Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Camille Belle.
Hi Dr. Belle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a licensed psychologist, and I feel as though I have been on the path to being where I am today for almost half of my life. I first realized that being a therapist in a private practice was my ideal future in high school, and I have been taking steps to solidify my career ever since. I first dreamed of the idea of holding space for those who felt invisible or misunderstood after witnessing several of my peers struggle to navigate the complexities of being a teenager and trying to discover and define their identities for themselves. I naturally became someone that others confided in, even if at the time, it did not feel as though I could do much more than listen and validate. From there, I knew that I wanted to be someone who was equipped with both the emotional capacity and the education to walk with others as they figure themselves out. After taking an elective course about psychology in high school, I realized that there was a way to achieve this goal. I went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology, a Master’s degree in educational psychology, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology with an additional certification in Africana Studies. Over the years, I was able to clarify my vision for who I wanted to be and who I wanted to work with. As time passes, I am realizing that the more I understand myself, the more I am able to understand my ideal clients.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been smooth or direct in the sense that I have never wavered from this goal; however, the path to arrive here had many difficulties I could not have predicted. I initially approached all of my degree-seeking as just something that had to be done to reach my personal goals. I was not fully aware of the challenges that I would face navigating academic spaces as a Black woman until I got there. It seemed as though each higher level of academia brought additional stresses, and not just in the classroom. Much like society, there were many hardships brought on by systemic inequities that ranged from intentional to accidental and large to small in various ways. These challenges caused me to have to face various forms of self-doubt, which I began to understand were often internalized expectations or limitations from systems and society. I learned that a lot of times, you have to believe in yourself a little bit more than everyone else believes in you and be so determined that no one can dissuade you from your dreams. It is always beneficial to be aware of sources of support – as well as sources of shame. Knowing who you can’t talk to is just as important as knowing who you can.
Another curveball for me was the pandemic hitting right as my PhD journey was coming to a close. It was as if the future I had imagined for myself became uncertain right before my eyes, and I had no choice but to adapt. I am sure we all remember the fear and unrest both socially, politically, and as it pertained to our health during those times. One positive outcome as we begin to shift back towards “normal” is the increased accessibility of virtual therapy. While I had experience working in telehealth during my graduate programs, prior to the pandemic it was much less common. I love that these days, anyone can seek and receive therapy “face to face” without as many barriers to time, location, and other resources.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a counseling psychologist and I provide individual therapy virtually in a private practice setting. I specialize in the experiences and challenges that are unique to Black women who are often considered by themselves and others as “high achieving” and/or “high functioning”. I am drawn to this population as their (our!) struggles are often overlooked. She might be considered the strong friend, or the Superwoman, the oldest daughter, or the one who has it all figured out. These assumptions can make it difficult to ask for help or to feel seen or heard. I work within the space of acknowledging the impact that systems such as society, our families, our churches, and other institutions might have on our perceptions of ourselves and our power. While some people might come in with more specific labels such as anxiety or depression, others might come in with simply the feeling of being overwhelmed and at their limit. Together, we work to understand what factors contributed to being in this particular moment – as I believe symptoms are often just responses to outside circumstances that felt unreasonable or unmanageable – and deciding what a more desired path for the future is. Therefore, a lot of my work entails navigating life transitions, identity exploration, religious deconstruction, and decolonizing the therapeutic process. Over time, I have found that these concepts, along with others, often underlie challenges that “high achieving” Black women experience.
My values set me apart from the stereotypical image of psychologists that many Black women and marginalized individuals might experience as a barrier to seeking therapy. I have found that a lack of acknowledgment of the systems we all are a part of and their impact on emotional and physical health can lead to clients feeling as though they are to blame for their own distress. I remain committed to looking at the whole picture – or an awareness of systemic factors that create challenges for marginalized individuals – rather than approaching concerns in a vacuum. I am most proud of myself for becoming the person that my friends and I needed when we were teenagers because this means that I get to show up and see a similar process in my clients day after day. I love to celebrate my client’s self-determined growth with them and hold space for them to continue solidifying their most aligned and empowered version of themselves.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
My favorite thing about Atlanta is how vibrant and diverse it is for its size. I appreciate the city for being smaller than some of the cities in Texas that I grew up near, which makes it easier to traverse. However, there is still so much to see, do, and experience within reasonable driving distance. My top two ways to unwind are trying new foods and seeing live music, and there is always somewhere I can do that any day of the week. My least favorite thing – and I am sure others agree – is the traffic! It has been a couple of years, and I am still trying to figure out how early I need to leave on any given day to get where I want to be on time. I still miscalculate often. Atlanta traffic definitely gives us all a reason to practice mindfulness and coping strategies in order to remain balanced.
Pricing:
- $200-$250
Contact Info:
- Website: DrCamilleBelle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savedbythe_drbelle/
- Other: https://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com/listing/dr-camille-belle/
Image Credits
Todd Barron
