Today we’d like to introduce you to QuaVaundra Perry.
QuaVaundra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a board-certified and Christian psychologist with a passion for helping others have a change of heart in order to Think.Grow.Live! I have had a number of life experiences that influence who I am today. To begin, I am a Dallas native who is proud of my roots in the East Dallas Projects (formerly known as Frazier Courts) and high school education from Lincoln Humanities and Communications Magnet.
After high school, I attended the Xavier University of Louisiana and it was there that I realized the possibility of pursuing advanced education in psychology. During my undergraduate studies, I gave birth to my son and continued to press onward in my academic goals. As a single mother, I have earned 3 degrees and I’m grateful for the lessons learned along the way. I believe these humble beginnings and many other life experiences enable me to genuinely connect with people from all walks of life.
I trained and worked several years at the Dallas VA Medical Center and also served as an assistant professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. After my late mother (Pamela Perry) passed away in 2018, I took some time to reflect on my life and recognized I was not dreaming big enough. As such, I decided to take a leap of faith and go into full-time private practice. Currently, I operate a solo practice in Rockwall. I delight in being a warm and inviting psychologist who offers professional expertise with a personal touch.
Has it been a smooth road?
One of the main challenges I faced was financial struggles as a single parent. The journey to earning a doctoral degree was incredibly long and required financial sacrifice. Another main challenge was discipling my mind and heart to be content my current season of life. When we do not discipline our minds, we can get caught up in comparison and make decisions that have a temporary gain but lifelong consequences. A third challenge was coming to grips that working towards a goal does not stop life from happening along the way. I’ve lost family members who are dear to my heart and these experiences necessitate you stopping along the way to face harsh realities.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My practice serves high-functioning professionals, including people with unique careers and lifestyles like professional athletes, entertainers and celebrities. Although I can help with a number of concerns, I am particularly skilled at assisting my patients with depression, anxiety, grief, lifestyle and career adjustment and transitions.
One thing that sets me apart from the many licensed and unlicensed mental health workers is my credential as a board-certified psychologist. Only about 4% of psychologists are board-certified. My area of specialty is in couple and family psychology so I am able to support and challenge my patients as they work through relational conflict.
Also, I am an African American woman and I advertise as a Christian psychologist so a number of my patients have specifically sought me out because of one or both of those factors. Further, I am the host of the podcast Amazing With Grace, which is a spiritually relevant space for people who want to be excellent without having to be perfect.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Although my practice is not directly in Dallas, I believe Dallas remains one of the most influential cities in the country. Dallas has a number of industries (e.g. healthcare, mental health care, food and hospitality, real estate, education, finance) that make it a perfect city to start or join a business. I have been happy to see us making our mark in the entertainment industry more as well. Specifically, for mental health, some say that Dallas’ market is oversaturated. However, I think Dallas’ diversity means some people have a specific need that only you can fill. If someone was considering starting a mental health private practice in the Dallas area, I would say, “Go for it!”
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.DRQPERRY.COM
- Instagram: @DRQPERRY
- Other: WWW.AMAZINGWITHGRACE.COM
Image Credit:
Lynsey Walters
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