In an enlightening interview with MysticMag, Dr. Katrina T. Roseboro-Marsh unveils the profound motivations behind establishing A Fit Mind Professional Counseling (AFMPC) and its pivotal mission.
Driven by the glaring absence of clinicians of color and the need for a counseling space that harmoniously blends spirituality with psychology, Dr. Roseboro-Marsh embarked on a journey to create an environment where individuals, particularly those within the LGBTQIAN2S+ and BIPOC communities, can explore their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being in a safe and culturally sensitive setting. Her practice is deeply rooted in the belief that integrating rather than isolating various aspects of an individual’s identity fosters genuine healing and growth.
Through her comprehensive and flexible approach, Dr. Roseboro-Marsh tailors her services to meet the unique needs of her clients, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and empowered on their journey toward healing, as shared in her conversation with MysticMag.
Can you share the inspiration behind founding AFMPC and its core mission?
My inspiration for founding A Fit Mind Professional Counseling (AFMPC) is because of the lack of and difficulty finding clinicians of color, paralleled with the lack of (at the time) a counseling space that combined spirituality/religion with psychology.
In preparing for such a position through my academic studies, it was my practicums and internships that highlighted the need and ignited inspiration. Therefore, my core mission arose out of the populations I worked with during my training. So my practice was birthed to provide a safe, affirming, and culturally sensitive counseling space where vulnerability and bravery were possible for LGBTQIAN2S+ individuals, particularly those who identify as BIPOC and have a religious or spiritual practice.
A space for clients to explore their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being while honoring their cultural background and religious beliefs. I believe that this integration, not isolation or bifurcation, fosters true personal growth/healing and thriving.
Furthermore, my practice is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves respect, kindness, and understanding, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, religion, or spiritual beliefs as they embark on their healing journey.
How do you tailor your approach to meet the diverse needs of your clients, especially considering the wide range of issues you address?
Here is a culminated answer of how I tailor my approach to meet the diverse needs of my clients:
1. Comprehensive Assessment: I begin with a thorough assessment that goes beyond just the presenting problem. I explore background, cultural identity, religious beliefs, and specific concerns. I even inquire about the contraction of COVID, any medical diagnosis or treatments, and the sort, because they too can add to my approach. Assessing these things helps me understand how and what factors intersect and influence the client’s mental and emotional well-being.
2. Tailored Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, I collaboratively develop a treatment plan that draws from our diverse range of modalities and philosophies, though the client leads where will go each session. For example, if you’re experiencing anxiety related to a life transition, I might combine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to manage anxious thoughts with mindfulness, meditation, prayer, and/or affirmation practices to cultivate inner peace and shift the anxiety.
3. Culturally Competent Care: I recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIAN2S+ individuals, particularly those who also identify as BIPOC clients navigating faith. For these populations, it is important to have clinicians with training in progressive therapies such as Womanist/Feminist therapy or Pastoral Psychotherapy. They can be particularly helpful in addressing specific concerns, issues, struggles, or simple daily existence with these populations.
4. Flexibility and Client-Centered Approach: I understand that my client’s needs may evolve over time. Therefore, I remain flexible, adapting my approach based on their progress and feedback. Client-centered therapy forms a strong foundation for this, ensuring one feels heard, understood, and empowered throughout the process. So it’s a foundation in the work I do.
5. Addressing a Wide Range of Issues: My extensive list of modalities allows me to address a variety of concerns almost anyone might be facing; from the more common ones like anxiety and depression to trauma, chronic illness, pre-marital counseling, and life transitions. I can also integrate spiritual/religious practices if they align with my client’s beliefs and preferences.
So, by combining my comprehensive approach with my diverse range of treatment modalities, I strive to provide my clients with the most effective and supportive professional counseling experience possible.
What role does spirituality play in the therapy and counseling services offered at AFMPC?
Spirituality plays a major role if it is the desire of the client. If it is not, the sessions are more psychologically based. Some clients seek healing of spiritual woundedness for themselves, and some for themselves, generations past, and those to come. So, it all depends on where the client is.
What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of providing psychotherapy and psycho-spiritual counseling?
Challenge: Helping my clients reconcile their LGBTQIAN2S+ identity with their religious or spiritual beliefs. It can be a complex and delicate process. Several religious paths have done some damage and broken the soul and spirit of this population. When you add this to the family and societal breakage that almost all of them experience, it is so compounded and painful to navigate toward healing.
Unique Rewards: Creating a safe and affirming space for my clients who have felt ostracized by their families, communities, religious/faith communities, and even the healthcare systems fosters a powerful sense of trust and connection. It is because of this that there is a secondary unique reward; by having a space for them to explore the intersection of faith and sexuality and gender identity/expression, I get to see my clients overcome challenges, embrace their identities, and integrate their faith with every part of their being. This is incredibly rewarding!
Find out more at: www.afmpc.org
