014 winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Professor Hart has appeared on multiple podcasts, radio and television shows including Real Time with Bill Maher and The O’Reilly Factor. He has also appeared in several documentary films including the award-winning “The House I Live In.” His essays have been published in several popular publications including The New York Times, Scientific American, The Nation, Ebony, The Root, and O Globo (Brazil’s leading newspaper).

Paulette Simone Smith, LCSW

Paulette Simone Smith
LCSW-C

Paulette Smith, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical therapist specializing in cannabis therapeutics, adolescent development, and the establishment of productive, results-oriented teams in support of culturally competent treatment. Paulette has used creativity and innovation to build a knowledge base that offers her clients first-class care and consulting services. She also applies that knowledge and creativity in training and educational settings providing authentic, realistic, and easily applicable guidance on various topics. Her expertise has been cultivated over 15+ years in school-based, clinical, private practice, and dispensary settings to acquire a range of skills in traditional and non-traditional counseling practices that scientifically incorporate the integration of cannabis products. A trailblazer in her own right, Paulette is highly sought after to share her knowledge in the growing cannabis therapy field. She possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and has launched a platform for exploring cannabis therapeutics called Canna Heals, LLC, in addition to her counseling practice, Paulette Simone & Associates, Inc. In addition to the real-world experiences that refined her talents, Paulette obtained her bachelor’s in broadcast journalism from Bowie State University, a master’s in Social Work from Morgan State University, and a Master’s in Medical Cannabis Science Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Ms. Smith is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Social Work at Simmons University.

Sa'ed Al Olimat

Sa'ed Al-Olimat
PharmD

Dr. Sa’ed Al-Olimat, PharmD is a Taiwanese-Jordanian first generation American immigrant. He is a licensed pharmacist, community pharmacy manager, and educator of psychedelic medicine. He has worked with pharmaceutical companies, prescriber clinics, hospice and palliative care organizations, insurance groups, and other settings to enhance patient care. Dr. Sa’ed’s passion in advancing mental health outcomes led him to investigatie psilocybin and other classical psychedelic compounds as tools for mental, spiritual, and emotional support.

Dr. Sa’ed currently serves as a Co-Founder of the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association, Founder of PsiloHealth, advisor to a few psychedelic companies and organizations, as well as a Board Director for his local county pharmacists association. In his free time, he enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Mischa Dansby, RN

Mischa Dansby
RN

Mischa Dansby, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse specializing in Women’s Health who was raised in Huber Heights, Ohio. She received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Wright State University. After her graduation, she joined the Air Force and has continued to serve for 22 years. During her Air Force career, she completed her Master’s in Nursing and became certified as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at The Ohio State University. She is currently studying at the University of Cincinnati pursuing certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Additionally, she is completing her training as an Internal Family Systems Therapist. Mischa is passionate about supporting women on their journey towards healing and wholeness.

Hanifa Nayo Washington

Hanifa Nayo Washington

Hanifa Nayo Washington, she/her/hers, is a social entrepreneur, sacred activist, digital designer, and healing justice practitioner. Hanifa is the co-founder and the Chief of Strategy of Fireside Project, the San Francisco based non-profit that operates the first national Psychedelic Peer Support Line with a mission to help people minimize the risks and fulfill the potential of their psychedelic experiences. The support line, featured in the Rolling Stone, Forbes, Esquire, and Tech Crunch, launched in April of 2021 and has already supported thousands of community members. Hanifa Nayo is also the Co-founder and Organizing Principal of One Village Healing, an online BIPOC centered healing, resilience, and psychedelic wellness space.

Victor Cabral, MSW

Victor Cabral
MSW, LSW, CCTP-I

Victor Cabral, MSW, LSW, CCTP-I, (He/Him/His) is a collaborative and strategic leader who is making an impact on historical inequalities in his community and across the United States. Victor is the Founder of Dreamers of the Day, LLC, and serves as the Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Fluence International Inc., a company that provides evidence-based training in psychedelic therapy and integration services to clinicians across the globe. Before joining Fluence, Victor served as Deputy Director for the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Advocacy and Reform where he co-led the implementation of the Trauma-Informed PA Plan, helped establish the first Racial Day of Healing in Pennsylvania history, and developed free trauma trainings for Pennsylvanians in collaboration with BIPOC mental health and trauma, and psychedelic medicine. He is a Licensed Social Worker and practicing psychotherapist in Pennsylvania with training in Internal Family Systems, Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Psychedelic Integration.

Deran Young

Deran Young,
CDWF, CDTL

Deran Young is a licensed therapist, CDWF, CDTL, co-author of New York Times Best Seller, You Are Your Best Thing, retired military officer, and the founder of Black Therapists Rock. Black Therapists Rock is a non profit organization that mobilizes over 30,000 mental health professionals committed to reducing the psychological impact of systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma. She obtained her social work degree from University of Texas, where she studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa for two semesters creating a high school counseling center for under-resourced students.

Deran’s passion for culture and people has led her to become a highly sought after diversity and inclusion consultant working with companies like BBERG, Facebook, Linked In, Field Trip Health, and YWCA. Deran’s advocacy expands over several online and offline platforms. With a current social media audience of over 100,000 followers on IG and Facebook, Deran has become a leading influencer and public figure committed to spreading mental health awareness and improving health equity.