Brittany Golding, LMSW

Healing Work

Therapy with me: Is open and meaningful. My priority is to create a safe space for clients to show up as their authentic self, free from judgement.

My impacting identifies/roles that inform my work: Is acknowledging that my clients are the expert in their lives. My role is to provide alternative perspectives to assist clients in navigating their options and processing their emotions and experiences.

I feel informed and knowledgeable about: Micro and macro practices as I have experience that ranges from psychotherapy to community organizing. I have worked in various inner cities including Hartford, CT, Richmond, VA, Washington, DC, and Anne Arundel County. I primarily work with at-risk populations who deal with barriers of mental health, criminal justice system, education, housing, social issues, race, and policy. I enjoy working on the ground with real people to assist my advocacy work in systemic arenas for political change.

I work best with clients who: are ready to put in the work to find the best version of themselves. That population often looks like teenagers, families, and young adults. That is primarily the developmental stage of finding oneself and trying to figure out how to show up in the world. Even if you are not in that stage, I assist parents and guardians in supporting their child(ren) during that experience.

I am not a good clinical fit for clients who: are actively struggling with drugs and addictions or adolescents aged 10 and under as those are not areas I primarily work with. I believe those who are struggling with drugs and addictions and parents of adolescents aged 10 and under can be best supported with professionals certified in that area.

What makes me unique: is the ability to be relatable and understanding. I do not physically present as your corporate professional. I wear my natural hair out, septum piercing, tattoos, and a spunky style that catches clients off guard at times because their idea of therapy is based on what they see on TV. I purposely show up as my authentic self as representation to my clients to do the same.

Learning and Growing

– What I’m currently doing to learn, and grow is maintaining my education in the profession. Learning does not stop in the classroom but begins when putting the knowledge, we are taught into practice. I’m intentional about going to conferences, workshops, and networking to advance my learning and to remain up to date on what is currently happening.

Fun Facts/Resilience Building

What resources me to build resilience: is being able to manage my work and life balance. In my professional and personal life, I have the responsibility of showing up and being a provider in the many titles I have. As a natural giver, it is important that I give myself the same level of care I give to clients, friends, and family. Reserving my own mental health looks like being creative in artistic spaces as a painter, graphic designer, and blogger. Then when I’m feeling more of an “Eat, Love, Pray” vibe, it looks like exploring the city, trying new things, and being spontaneous.

Education

• I received my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (Fashion Design) from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (2014)
• I started my MSW journey in 2015 at Morgan State University then transferred to University of Connecticut a year later. I completed my MSW in 2017 with a focus in Community Organizing.
• I plan on returning to school to pursue a PhD in Social Work.

Certifications/Trainings/What I’m Reading Currently 

• Licensed Master Social Worker (MD Stated Board) in December 2022
• Trainings include but not limited to:
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Self-Care/Burnout
  • Stages of Grief
  • CBT Framework
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Family Centered Practice
  • Professional Youth Development
  • Stages of Change
• Currently I am not reading anything, but I desire to read some of the new books that I have bought including:
  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
  • Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
  • Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall