Today we’d like to introduce you to Dieudra Calhoun.
Hi Dieudra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Dr. Dieudra Calhoun and my story began in Jackson, Mississippi. Growing up as the oldest child and grandchild, I naturally stepped into the role of nurturer. It wasn’t something that was assigned to me, it was simply who I was. From an early age, I found myself looking out for others, paying attention to their needs, and trying to make sure everyone felt seen and cared for. This quality can be attributed to being surrounded by family who were living examples of service, compassion, and giving back. My mother, grandmother, and great-aunt were women who selflessly gave of themselves. Their actions were powerful demonstrations of what it means to serve others with humility and love. They were my earliest role models and remain lifelong inspirations.
As a child, I was intuitive and noticed when people carried more than what they showed on the surface. If someone was hurting, frustrated, or in need of encouragement, I could sense it without them saying a word. That awareness shaped me into someone who is deeply empathic; someone who listens not just to words, but to feelings. Looking back now, I realize those qualities have followed me throughout my life. Those early experiences were shaping skills that would later become the very heart of who I am, and define both my personal life and my professional calling in mental health.
During my adolescent years, I dreamed of becoming a pediatrician because I loved children and had a desire to help them in a meaningful way. I carried that dream with me into college, where I began my academic journey as a biology major with every intention of attending medical school after graduation. I was determined to follow the path I had set for myself, which felt clear and well defined. But as the saying goes, we make plans and God laughs. Everything shifted in one semester when I enrolled in a psychology course. What I thought would be just another class, turned into a defining moment in my life. My professor, who was also a child psychologist, spoke with passion and purpose about his work. As I listened, something within me sparked. I found myself deeply intrigued, not just by psychology, but by the impact it could have on children. That experience changed the trajectory of my life. I made the decision to change my major from biology to psychology, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. I realized that my calling was not only to care for children, physically, but also to support their emotional and mental well-being. I came to understand that addressing childhood trauma and emotional challenges, early in life, can prevent long-term struggles in adulthood.
As I continued along this path, my passion for helping others only deepened. I went on to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Jackson State University, where I developed clinical skills and gained valuable experience working with people who were navigating trauma, stress, behavioral concerns, and emotional struggles. These experiences strengthened my commitment to the field and ultimately led me to pursue the highest level of training in my profession; earning a Doctor of Psychology, in Clinical Psychology, from the Texas School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. This step represented both academic achievement and a fulfillment of purpose.
Throughout my clinical training and professional experiences, I have had the privilege of working with diverse populations across the lifespan, including children, adolescence, and adults. My clinical work settings have varied to include: nonprofit juvenile justice environments, community mental health programs, private clinical settings, and medical facilities. I have provided individual and group therapy to help clients develop coping skills, build emotional awareness, and recognize their own potential for growth and change. In addition, I have conducted comprehensive clinical assessments, and pre-surgical and psychological evaluations to better understand client’s emotional, behavioral and psychological functioning.
Today, I am honored to serve as one of the co-owners of Reflections of Reality Therapy and Consulting, PLLC; a private practice in Cedar Hill, Texas; providing mental health services and psychological assessments to individuals and families. At the same time, I proudly serve as a lead educator in the Arlington ISD school district where I have the privilege of shaping young minds and supporting students during some of their most important developmental years. Balancing these two roles, allows me to live out my life’s passion and reflects the heart of my work in mental health: serving children, families, and communities with compassion, professionalism, and purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would characterize my journey as active pivots and adapting to new challenges; by no means a smooth road. There was a season in my life when my professional path took what I once thought was a detour. I had been moving steadily toward a career in psychology, but life has a way of introducing unexpected turns. Circumstances, responsibilities, and the realities of everyday living created obstacles that required me to temporarily step away from that path and into education.
What began as a practical decision soon became a defining moment in my career. Teaching was never part of my original plan. However, I quickly realized that I was still living out my purpose, just in a different setting. In the classroom, I found myself using the very same skills that first drew me to psychology: empathy, patience, and the ability to understand children beyond their behavior.
At the same time, my passion for clinical psychology, never disappeared. Instead, my journey into education and back towards clinical psychology, began to run simultaneously. What once felt like a change in direction became a meaningful pivot: one that strengthened my perspective and deepened my commitment to supporting the emotional and mental well-being of children and their families.
I actively built my clinical knowledge and professional skills in the field of psychology and mental health. Balancing the responsibilities of education while pursuing advanced clinical training required discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. I encountered many obstacles that seemed insurmountable along the way; however my faith, encouragement from my family and friends, and my passion continued to fuel my determination. I brought that same essential determination when launching a private practice with my business partners.
Establishing a private practice is often seen as the pinnacle of professional independence, however, the road to opening a private practice is rarely simple. I have come to understand that the process is both gradual, complex, and demanding, requiring more than clinical expertise and professional passion. While the path may be challenging, I remain focused on the reason why I began this journey; which is to empower and facilitate individuals with a desire to improve their mental health and overall well-being-particularly that of children.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Reflections of Reality Therapy and Consulting, PLLC was founded by highly skilled and dedicated therapists:
Dr. Dieudra Calhoun, Dr. Edna Foster, and Dr. Stacy Page. Our practice was established with a clear purpose. which is to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-based mental health services within the community. We recognize that mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, and our practice is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where clients can heal, grow, and thrive.
Often individuals who come to therapy carry the weight of life experiences, including trauma, stress, and life transitions. If you were to walk through the doors of our practice, you would be met first with understanding, not judgment. Our practice was built on the belief that every person deserves a safe space to be heard, supported, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and clarity. We believe in meeting clients where they are, offering personalized treatment plans that address emotional, behavioral, social, and psychological needs across the lifespan.
Reflections of Reality Therapy and Consulting provides a range of therapeutic services designed to support diverse needs including comprehensive psychological assessments and individual, couples, family, and group therapies. We focus on understanding each client’s, unique story and experience to provide personalized, evidence-based interventions. Our goal is not only to address symptoms, but to help clients build skills, resilience, and strategies that promote long-term mental and emotional wellness.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, is measured by impact; the lives I touch, the doors I open for others and the difference I make in my community. It’s the ability to serve others with purpose while remaining grounded in my values. It is not measured solely by titles, degrees, income, or recognition. Ultimately, success to me, is about being resilient and continuing to move forward despite obstacles. It is about using my gifts to make a lasting difference, and becoming the person I was called to be by helping others to achieve the same.
Pricing:
- Psychotherapy Rates $250.00 – Initial Intake Sessions; $175.00 – Individual Therapy; $250.00 – Couples Therapy; $25 -$50 – Group Therapy (*rates vary based on group type)
- Psychological Assessments $1500.00 – Mental Health + Personality Assessment; $2200.00 – ADHD + Mood/Mental Health Full Battery (non-learning disorder); $2500.00 – Learning Disorder Full Battery; $3000.00 – Full Battery + Learning Disorder + Vocational
- Personal Growth Tools $150 – Personality Measure/Inventory; $150 – Career Interest Inventory; $150 – Relationship Inventory (administration for 2 partners; appropriate for traditional and non-traditional couples); $400 – Relationship Inventory + 2 Personality Inventories (relationship inventory + separate personality measure for partner)
- Substance Abuse Assessments $150 – Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication & Other Substance Use (TAPS Tool): $150 – Screening to Brief Intervention; $150 – Brief Screen for Tobacco Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Life Coaching Services $175 – Individual Sessions $25-$50 – Group Sessions; Consulting Services Prices will vary depending on the consulting needs of the clientele served.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.reflectionsofrealitytherapyandconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rrtc_2024
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/RRTCPLLC
