Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Smith, LCSW.
Hi Jasmine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In the heart of Watts, Los Angeles, I discovered my life’s purpose: to become a Doctor of Social Work and an advocate for the well-being of Black women survivors of violence. I was raised in a single-parent household as my father was unfortunately incarcerated. Despite being raised in a challenging environment, my mother’s unwavering support and early exposure to mental health support from a Black female therapist inspired me and ignited my passion for serving others.
I began as early as high school, taking an Intro to Psychology course at West Los Angeles College, which validated my desire to make a difference in the lives of those who, like me, had faced adversity.
My path took an unexpected turn when I relocated to the East Coast and experienced relationship and sexual violence. Amid the hardships, the birth of my son motivated me to seek resources to rebuild my life. Supported by my mother and an incredible victim advocate, I safely relocated back to Los Angeles and again utilized therapy to remove myself from the cycle of abuse.
I continued my studies, combining my lived expertise with the knowledge and skills obtained from my master’s degree. I became a licensed clinical social worker and domestic violence advocate with a certification in sexual assault. Shortly after, I opened my private practice, where I am able to join survivors in their healing from a decolonized lens with authentic empathy and compassion.
Currently, I am finishing my final year as a doctoral student and committed to leveraging my degree to break the cycle of violence and trauma afflicting Black women. Since starting the program, I founded a nonprofit, B. Well, to mitigate the barriers underlying healthcare inequities and ultimately impacting our health and well-being.
I share my story as a testament to the possibility of a fulfilling life after abuse while increasing awareness and decreasing the stigma Black women encounter in naming their experience of violence. I also share my story in various spacious as a speaker, trainer, and consultant, working to amplify the voices of Black women and expand healthcare and mental health professionals’ understanding of violence against Black women and the need to co-create spaces for healing with cultural humility and trauma responsive care.
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?
The road could have been smoother, and I always say that I am not grateful for what I endured but for the person I became. I am truly blessed with a loving family, my mother, husband, and children (my son and daughter), who help me remember who I am and why I am dedicated to this work.
As I mentioned earlier, my father’s incarceration was challenging, and at the same time, this was the catalyst to seeking therapy at an early age. I am forever grateful that my childhood therapist was a Black woman who effectively modeled what it means to truly see, hear, and validate a client. While I am formerly trained with a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in social work with an emphasis on mental health and in empirically informed modalities, my experience of trauma and abuse and my identity as a Black woman has helped me center my clients’ identities, needs, perspectives, and stories.
To continue this work, I also proudly serve as the committee chair of diversity and inclusion for the National Association of Social Workers and the Vice President of the Association of Black Social Workers where I actively engage in policy reform and program development and evaluation to ensure that Black voices are consistently at the table to strategize on some good trouble; my work is centered on social justice, comforting the afflicted and unmercifully afflicting the comfortable.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about B.Well and Blossoming Souls Therapy?
www.blossomingsoulstherapy.com
Blossoming Souls Therapy specializes in holistic therapeutic services for Black women. We prioritize client-centered care, addressing issues like trauma, eating disorders, and relationship violence in a safe, inclusive space. Our Afro-centered “professional homegirl” approach is authentic and relatable, using varied techniques from dancing to EMDR and Brainspotting. Our main goal is to ensure clients feel heard and valued in their healing journey.
www.bwellinc.com B. Well is a nonprofit focused on improving the health and well-being of Black women and girls. We promote healing through education and advocacy to address historical and systemic racism. Committed to autonomy and empowerment, we advocate for equitable healthcare and combat gender-based violence within the Black community. Our vision emphasizes body autonomy and freedom from oppressive healthcare. Recent initiatives include our Black Women’s Wellness event, offering free mammograms and holistic services like sound bath healing. We’re dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for healing and empowerment.
How do you define success?
I believe that there are various forms of success, which is not merely about individual accomplishments but the positive impact made on the lives of others and the broader community.
I value the ability to empower others, create positive change, be authentic in a world that wants to tell you who you are or how you should be, take care of yourself in a world that thrives on productivity/hustle culture, and a commitment to lifelong learning where we transform challenges into opportunities.
For my organizations, I believe that success would be to see the long terms outcomes of dismantling forms of oppression or isms.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bwellinc.com & ww
w.blossomingsoulstherapy.com - Instagram: b.welll_ & blossomingsoulstherpay
- Facebook: facebook.com/
blossomingsoulstherapy & faceb ook.com/bwellinc - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/jasmine-smith- lcsw-502a105a/
Image Credits
The photos in the purple blazer were shot with K. Gill Image & Branding Photography. The photo with the white blazer was shot with Everitt Photography The photo with the camera equipment in the background and the #whyweadvocate was on my camera, but during a documentary I filmed with the National Organization for Victim Assistance. The photo I took in nature was during a speaking engagement with the Office on Violence Against Women by my MSW intern, Brittany Williams
