Dr. Brittany Blackmon is the epitome of a multi-dimensional QWOC and that’s why she is our next “Femme Voices” feature. As a mental health professional and an entrepreneur, Dr. B is no stranger to the many roles we have to take on and the ways we have to be mindful of our own wellbeing in order to move through the world successfully. In her interview with us, she candidly and thoughtfully shares the importance of the work she does, why she decided to embark on this path as well as some great insight on how we can be our full, healthy selves.
Please introduce yourself. What is your name and where are you from? What are your pronouns/how do you identify?
My name is Brittany Blackmon. I was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Denver, Colorado (Montebello!). I’ve spent the majority of my adult life in Atlanta, Georgia as a psychometrist, mental health advocate/therapist. I am a proud HBCU alumna. Laughter is my favorite pastime. I identify as a femme lesbian and would like to be referred to with pronouns: she, her and hers.
Tell us a little bit about what you do as a mental health professional and owner of “Dr. B Cares, LLC”.
As the owner of Dr. B Cares, I assist queer people of color (QPOC) and their allies in prioritizing mental wellness. Dr. B Cares, LLC is an empowerment-based community organization that helps individuals heal, reconnect and become aware of their own inner dialogue through a variety of services.
Our empowerment-based services include individual coaching, mental wellness workshops and the LGBTQ virtual care group. We also provide a free consultation service, where we refer/connect QPOC with LGBTQ-POC affirming, licensed providers (across the U.S.). Many who seek the consultation service are often unsure of their wellness needs, may be experiencing severe and persistent mental illness or prefer traditional face-to-face counseling/ psychotherapy.
How long have you been working in the mental health field? What prompted you to choose this career path?
I have been in the mental health field for 15 years. After earning my Bachelors degree in Psychology from Hampton University in 2003, I began working in the mental health field while pursuing, and eventually earning, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
I am an empath and nurturer by nature so I believe I was destined to be in a helping field — a calling of some sort. My career path grew from my personal history and interest in psychology. At an early age, I was aware of my parents’ struggle with trauma. Having one parent who is a survivor of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the other who experienced mental health concerns secondary to a spinal cord injury, definitely influenced my desire to explore the complexity of human behavior and cognition.
Outside of my role as the owner of Dr. B Cares, I provide psychological assessment and individual and group trauma-focused treatment as a graduate Psychologist in a PTSD specialty clinic.
Does what you do make you feel like a part of a bigger community? If so, in your opinion, what is your most important contribution to this community?
My career in the mental health field and my role as owner of Dr. B Cares, LLC make me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself. Throughout the course of my training and career, I saw and continue to see that LGBTQ providers of color, like myself, often represent an invisible demographic in healthcare.
One of the reasons I started Dr. B Cares, LLC was to help QPOC connect to care. I found that many people in the community had limited access to culturally-sensitive, quality mental health services and found themselves lost to care likely due to the heteronormative, racially skewed ideals traditionally associated with mental health. I hope my most important contribution to the community is to provide a safe space for QPOC to learn about, explore and prioritize mental health and wellness.
The Glam Femme often explores the multi-faceted nature of women and femmes of color. In what ways would you consider yourself multidimensional, if at all?
There is enormous beauty in the multidimensional nature of a woman. I consider myself dynamic! I’m an entrepreneur, an avid reader, I listen to trap music and Alina Baraz, I enjoy the sound of vinyl (I have a pretty dope collection), I am a self-proclaimed fashionista with a keen eye for a good looking pair of heels, I’ve traveled the world and often try to find a snorkel adventure in every destination (I once swam with sharks), I want to learn to snowboard, I’m obsessed with Angela Davis and Nina Simone, I’m a black belt in Chinese Kempo Karate, which means I’m a huge MMA fan, I keep my house a 60 degrees (my fiancé hates it), I am fram-ily oriented, I burn sage, I make healing crystal bangles, I attend a weekly meditation group and enjoy bottomless mimosas — cheers!
In your personal and professional life, what intersectional struggles do you face and how do you overcome them?
As a member of the LGBTQ community, an African-American and a feminine woman, I have been adversely affected by cumulative discrimination and social exclusion, including racism from LGBTQ members and homophobia and heterosexism from family members and so-called friends. I have been exposed to experiences of stigmatization, discrimination and fear of rejection. During my doctoral training and in the workplace, I have repeatedly experienced racial and gender microaggressions, including people unjustly questioning the basis of my intellect and skillset.
I am a proponent of resilience and posttraumatic growth, however, the internal and external stressors associated with intersectional struggles have undoubtedly taken a toll on my wellbeing. Over past 10 years, I’ve begun to learn how to unconditionally love and accept who I am (this is still a work in progress but it’s a process). While learning to radically accept myself, I built a prosocial support system that provides me with an outlet where I can discuss my frustrations and/or brainstorm possible solutions. Most importantly, I continue to build resilience and acceptance through regular engagement in self-care.
Speaking of self-care, I can imagine that helping others with their emotional wellbeing can be very draining. What are your favorite methods of self-care that help you replenish your energy and focus on yourself?
I am a strong believer that everyone can benefit from therapy—even a therapist! I have attended therapy in the past and have worked through a number of personal issues and ongoing stressors. Therapy was a life-changing experience!
Additionally, I enjoy international travel; my most recent trip was to Belize last year. I am also a spa-snob and enjoy a great massage, facial and reflexology any day of the week. I journal, read and attend group meditation. I have a great support network so talking and spending time with my fiancé, friends and family are a regular part of my day. I love to swim, it’s when I am the most mindful, but I don’t swim as often as I would like—because of my hair.
What are you most proud of about yourself and what you have accomplished?
Earning my doctorate, co-authoring several published articles and peer reviewing for a reputable journal are all major accomplishments. However, I’m most proud of working through my own emotional trauma. The transformative change experienced after adversity has led to personal growth and development. It sounds cliché but when you truly discover inner peace, self-love and happiness through regular engagement in self-care—it’s priceless! I am proud to share my experience of hope with my clients and other community members who want to prioritize their wellness.
Do you have any upcoming projects or goals?
There are several upcoming projects for Dr. B Cares, LLC in 2019. I am actively working to create a database of LGBTQ-POC affirming, credentialed providers. I’m also working a digital/hardcopy series of guided journals for healing racial trauma, coming in May 2019. My partner and I have teamed up and added statement wear to the website. We plan to add more t-shirts that encourage QPOC mental wellness. Check out our Black Queer Mental Health Matters t-shirt; it is our best seller!
How can others contact you and access your services?
You can reach me by email at
dr*******@gm***.com
, call (678) 434-3884, follow me on Instagram at @drbcares_ and/or visit the website: www.drbcares.org.
I am very proud of your accomplishments. What you are doing is remarkable. The sky is the limit.