Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Osborne-sheeler
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Gloria Osborne-Sheeler, LCSW and I identify as a First Gen Immigrant, Afro-Latina from Panama. Growing up, I witnessed many things in my household such as challenges with religion, alcoholism, domestic violence, and operating from the damaging space of “El Que Diran.” Coming from a Latine background, one of the notions that is often instilled in us is “El Que Diran” (What will people say). I feel that I come from a family who was often hyperfocused on “El Que Diran” and it negatively impacted me in college. I often fell victim to worrying about what others were saying about me or putting others’ needs before mine. After going on a serious soul searching and healing journey, I was able to break out of “El Que Diran” and learn to prioritize myself and my needs first. I also learned to shift the focus to myself and reframe my thinking to “How will this make me feel?” vs. “What will people think or say about me.” Regardless of my experiences with some of my relatives, my parents (mother, father, and stepfather) instilled the notion of “treating other people like you want to be treated.” Not only did they teach me this but they also modeled it through and through. I am so grateful for my parents and the way they modeled being a good human being, despite differences with religious identity. My parents additionally taught me about love and being connected to the work that you chose to do on a daily basis. They were all very proud of me when I chose to pursue social work and become a licensed mental health therapist to assist others in my Latine community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a First Generation Afro-Latina Immigrant to this country, I had to overcome many battles and challenges along the way: Strengthening my English, Missing family in Panama, and overcoming and navigating family/generational traumas such as alcoholism, addiction, domestic violence, religious trauma, and taking accountability (saying sorry) when I’ve hurt someone’s feelings or let them down. I often felt alone and not supported by my father’s side family at times but somehow, someway, I was able to push through and break out of the generational traumas plaguing me on my mother and father’s side of the family. Despite often feeling alone, I’ve been able to find a great group of friends who feel like family. In a sense, you can say that I’ve been able to find and lean into the family I’ve created for myself. My mentor from USC School of Social Work once shared: “We are often put into families not meant for us. Therefore, we are tasked with finding and creating a family of our own.” I’m very happy and proud I’ve been able to do that. Although not easy, it was most certainly worth it.
We’ve been impressed with Glow In Therapy, Inc, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own and operate Glow in Therapy, Inc, a virtual private practice space that focuses on assisting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and Women of Color glow up their relationships and self-care and self-love practices. I also own and operate Glow In Practice, LLC which serves as a place for individuals to grow and glow their business, healing, and spiritual practices. I am most proud of creating a private practice that assists others to glow up both personally and professionally. I often say that I am the space where Curanderismo (Shamanism) and Mental Health (Salud Mental) meet as I provide services from a holistic and spiritual lens. When I am not working, you can find me taking care of my 8 month old baby boy, in a crystal shop, a coffee shop, or dancing and working out to a great hip-hop or reggaeton playlist.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I was once in a relationship that was no longer serving me in body, mind, heart, and spirit. I had let that relationship and my then fiancé’s family members really impact the way I was thinking, feeling, and acting. I had allowed the relationship to turn me into someone I was not and had very little support from my then fiancé and his family throughout the process. I finally mustered up the courage to end the engagement, give back the ring and the house, and walk away from the relationship that had completely broke me down and led me down a path of self destruction. When I walked away from that previous relationship, I had no idea what the cards had in store for me for dating and relationships. Fast forward to lots of healing, therapy, and crying, I was reconnected with the love of my life from college. Today we are happily married and have the most handsome 8 month old baby boy. I am so blessed, grateful, and happy that it all turned out for the best! I am so honored to utilize my difficult time as a catalyst for starting my own business and serving my community. I live for helping women of color get out of relationships that are no longer serving them – It is truly my passion to watch my client’s reclaim their power and own their glow up after a bad breakup.
Pricing:
- $250 – individual sessions
- $350 – couples sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glowintherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowintherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glowintherapy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriabosborne/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glowintherapy/search
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/glow-in-therapy-burbank
Image Credits
Kenisha Gill, Sharan Keswani
