Being a woman, a person of color, a person with a disability, and a mother of three adult children, two of whom identify with the LBGTQ+ community, Carlita has firsthand experience with the challenges that the marginalized and disenfranchised face. Her lived experience, combined with her education, serves as the foundation from which she empowers others to understand and accept all of who they are and use that knowledge to walk confidently through life.

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Education:

Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bowie State University

Masters Degree in Community Counseling from Old Dominion University

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Experience:

​Carlita has over 15 years of experience providing mental health services to women and children who have experienced trauma and struggle with various forms of anxiety and depression. She uses a mix of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive and Behavior Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. 

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Carlita is the proud founder of Melanin Mental Health and Wellness, PLLC and is a Virginia Board of Counseling Approved Supervisor. She is also a published author, having penned a psychoeducational memoir, Eve's Exodus, and two psychoeducational therapy journals to support women on their trauma healing journey - Renew and Rise and working to better manage anxiety - Bye Anxiety. The focus of her work is to educate, empower and inspire through therapeutic storytelling.​​​