Today we’d like to introduce you to Asha Clark

Hi Asha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I would say my childhood ignited my passion for this field. I believe that the elective psychology course I took in college served to remind me of the work that was still needed within my community. It reminded me of the power of our voices and how our voices can catapult healing. It reminded me of the power of our mental health and it’s vital role in also improving our physical health. I am grateful that I chose to follow my passion because, in doing so, I’ve been able to assist other’s in following theirs.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Community care is what helped me along my healing journey. Oftentimes we hear of the concept of self-care but not often the concept of community care. Community care is a practice used primarily in the East where the focus is on individuals in the community helping one another. Community care can look like someone cooking for you, you paying someone to clean your home, spending time at someone else’s house to get a change of scenery, or having someone convince you to finally schedule that doctor’s appointment you’ve put off for a while. This is how my community has shown up for me and how I continue to show up for them.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

Certainly. I am a licensed mental health therapist. I am licensed in Illinois, Wyoming, and Idaho. I specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, racial trauma, life transitions, anxiety, and depression. I am certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and LGBTQ-Affirmative CBT. I am also trained in Perinatal Mental Health and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?

My community continues to motivate me to remain in the mental health field. Decreasing the mental health disparities the African American and Indigenous communities face continues to serve as one of my areas of focus. I am continuously educating myself and others on the historical trauma experienced within these communities. In doing so, I continue to collaborate with other mental health professionals throughout the nation in increasing access to quality mental health care provided by members within these communities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashaa_clark/

Image Credits

 Kevin Hansome and Daniel Carter