Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Richard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Even while pursuing my master’s degree, I knew that I wanted to work specifically with the Haitian American community because I recognized the barriers to receiving adequate mental health care. One of the major challenges is that Haitian Americans are often grouped with African Americans in mental health services, and while there are shared experiences, the cultural nuances unique to Haitians aren’t always acknowledged. These differences need to be honored for therapy to truly resonate.

The desire to establish my own practice was solidified during the COVID-19 lockdown. That time of reflection gave me the space to think deeply about the kinds of services I wanted to offer to my community. It became clear that there was a significant gap in culturally competent mental health care, and I wanted to fill that void.

Starting out, I faced many challenges. I didn’t have a blueprint or anyone in my immediate circle who was doing exactly what I wanted to do, so I had to learn by immersing myself in the field and gaining experience. I also realized that I needed to get a better understanding of the specific challenges Haitian Americans face in accessing mental health services. To do that, I went into the community, visiting churches and community groups, asking questions, and trying to understand the needs. While I was met with warmth and openness, I often struggled with a lack of follow-up, which was a reflection of the lack of trust and understanding of mental health in general. These experiences taught me the importance of psychoeducation, and that led me to create several different curriculums focused on topics like anxiety, depression, family dynamics, and self-esteem—things I saw the community needed help with.

If I could go back, I’m not sure I would do anything differently. Every challenge was part of my growth, and every lesson I’ve learned along the way has shaped the therapist I am today. For any young professional looking to start their own practice, I would say this: spend time in the community you want to serve, especially if you are part of that community. Sometimes, being part of a community gives us the false sense that we understand all of its needs, but communities are dynamic, and people are constantly evolving. It’s not enough to just be a member of the community—you need to integrate, listen, and build relationships. Only then can you serve in a way that truly meets the needs of those you want to help.

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.

For those who don’t know me, I’m a Haitian-American gyal who deeply loves God, love people, love to travel, and love adventure. And as much as I love exploring new places and making new memories, I also find so much joy in quiet moments at home with a good book. My heart for serving others is a big part of why I entered the mental health field. Even as a young girl, I was always curious about what drives people, how they think, and how they navigate life.

Interestingly enough, my love for mental health began while watching Criminal Minds (yes, I love that show and other crime scene investigation shows, lol!). Because of that show, I originally had my sights set on becoming a forensic psychiatrist. However, along that journey, I took a course in family and child sciences, in my undergraduate studies and it completely changed my direction. I fell in love with the concepts I was learning, which led me to pursue a degree in marriage and family therapy.

Over the past few years, I’ve dedicated myself to helping people with their relationships, marriages, and family dynamics. I especially enjoy working with what we call the “transition-aged youths”—young people between the ages of 16 and 25. It’s such a critical time in life, and I love being able to support them as they navigate it.

One of my biggest projects right now is helping adult children who are struggling with “parental wounds.” These wounds often come from differences between parenting styles and children’s personalities, and it’s something I’ve noticed has a real need for attention. I have developed a group to specifically address this because I’ve seen firsthand how important this healing work is.

While I love the work I do with individual clients, one challenge I’m facing is visibility within the community. I tend to be a bit more low-key and to myself, but my clients inspire me every day with their resilience and willingness to challenge themselves. Their feedback has taught me that what I’m doing matters—it makes a real, visible, and measurable impact on their lives.

This passion has driven me to not only continue serving individuals but to also create action-oriented steps so that people don’t just come to therapy to learn but can walk away with real, tangible change. I’m proud to offer individual therapy, workshops, group sessions, etc. and I strive to provide top-notch services in every setting.

Whether it’s a workshop at a local Haitian church or working with a company, I want people to know that when they work with me, they’re getting someone who is fully dedicated to their healing journey.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe that beyond training and knowledge, having a genuine heart for people is essential to succeed in this field. By that, I don’t just mean being empathetic — I mean truly being willing to meet people where they are, in their most joyful and, at times, most heartbreaking, earth shatering moments. As a therapist, I’ve had the awesome privilege of seeing people navigate all sorts of struggles, and sometimes I can see their potential even when they don’t quite see it in themselves yet.

One of the hardest yet most rewarding parts of this work is finding the balance between challenging someone to grow and understanding the very real barriers they may face — whether those barriers come from their personal circumstances, their community, or general life systems. It’s about recognizing when to offer support and when to step back, without pushing them past their limits before they’re ready.

At its core, this work goes beyond textbooks and what industry experts teach. It’s about being fully present with people in their pain, in their hope, and in their journey — all while navigating your own emotions alongside them. Sometimes I just have the honor to sit with people amidst the rubbles. I think this ability to connect deeply, while offering the support they need in the moment, is just as important as any formal education when it comes to truly succeeding in this field.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I really believe that life itself is a story of resilience. We all face challenges, no matter our background, race, or social status. Being in this field has allowed me to come face-to-face with people from all walks of life. I’ve had the opportunity to work with everyone from lawyers , law makers and psychologists, to individuals facing displacement, to children too young to fully understand what’s happening around them. My own life story, especially during my journey from undergrad to earning my master’s degree, has been a testament to resilience.

In the summer between my undergraduate and graduate studies, I experienced several personal losses, including the passing of loved ones in quick succession, and faced the possibility of losing a parent who was critically ill. We weren’t sure if they would live long enough to see me graduate with my master’s degree (thank God they are alive and well!). And during the 2.5 years it took to complete that degree, I endured even more losses, both personally and alongside friends in my program who were also dealing with life.

These experiences have shaped me, not just as a therapist, but as a person. My cultural background has always given me a compassionate lens through which to view the world, but these real-life challenges, along with my own mental health struggles, have deepened my understanding of resilience. I’ve realized that resilience isn’t just about “staying strong” or enduring hardships. To me, resilience is about allowing yourself to fall apart when needed, even when you don’t know if you will find a way to put yourself back together again— even when you’re not sure you have the resources or support to do so. It takes immense courage to be that vulnerable, yet as a therapist, I see people do it time and time again.

My journey has given me the strength to do it over and over again, and that experience is truly at the heart of why I do what I do today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecorrectionplatform.com
• Instagram: @thecorrection.platform, @stephy_richard

Image Credits

Emma Burcusel. Instagram @emmaburcuselphotographer
Louis Habicher. Instagram @youshootlargeformat