Meet Charde’ Walker

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charde’ Walker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Charde’, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Confidence and self-esteem are ongoing journeys, especially for someone like me who grew up navigating systemic challenges and personal doubts. A huge part of my growth came from embracing my identity and recognizing the value I bring as a Black woman in this field. Here’s how I developed my confidence:
1. Leaning Into My Story:
I grew up with a single mom who worked tirelessly to provide for us. That experience taught me resilience and how to turn obstacles into opportunities. Recognizing the strength in my own story helped me see the strength I could help others uncover in themselves.
2. Pursuing Education and Expertise:
Investing in my education and training gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to feel competent in my work. The more I learned, the more confident I became in my ability to help others.
3. Finding Representation and Mentorship:
Seeing other Black women excelling in psychology inspired me. I sought mentors who looked like me and understood my challenges. Their guidance made me feel seen and capable.
4. Owning My Perspective:
My experiences as a minority—both as a therapist and a person—give me a unique ability to connect with clients who feel marginalized or unseen. I’ve learned to value that perspective rather than shy away from it.
5. Celebrating Small Wins:
Building confidence meant recognizing even the small victories, like successfully helping a client through a tough session or navigating a challenging conversation.
6. Practicing Self-Care:
Self-esteem isn’t just about work; it’s about treating myself with kindness. I prioritize therapy for myself, maintain boundaries, and take time to recharge. It’s a way of showing myself that I’m worthy of care.
7. Challenging Negative Beliefs:
Like many, I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome. Over time, I’ve learned to challenge those inner critical voices and replace them with affirmations of my skills and worth.

Confidence and self-esteem aren’t static—they’re cultivated over time through intention, practice, and self-compassion. I’ve learned that my power lies in being unapologetically myself, and that’s what I aim to model for my clients.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As a therapist specializing in trauma, I work with individuals who have endured some of life’s most challenging experiences, helping them navigate the journey toward healing and wholeness. I create a safe, supportive space where my clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to take back control of their lives. My work is rooted in helping clients recognize their resilience, process their pain, and reclaim their narratives.

What excites me most about my work is the privilege of witnessing transformation. Trauma can leave people feeling disconnected and hopeless, but guiding someone through the process of finding their inner strength and rebuilding their life is an honor that never feels routine. Every story is unique, and every breakthrough is profound.

I’m also thrilled to be expanding my focus into maternal mental health in the future. This feels like a natural evolution of my practice, as so many trauma survivors also navigate complex emotions surrounding pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Maternal mental health is deeply personal for me because it intersects with themes of identity, resilience, and generational healing. I hope to be a resource for women navigating everything from fertility challenges to postpartum struggles, ensuring they feel seen and supported.

As I expand into this specialty, I’m planning to offer workshops and support groups focused on maternal mental health, trauma recovery during pregnancy, and postpartum wellness. These new services will create a community space where women can share their experiences and find collective healing alongside individual therapy.

At the heart of my work and brand is a deep commitment to empowerment and accessibility. I aim to provide culturally competent care, especially for women of color who often feel unseen in traditional mental health spaces. My mission is to destigmatize therapy and provide tools that help women thrive—not just survive.

This next chapter in my practice is filled with hope and possibility, and I’m excited to offer new services that support mothers and families while continuing my trauma work. For me, this isn’t just a career—it’s a calling.

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?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey as a therapist are empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These have shaped not only how I connect with clients but also how I’ve built my practice and found fulfillment in this work.
1. Empathy: Empathy has been the foundation of my work. Understanding people’s pain and meeting them where they are is essential in building trust and creating a safe therapeutic environment. For those early in their journey, I’d say empathy is like a muscle—you develop it by listening deeply, reflecting on your own experiences, and always seeking to understand perspectives different from your own. Volunteering, mentorship, or even engaging in meaningful conversations with people from diverse backgrounds can help you grow this skill.
2. Adaptability: No two clients, situations, or sessions are ever the same. Learning to pivot, adjust, and meet the unique needs of each person has been key to my success. Early in your journey, embrace flexibility and don’t shy away from challenges or the unknown. Take every opportunity to work with different populations, and see each case as a chance to grow. Supervision and peer consultation are invaluable here—lean on those who’ve walked the path before you.
3. Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Therapy is both an art and a science, and staying curious has kept me grounded and effective. Whether it’s diving into research, attending workshops, or learning new modalities like EMDR or somatic experiencing, I’ve never stopped growing. My advice to anyone starting out is to treat learning as non-negotiable. Invest in high-quality training, read widely, and don’t underestimate the power of self-reflection and personal growth in becoming a better therapist.

For anyone starting their journey, my biggest piece of advice is to embrace the process. It’s okay not to have everything figured out. Stay curious, stay humble, and trust that your passion for helping others will guide you in the right direction.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to a combination of practices that ground me, center me, and help me reconnect with myself: reading, praying, and yoga. Each of these has become an essential part of my self-care toolkit.
• Reading helps me step away from the immediate stress and enter a space of reflection or inspiration. Whether it’s a novel, a book on mindfulness, or something motivational, reading helps me pause, shift my focus, and gain new perspectives.
• Praying allows me to release what I can’t control and lean into my faith. It reminds me that I don’t have to carry everything alone and gives me a sense of peace and clarity. Even a few moments of prayer can help me reset.
• Yoga helps me process stress physically and emotionally. Through intentional movement and deep breathing, I reconnect with my body and calm my mind. It’s amazing how much tension and overwhelm can dissipate after a 20-minute flow or even just a few stretches.

Advice or strategies I’d recommend:
1. Pause and prioritize. Overwhelm often comes from trying to do too much at once. Take a step back, identify what truly needs your attention, and let go of the rest (even temporarily).
2. Build a grounding routine. Practices like reading, praying, or yoga can work wonders when done consistently. Experiment to find what works for you and make it a habit.
3. Practice self-compassion. It’s okay to not have everything together all the time. Be kind to yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

When life feels overwhelming, it’s important to remember that small, intentional actions can make a big difference. Find what calms you, and don’t forget to breathe—you’ve got this!

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