Meet Delphine Gervais | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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

Hi Delphine, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Never in a million years did I ever think I’d strike out and create something of my own doing. I was the typical first generation immigrant who took the stable “safe” jobs straight out of high school and well into my career. I’ve always colored within the lines and followed the rules. So going into business for myself was a cataclysmic life transition that was borne out of losing my mom. She was a “machann”, a self-employed woman, immigrant from her home in Haiti. I remember seeing her pack to travel to places unknown when we lived in St. Maarten. She’d return with the whole neighborhood’s orders of clothes, and shoes, and all sorts of beautiful things that people trusted her to go and buy. She made clothes for our family. When we came to live in the United States, I saw that most of those dreams and her education just come to a standstill. Life was non stop and difficult for my mother and her contemporaries in those early years of living in 1980’s Miami/Little Haiti. While she never told me what route to take, I figured that stability in a job would help be a source of pride and comfort to her.

In her passing, I realized that this wasn’t what she really wanted for me. She would tell me in her last year of fighting stage four breast cancer that I worked too hard. I’d just taken on a new job and life was a mile a minute. In her transitioning, I started to reflect more on legacy and what I would want my life to stand for. Now while my Breakthrough Care (my business) isn’t my calling nor is it my lifelong passion, it does have deep roots in advocacy and purpose. Seeing members of my community experience intimate partner violence, carry unspoken shackles of mental/emotional pain, and bear generational trauma, played a huge role in how I moved forward with starting my business.

The name Breakthrough Care and Resource Center, Inc. was born out of my believing that in “Breakthrough” going through the “thing” that oppresses us, rather than ignoring or dancing around it–only in going through it–can we find our respective peace. I thought it would be a solo experience to be a therapist–just little ol’ me seeing my clients. A year before the pandemic, I started toying around with the thought of re-engaging with others in this work. It had become too much for one person to meet the needs of more than I could handle without going into burnout mode. I knew I wanted to work alongside smart and empathetic individuals who shared similar values on intervention but might arrive at the same destination using a different route. a

Being an entrepreneur can be laborious at times and definitely isn’t what the social media pundits would have you to think. But I think that in owning and running my own I get to create the life I want, I get to support others in creating the life they wish to have and bring along any and all who see themselves who prefer to stray outside the lines and create a path fit just for them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I can talk about social work and therapy all day but lately I’m pushing myself more to pursue writing.  I’m still in my head with all of it–trying to get ready to write the next Great American Novel, lol! So I’m a low key blogger/writer and have always enjoyed the written word. I was the kid who read voraciously and while making time to read is a luxury these days, I still enjoy writing. It’s my go to place to unpack some thoughts. Blogging became a thing for me when my American Bulldog, Beau, died years ago. I needed to process losing him (a first pet loss for me).  Writing my memories of him was cathartic. I eventually found myself writing more about random things in life. Some related to current events but most dealing with the everyday randomness of relationships. Whether it was figuring out how to navigate stale friendships, who to travel with, work life balance–I find that being transparent about some of my struggles has helped make me more relatable. As an introvert, I spend more time observing people in their worlds and writing immerses me into the hearts and minds of others. It is with words where I feel the most safest. Words are defining and resolute.  Words force me to mind my thoughts and only speak to what I actually mean to say. Writing paints me into a corner and forces me to confront life head on.

I am a formerly shy girl who is now more comfortable in her introverted skin. Sarcasm is my second language and I’m always amped to link up with folks who aren’t afraid to chop it up about the issue of the day. My thoughts remain mostly private (blame that on my momma) but my connection to people is always real (blame that on my daddy).  Me and stale conversations don’t really do well together.  I’m curious about human nature and can talk all day about why people do what they do. Nearing that ripe old age of 50 has me thinking always about purpose and fulfillment. It’s why I don’t let age nor circumstances dictate what I’ll do next. I was a late bloomer in starting my business in my 40s. I’m game to try something new at least once.  Definitely not the younger version of myself. But I’m cool with that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a hermit and more so since the pandemic but I’d definitely take my friend to check out the local spots that folks always rave about when coming to my city. It would include some great places to eat with a beautiful ambiance. My friends designate me as the trip planner cause I can have us on a schedule of scenic outings all based on our respective interests. We won’t be eating at chain restaurants that’s for sure! Museum galleries don’t get their fair shake so dropping by an intimate one where the owner/artist is readily available or a quick tour would be cool. Local theatre and arts venues don’t get their fair attention so I’d include an outdoor event or marketplace trip to grab local goods in our itinerary. I’d definitely stop by my old neighborhood to show them what life was for me growing up. It would give your friendship perspective to know your roots. We don’t all look like where we came from! Don’t look me up for the social media scene cause I’m clueless where to take people for the selfies that got folks thinking you’re having a blast when in actually you’re stuck in traffic trying to make it from point A to point B.  I’m more into the “off the beaten path”, meeting cool locals that make South Florida legendary and eating some really good food.  I’ve got you on all that.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to send a special shotout to my hubby of 24 years, Eddy. He’s the extrovert in this relationship and I’m thankful for it. Every morning he prays over me and ushers me into my day covered with peace. Every night he makes me laugh with some corny Tik Tok reel. My life is so much better with him in it.

Website: https://www.breakthroughcrc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakthroughcrc/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delphine-gervais-lcsw-qs-emdr-trained-therapist-79742a49/

Twitter: DellyGal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakthroughcrc/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5c4nvg-u08No-7iOiJ_og

Other: https://hihello.me/p/9538831e-6e0b-4930-8d96-5e7909e713d5

Image Credits
The Echelon Firm