We were lucky to catch up with Clarissa Gooding-aytch recently and have shared our conversation below.
Clarissa , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Growing up in Kinston, NC, I often felt the pressure of being “enough” in spaces that weren’t built with people like me in mind. When I began my studies at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), I was surrounded by a community that nurtured my sense of self-worth and gave me a glimpse of what it means to thrive as a Black woman in academia. However, stepping into predominantly white institutions and professional settings after graduation reawakened that gnawing feeling: “Do I belong here?”
Imposter syndrome clung to me like an invisible weight through my Master of Public Health program at East Carolina University and later during my clinical training at Fayetteville State University. Despite the accolades, the degrees, and the growing list of accomplishments, I found myself questioning whether I was truly qualified to hold space for others as a clinician.
It wasn’t until I began working in community health that the pieces started falling into place. I was working directly with marginalized populations, often seeing the ways systemic barriers worked against them. These experiences reminded me that my lived experiences and my academic training weren’t just qualifications, they were a source of power and connection. By witnessing the resilience of others, I learned to honor my own.
When I opened Rerooted Counseling Services, PLLC, I committed to creating a practice rooted in liberation psychology and Black feminist thought. The very philosophies that helped me overcome imposter syndrome became the foundation for my work with clients. I stopped viewing my role as simply “providing therapy” and started embracing the idea that I was part of a collective effort to challenge oppression and redefine wellness for Black women and others navigating similar struggles.
One of the most transformative practices I adopted was engaging in reflective journaling, a habit I now incorporate into the grief groups and individual sessions I lead. Through writing, I gave myself permission to acknowledge my fears and counter them with evidence of my growth. Over time, I also cultivated a practice of naming my accomplishments, big or small, as acts of defiance against the voice of doubt.
What truly solidified my confidence was the feedback I received from clients and peers. Seeing the impact of my work in helping others dismantle their own internalized limitations was a mirror for my own healing. Hosting events like our recent networking event for professionals serving Black women, I realized that I wasn’t just occupying space. I was actively reshaping it.
Overcoming imposter syndrome wasn’t about suddenly believing I was perfect or beyond critique. It was about embracing my imperfection as part of my humanity and seeing my struggles as part of my strength. Now, I encourage the women I serve to do the same: to unlearn the narratives that tell us we aren’t enough and to reroot ourselves in the truth that we are more than worthy.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My journey into the mental health field is deeply rooted in both personal passion and professional growth. Growing up in Kinston, NC, I was surrounded by a strong sense of community but also witnessed the ways systemic barriers could limit opportunities, especially for Black women. Those early experiences planted a seed in me, a desire to not only rise above challenges but also help others do the same.
After graduating from NCCU, I pursued a Master of Public Health (MPH) at East Carolina University. During this time, I gained a deeper understanding of how health disparities impact communities of color. My focus then shifted to mental health, a vital yet often overlooked component of holistic wellness, and I went on to earn my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fayetteville State University. These academic milestones were pivotal, but the real transformation began when I stepped into the field.
For three years, I worked in community health, where I saw firsthand the resilience of individuals navigating complex systems with limited resources. These experiences solidified my belief that mental health care must go beyond surface-level solutions. It must address the intersections of identity, culture, and systemic oppression. Inspired by liberation psychology and Black feminist thought, I began envisioning a practice that could fill this gap.
Seven years ago, I moved to Fayetteville, NC, where I built deeper connections with the community and expanded my expertise as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Clinical Supervisor. During this time, I honed my skills in trauma-informed care, addiction recovery, and grief counseling. I also learned the value of meeting people where they are, creating spaces where they feel empowered to share their stories and take ownership of their healing.
In 2024, I took a leap of faith and founded Rerooted Counseling Services, PLLC, a practice designed to serve individuals seeking not just healing, but transformation. At Rerooted, we focus on treating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and addiction, with a special emphasis on helping Black women navigate the internal and external barriers they face. Our approach integrates evidence-based methods with a deep understanding of the cultural and systemic factors shaping mental health.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been creating group therapy programs, like our 8-week grieving series for those who’ve lost a spouse. These sessions bring people together to process their pain in community, using therapeutic tools, journaling prompts, and curated readings to foster healing. I also host workshops like “Grieving Through the Holidays,” which provide practical support during emotionally challenging times.
Looking back, every step of my journey, from my roots in Kinston to my years in community health, and now as the founder of Rerooted Counseling Services, has prepared me for this work. Opening my own practice was the culmination of years of learning, unlearning, and growing. It’s a space where I not only offer care to others but honor the values that have guided me throughout my life: resilience, liberation, and the power of community.
