Meet Dr. Giancarlo Simpson | Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Professor, and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Giancarlo Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Giancarlo, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I decided to start my private practice because I wanted to step into a space of professional independence and flexibility for myself and potential clients. I was in a position of comfort and made excuses or “took my time” to pursue my own business. I realized that to get the life I want, I must step into my discomfort and trust the process. I am grateful that I did. Now, I have a successful therapy practice and have been furthering my training at my own pace.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have two businesses; one offers therapeutic services, and the other photography. As a creative, I try to blend the two in some forms, albeit photographer therapy and therapeutic photography, with my clients as a part of their mental health service. I also incorporate mindfulness and explorative conversations to help the clients feel more comfortable and confident in my photography services. What sets me apart are these unique niches and my research experience. As a Black male therapist, I already represent a small demographic in the field. As a Caribbean therapist, I am even a smaller minority. I have to be culturally competent not only in terms of issues and experiences in America but also in the Caribbean.

I study consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationships, and my dissertation explored the lived experiences of Afro-Caribbean men who are in polyamorous relationships. My future research will expand to explore the lived experiences of Afro-Caribbean women, the diaspora as a whole, the Caribbean, and other diverse spaces.

It was a challenging journey that was rewarding in the process. I learned much about CNM and how it is another way to engage in healthy relationships. My challenge came from educating peers, prompting them to deconstruct their knowledge of relationships and intimacy.

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.
If I wanted to show a friend out, I would coordinate a time for us to hang out on a Saturday. I would start the day at the Alchemist in Wilton Manors, then relax at Fort Lauderdale Beach, cap the night in Las Olas, and explore the area during art walk.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my wife, Janine, for supporting my efforts. I want to dedicate this to those who have supported me along my doctoral journey and professional journal. My Supervisor, Dr. Randerson, for allowing me to be a Registered Intern and guiding me along my journey to licensure. To Phil Wells, thank you for helping me with my business and offering me beneficial feedback.

Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/giancarlo-a-simpson-fort-lauderdale-fl/365792

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXtxI_jDRw/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-giancarlo-simpson-lmhc-qs-28933b66/details/education/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/thegshot_/

Image Credits
Credit to Jodi-Ann Henningham, Nayshma Jones, and Jonathan de Lavelanet.