Today we’d like to introduce you to Josee’ Muldrew.
Josee’, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I always say my story with mental health began long before I became a Licensed Professional Counselor. When I was young, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and witnessing her fight taught me so much about grief, pain, resilience, self-care, and self-love. My mom passed away when I was 10 years old, and this would lead to a cycle of obstacles, transitions, and maturation that would ultimately shape me into the mental health advocate I am today. I graduated from Spelman College in 2017 with my B.A. in Psychology, and I would go on to pursue an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine. During school and training, my passion for working with people of color was cemented and I have since dedicated my work in the field to serving disenfranchised and underrepresented groups. In 2021, I launched The Looking Glass JM as an online community to make mental health resources more accessible and foster a sense of community during a time when we needed it most. The platform was created in honor of my mother’s legacy, who was always reminding me to look beyond the surface. Since 2021, The Looking Glass has continued to expand and has become a collective through which I offer consultation services, do private practice, facilitate workshops, host community wellness events, and do speaking engagements. I am so excited for what the future has in store for The Looking Glass as we continue to push towards the mission of fostering wellness equity for BIPOC Communities.
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?
The road has been full of twists and turns, but I have been grateful for the varied lessons that accompany each detour. I think one of the biggest struggles was actually overcoming self-doubt and being willing to step into entrepreneurship. Originally, I had never considered myself to be an entrepreneur, so when I felt that The Looking Glass and my skills were being called to stretch and expand, I had to directly confront my impostor syndrome and step into purpose. Other challenges stemmed from figuring out how to shift from a primarily online presence to offering in-person resources and trying to identify funding sources to support my ideas and initiatives. The Looking Glass is a passion project that I am continuing to build and learn as I go, which inherently comes with a lot of mistakes and missteps, but each challenge has redirected me to the proper path and given me knowledge and skills that I can carry forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Looking Glass JM, LLC serves Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) by facilitating access to culturally informed content, offering individual counseling services through a private practice, providing training and products that promote trauma-informed care, and organizing community wellness events. Throughout history, BIPOC individuals have encountered numerous barriers and cultural stigmas that hinder their ability to seek treatment. The Looking Glass (TLG) was founded with the aim of meeting individuals wherever they are in their healing journey. I am most proud of our inaugural TLG wellness event hosted last year in Atlanta, GA, which attracted 40 attendees. The event featured a diverse array of offerings, including a mental health panel comprised of licensed professionals, a rejuvenating sound bath healing session, wellness vendors, and on-site consultations with therapists for those seeking immediate connections to services. Notably, six women left the event having connected with counseling services, while many others shared how the experience propelled them forward in their healing journeys. Additionally, numerous attendees expressed intentions to spread the word about future events, highlighting the impact of our efforts in fostering a community of support and empowerment.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
People can support The Looking Glass by following our social media platforms, keeping up with our various events and initiatives, and spreading the word. Many of my referrals come by word of mouth, and the way we continue to expand our reach is by raising awareness and building our community. I’m always interested in partnering with like-minded organizations as well, so please visit my website and fill out the contact form so we can get connected.
Instagram: @thelookingglass,jm
Website: www.thelookingglassjm.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelookingglassjm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelookingglass.jm/
Image Credits
Ryen Trenae
Bosa La Nova
