Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Redmond.
Hi Destiny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was a socially awkward black girl. I wasn’t scared to speak but I was rather introverted I just didn’t know what that meant, I just knew I was different and I couldn’t understand why. Instead of the typical loud black girl, with silence, people would constantly ask me to speak or questioned why I was so quiet which I didn’t know the answer of course. The constant questioning and spotlight on my silence caused a lot of anxiety and when I did speak I would fumble my words and things felt even more awkward. In public, I felt like I was a mess but at home, I felt relaxed in my personal space. However, even in my safe space I still felt restricted because I was dealing with unresolved trauma from past experiences. Because mental illness or mental health was rarely discussed in my family and labeled in the black community as a sign of weakness, I just remained silent about it. As I got older, writing, drawing, and crafting became my outlet and how I expressed myself when I couldn’t find the words.
However, I did have nights where I cried or felt alone. I constantly struggled to find my place in life while attempting to meet the expectations of what I thought people wanted me to be. I remember the exact moment my life shifted, I was in a toxic relationship and I was at a job I hated. I was super depressed and over this constant cycle of feeling like this was what my life was supposed to be, then a light bulb went off and my inner voice told me, “this is not your final destination.” I knew then that my purpose was bigger than myself and I became much more vocal about it. I knew by then being introverted was normal and suffering from trauma, anxiety, depression or any other mental health problem was just as common as physical illness. I knew I could help people find their inner voice like I found mine. I could help them heal their pain while advocating to decrease stigma through educating others and changing the narrative. When I decided to go back to school in 2011 I was just completing my associate’s in psychology. I finished in 2014. I went on to Georgia State to complete my bachelor’s and later in 2019 my Master’s in clinical mental health counseling.
Three years later, I am an associate professional counselor and an intake clinician at a psychiatric facility. I even started a social media-based platform where I blog, share and post information in hopes to change the narrative surrounding mental illness among marginalized communities. Eleven years ago, I took a leap of faith to go after my dreams and I am now living in my purpose. While the journey was never easy, it is doable in my opinion with patience, vulnerability, and the courage to continue despite failures. My testimony is my greatest asset and while I’m still that socially awkward black girl, instead of hiding her I embrace her because she is what made me who I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! The journey is never easy, Throughout my journey, I’ve had personal struggles, failed classes, been in toxic relationships, depressed, burned out, and fearful, yet I never stopped going. Getting therapy myself was also an important part of my journey and healing! I wouldn’t be where I am today without it and I still go because mental health is everything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently have two jobs! I am an intake clinician at a local psychiatric facility here in Georgia and a therapist at a local black-owned private practice. As an intake clinician, my job is to process incoming patients and walk-ins. It’s kinda similar to being triaged in the ER except in psychiatry I conduct an assessment to determine your level of care for inpatient or outpatient services. This also includes making preliminary diagnoses for treatment. As a therapist in private practice, I specialize in trauma therapy, women’s issues, and mood disorders. However, I also treat a wide range of issues and such as systemic issues, racial trauma, men’s issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse, grief, anxiety, spiritual struggles, and more!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory has to be renting movies and getting together as a family in the living room to watch. I remember back then if you ordered a movie from the tv you had to call and request it. LOL
Contact Info:
- Email: therapywithdestiny@therapysecure.com
- Website: www.myfearlessdestiny.com
- Instagram: @myfearlessdestiny
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/fearlessdestiny06
- Twitter: @therapywdestiny
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/453005
