In 2021 The Psychiatric Times reported that Black women face significant disparities in mental health care. Not only do women experience depression and are diagnosed at rates twice that of men, but also studies have shown that the Black community is less likely to obtain mental health care from a professional due to low access to care and stigmas that are not yet ended.
During Women’s History Month, it’s so important to us at Soigne’ + Swank Magazine to highlight Black Women who are leading the way to advocate for mental health awareness, and care, as well as ending stigmas.
Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis, Ph.D., is an award-winning Canadian speaker and authority on trauma recovery, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Joan has specialized in promoting the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities for over a decade through her groundbreaking trauma recovery strategy, The Forgiveness Method.
Her career as an individual, couples, and family psychotherapist has helped countless people heal from their past, transform their mental health, overcome challenges, and reclaim their lives.
In 2016, she founded Becoming Canada Inc., and in 2020 she founded the Village of Peace not-for-profit organization. Dr. Joan is the author of 490: Forgive and Live fearlessly, Forgive: Master The Art of Letting Go, and Becoming the Journey to Love, and the mind behind the revolutionary new therapeutic modality and certification “The Forgiveness Method” launching in 2023.
Dr. Joan is a Jamaican-Canadian Toronto native who lives in the beautiful community of Kamloops, B.C., alongside her loving husband and family.
Connect online: https://drjoan.ca/
Pia Johnson is the owner and founder of Transformation Counseling Services as well as a Licensed Master Social Worker with a concentration in clinical social work. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from SUNY Empire State College and an MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work.
Pia brings many years of public service and nonprofit experience from a variety of clinical settings. She has worked with individuals diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, LGBTQ populations, depression, anxiety couples, and individuals with chronic medical illness for 20 years. She works from a blended theory approach with emphasis on a strength-based and client-focused perspective to provide support and foster healthy therapeutic relationships.
Her goal is to empower clients to improve their overall well-being and seek healthier balance in their lives.
Connect online: https://transformcounselingservices.com/
LMHC, RCYT
Jessica McJunkin-Flatts is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. She works with a mindful-based perspective within various theoretical approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Mindful Focused Therapy, Strength Based, and Compassion Focused Therapy. Jessica’s therapeutic style speaks to the needs of her clients because her focus is objectively being honest and open to ensure transparency on all levels.
Jessica has experience working within the LGBTQ+ community, in clinical settings, preventive programs, and mental health programs. She has an MS in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University.
Throughout her career, she has worked with youth and adults living with Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Interpersonal/Peer relationship issues, Life Transitions, and other severe & persistent mental illnesses. By combining her clinical and yoga/mindfulness knowledge to support individuals on their journey towards wellness, she ensures her clients have practices that are useful in their day-to-day lives.
Helping her clients find space within themselves to navigate their happiness, sadness, triumphs, and pain will always be the center of her work….….one breath at a time.
Connect online: https://transformcounselingservices.com/staff/jessica-mcjunkin-flatts-lmhc-ryt/
LMSW, CASAC-M
Deja Murrain is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Master Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC- M) based in the New York City Metro Area. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from the City College of New York and an MSW from the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Work.
Deja is intentional about uplifting marginalized voices by providing a safe space for growth, development, and healing as an ally for effective coping skills and strategies. She believes that introducing a culturally affirming approach will help empower clients to walk into their best self with courage, compassion, awareness, and a renewed sense of resiliency. Her areas of expertise are anxiety, depression, grief and loss, body positivity, addiction, adjustment issues, anger management, domestic violence, life transitions, relationships, racial issues, women’s issues, perinatal support, and premarital counseling.
In her practice, Deja utilizes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative framework, and a holistic and humanistic approach during sessions. As well as being committed to helping her clients reclaim their joy and find their peace with a greater sense of self one step at a time, she also is passionate about her deep belief in guiding and supporting her client’s individual needs through collaboration to ensure a custom-made path in the therapeutic environment.
Connect online: https://transformcounselingservices.com/staff/deja-murrain-lmsw-casac-m/
D’Andrea is a prolific writer that enjoys writing non-fiction books to a multi-faceted audience. She is a gifted communicator and sought-after speaker for mental health, corporate, and faith-based events. D’Andrea has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology; chemistry, a master’s degree in counseling, and a master’s degree in medical sciences.
For over a decade, D’Andrea has been involved extensively with non-profit community-based work to assist low-income families, and the homeless population, and to provide mental health solutions.
She is the founder and director of Faith + Mental Health. Through this organization, she hosts the Faith + Mental Health podcast and The Merge: Faith + Mental Health summit. She is very passionate about the intersection of faith and mental health, understanding that scientific evidence supports the benefits of an integrative multidimensional holistic approach. Ultimately, D’Andrea desires to see the faith-based community free of stigma and knowledgeable on how to address mental health.
As an author, she has published several books including Mental Reset: 15 Day Devotional + Journal. D’Andrea resides in Michigan with her loving husband John and their two children.
Connect online: https://www.dandreabolden.com/
If you or anyone that you know are in need of mental health services today contact the women above and also learn more here: https://mentalhealthhotline.org/
Dr. Trenice J. Brinkley is a distinguished educator, renowned publicist, and successful entrepreneur. She is celebrated for her unwavering work ethic, strong determination, and philanthropic spirit. As an award-winning celebrity publicist, Dr. Brinkley excels in helping brands create compelling narratives, develop innovative strategies, and achieve greater visibility.
