Today we’d like to introduce you to Shundria Riddick.
Hi Shundria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ve always known that I wanted to help people. I became fully aware of how, shortly after graduating college with a Bachelor of Social Work. I started my career working for Child Protective Services in Dallas and Tarrant County for a few years. As I worked with families, I realized that I wanted to do more than intervene in their crises. I decided that I wanted to help equip them in ways that would prevent them from being in such distressing situations. I obtained my Masters in Counseling and began my journey to where I am now. I’ve worked with individuals from all walks of life. I have a heart for people in tough seasons in their lives. Holding spaces where individuals can step into vulnerability and healing is important for personal growth and success.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. Working in mental health can be arduous and incessant. After experiencing burnout and Compassion Fatigue, I came to realize that maintaining my own mental, physical, and emotional health is vital. Working with others during their difficulties can be tough as I walk and attend to them in their pain, stress, and other emotions. I made the decision to show up for myself in the same way I encourage others and began counseling myself. Great therapists have great therapists! Work-Life balance remains a top priority.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Christian Counselor who enjoys walking beside others as they long for Freedom and Restoration. I have been in private practice since I obtained my license in 2005. Initially, I offered services to children, teens, and their families. After thousands of counseling hours and many clients, I have acquired a specialty in Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression in Adults. Due to the pandemic in 2020, I began my full-time practice online. There was an undeniable need for individuals to have a place to deal with the effects of isolation, as well as issues they were forced to confront after years of avoidance. There continues to be a considerable need as we continue to traverse such difficult circumstances personally as well as societal. I am known for my unique and personal style of connecting with my clients. I offer individual, couples, and educational groups. Currently, I remain solely virtual. I expect to offer limited In-Person appointments in August 2022. My client focus is Women, Men, and Couples with an emphasis on services developed for Women’s Issues and Black Women Centered Care. I am most proud of my Groups: Relax, relate, and release. These virtual educational groups offer safe spaces where women can learn and support each other through topics such as Shame, Emotional Abuse, Racial Issues, and Trauma. Group participants create a small community of women who have decided to walk in Freedom. They encourage and support each other as they are all in the process of releasing fears, challenging negative thoughts, and embracing the love of the One who loves us most. We all walk in knowing that tenacity or strength is not just from getting up. However, it is acquired from the ingenuity of our recovery.
I am also proud of my book “Married for 5 Minutes: Hope for Living Inside Real-Life Marriages,” which I co-authored with Essence Best Selling Author Michelle Stimpson. It encourages couples to work together in short sessions to achieve a lifetime of results.
My work has allowed me the honor of contributing to countless podcasts, masterclasses, and blogs. In addition, I continue to enjoy speaking at women and marriage conferences, churches, community organizations, and schools on a variety of topics with the sole purpose of freedom!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think that Telehealth is here to stay. Virtual services are being expanded, and Insurance companies are making more services accessible. In my opinion, In-person counseling will be secondary to telehealth. Due to the pandemic, cultural crisis, climate change, and various political issues, the need for counseling will continue to increase at an accelerated rate. As a result, Mental Health is becoming more appealing in communities cross-culturally. There has been an emphasis on providing more access to services and more federal investment in Mental Health for underserved communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shundriariddick.com
- Instagram: @shundriariddick
- Facebook: @shundriariddick
- Twitter: @shundriariddick
Image Credits
Essence of Grace Photography
