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Daily Inspiration: Meet Dr. Monica Blied

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Today we’re excited to be connecting with Dr. Monica Blied again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Dr. Monica, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
Absolutely! I’m Dr. Monica Blied—a clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, professor, and, most importantly, a wife and mother of three. I founded Faces of Health, a wellness center in Claremont, California, where I specialize in neuropsychological assessments for ADHD and Autism, particularly for twice-exceptional, AFAB, and gender-diverse individuals. My work also extends to supporting people managing chronic illnesses like lupus, fibromyalgia, EDS, and MS.

Beyond my private practice, I’ve dedicated myself to expanding access to mental health resources in innovative ways. I created the Faces of Health app, a free tool that offers bite-sized, science-based strategies for stress management, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), somatic exercises, self-brainspotting, and breathing techniques. More recently, I launched AuDHD Strong, an app specifically designed to support neurodivergent individuals in developing executive functioning, self-regulation, and stress resilience. Additionally, my online courses, like Empowerment Through Understanding: Adult ADHD and Autism, bring research-backed tools directly to those who need them.

My journey to this work has been anything but traditional! I initially pursued biochemistry at Pepperdine, thinking I’d become a pediatrician, but I later transitioned to intercultural and health communication. After spending time touring as a runway model with Ebony Fashion Fair, I graduated from Pepperdine then worked in corporate America for five years as an Account Manager before realizing that psychology was my true calling.

During graduate school at Fuller Theological Seminary, my world shifted dramatically when I was diagnosed with lupus (and later with fibromyalgia as well). That experience forced me to rethink everything I knew about health, resilience, and faith. It taught me that health isn’t about willpower or belief—it’s about access to knowledge, support, and tools to navigate life’s challenges. This realization deepened my commitment to helping others, not just as a psychologist but as someone who truly understands what it means to live with both visible and invisible challenges.

Today, I’m honored to serve as the 2025 Chair of the California Psychological Association’s Division of Education and Training, an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, and a board member with Lupus LA. My work is fueled by a deep belief that mental health should be accessible, holistic, and affirming of every person’s unique identity and lived experience.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
It’s been such an exciting time! Since our last conversation, I’ve been focused on expanding my impact in ways that feel both meaningful and sustainable.

One of my biggest accomplishments has been the launch of AuDHD Strong and my Empowerment Through Understanding: Adult ADHD and Autism modules in 2024. These resources have been designed with neurodivergent adults in mind—offering practical, research-backed tools to help with executive functioning, stress management, and self-advocacy. As someone who is neurodivergent myself, this project is deeply personal, and I’m thrilled to see it helping people feel more understood and supported.

At the same time, I’ve been deepening my contributions to the psychology field. In the past few years, I’ve co-authored 12 journal articles and 4 book chapters, and presented at over 85 conferences nationwide. Each of these experiences has been an opportunity to share knowledge, collaborate with incredible professionals, and continue learning in a field that I’m so passionate about.
I’m also incredibly proud of how the Faces of Health app has grown since its launch in 2022. The app, which features short mental health training videos led by women of color, has been embraced by thousands of users looking for accessible, culturally relevant mental health resources. Seeing it reach people who might not otherwise have access to therapy skills has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

Of course, there have been challenges—balancing the growth of my private practice, the expansion of my digital resources, and my personal life as a wife and mother of three isn’t always easy. But what keeps me grounded is my mission: making mental health skills more accessible while normalizing the presence and visibility of Black women doctors.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building on this momentum! I have new collaborations, upcoming speaking engagements, and plans to expand my online courses and app features—all with the goal of making mental health support more inclusive, practical, and empowering for the people who need it most.

It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

  • Favorite Book: “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. I cried so hard. I am also on book three of the Infatuated Fae series now, by Jeneane O’Riley, which is a page-turner! As a child, I loved the Goosebumps series as a child, and The Babysitter’s Club
  • Favorite TV Show: The constant in this area is my love for nature shows. I love Planet Earth I, II, and III (I paid cash to watch the latest season), Our Planet, Our Oceans, Our National Parks, and real survivor shows like Alone! Other than that, my favorite series changes every few months (blame my AuDHD brain); but, in the past I’ve loved Abbott Elementary, Brooklyn 99, New Girl, and Parks & Rec.
  • Favorite Band or Artist: Kirk Franklin and Madison Ryann Ward
  • Sweet or Savory: Usually sweet; but, I love biscuits and gravy, a well-done steak, and other savory foods.
  • Mountains or Beach: A Mountain cabin overlooking the ocean (who says I can’t have both?!)
  • Favorite Sport (to watch): Men’s Swimming and Women’s Figure Skating
  • Favorite Sport (to play): Power walking and Dancing
  • Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): I did not. Even though I’m nearly 6’ tall now, and was already 5’9 by the time I was 10 years old, I was never very well coordinated when it came to playing sports. 🙁
  • As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Growing up, I had dreams of becoming a famous singer and a doctor. I got 1 out of 2!
  • French Fries or Onion Rings: If I’m eating a burger, then fries. If I’m eating a chili-cheese pastrami sandwich, then onion rings
  • Favorite Breakfast Food: Grits, Cream of Wheat, or Malt-O-Meal, especially if I can have it with biscuits and sausage or bacon.

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
For me, making difficult choices always comes down to one core question: Am I living in alignment with my values?Life is full of competing priorities, unexpected challenges, and moments where there’s no perfect answer. But when I’m faced with a tough decision, I pause and ask myself: Which path reflects my faith, my purpose, and the kind of impact I want to have on the world?

My values are deeply rooted in my faith in Christ, and that foundation shapes how I navigate challenges. Christ modeled fairness, honesty, and kindness to all people, regardless of their background, status, or past. He embraced those who were overlooked and led with love, even in the face of difficulty. His was a mission of healing and light, and I strive to carry that forward in how I treat others—and just as importantly, how I treat myself.

When making hard choices, I aim to lead with compassion, honesty, and a deep respect for individual differences. This means being truthful with myself about my limits, making decisions that uphold fairness and dignity, and recognizing the value of every person’s unique path. There are times when doing the right thing requires discomfort, sacrifice, or walking away from an easier road. But I firmly believe that when we stay true to our values—when we choose kindness over convenience and integrity over approval—we create space for trust, growth, and lasting change.

I also remind myself to extend grace—both to myself and to others. I don’t need to have every answer right away, and I don’t have to be perfect to live meaningfully. Life is full of tradeoffs, but if I can approach each decision with humility, prayer, and a commitment to loving God and others, I can be confident that I am walking the right path.

Ultimately, I believe that we are called to use our gifts in service of something greater than ourselves. So whether I’m deciding how to spend my time, where to invest my energy, or which opportunities to pursue, my goal is always to create a legacy of love, wisdom, and light—one that honors my faith and makes a lasting impact on the lives I touch.

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