Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Brittany Harper.
Hi Dr. Harper, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of valuable experience in the mental health field. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University in 2003. Following my graduation from Hampton University, I studied Clinical & Community Psychology, earning a Master’s degree from Norfolk State University. I have a passion for helping individuals and organizations prioritize mental wellness. As such, I decided to pursue a doctoral degree, subsequently earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding University in Santa Barbara, California. I received my doctoral residency training from the U. S. Department of Justice- Federal Bureau of Prisons- Tallahassee, FL and Post-doctoral Fellowship training at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs- Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS).
My career in the mental health field and my role as owner of Dr. B Cares, LLC make me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself. Throughout the course of my training and career, I saw and continue to see that LGBTQ providers of color, like myself, often represent an invisible demographic in healthcare.
One of the reasons I started Dr. B Cares, LLC was to help queer people of color (QPOC) connect to care. I found that many people in the community had limited access to culturally sensitive, quality mental health services and found themselves lost to care, likely due to the heteronormative, racially skewed ideals traditionally associated with mental health. I hope my most important contribution to the community is to provide a safe space for QPOC to learn about, explore and prioritize mental health and wellness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a triple minority (African American, queer, woman), I have been adversely affected by cumulative discrimination and social exclusion, including racism from LGBTQ members and homophobia and sexism from family members and “friends.” I have been exposed to experiences of stigmatization, discrimination, and fear of rejection. During my doctoral training and in the workplace, I have repeatedly experienced racial and gender microaggressions, including people unjustly questioning the basis of my intellect and skill-set. I am a proponent of resilience and post-traumatic growth. However, the internal and external stressors associated with intersectional struggles have undoubtedly taken a toll on my well-being.
While learning to radically accept myself, I built a prosocial support system that provides me with an outlet where I can discuss my frustrations and brainstorm possible solutions. Most importantly, I continue to build resilience and acceptance through regular engagement in self-care. I am a strong believer that everyone can benefit from therapy—even a therapist. Therapy is truly a life-changing experience!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dr. B + Cares?
Dr. B Cares, LLC, founded in 2018, is an empowerment-based mental health consulting agency that helps individuals and organizations prioritize mental wellness. Our services include individual coaching, organizational consultation, mental wellness workshops and an LGBTQ virtual support group. We also provide a free consultation service, where we refer/connect QPOC with LGBTQ-POC-affirming, licensed providers (across the U.S.). Many who seek the consultation service are often unsure of their wellness needs, maybe experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and prefer individual counseling/psychotherapy services.
Additionally, my partner and I have teamed up and added statement wear to our website. We’ve added shirts/hoodies that encourage QPOC mental wellness and mental health advocacy. Check out our Black Queer Mental Health Matters t-shirt; it is our best seller!
During June 2021, we will launch our first line of mental health greeting cards. Our CARE Cards serve to fight the stigma associated with mental health, promote awareness and provide support to a friend or loved one who may be going through a difficult time or struggling with their mental health.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Many people experienced strong emotions during the pandemic, which is normal but may have found that their reactions grow worse over time. We collectively learned, mental health is a salient part of our overall well-being and has a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. Thus, we have been forced to take a hard look at our priorities. For a number of people, that means re-evaluating priorities and focusing not only on physical health but mental health as well. The mental health industry saw a significant increase in patients using teletherapy/virtual services. These individuals took steps to reduce the impact on your mental health by acknowledging their feelings in the hope of diminishing the overall impact on your mental health. I have noticed that people seem to be more open to discussing mental health and seeking therapy. Additionally, they are talking to their friends and families more about anxiety, isolation and depression, during this unprecedented time. This way of fighting the mental health stigma during the pandemic has been an important way to support one’s own mental health and give a voice to those who may be suffering in silence.
Contact Info:
- Email: drbcares2@gmail.com
- Website: www.drbcares.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drb_cares_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbcares.org/