To anyone reading this, I invite you to connect with us, whether as a client, a collaborator, or someone curious about what we do. At Rerooted Counseling Services, we believe in the power of rerooting yourself in your truth and emerging stronger, more aligned, and ready to thrive.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities and skills stand out as the most impactful in shaping my path to where I am today:
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning
My passion for knowledge began early and has guided me through every stage of my career. From earning my undergraduate degree at North Carolina Central University to completing advanced degrees in public health and social work, I’ve embraced learning as a way to equip myself with the tools necessary to serve others. Beyond formal education, I’ve sought out experiences and training that expanded my understanding of how systemic issues impact mental health. This commitment to growth has allowed me to adapt to new challenges and meet the evolving needs of my clients.
Advice: Stay curious and open to new knowledge. Whether through formal education, professional development, or simply listening to the stories of those you serve, every opportunity to learn is a chance to deepen your expertise and expand your impact.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges
My journey has been full of moments that tested my resolve, from navigating the rigorous demands of graduate school to balancing the complexities of community health work. Each challenge was an opportunity to dig deep and remind myself why I started this journey. Founding Rerooted Counseling Services, PLLC, required not only perseverance but the ability to embrace uncertainty and remain focused on my vision.
Advice: Develop resilience by reframing setbacks as lessons. Lean on your support system and practice self-compassion during difficult times. Building resilience is about knowing that setbacks are part of the process and using them to fuel your growth.
A Clear Vision and Purpose
Knowing my “why” has been a guiding light throughout my career. My work is deeply rooted in liberation psychology and Black feminist thought, focusing on dismantling barriers that prevent people, especially Black women, from thriving. This clarity of purpose has not only shaped my practice but also helped me stay grounded, even when imposter syndrome crept in.
Advice: Take the time to reflect on what truly drives you. Write it down, share it, and use it as your compass when the journey feels uncertain. Your purpose is the foundation that will keep you aligned, no matter how challenging the road ahead becomes.
To those early in their journey, I would say this: Be patient with yourself. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and the process is as important as the destination. Invest in building your skills, seek mentorship, and remember that your journey is uniquely yours. You don’t need to have everything figured out at once, trust the path you’re on and honor the steps you’re taking to get there.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that has profoundly shaped my personal and professional development is Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength by Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes. This book resonated with me on such a deep level because it speaks directly to the lived experiences of Black women who, like me, have often been socialized to embody an unrelenting strength, no matter the cost.
Dr. Walker-Barnes unpacks the “Strong Black Woman” archetype, a cultural expectation that demands Black women carry the weight of the world on their shoulders while suppressing their own pain and needs. Reading this book was like holding up a mirror, it forced me to reflect on how I had internalized those expectations, even as I worked to help others dismantle them.
One of the most powerful nuggets of wisdom in the book is the idea that strength, as it’s traditionally defined for Black women, can become a barrier to authentic living. This hit home for me because, as a therapist and advocate for Black women, I’ve seen how this expectation of strength often prevents my clients, and at times, myself, from seeking help or admitting vulnerability. Walker-Barnes’ message encouraged me to redefine strength as the courage to rest, set boundaries, and embrace our full humanity.
Another impactful takeaway is the importance of community in breaking the cycle of overextension and self-neglect. The book underscores that healing is not a solo journey—it happens in spaces where we feel safe to share our stories and let go of the burdens we’ve carried for too long. This insight has deeply influenced the way I design my therapy groups, particularly those that center the experiences of Black women. I want to create spaces where women feel seen, heard, and empowered to release the weight of unrealistic expectations.
Dr. Walker-Barnes also weaves in the role of faith; not as a tool for perpetuating oppression, but as a source of liberation. She challenges harmful theological narratives that glorify suffering and sacrifice, encouraging Black women to see their faith as a path to freedom and self-care. This reframing has influenced my own spiritual journey and helped me guide clients who seek to reconcile their faith with their need for rest and restoration.
Too Heavy a Yoke is more than a book to me. It’s a blueprint for liberation, one that aligns deeply with the values at the heart of my practice. It reminds me that our worth is not tied to how much we can endure, but to our ability to live fully and authentically. This book has not only transformed how I approach my own well-being but also how I walk alongside my clients as they navigate their own paths to healing.
If you’re a Black woman, or someone seeking to understand the unique challenges we face, I highly recommend this book. It’s a reminder that liberation begins with releasing what no longer serves us and rerooting ourselves in our truth.
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