I made a promise on my 29th birthday that I would get clear about all that is Shea and learn to love her, every inch of her. At age 27 I sent 2 emails to her, but it took me 2 years to actually begin sessions with her because I was petrified. Petrified of so many things I thought it would mean if little oh me went to the forbidden word "Therapy". Hello crazy ass Aries (insert the world's descriptions of our CRAZY here) A year later it has been the scariest, most truth telling, and enlightening experience I've had to date. I will always have work to do, but I've grown into the strongest woman I could NEVER imagine. I say never b/c when ur sensitive with a firey passionate voice like mine....honestly you don't think you can withstand anything, regardless of what the world says. I cry a little more but let things go faster, I yell less but write way more, I allow the gray areas in some spaces. But this was the biggest present I could have ever given to myself. Truly. Meet clinical psychologist and licensed clinical social worker Shirley Smith who operates out of Midtown and Harlem. www.drshirleysmith.com #mentalhealth #blackdoctors #blackpsychologists #gettingtohappy #blackwomendoctors #emotionalfreedom (at 19 W 34th St)