“You’re so strong.” Little do they know you are strong because you’ve had to be. They dont know the sacrifice it took to be so strong. The script of self-reliance, self-sacrifice, and self-silence that you adopted. Your family needed you. Your church needed you. Your community needed you. Your job needed you. Maybe you forgot that you needed you too.

That’s why I wanted to create this group, Black Woman Sabbath (BWS). I have seen black women be resilient and busy. I have seen them be wise and humble. I have seen them be warriors and caregivers. What I haven’t always seen them do well is rest. Myself included. My name is Jasmine and I’m an LPC-A at East Texas Eating Disorder Specialists. I work with those who are untangling issues with identity, racial trauma, faith, grief, or complicated relationships with food. I see adolescents (as young as 9) and all adults and utilize ACT, DBT, and IFS in my counseling style. 

Please know that as I counselor, I open my doors to all. I have focused Black Woman Sabbath for black women specifically because I know too well that rest can seem far and in between for them but it should be routine. What I’ve learned through movements like #blackmentalhealthmatters and #blackgirlmagic is that while strength can be a positive attribute, behaviors related to strength (e.g., emotional suppression, extraordinary caregiving, and self-care postponement),  may be jeopardizing your health. I also have learned and experienced many blocks in asking for help and gaps in care for minorities. The more and more I research and grow as a clinician, the more I see the need for communities to support each other and heal especially in mental health spaces. That is why started with this group. Not to count anyone out, but to meet a very specific need in East Texas. 

BWS group is intended to combine mind-body interventions and self-compassion tools with community and faith. Together we will explore values, practice rest beyond stillness, encourage each other to a rhythm of rest in our everyday lives, and have a good time. You deserve a good time. This isn’t another time where you have to be “on”. You’ve poured out enough, this is about being affirmed and poured into.

Black Woman Sabbath will meet beginning March 11th from 10-12. It is a 2-hour group hosted virtually for 8-10 Black women across Texas and is $35/session. If you are interested and $35 is a stretch, please reach out anyway. Sponsorships are an option! To anyone looking for a therapist, I want you to know you dont have to walk alone. If you want to set up an appointment or consultation,  fill out the contact form on this page and we will set you up with a consultation to ask any questions you might have.