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May News

“Sometimes we are the medicine we need. Just seeing each other, listening to each other, is healing.”

— Alex Elle

What’s been happening at BTR
We have a new BTR Partner!  Welcome Polyvagal Institute!

Polyvagal Institute is dedicated to expanding awareness and understanding of Polyvagal Theory through accessible, science-based education. They offer a range of learning opportunities—from foundational courses to advanced practitioner trainings—designed for therapists, clinicians, educators, and healthcare professionals. Through online and in-person events, they support a global community committed to healing and fostering safety, human connection, and co-regulation. Co-founded in 2020 by Stephen Porges, PhD and Deb Dana, LCSW, Polyvagal Institute is the founding home of Polyvagal Theory™; as such, their programs integrate the latest research with practical tools for embodying and learning the paradigm-shifting principles of Polyvagal Theory. Safety. Community. Connection. That’s Polyvagal.  To learn more about their upcoming FREE events and course discounts for BTR members, click here!

IFS 2025 Level 1 and Level 2 Training

IFS Level 1 (1175) and Level 2 (1174) training BTR cohorts are full! Applications are closed and waitlist is complete. Each year BTR Rockstars (paid members) are eligible to apply for partial and full-tuition IFSI scholarships.  Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know about the BTR cohort IFS training scholarship and other amazing opportunities coming up! 

Community Learning Program is back with FREE webinars coming in May and June!

You will not want to miss the BTR Rock Stars that are bringing you their work and insights on enhancing clinical practice.  Can’t join the Free webinars live?  We got you covered!  All registrants get a recording emailed after the event.  Access BTR’s Community Learning Library to check out the 2024 speakers and webinars and check out the May offerings below!

Bringing Biofeedback and Neurofeedback to BTR

BTR has been working with expert Harry L. Campbell, BPS, who is BCIA Certified in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback, President of Biofeedback Resources International Corporation, and past President of North East Regional Biofeedback Society. Harry and the team at Biofeedback Resources would like to encourage more providers of color to become trained with these tools in order to help their clients. Towards this end, he has created free resource videos delving into biofeedback and neurofeedback. Access BTR’s Biofeedback Resources International video library here. 

Scholarships for BTR Members for Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Training  

Harry and the team at Biofeedback Resources would like to encourage more providers of color to become trained with these tools in order to help their clients. Which is why we are thrilled to offer limited scholarships to two of Harry’s premier trainings. Both biofeedback and neurofeedback seminars will be a combination of 3-day classroom and web-based training.  Learn more here.

Fluence  Special – Save 40% on On-Demand Courses

We’re excited to share that BTR’s partner, Fluence, is offering the BTR community 40% scholarships on several of their on-demand courses. Let’s take advantage of these trainings to expand our awareness and understanding of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in our community.  View the complete list here.  BTR’s partnership with Fluence  gives you significantly discounted access to three of Fluence’s foundational on-demand courses, Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise, Introduction to Ketamine and Introduction to Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy. These can be accessed and completed at your own pace.  100 scholarships are available!  Fluence also offers Diversity Fund Scholarships for their post-graduate training programs. Learn more and check out more resources here!

Looking forward
Compassionate Inquiry® FREE Webinar May 1, 2025 at 12-1pm ET

We invite you to join our free webinar on the Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Training’s BLAIPOC-only group, for the September 2025 cohort, with our Founding CI Facilitator, Vimalasara (Dr. Valerie Mason-John). The BLAIPOC group is for anyone who identifies as Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, or Person of Color.  Register for the free live info session here!

Fluence Psilocybin Facilitator Certificate Course 1 May 5- June 16, 2025

This accelerated program includes three courses and a final practicum, focusing on teaching psychedelic therapy with psilocybin, using protocols specific to Colorado.  27 weeks.  42 hours CE credits.  Details here!

Fluence Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy Certificate Course 1 May 5 – June 16, 2025

This two-course program teaches how to safely and effectively support patients embarking on their own psychedelic journeys.  Live.  Online.  18 hours.  42 CE credits.  View more details and dates here!

Financial Coaching Foundations (FCF) starts May 7, 2025 –BTR members qualify for 50% discounts!

BTR member Saundra Davis, founder of Sage Financial Solutions, is offering upcoming training opportunities designed to support ethical, trauma-informed coaching rooted in equity and real-world practice.  This program is for anyone seeking to incorporate coaching into their client work or deepen their understanding of how people navigate financial topics.  Learn more & Enroll: https://tinyurl.com/EnrollAPFC.  Deepen the Learning Accredited Personal Finance Coach (APFC®) Training also begins May 7, 2025.   Runs concurrently, separate registration required. This course is a continuation of Financial Coaching Foundations. This course offers hands-on practice, peer collaboration, and feedback to help you grow your coaching confidence and skills.  Learn more & Enroll: https://tinyurl.com/EnrollAPFC If you’ve been looking for a next step in your coaching journey, this could be it!  Scholarships are available!  Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/APFCSCHOLARSHIP

Community Learning Program FREE Webinar Introduction to Counseling Black Women with Kimberly Parker on  May 7, 2025 at 12-1pm ET

This free webinar is designed for mental health professionals who are ready to expand their capacity to serve Black women with deeper understanding, cultural humility, and care.  Whether you’re at the beginning of your learning or revisiting foundational practices through a fresh, equity-informed lens, this session will offer practical tools, awareness-building, and space for reflection.  Recordings will be sent to all registrants.  Register to join Black Therapists Rockstar Kimberly Parker here!

Mastering NBCC Continuing Education: A Comprehensive Guide to Course Creation and ApprovalMay16,2025 at 11am -3:30pm ET

Kimberly Parker, MS, Doctoral Candidate, LPC-S, LCDC, EMDR-trained (ACEP No. 7513) leads this training which includes 4 NBCC hours and a review of your application.  Special early bird pricing if you sign up before April 14, 2025!  Learn more and sign up here!

Community Learning Program FREE Webinar Understanding Trans Attraction: Dismantling Stigma in Black Mental Health Spaces with Dr. Wendy Ashley on  May 23, 2025 at 12-1pm ET

Join us for a powerful and necessary conversation with Dr. Wendy Ashley as she guides us through a deeper understanding of trans-attraction and its often overlooked intersection with Black mental health. This webinar is designed to expand clinical awareness, challenge stigma, and create space for more affirming, inclusive therapeutic practices. This is an invitation to listen, learn, and lead with love. Let’s deepen our understanding and expand the ways we show up for the fullness of our communities.  Learn more and register here!

BTR Cohort at MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference June 16-20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado

BTR is gathering members who are interested in attending the next MAPS Psychedelic Science conference June 16-20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The conference is the largest psychedelic community and industry gathering in the world.  This is the second year BTR members will attend.  It’s glorious meeting up in person!  If you’d like to add your name to the BTR cohort attending MAPS, and you are a BTR rockstar (paid member), please fill out this interest form and we’ll keep you informed about all BTR activities! 

2025/2026 Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Online Training September 16, 2025 – September 29, 2026 Tuesdays, 1pm-2:30pm ET BLAIPOC Cohort

We are very excited to offer a 2025/2026 Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Online Training to Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, People of Color BTR Members.  Compassionate Inquiry® is a 240 hour, year-long training.  It is a graduate level, trauma-informed psychotherapeutic approach to add onto an already existing clinical and mental health practice. Facilitated by Vimalasara (Dr. Valerie Mason-John), this program focuses on bringing compassion, respect, acceptance, insight, healing, freedom and connection to humanity through an international community of skillful Compassionate Inquiry Practitioners.  Learn more and join this BLAIPOC cohort here!

BTR Cohort to Masters Event Oxford September 28-30, 2025

BTR is gathering members who are interested in attending the next Masters Event Oxford September 28-30, 2025 in Oxford, England. Whether you’re a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, bodyworker, educator, counsellor, researcher, mental health advocate, or someone keen to expand their understanding, Masters Events at Oxford is Europe’s largest trauma, mental health, and wellbeing conference – an annual highlight not to be missed. Register to join Deran Young here!

 

 

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, MAPS 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.  Explore membership here.

