Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Slater-Smith.
Hi Brittany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a Black woman, I’ve always been acutely aware of the narratives surrounding strength and resilience in our community—especially the strong Black woman myth and the emotionally repressed man. Growing up, I witnessed countless individuals, including myself, striving to uphold these toxic and limiting ideals. We were taught to be strong, to endure, and to suppress our emotions in the name of survival or to hide our pain. However, I realized that this often came at a great cost to our mental and emotional well-being. My journey into therapy began with a deep desire to help people heal from their pain and to champion them in their triumphs and make peace with themselves. I wanted to create a space where vulnerability was not only accepted but celebrated.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating the journey of establishing a successful therapy practice as a Black woman comes with unique challenges, particularly in finding mentors and training opportunities that resonate with my cultural background. The search for Black business mentors who understand the intricacies of being both a professional and a woman of color has often felt like an uphill battle. Historically, the lack of representation in leadership roles within the mental health field has created a gap, making it difficult for aspiring therapists like myself to find guidance from individuals who share similar experiences and challenges.
Moreover, training environments that offer culturally competent education and practice opportunities are scarce. Many traditional training programs do not adequately address the specific cultural nuances that impact mental health in Black and Brown communities. This training gap can leave therapists underprepared to meet the unique needs of their clients, perpetuating a cycle in which culturally relevant approaches are overlooked, and is a loss to the black and brown community on a larger scale. It’s crucial that training institutions recognize the importance of integrating cultural competence into their curricula to empower future therapists to serve their communities effectively.
Combating the stigma surrounding mental wellness in Black and Brown communities is another formidable challenge. For too long, mental health has been regarded as a taboo subject, often viewed through the lens of weakness or failure. Many individuals feel the pressure to merely survive, adopting a mindset that prioritizes endurance over thriving. This narrative is deeply entrenched and can discourage individuals from seeking help or embracing wellness as a holistic practice. As a community, we deserve better.
As a therapist, I strive to break down these misconceptions by fostering open conversations about mental health and vulnerability. I emphasize that acknowledging one’s struggles is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of strength. By sharing my own experiences and insights, I aim to create a safe space where clients feel empowered to express their emotions and pursue personal growth without fear of judgment.
Additionally, as a businesswoman, I face the challenge of being taken seriously in a field where female leaders, particularly women of color, are often underestimated. The intersectionality of race and gender can lead to biases that impact how I am perceived in professional settings. I work diligently to assert my credibility and expertise while advocating for the value of diverse voices in the mental health arena.
In overcoming these challenges, I’ve learned the importance of building networks with other Black professionals and seeking mentorship from those who understand the complexities of our experiences. I actively engage in community initiatives that promote mental wellness and strive to uplift other aspiring therapists of color through mentorship and collaboration. By collectively challenging the stigma around mental health and redefining what it means to thrive, I hope to inspire change not only within my practice but also in the broader community.
Ultimately, my journey is about more than just building a successful therapy practice; it’s about creating a movement that champions mental wellness, embraces vulnerability, and celebrates the strength found in seeking help. Through this work, I aspire to pave the way for future generations of therapists and clients alike, breaking down barriers and fostering a culture where mental health is prioritized and thriving is within reach for everyone.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Ember & Bloom Therapy, we are dedicated to nurturing growth and healing within the Black and Brown communities while collaborating with allies. Our practice specializes in providing culturally informed therapy that honors the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals in these communities. We believe that mental wellness is not just an option but a necessity, and we strive to empower our clients—whether they are individuals from marginalized backgrounds or high-achieving professionals—to embrace their full emotional spectrum.
What sets Ember & Bloom apart is our holistic approach to therapy, which integrates various modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), to help clients understand and harmonize their internal experiences. We focus on trauma-informed care, offering individual therapy, wellness workshops, and tailored programming for businesses and schools, from on-site outsourced mental health clinics to internal employee wellness programs and professional development series for employees and leadership teams. Our team is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space where clients can explore their emotions, challenge societal narratives, and cultivate their inner strength.
In addition to serving individuals within the Black and Brown communities, we actively engage with allies who wish to understand and support these journeys. We believe that healing and empowerment are most effective when we work together, creating a network of support that fosters understanding and compassion across different backgrounds.
We are particularly proud of our commitment to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health in our communities. We recognize that vulnerability is often misunderstood, and we work diligently to shift the narrative, encouraging our clients to view it as a source of empowerment rather than weakness. Our practice fosters conversations about mental health grounded in compassion and understanding, helping clients feel seen and heard.
At Ember & Bloom, we also prioritize community engagement by offering resources and programming that extend beyond the therapy room. Our business wellness programs are designed to cultivate a culture of mental wellness in workplaces, while our school mental health programming supports students, educators, and families in fostering emotional resilience and well-being.
We connect with anyone who is ready to pursue a new way forward, rooted in their truest identity. Our mission is to help clients—whether they are navigating their personal or professional lives—find alignment between their ambitions and their authentic selves.
I want our readers to know that at Ember & Bloom Therapy, we are more than just a therapy practice; we are a movement dedicated to championing mental wellness and thriving. We invite you to join us on this journey of healing, growth, and empowerment. Together, we can cultivate a culture where mental health is prioritized, and everyone has the opportunity to bloom to their full potential.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a child, I balanced shyness with sociability—gentle yet resilient—often navigating the space between quiet observation and meaningful connection. I was a deeply curious and inquisitive child, drawn to books, ideas, and understanding how people and systems worked. I was warm, caring, and intuitive, with a lifelong love for animals and an early sensitivity to the emotions and needs of others.
Over time, I became a trusted confidante, someone others turned to for honesty, care, and understanding. I was never afraid of hard conversations and often found myself advocating for others, especially when things felt unjust, complicated, or emotionally charged. Those relational instincts—intuition, empathy, courage, and curiosity—became the foundation for the clear, grounded leadership I bring to my professional life.
Academics have long been central to my identity. I graduated from Sumner Academy in Kansas City, Kansas, earned a master’s degree in therapy, completed an Education Specialist degree in school psychology, and am finishing a doctorate in administration and education—reflecting a lifelong commitment to learning, growth, and excellence.
A defining part of my journey has been my relationship with God, nurtured by my grandmother, whose faith and guidance shaped my values and sense of purpose. From her, I learned empathy, perseverance, and the belief that education, faith, and genuine human connection can be transformative. I strive to honor those values by holding deep respect for people from all walks of life, regardless of religious or nonreligious background.
That future-oriented mindset continues to guide me today as I build my presence in the wellness space and engage in community teaching focused on mental health and cultural congruence in health care. My work reflects a deep belief in authenticity, compassion, and the power of thoughtful, courageous engagement to create meaningful change.
Pricing:
- $150 Individual Sessions by Fully Licensed Therapist
- $100 Individual Sessions by pre licensed therapists
- $50 intern therapy sessions
- Custom pricing for mental health programming
Contact Info:
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