Welcome to the Mental Health & Relationships Column!

Greetings Cite A Sista Family,

My name is Shaquinta Richardson, and I will be the mental health and relationships columnist for CiteaSista!I am a marriage and family therapist, marriage and family therapy supervisor in training, doctoral candidate, disability studies scholar and activist, and mental health and self-care advocate.

As a systemic couple and family therapist, I practice from a contextual family therapy model which emphasizes balance, equity, care, and responsibility in relationships.  My approach focuses on the interactions between people in relationships and their perceptions of the love and care they receive, as well as ways they feel their needs have not been met.  I also consider the contextual, social, and historical aspects that impact couple and family relationships.  That’s me as a professional therapist.

As a Black woman, I am focused on the healing, uplifting, and empowerment of my sisters in every area of their lives, be it family, couple relationships, friendships, or career.  I believe that we have been taught to take care of everyone but ourselves. Part of our liberation is through caring for ourselves first.  As such, I will be sharing with you ways to improve your personal well-being, ways to rethink self-care and mental health, and simply sharing the journey to healing our wounds as Black women.  I hope this column will challenge you to rethink how you show up as a daughter, a mother, a sister, friend, partner, colleague, and overall individual.  My message is not meant to be all encompassing, but I hope you will be able to find something valuable for your journey.  I look forward to sharing a little piece of me in hopes that it will help you be a happier, healthier version of you!

SR