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

Shadawn McCants, LPC-S, NCC

Shadawn McCants LPC-S, NCC is the Clinical Director of Know and Live Counseling and Consulting, a private practice that specializes in the healing of women, adolescents and couples. She is also the founder of 2 Know is 2 Live, non-profit dedicated to promoting active, engaged, and empowered women to address HIV/AIDS disparities.

Ms. McCants is the Co-Chair for the Texas Black Women’s Health Initiative, Houston chapter and a CDC Alumni Ambassador for the Let’s Stop HIV Together Initiative. Shadawn has dedicated her life to being a catalyst to live BRAVELY and show up fully Positive!

Lyne Piché

Dr. Lyne Piché
Registered Psychologist

Dr. Lyne Piché is a Registered Psychologist who has worked as a psychologist specializing in sexual issues for 25 years. Her graduate studies, research and work endeavours have been focused on improving sexual health for all individuals including youths, adults, couples and developmentally delayed adults. Since 2009, she has provided sexual therapy, couples counselling, relationship counselling  and trauma counselling in her private practice. She is also a Forensic Psychologist and has recently co-authored a book on Internet offenders.  Dr. Piché is an EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist.  She offers psychological services in both English and French.  The intersection of ADHD and sexual therapy has been a particular interest of hers in recent years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Daisy DiCarlo Martinez

Daisy Martinez-DiCarlo
LMHC, LPC, CP, PAT

Daisy is a certified psychodramatist and practitioner applicant for psychodrama training. As a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and Connecticut with over 20 years of experience, she works with diverse clients, including those in her private practice, both online and in person.

Daisy also serves as a therapist in a sober house for women with a history of incarceration. She integrates trauma-informed principles, psychodrama, IFS principles, and the developmental liberation model in her practice.

Daisy, a first-generation Puerto Rican American woman in the LGBTQIA+ community, uses she/her pronouns. In her third year as a psychodrama trainee, she provides training on psychodrama basics to various audiences, including university graduate students, professionals in war-torn Ukraine, educators, mental health professionals, and lawyers. Daisy is actively involved in Society and Social Justice Committee for the ASGPP, co-facilitates affinity action groups, and co-presented at the 81st Annual ASGPP Conference.

As the founder of Theater for Social Justice, Inc., a not-for-profit organization in Sarasota, Florida, Daisy promotes social justice through psychodrama and sociodrama methods. She co-sponsored the first Annual Diverse Fest in Sarasota and conducts community sociodrama workshops to support human rights. Daisy also integrates Afro Caribbean dance with psychodrama, drawing inspiration from her training with Bombazo Dance Company’s Director, Milteri Tucker. She passionately uses Afro Caribbean bomba as a warm-up exercise to connect individuals to liberatory movement and build sociometric connections to Afro Caribbean folklore.

Saundra Davis

Saundra Davis
MCC, MSFP

Saundra Davis, MCC, MSFP, a distinguished financial planner, educator, and coach, is dedicated to promoting financial stability and prosperity for all. Creator of The Continuum of Financial Wellbeing, Saundra ensures universal access to ethical personal finance support. With over two decades of experience, she has trained 2,000+ professionals through her programs, empowering countless individuals to develop healthy financial habits and achieve their goals. A regular contributor to CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR, Saundra is a sought-after speaker at conferences nationwide.

As the architect of the Financial Fitness Coach® and Accredited Personal Finance Coach programs, she transforms financial professionals into effective coaches, emphasizing the Continuum of Financial Wellbeing. Known as the “Financial Coach’s Coach,” Saundra’s mission is to democratize financial services, creating stronger individuals, families, and communities. Holder of a Master’s in Financial Planning, she is also an Accredited Personal Finance Coach, ICF Master Certified coach, mindfulness teacher, and executive coach. Specialties: financial coaching, coach training, financial planning policies, education, literacy, teaching, coaching, mindfulness, and mentoring.

Rev. Don Odom Jr.

Rev. Odom is the Founder & Managing Director of Primary Purpose, Inc. as well as the visionary of the new faith based recovery model Order My Steps.

After recovery saved his life in 2002, he started a business with his family, becoming a franchise owner for The Athlete’s Foot in Houston.  Starting with a single store, The Odom Group, Inc. grew to 10 retail locations in the Houston area, and saw revenue of $8.5 million in 2006.  

