We had the good fortune of connecting with Charmaine Borda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charmaine, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
A little about where I came from and how I started to become Charmaine Borda. Online E-Zine: Borda, C. S. (2017). Culture Shock: Her Name Was Rene. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Florida Storytelling Association: Inside Story. November/December 2017, (pp. 21-23).https://flstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/InSideStory-NovDec2017.pdf 

What should our readers know about your business?
As an Afro-Caribbean female immigrant from Jamaica, having survived abuse and neglect in and out of the foster care system, Dr. Borda has demonstrated an innate ability to survive through extraordinary circumstances. The grit and determination she developed over the years has strengthened her passion for families, with a specific heart for children and youths in the foster care system. Inspired and motivated by the experience of being an un-adopted teen in the child welfare system, through an unsuccessful adoption, she became an Adoption Competent Certified Counselor in 2010 in hopes to assist families and children find forever homes. She has also founded That Place, Inc.: The Wellness Project, a Non-profit, 501c(3) organization, as a result of her work with front line practitioners/helpers and their experiences with burnout and lack of effective self-care. In addition to her work as a part-time and adjunct professor, Dr. Borda serves her community by providing pro-bono services, consultations and overall clinical support, through her Private Practice, The Blue Couch, Inc., as she is inspired by Gandhi’s challenge, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This challenge resoundingly echoes in Dr. Borda’s love for Family Therapy, Mental Health and Community Outreach Services.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, I’m not a real social, or out-on-the town kinda gal. For me, the best spot in the city is in my home, on my couch, sipping a delicious red blend with some soul soothing jazz on vinyl in the background. I may also be watching something cool on Netflix (shoutout Shitts Creek!). Just depends on the day and what moves me. If you’re my friend, you know where to come when you need some good food and libations and refueling for the soul.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be who I am today without the love, support, prayers and encouragement of my village. Having grown up in foster care, I had many opportunities to fail and fall, but Judge Author Birkins, my Guardian ad Litem, Elaine Litvak, and organizations such as HANDY, INC (especially, Marsha Levy) wouldn’t allow it. As a single mother, my now adult daughters, were motivation to continue to push for what my biological Mother, Mamala, and Mumma desired for me—a better more sustainable life and future, through education and true enduring love. As a scholar and clinician, I’ve been blessed to learn from some of the most influential mentors, professors, and scholars in the field of Family Therapy and the Arts—they helped to prepare my mind. My students, clients, and mentees have trusted me with their truths and allow me to hold space with them on their journeys—I am humbled and honored. For the lovers and partners who have allowed me to see myself, for better and better—my soul thanks you. For holding me up, and nursing me through some the darkest times on my journey through anxiety and depression, my sister friends are truly my most beloved MVPS. To my entire village, THANK YOU!

Website: https://www.thebluecouch.org/
Instagram: @thebluecouchinc, @thatplaceinc @_bluelosophy
Linkedin: Dr. Charmaine Borda
Twitter: @bluecouchcb
Facebook: The Blue Couch

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