Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Marcus.
Hi Dominique, 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?
Being in a community and advocating for others has always been a passion of mine. After being introduced to the field of social work, I felt I found a way to turn my values into a career. When I choose to enter into the field of social work, I was discouraged by loved ones and academic advisors due to the misconception that there is little earning potential in the field. Unlearning these misconceptions has led to advancement in my career through my own research and networking. Throughout my academic career, I did not have any encounters with social work entrepreneurs, more specifically black ones. As I grow professionally, I constantly try to push past the barriers society has created for my field and also for people who look like me. Every day I choose to authentically show up as myself because I bring expertise that can not be found in a textbook. Being authentic is a reminder to myself that I am enough and it helps to validate the experience of upcoming professionals who look, talk, and act like me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning a private practice and being an entrepreneur in the mental health field is often frowned upon. Mental health providers, more specifically social workers are expected to work in agencies and there is a negative stereotype that we take children away from their families. My first obstacle was not fully understanding what my MSW degree could do for me and how far it could take me. Learning that I did not have to work in an agency in order to meet the needs of my target population was a big eye-opener. This allowed me to be creative with the ways in which I served my community and take control of my destiny. My second obstacle was gaining access to information in order to legitimize and grow my business. There is a lot of gatekeeping within social work, which is unfortunate for individuals who don’t want to be confined to an agency. Finally, getting out of my own way has been the biggest obstacle of all. Understanding that my potential is limitless and there are so many ways I can cater to the BIPOC community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Contemporary Healing Spaces?
I am the owner and lead therapist of Contemporary Healing Spaces. Contemporary Healing Spaces currently provides individual therapy sessions, consultation, clinical supervision, and in the coming months, we will be adding more clinicians and will provide group therapy sessions. We specialize in supporting the BIPOC community who experience anxiety, depression, life transitions, imposter syndrome and superwoman syndrome. Contemporary Healing Spaces does not believe in ‘one size fits all’ therapy. We look at the unique presentation of our clients, focus on psycho-education, and provide tangible skills that can be utilized every day. Entering into the field of social work, I recognized there was a need for quality and culturally competent mental health providers. Working in various provider services agencies, my BIPOC clients would complain how hard it was to find a mental health provider they could connect with culturally, be able to identify the uniqueness of their presentation and some who would actually listen to them. I started Contemporary Healing Spaces to educate and validate the unique ways depression and anxiety present in BIPOC and follow a client-centered model.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is knowing every day I have the right to choose. I choose how I show up for myself, my family, my friends, my clients and the overall world. There is so many things going on in the world that are out of our control that can directly and indirectly impact our emotions. Happiness is waking up and choosing to love on myself regardless of what happened the previous day. Understanding that I can take action to choose happiness instead of letting society tell me how I should feel.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.contemporaryhealingspaces.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemporaryhealingspaces/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dominique-marcus-ellenwood-ga/956012