Twelve Step recovery became a spiritual anchor for Rev. Odom, and his dedication to service work has included leadership positions at a local, national, and world level for multiple Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition fellowships.

An unexpected cancer diagnosis in 2017 changed his life trajectory.  In the middle of his successful battle with stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, God called him to ministry and gave him the vision for Order My Steps.  He was lead to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, where he became licensed Minister, is the co-Leader of the Social Justice Ministry, and leads the reactivated Recovery Ministry.  The Wheeler Recovery Ministry is the template Primary Purpose uses to assist churches around the world establish their own Recovery Ministries.

Rev. Odom returned to Hampton University to complete his Bachelors degree during his cancer fight, and in December 2022 graduated Summa Cum Laude with an 3.85 GPA and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies.  He began Seminary Fall of 2023 pursuing Master of Divinity in Pastoral Leadership at Hampton’s new School of Religion with a secondary concentration in Counseling.

Don lives in Houston with his 18 year old son, Tony… Sober.

Terance Dawkins

Terance Dawkins
LISW-CP

Terance Dawkins is a native of Spartanburg, SC. He attended Winthrop University, where he received both his Bachelors & Masters Degree in Social Work. He is currently a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) in the state of South Carolina.

Terance has been practicing mental health therapy for about 5 years. He originally started working with children and adolescents with various issues such as: depression, anxiety, anger issues, ADHD, and Trauma. Terance currently works with adolescents and adults dealing with the same issues. He has completed training in EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Internal Family Systems Therapy.

Terance has a mission to destigmatize mental health, as he believes therapy is for everyone. He seeks to do this through an eclectic approach with the training he has received. Terance provides a non-judgemental and relaxing environment to assist his clients with healing. Terance is currently furthering his knowledge on attachment and trauma, as he believes this is the basis for a lot of distress experienced by his clients. This includes Transgenerational Trauma.

Heirloom Summit 2024

Healing in 3D: Personal, Relational, Communal

  • February 23-24, 2024
  • 10am - 5:30pm ET
  • Virtual
Learn More
Dr Deborah Egerton

Deborah Threadgill Egerton
PhD

Dr. Deborah Threadgill Egerton, is an Internationally Respected Psychotherapist, Best-selling Author and Unity and Belonging Advocate for the Healing of Humanity. Affectionately referred to as Dr. E, she has attained IEA Certification with Distinction for her groundbreaking utilization of the Enneagram in the realm of bridging historical divides. Her work is dedicated to dismantling marginalization and transcending the divisive practice of “othering”.

Dr. E serves as the President of the International Enneagram Association and extends her coaching and mentoring expertise to a diverse spectrum of individuals, including best-selling authors, top-tier executives, spiritual luminaries, accomplished therapists, and a myriad of thought leaders, each hailing from distinct and varied backgrounds. In her multifaceted roles as Consultant, Coach, Mentor, and Spiritual Teacher, Dr. Egerton guides humanity toward harmonious unification. 

Activating the transformative forces of kindness and compassion, Dr. Egerton’s book, Know Justice Know Peace: A Transformative Journey of Social Justice, Anti-Racism, and Healing through the Power of the Enneagram was featured on Amazon’s #1 Best Seller in New Releases. Her current book The Enneagram Made Easy is scheduled to be released in March 2024. The accompanying 9-book series, The Enneagram Inner Work Journals is scheduled to be released in April 2024.

Zina Rodriguez
MSW, CDE®

Zina is a social worker, masters certified addiction professional and a certified diversity executive. She is also an Arise trained interventionist which focuses on substance abuse and mental health recovery for individuals and their families. She is passionate about creating healing spaces for BIPOC and LBGTQ+ communities and addressing the impact of racial and identity trauma through liberation-oriented practices. She has a deep foundational belief that people at their core have a capacity for personal transformation and healing. She provides guidance to support individuals to achieve their professional and personal goals by identifying strengths and liberating the mind from limiting belief systems. She is bilingual and can provide services in Spanish.

Zina has over a decade of substance abuse treatment experience and has served in various operational and leadership positions in behavioral healthcare. She has successfully launched de novo facilities, leading multi-disciplinary teams with the development of clinical programming, policy/ procedures, successful obtainment of licensure and accreditation. She has also worked internationally which has allowed her to develop a specialty in multi-cultural program development and marketing.

