Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Terah Davis-Henderson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Terah, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I navigated through significant milestones in my career journey despite grappling with imposter syndrome. From moving to the U.S. at a young age to earning a PhD and becoming a licensed counselor; these were all marked by moments of self-doubt.
Nevertheless, I pushed past these barriers, leveraging my experiences to train professionals globally and empower women in their emotional healing for healthier relationships.
I remind myself of three guiding principles to conquer imposter syndrome:
(1) Stand if you must, walk if you may, but don’t sit in the puddle of doubt. Create movement, even during doubt.
(2) Keep your focus, don’t partner long-term with distractions.
(3) Leverage your experiences.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a creative, a wife, a mother, a mentor, and a friend. I am dedicated to truly loving and seeing myself in alignment with my genuine and authentic identity—embracing who I was created to be. This self-perception empowers me to honestly support and pour into others from a place of truth, compassion, and genuineness.
Like many in the helping profession, I began with a simple desire: I wanted to “help people.” Taking the first courageous step, I delved into my own mental health journey, uncovering firsthand what it meant to wrestle with unseen wounds and boundaries.
Growing up in the Bahamas, mental health care wasn’t a priority, but from a young age, say 13 or 14, I received affirming words from others. They saw qualities in me—being a good listener and motivator—that aligned pretty well with being an effective counselor. Their words resonated deeply, affirming what I had always felt. So, I acted by investing time and resources to nurture these qualities. Now, here I am, just as passionate about this field and my work as I was on day one!
I specialize in educating others about mental and emotional well-being. Recently, my professional interests have broadened to cover various areas: exploring adverse childhood experiences like childhood emotional neglect, providing pre-marital coaching, fostering emotional autonomy through boundary setting, and navigating the dynamics of female friendships.
I’m also an author of “The Couch: Where Life Happens,” a book crafted to feel like you’re receiving advice from a close friend who happens to be a professional counselor. It’s a journey offering lessons and actionable steps towards emotional wholeness within oneself and in relationships. It reflects my profession and the value I place on deep, meaningful discussions within the intimacy of friendships. “The Couch” provides a safe space to identify and address unhealthy emotional patterns, fostering the growth of healthy and thriving relationships.
Link: https://livewithlyfe.com/product/the-couch/
In my profession, I have the privilege of supporting individuals to feel acknowledged, listened to, and cherished by promoting mental and emotional agility and well-being. Additionally, I have the honor of instructing aspiring counselors, guiding them to do the same. It’s an esteemed position—stepping into people’s most profound experiences to assist in re-storying areas of pain into pathways of healing.
I aim to develop courses and webinars tailored for women grappling with identifying recurring emotional patterns that hinder their progress and the cultivation of healthy relationships. Additionally, I’m eager to revive my Unscripted Women’s Events—an initiative focused on bridging generational gaps to bring “The Couch” to life. I envision a gathering of women, spanning ages 21 to 81, fostering a space for mutual learning and empowerment. The potential of such an inclusive gathering? truly impactful.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1.Faith in God.
2. Connect with others.
3. Dedicate yourself to the process.
Bonus: Finish what you started. Having unwavering faith in God is a steadfast quality that guides and anchors me through life’s uncertainties. Many times, we believe we can manage things alone, and while that might hold some truth, forging connections with others often leads to greater achievements.
Dedication to the process is crucial—sometimes it won’t be effortless, and true dedication surfaces in moments when it feels most challenging. Bonus: Finish what you started. “Finishing” can be hard, but persevere nonetheless because you can do hard things. Then, edit and repeat—granting yourself grace throughout the journey.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents gifted me the opportunity to pursue advanced education and create a unique path—one I’m both eager and equipped to navigate, even if it diverges from the conventional route. I am and forever will be indebted to them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dr.terah.henderson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terah-l-henderson/
