Shareefah Al’Uqdah PhD. shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shareefah , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Swimming. I love to swim– in the ocean or in a pool. Water is my happy place. I love the weightlessness of it all.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Shareefah N. Al’Uqdah, and I am a licensed clinical psychologist, Associate Professor at Howard University, and the Founder & CEO of Your Neighborhood Clinic, a not-for-profit organization that provides accessible mental health services to underserved communities. I am often referred to as Your Neighborhood Psychologist because my mission is to “heal every hood” through mental health awareness, education, and culturally competent care.
What makes my work unique is the way I bridge research, clinical practice, and community impact. I’ve secured over three million dollars in grant funding to train and support the next generation of psychologists who are committed to working in underserved areas. I also conduct national and international workshops to equip educators, professionals, and families with tools for wellness.
On a personal note, as a wife, mother of four sons, and someone who has navigated the complexities of blended family life, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience into my work. Right now, I’m expanding Your Neighborhood Clinic to further address mental health disparities and strengthen resources for families and communities that have too often been overlooked.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I was a chubby little girl and I loved to swim. One day at the pool, I was climbing up the high diving board. This boy was laying on the side and yelled out, “she is going to get me wet.” I was embarassed and confused because I paid him no mind. I hadn’t noticed him at all; however, he was clearly paying attention to me. I thought, I could not jump off the board and hide. However, I climbed up and jumped off– giving him the finger in the process. When I came up, the lifeguard met me at the ladder and gave me a high five. I was maybe nine or ten and I decided then that I wouldn’t let one person, one negative comment stop me from my joy.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think I am most afraid of having to work too hard. Its almost like when Cliff told Theo that he was afraid his brain would explode if he tried hard at school. Sometimes, I think if I really sit down and write a book or start offering courses, it may require too much of me and I will burn out. Im really anxious about what the next level of my life will require of me….huhm. I have to let that go though and move onward and upward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
That feelings aren’t fact. Our world and economy is completely built on how people feel. Everything now is an effort to manipulate people’s feelings. If we can make them afraid then we can control what they buy, who they elect, who they attack, their attention, their everything. If we make them feel ugly, unworthy, desperate, we have them on a hook. So on one hand we have smart people telling you to give up feelings and telling you they don’t matter; however, they are building everything to manipulate your feelings to keep you enslaved. If we reconnected to our feelings and learned how to experience feelings of faith, hope, and joy; how to experience and release fear, anger, and disappointment— our world and lives would look so much different.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Harrassing my kids. Worrying about them doing chores or being better students. I would just enjoy them. My mom died when I was in graduate school and knowing the permenant hole that comes when your mother dies, I would want them to experience joy with me. I would want to laugh with them more and travel with them more and share silly stories so they can carry me forever in their hearts and minds. I would want to make sure they know just how much they mean to me and that they are all my favorites!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yourneighborhoodclinic.org
- Instagram: yourneighborhoodpsychologist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourneighborhoodpsychologist/
Image Credits
GoodeVision photography