Zina is a global speaker and trainer of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging issues with a focus on the intersection of mental health. She also works with organizations on the development of transformational DEIB strategies that align with their mission and values.

Zina serves as a Board Member for the Brain Love Foundation, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, Young People in Recovery, C4 Recovery Foundation and Simplifyance. She also served as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University School of Social Work and holds a MSW from Fordham University and a BSW degree from Rutgers University.

Ty Cutner

Ty Cutner

Ty Cutner is a Level 2 trained IFS (Internal Family Systems) -informed image and relationship coach for men. He improved the way he dressed on a daily basis in 2012 and within months was appointed Chief Operations Officer of a youth organization in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, NY. He started helping friends with their image and they experienced similar career and social advancements instantly. In 2016, he launched his image coaching practice helping professional men gain the social and psychological benefits of a well-dressed man. In 2020, he began helping men move on from divorce, separation or relationships that induced infidelity. Coaching them using IFS tools to improve their internal harmony. In addition to coaching men Ty also provides workshops for young men and boys in New York City Public Schools. He’s a co-author in the book Freeing Self: IFS Beyond the Therapy Room. Ty lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his son Aiden.

Ciara Simonson

Ciara Simonson

Ciara S. Simonson, an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and relationship therapist with the Imago Center of Washington DC, was selected 2021 Virginia Mother of the Year® by American Mothers Inc. Ciara established herself as a charismatic speaker and pastoral counselor, integrating her theology and clinical training, demonstrating her compassion for people and devotion to helping others heal and grow. Ciara describes herself as a "wounded healer" who shares her enthusiasm for healing by teaching, supporting, and empowering others to honor the whole context of their lives. Ciara holds an M.Div. from Howard University, an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Counseling with a focus on Imago Relationship Therapy. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, and the Co-Founder of Love Works, an organization that helps couples and families develop and restore connection. Ciara's greatest pride and joy is living life to the fullest with her loving husband, Victor Simonson, while sharing the privilege of parenting her daughter Victoria Grace, son Immanuel Justice, and bearing the memory of her angel baby Trinity.
Daphne Fuller

Daphne Fuller

Daphne is an Integrative Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and has been a therapist since 2010. She is also a yoga instructor, sound, Reiki and Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Practitioner, Certified Daring Way ™ Facilitator, Speaker, Trainer and Author. She has worked as Military Family Life Counselors as well as a Special Education Teacher and School Counselor in Cumberland County Schools for a total of 13 years. Daphne received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern University in 1996. She received a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Webster University in 2001. Daphne has been featured on shondaland.com, in Psychotherapy Networker, The Fayetteville Observer and People Magazine.

Jacqui Johnson

Jacqui Johnson

Jacqui Johnson is the Clinical Director visionary force behind Sankofa Healing Studio, who is reshaping the landscape of mental health access and dismantling oppression within therapeutic spaces. With a passion for bridging the Black mental health gap, Jacqui’s holistic approach combines art, play, storytelling, hip-hop, and evidence-based modalities to create a transformative healing experience.

As an educator, Jacqui’s influence extends far beyond the therapy room. She lectures widely, provides supervision and consultation, and leads international initiatives that increase training accessibility for Therapists of Color. Her expertise in trauma-responsive care and gender considerations informs her work, confronting the complex intersections of adverse childhood experiences, race, community violence, and the justice system.

Jacqui’s commitment to justice is exemplified in her groundbreaking work with individuals within the criminal justice system. At the Philadelphia county jail, she facilitates trauma-responsive art therapy groups for women and incarcerated youth, addressing the unique challenges they face. By reclaiming the past, she empowers individuals to protect their future and transform their present circumstances.

She is a certified Kemetic Yoga instructor, an Adjunct Professor, and an Emotional Emancipation Circle Leader. Her skill set spans a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including intensive sessions, perinatal mental health, child trauma, play therapy, Hip-Hop therapy, advanced EMDR interventions, brainspotting, use of healing crystals, sound and energy healing, and Reiki.

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.