Today we’d like to introduce you to Amenze Ogbebor
Hi Amenze, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had been working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the same company for several years and was trained in various forms of therapy (Trauma Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectal Behavioral therapy etc.) with children as young as 4 to adult 65 years or older. As I reflected on my experience with these various age groups, I felt drawn to empower women of color to overcome difficult circumstances specifically young adult women of color between the ages of 18-30 years old. As a woman of color myself I recalled going through difficult transitions during this time frame some of which included going to a rough break-up, experiencing anxiety over peer relationships and entering the work force. Some of these experiences such as entering the workforce seemed especially rough as had imposter syndrome due to being a woman of color in spaces that were dominated by male and non-women of color. Thus, I opened a therapeutic private practice to provide therapeutic services for women of color experiencing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and struggling with various life transitions. The mission of my practice is to encourage and empower Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) women so they can evolve into the best version of themselves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge I had in opening my practice has been determining my rates. Setting my rates based on my expertise. I had not charged anyone for services rendered prior to my private practice. In other positions held I was given a salary and did not charge for services, so I initially struggled setting this rate. It has been a learning curve in determining whether to provide a slighting scale for clients who are not able to afford my rate and addressing clients who payments don’t go through. I have a good system for this now which is reflected in informed consent document clients complete as a part of their intake.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Amenze O. Ogbebor, LCSW ?
My private therapeutic practice is listed under my name Amenze O. Ogbebor, LCSW. In my practice I provide therapeutic services for women of color experiencing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and struggling with various life transitions. The mission of my practice is to encourage and empower Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) women so they can evolve into the best version of themselves. I am a Woman of Color and recognize the importance of
Women of color having the option of attaining therapeutic services from a woman of color therapist as there are more non-women of color and male therapist providing therapeutic services than Women of color therapists. I am trained in various therapeutic techniques some of which includes; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) in which I am certified in this therapeutic modality.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I lived in Norway when I was younger. My favorite childhood memory was going on a cruise to Denmark. I remember making friends on the cruise, I watched the movie kindergarten cop at the movies on the cruise ship and ate great food.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amenze-ogbebor.clientsecure.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amenzeo.lcsw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amenzeoaLCSW/
Image Credits
Christina Sanchez Photography
