Healing in 2022 - Young Black MRS

Young Black MRS

Healing in 2022

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What’s it like to be a Black woman therapist in today’s time? Our guest, Casondra (Candi) Foster left a job after being told her call time was too long. Her response was, “Call time is too long? I’m a therapist.”

During BIPOC Mental Health Month, the Young Black MRS team unpacks what it’s like to be a Black female therapist in 2022. Plus Casondra is a Christian therapist, so there are levels to the conversations she brings to this episode of the podcast. Morgane and Casondra unpack, “old school” church thinking, how the murder of George Floyd impacted her practice, and of course her 15-year marriage.

Casondra is a Kansas City wife and mother of two kids. She is a licensed counselor with a private practice. After completing her education, including a master’s from Avila University she moved from an entry-level role to a management role. Casondra’s passion is to impact her community in Kansas City as she personally desired someone who looked like her when she was younger.

While attending Avila University, she was technically reintroduced to her now-husband. Both attended the same high school, however, it was taboo to date underclassmen. After a date with her future boo, the two maintained a great friendship for 16 years. “He smoothed me because I was kind of rough,” Casondra said.

Casondra’s biggest advice for her 15-year marriage:

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. Everything’s not a challenge towards you. Always be willing to hear your partner.”

After college, Casondra took an entry-level role, that she absolutely loved. She was working directly with the community she wanted to serve. Naturally, she progressed to a manager role at another company. But as many Black women can relate to, she felt she was meant to be seen and not heard in this role. She shifted to a more call center style role in the therapy space. That’s when things started to bubble over.

George Floyd was murdered.

Casondra recounts the repetition of trauma Americans experienced, especially Black Americans, during this time. Over and over the images were on the news. And the aftermath lives on. Currently, Casondra sees 10 clients daily plus works half days on Saturdays. She is devoted to her work and her clients.

As a counselor, she can incorporate her Christian faith into practice, given the client also shares her faith. Casondra advocates for both therapy and Jesus despite old-school thinking. Some might think therapy is too expensive, but Casondra offered a resource to help Black women and girls pay for therapy from The Loveland Foundation.

Let’s keep the conversation going by connecting with Morgane on social media. Let them know what you thought of this episode.

What did Morgane chew in this episode?

Orange Tofu with Broccoli. Spoiler alert, it looks better than it tasted.