Get to Know Amber

I believe that mental health service is beneficial to everyone, however, this is only true when it is tailored to fit your specific needs and unique identity.  Because of that, culture and identity are fundamental to my clinical approach.  “One size does not fit all,” therefore the understanding of cultural identity (a combination of age, disability status, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, gender, etc.) and the meaning associated with your identity is where I begin work with any of my clients.

What made you want to become a mental health professional?  

Growing up, I was very aware of how race impacted my life and the lives of others.  I was raised to be very proud of being Black, but I still noticed the ways that being Black seemed to make life more difficult.  I became really curious about wanting to know why things felt different for Black people and what I could do to help. Once I went to college, I know that becoming a psychologist is what would give me the knowledge and tools I needed to enhance my community.  In becoming a psychologist, I’ve learned everything I needed to know and more. It has served me well so far, and I’m excited about how I will be able to assist my community even further in the future.

What do you wish more people understood about mental health?

Mental health is something that everyone has and everyone should prioritize.  Our mental health is very much connected to every other aspect of life, so when its not taken care of, we don’t do well.  We should not be ashamed to talk about or address our mental health. It should be treated just as you would treat any physical ailments or conditions.  That is exactly how important it is.

What do you do to take care of your own mental health?-

I know myself very well and I know that there are certain things I need to do in order to maintain my mental health.  Self-care is extremely important to me, so I make sure to keep that in the forefront of my mind at all times. My self-care typically looks like working out 3-4x per week, waking up early so that I don’t have to rush, drinking lots of water everyday (80-100oz), spending time with my fiancé and dog, and also knowing when I need to just be alone (because I’m very introverted).  

Share a tip for better mental health

Eating well, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and getting physical exercise are extremely important for maintaining mental health.  

What are some specific ways in which you contribute to greater mental health in your community?

One goal that I have is to really make addressing mental health normal, “cool” and accessible to everyone.  One very simple way that I do this is to share information and have great discussions about mental health via social media and my website.  I’m often talking about unique experiences of people of color or other marginalized groups and how these experiences impact or influence mental health.  I am also planning the initial stages of my new podcast, which will focus on mental health, psychology, Black culture, and minority mental health.

Describe your unique approach to treatment or any specializations that you might have.

I believe that mental health service is beneficial to everyone, however this is only true when it is tailored to fit your specific needs and unique identity.  Because of that, culture and identity are fundamental to my clinical approach. “One size does not fit all,” therefore the understanding of cultural identity (a combination of age, disability status, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, gender, etc.) and the meaning associated with your identity is where I begin work with any of my clients.