Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hi there!! Let me officially introduce myself. You can call me Dr. Y'Londa or Dr. Yo. I was born in the South and raised in Louisiana and St. Louis. I've lived in many states, but I will always be a Southern woman. I love my career and I consider it passion work. My personal mental health journey started after I completed my tour in the US Army and returned from a deployment to Iraq.

During that time, I was able to get the help to process many traumas from war and unresolved generational traumas. I'm grateful for those therapists that walked me along my journey.

I completed my doctoral studies with research focused on the impact of childhood adversity, toxic stress and the impact of trauma on overall health and wellness. This research was inspired by the years working as a therapist in community mental health specializing in trauma, working as a school-based trauma therapist, and after witnessing the impact of racial based trauma, grief and stress in the Black community after the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO and other Black people.

I've received advanced clinical training from Fisk University Counseling Center (Nashville, TN), Vanderbilt University Counseling Center (Nashville, TN) and completed a pre-doctoral internship at the Department of Veteran Affairs - WJB Dorn Hospital (Columbia, SC). I completed training to become a provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy, one of the gold standards for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I also previously worked as a pre-licensed Staff Psychologist with the Department of Veteran's Affairs in Primary Care Mental Health. I consider myself as a generalist in the field of counseling and psychology having trained and worked in many different specialties.

I also currently work in the federal government as a Psychologist.

One of my goals as a therapist is to create a safe and supportive environment. Many people feel stuck in their lives and don't know what to do. My desire is to meet people where they are, build strengths they already have, and explore new skills to help them move forward.

Master of Education
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Missouri-St. Louis

Doctor of Philosophy
Counseling Psychology
Tennessee State University

My Approach to Therapy

I use a cognitive behavioral, multicultural approach in therapy. I use a strengths-based, trauma informed approach recognizing the impact systemic racism and oppression can have on mental and physical health.

I'm a Registered Yoga Teacher and enjoy incorporating therapeutic writing, yoga, music, creativity, and mindfulness meditation practices when agreed upon. My practice embodies collaboration, empowerment, and self-compassion. I’ve been told on numerous occasions that I have a very strong, intuitive spirit.

Additionally, I identify as Christian and am able to integrate any of your religious and spiritual beliefs and practices in therapy if it will help with treatment. Often times in the Black community, there can be conflict between traditional views associated with coping with problems without outside help. My goal is to continue to challenge and change the stigma associated with Christianity and seeking therapy. I believe that you can have both. God+Therapy. If you can trust medical doctors with your health and know that God allowed them to use their gifts, the same goes for mental health professionals using their gifts to serve you.

I believe that the body has the ability to heal itself with the necessary resources, but we often try to shut down our natural responses to pain and hurt by withholding tears, keeping emotions bottled inside, using toxic positivity and maladaptive coping skills. I recognize the significance of acknowledging all identities of an individual. I consider myself a social justice advocate and advocate for accessible mental healthcare and de-stigmatization of disadvantaged and oppressed individuals, communities, and minorities as well as those living with social, health and legal disparities.

I acknowledge that biases and stigmas can impact a client’s accessibility to health and social services, as well as their openness and adherence to therapy. Many of us suffer undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions and we never seek therapy because we have learned and incorrectly believe that therapy isn't for us.

Don't let avoidance become your best friend. Take a look around and find out more about my practice and services offered.