Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tekeilla Darden.
Hi Dr. Darden, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a clinical psychologist, it’s not rare that when I have successfully helped someone realize their mental health and life goals, that I am told how appreciative they are and this is still a compliment I don’t always feel comfortable receiving. I am and have always been told that I am the open heart, listening ear, and caring person. For many years, I tried to avoid the field of psychology because I have been told these words often and, like a teen on the verge of independence, I wanted to rebel against the profession everyone thought would be one of my best fits. The other field was acting because I can also be pretty dramatic. I ran away from pursuing psychology until I accepted, I have the qualities that would really work well for helping others and was already doing the work already.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to being a clinical psychologist has not been easy and still is not, but it’s rewarding. I’m in a field where burnout for clinicians is real. I readily make space for healing for my patients, but making space for myself is a behavior that I need to constantly practice in order to continue doing what I love.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to say I’m the storytelling psychologist. I’m a writer and love healing others through storytelling when appropriate. This is because stories can have a past, a present, and a future all very different from each other, and can offer hope when people feel like they have an integral part in telling their story. I specialize in many teens and young adult transitional concerns to include mental illness, mental stressors, and other daily life struggles.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Absolutely. While I used storytelling as a tool to help others understand and heal through their stressors, I also liked to provide patients with tools to propel them from in-session to real world. Another method I used to use prior to the pandemic was tea as a self-love and care tool. After the pandemic, I had to shift with this in-person method and created a tea line, Tean, in order to meet my people where they are and ensure and inspire others to be mentally wealthy. The tea line includes therapy cards that have all the mindfulness practices I would help others incorporate while in their sessions.
Contact Info:
- Email: Admin@drtekeilla.com
- Website: www.drtekeilla.com
- Instagram: @drtekeilla
