Guest Contributor: Sade Beaulieu
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), MHS, CRC, NCC &
Founder of Overcome Counseling
What does Black Mental Wellness mean to you?
Black Mental Wellness means having good mental health that consists of maintaining strong social connections, living a fulfilling life, and creating safe spaces where Black people feel seen, heard, and valued. Black mental wellness is breaking the mental health system due to barriers such as stigma and distrust of the health care system among the Black community. Increasing the diversity within the field would reduce the barrier to the Black community seeking treatment and foster a sense of appreciation, compassion, and cultural competence for the unique challenges that Black people face when struggling with mental illness.
Tell us about your educational and/or professional training, and current area of expertise related to mental health and wellness?
Sade obtained her Master of Rehabilitation Counseling degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC) and a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation & Disability Studies from Southern University A & M College. She has over 11 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults within the mental health field. She has conducted individual and group therapy with individuals who may struggle with depression, anxiety, suicidal idealization, trauma, grief, and substance abuse. She utilizes an integrated approach by providing individualized treatment tailored to each client's needs. Sade has provided services at for-profit, non-profit, and state vocational rehabilitation agencies working with individuals with disabilities, underserved minorities, and communities who struggled financially and were unable to reach or receive services available to them.
How can we encourage more people to seek mental health treatment?
We can encourage people to seek mental health treatment by openly discussing mental health issues, educating them through learning about mental health issues and offering unconditional support, which can help reduce stigma and make it easier for people to seek treatment.
What are your recommendations for ending stigma in the Black community?
Ending mental health disparities in the Black community can start by improving healthcare access to people of color, addressing racial trauma, sharing our own stories of seeking mental health treatment, supporting each other when one discloses seeking mental health treatment, and advocating in our communities for mental health policies to be placed in schools and the workforce.
What can potential clients expect during an initial session? Follow up sessions?
Clients will be invited to share their reasons for coming to therapy, some pertinent historical experiences, and provide honest information to help me as your counselor to assess your situation. At a minimum, you can expect to learn self-awareness, coping skills, and boundaries. After the session, you will receive homework (i.e., worksheets). This homework is to aid you in achieving your goals. During your next session, you may share your progress, review your homework (i.e., worksheet), and address any areas where you may have become overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or stuck.
What are your top 5 favorite wellness and self-care strategies?
1. Prayer and Mindfulness meditation
2. Exercise
3. Setting boundaries
4. Seeking support
5. Rest
Guest Contributor
Sade Beaulieu is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, and the founder of Overcome Counseling. She is also a proud member of the American Counseling Association, Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and Louisiana Counseling Association. Sade is passionate about offering the resources that best suit her client’s expressed needs. She is a firm believer that it is the therapeutic relationship between the client and counselor that drives the clients to be successful in reaching their goals. She also believes that everyone has the potential to overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives. Through her practice, whether clients are facing life transitions, relationship issues, or simply seeking personal development, she is here to help clients navigate those challenges and support each client on their path to wellness.
Overcome counseling: https://www.overcomecounseling.com
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