We were lucky to catch up with Cortney Barlow recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cortney, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My name is Cortney Barlow and I am a mental health speaker and therapist. It’s funny because since I was a child I wanted to be a teacher. I never thought in a million years I would be a speaker or therapist; I just always wanted to teach others. I truly believe my purpose was chosen for me and I was destined to be in the position I am in. I originally studied Elementary Education in college until my first internship. It was in that role I decided being confined to a classroom setting was not for me. Don’t get me wrong I love kids, but teachers are literal superheroes and I do not have the super power. I began doing research on majors that help others outside of the classroom. This is when I found social work and I immediately changed my major. I absolutely thrived in my social work classes and loved everything about the field. As it got closer to graduation, I began doing research for graduate programs. I had an interest in Public Health with a speciality in Epidemiology focusing on HIV/AIDS research. However, my school had a one years masters program in social work further solidifying my passion in the field. After completing my masters and earning my License as a Clinical Social worker with experience in the field. I was working in a corporate setting but I did not feel as if I was truly making a difference. Thats when the pandemic happened and completely changed my life. As I was working from home for 15 months, there were talks of us returning back into the office. However, in order to return to the office we had to get the COVID vaccine or lose our job. I felt as if my back was against the wall so I got the shot. I was never a fan of getting the vaccine because it was so new and I have allergies to medications but I felt I needed my job. After receiving the first shot i began experiencing seizures the very next day. I had never experienced any health issues in the past and was considered healthy. Now after the shot I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. This was extremely devastating because my entire life and lifestyle had to change including not being able to drive. My role at the corporate job was a community specialist which required me out of the office. I was forced to resign after they would not accommodate my new lifestyle. This was angering, confusing, and I felt lost trying to figure out whats next for me. I began doing mental health therapy which I love but I felt I could do more. With my experience having a disability I saw there was a gap in services for persons with disabilities. I have a masters degree in social work and struggled finding social services for myself. I began to empathize and think of persons with disabilities who do not have access to the internet, English isn’t their first language, or cannot read or write. My personal experience with having a disability as well as my knowledge and background propelled me to my purpose of speaking, advocating, and healing others. I did not realize it until now but I was slowly being molded to my purpose. I realized the best way to help others was to first and foremost take care of myself and learn ways to manage my own healing. The second way I can help others is to speak and teach on a large scale. I have spoken to an organization with over 500 people attending a virtual presentation on “Coping with Burnout”. I have spoken to colleges on mental health signs and symptoms as well as managing after the pandemic. I have also had the pleasure of being invited to Costa Rica to speak about “Generational Trauma” to a black women’s healing retreat. My work is just beginning and I cannot wait to continue living and working in my purpose.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a passionate speaker and mental health therapist focused on destigmatizing mental health in communities of color. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Qualified Supervisor and Certified Health Coach. I specialize in trauma, anger management, group facilitation, and nutrition. I am also passionate about advocating for disabilities services as someone who experiences my own disability. I own a wellness business focused on holistic healing that considers the physical, emotional, spiritual, and nutritional aspects of health. I strongly believe healing does not just come from going to therapy or the gym but a multidimensional approach. I believe therapy helps everyone but also putting in the work to be better. I love to educate people on the importance our diet has on on physical and mental health. As well as the importance of exercise, yoga, or even walking. I am working on a multidisciplinary clinic focused on whole body healing as well as working with local organizations educating the public on the signs and symptoms of mental health.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most important three qualities impactful in my journey is first and foremost empathy. Every person you know is struggling with something and is just trying to survive. Even the people who appear to have their lives together are struggling with something. When we are empathetic we remove ourselves and put own someone else’s shoes. Putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes gives us the ability to give others grace just as we want grace. Another quality I believe is important is to never take anything personal. Like I said earlier everyone is fighting a silent battle so its about that persons perception not about you. The last quality I believe is important is forgiveness. Life is too short to hold on to anger and resentment from the past. Live in the moment and forgive those who have hurt you. Now forgiveness does not mean you are “best friends” with someone who has hurt you but it means moving forward and releasing that pain the person has caused. You can forgive someone and not speak to them again. Forgiveness is about letting go and moving forward but also protecting your peace.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am looking for people who are passionate about health and wellness to collaborate with. I want to work with personal trainers, yoga instructors, holistic doctors, nutritionists, and anyone in the field of healing others naturally. I am so passionate about healing others and changing the world. I want to work with others who have the same passion. I am a motivational speaker who loves to speak to groups on taking care of your health. Your mental and dietary health is just as important as your physical health. I am passionate about working with others who believe the same thing and act on it. If you or someone you know is looking for motivational speakers whoo love everything about health and wellness, I am your girl!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapymademedoit.com
- Instagram: Therapymademedoit
- Linkedin: Cortney Barlow, LCSW-QS
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