Mental Health Matters: Blog Series Highlighting Black Therapists

Tuesdae Lawrence is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with Registered Play Therapist certification, as well as a professional life coach and the CEO/Founder of Courage Counseling, LLC a private practice providing online mental health counseling (also known as “telemental health). Her license in both Tennessee and North Carolina allows her to connect with clients (individual: adults and adolescents, couples, and groups) and provide them a safe, secure, and empathic space for listening and working through life issues they find most difficult to work through on their own. She practices an evidence based approach to psychotherapy that includes (but is not limited to) cognitive behavioral therapy, child-centered play therapy, solution-focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Tuesdae loves reading, wasting time with God, family, and friends, and wasting time learning new ways to connect with her inner self and nature. Her hope is that you will waste a little time with her on Tuesdays for Courage Talk Tuesday w/Tuesdae at 9 am EST (8 am CST), located on FaceBook live at Courage Courage, LLC. 

1. What led you to pursue a career in the mental health field?

Tuesdae Lawrence: In 2012, I slowly began experiencing symptoms of depression and fatigue that eventually became so severe by late 2014, I could no longer control or manage the symptoms on my own. After convincing myself to set aside my pride and the stigma in my mind about mental health therapy means “I’m crazy” or “mentally weak”, I was able to take the necessary steps to help myself heal not only from symptoms I was experiencing due to my undiagnosed medical condition (Hypothyroidism), but also symptoms I was unknowingly carrying around for years from my childhood. With the help of my medical doctor, psychiatrist and therapist, I was able to gain knowledge and greater awareness of my physical and mental condition that was needed for me to walk more authentic and whole; so much so, when I retired after 26 years of military service, I decided to pursue a career in the mental health field to help others who find it difficult or challenging to move beyond life issues.

2. Why does mental health matter to you?

TL: Mental health matters to me, because I’ve learned through my own experiences that the mind is just as important as the body. One cannot be healthy and function properly without the other. I watched my mother struggle with her mental and physical health and the negative effects it had on our entire family, when she was unsuccessful controlling and/or managing her symptoms on her own.

3. What are some areas that you specialize in?

TL: I am certified as a Registered Play Therapist and TN Courts General-Civil Mediator. I specialized in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Couples Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. I treat clients for array of problems, such as anger management, anxiety, traumatic issues, marital/relationship issues, depression, grief/bereavement, ADHD/ADD, premarital and divorce issues, stress, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), cognitive and behavioral issues, conflict resolution, and self esteem/self worth.

4. In your experience, what are some of the benefits of counseling? What are some of the challenges?

TL: Wow, the benefits of therapy are endless and far outweigh the risks. Some of the benefits are: having a safe space to share without judgment, having someone to empathize with you, someone to cheer for you, and someone to support you while walking your pace and setting goals towards change. These goals of therapy can be however small or large that the client needs. Some challenges to therapy are: client and therapy not being the right/good fit, client unwillingness to be vulnerable and experience their emotions with a stranger, lack of commitment to the consistency of treatment, and regression, just to name a few.

5. What are some good things to know when looking for a therapist?

TL: When looking for a therapist, it is good for the client to know whether or not services provided support their needs and goals, the cost is affordable, and their insurance is accepted. However, aside from this, the relationship connection is most important. It takes several key elements to establish a connection, such as building rapport, trust, providing empathic listening, support, affirmation, and validation. If the client and therapist does not have this the work needed for change to happen cannot successfully take place.

6. Any recommendations on ways to protect your mental health during this difficult tme we are in?

TL: Given the state that the world is in due to COVID-19, I recommend protecting yourself by staying away from anything or anyone that drains you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Practice social connection while social distancing. Search the internet or google to find or create healthy coping skills to help control and/or manage mental health symptoms you’re experiencing and seek therapy if symptoms appear too difficult to manage on your own. These are just a few protective measures I recommend to help keep your light shining from the inside to the outside.

7. How can someone reach out to you about making an appointment for a session?

TL: Anyone interested in making an appointment please do so at www.couragecounselingllc.com or call (615) 823-8254. I’m licensed in the state of Tennessee and North Carolina.