We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christi Culpepper. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christi below.

Alright, Christi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents taught me the value of connection/community as well as the importance of being true to myself. My mom and dad showed up for the people in their circle and their circle showed up for them as well. They taught me that it was a blessing to be able to show up for others. I can recall plenty of stories, but one that sticks out in my mind was at the end of my freshman year of college. One of my classmates, who had become a friend, needed a ride home for the summer and her family was not able to pick her up. My father, who had traveled the 2 1/2 hours from our home to pick me up, offered to drive her home,. Her home was in a different state and in the opposite direction of our home. It worked out that she was able to find another ride, but I remember my dad’s words, “when you have the opportunity and the means, you show up for others.” That has always stuck with me. My mom was an educator of 35+ years and also the president of a nonprofit organization, so she often showed up for everyone around her.

My parents also taught me to be true to myself, no matter what. They encouraged me to use my voice and to advocate for myself and for those who could not advocate for themselves. They often nudged me to identify healthy friendships and relationships and to be a leader and not a follower.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist currently providing therapeutic services in the Baltimore, Maryland area. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families to identify mental health concerns and to help patients and their families learn strategies that will help them be happy, healthy, and whole.

I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Tuskegee University, my Master of Science degree in Applied Psychology from the University of South Alabama, and my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). I also completed a one-year doctoral internship at the University of Florida/Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, and a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

I am a person of faith who wholeheartedly believes Luke 12:48: “to whom much is given, much is required.” As a result, I created Heart and Soul Mental Health, LLC to provide mental health information and increase awareness about the benefits of therapy, self-care, and self-empowerment, specifically in communities of color. I provide presentations and workshops to mental health providers, other healthcare providers, and community members. My topics include self-care for providers and caregivers, mental health concerns and treatment, being your authentic self, and leaning into your M.A.G.I.C.!

I am most proud of the awareness that I am bringing about mental health information to those around me. I am passionate about helping others understand that we do not have to just survive, we can thrive when we acknowledge and work to improve our mindset, our mental health, and our overall wellness.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn was that I could rest later. I have been seeing people my entire life put off rest and self-care because they either didn’t realize how important it was or because they put the welfare of others before their own. I also believe that our society is setup to move quickly and alot of times that quick pace prevents us from really checking in with ourselves and identifying when we need to rest of care for ourselves. Although I have seen this with family and friends, I also notice it in the workforce and in the media as well. This idea that we can keep pushing and going without taking time to rest and recover, I believe, has led to a decrease in our overall wellness.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I absolutely would! I believe that my profession is not just my work but it is a part of my calling, so I could not imagine not using my gifts for the work that I am currently doing and the work that I will be doing in the future. Not only do I enjoy what I do, I am good at it and it is fulfilling to know that I am helping others live the life that they want to live!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heartnsoulmh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartnsoulmh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartnsoulmh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiculpepperwalkerphd/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@heartandsoulmentalhealth?si=nYUp11NMlXW–Y6l

Image Credits

Hunter Scott Imagery