Meet Cortney Barlow | Mental Health Therapist and Health Coach

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

Hi Cortney, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As an African American woman, I dealt with discimination in the workplace on two separate occasions. Although I was angry and felt inferior, I realized it was time to make a change. I realized all the work I was putting into making someone else rich, I can put into myself. I knew this journey would not be easy but I knew it would be worth it. I left my employer without having a job but with a passion of helping others. I began to focus on starting my own private practice where I provide mental health therapy as well as hosting workshops on mental health. My passion is destigmatizing mental health in the black community. Just because you go to therapy does not mean you are crazy. I am a therapist that has struggled with anxiety since I was 15 years old so I also go to therapy from time to time to manage my anxiety. I want people of color to stop suffering in silence, we do not have to be strong all the time. As a black woman, I see how society places us in a box, whether its our hair, our dialect, or our actions we are expected to be tame all the time and take disappointments and discrimination to the chin and “move on”. I am passionate about educating my people on signs and symptoms of mental health as well as providing them with appropriate resources to get the help they need. I felt that starting my own business I am able to make more of an impact on my own terms.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a private practice offering mental health therapy to individuals, couples, and children. Recently, I have had the pleasure of hosting workshops to agencies, events, and schools on identifying mental health symptoms, coping with burnout, and reintegrating back into society after the COVID-19 pandemic. This journey has been a difficult yet rewarding experience. I have had many trials such as marketing, funding, and as any therapists know insurance panels. In the beginning of my journey I began taking on clients without verifying their insurance. I worked hard with my clients for multiple sessions only to go through billing and it being rejected. I was devastated because I would not get paid for those hours and I could no longer see most of my clients because of their insurance. Not only was I disappointed about billing, but I was also sad because I had built rapport and trust with my clients in those sessions only to tell them they had to find another therapist. Now I have a system down when it comes to billing and I am back accepting clients with insurance. I want the world to know that taking care of your mental health is just as important of taking care of your physical health. We don’t mind going to the doctor for check ups or if we are sick, we should do the same for our mental health. Going to therapy does not mean you are crazy it means you are taking an active role to feel better.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in the very beautiful and sunny South Florida so I will definitely head south for a good time to Miami. The first stop on my city tour would be to head to downtown Miami to Bayside and purchase tickets for Thriller Boat ride. I have always loved the boat rides at bayside touring the beautiful homes of the rich and famous. After the boat tour I would head to Liberty City to a small restaurant called Miracle Fry Conch Fritters. They have the best conch fritters in the city at an affordable price. I would then hang out in the Design District, walk around doing a little shopping. For dinner I would head over to my favorite Haitian restaurant called Naomi’s Garden Restaurant and lounge and enjoy a nice drink and delicious food while the live band plays.

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 would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mother. She has been my rock, my best friend, and my confidant. She is my greatest support and cheerleader. I would not be the woman I am today without my mother. From an early age my mom educated me on the injustices people of color have faced. My mother is a retired federal employee who saw firsthand how this legal system was not built for people of color. She always encouraged me to advocate for others and fight for equal rights. My mother’s lessons have taught me that I am valued and I am important regardless of my skin color. There were times in my life I felt as if I was not good enough because society and employers have made me feel as if my skin is bad. My mom taught me to love the skin I am in and work hard and be stronger. I love you mommy, forever and always.

Website: www.therapymademedoit.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapymademedoit/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortney-barlow-msw-lcsw-chc-01082696/