Today we’d like to introduce you to D’Shawn Harris .
Hi D’Shawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When my mother was pregnant with me, she was arrested and went before a judge who sentenced her and told her, “I’m going to save this child.” He expected to save me from her drug addiction. My mother went into labor with me while she was in prison. I was born to a drug-addicted mother who spent most of her life in and out of jail. Because of that, I was a product of the foster care system throughout childhood, where I was constantly moved from foster home to group home and suffered physical, mental & sexual abuse, which caused me to seek therapy at an early age for my traumas. I was not going to be a product of my circumstances but a victor. In 2009, I graduated high school and immediately went to a community college studying Criminal Justice and eventually transferred to Coppin State University and finished out my B.S degree in 2014.
I carried out a 10-year career path in the Criminal Justice field, starting as an intern, becoming a probation agent, and ending as a District Court Commissioner. My experience includes working with children and adults with anxiety, depression, personality disorders, foster care-related concerns, addiction, LGBTQ+ issues, PTSD, trauma, school-based issues, ADHD, relationship concerns, and life transitions. I did all of this while simultaneously pursuing my master’s degree in counseling.
I became a psychotherapist in September of 2021, right before my 30th birthday, and currently, work for Maryland Counseling Associates. I offer a safe therapeutic space to alleviate emotional pain, restore hope, and promote personal growth with an eclectic approach. I am also an active advocate for Mental Health, doing speaking engagements & other advocacy work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
Not at all. As previously mentioned, the odds were against me from day one. I was a product of the foster system; I wasn’t expected to overcome the adversities I faced. I was being subjected to physical and mental abuse, being bullied because I was the bumy kid in school who didn’t have what all the other kids had because my clothes and things were hand-me-downs. I refused to be a product of my circumstances. We all have a sad story, but I chose to use my story to help someone else possibly.
Eventually, my mother became clean and earned her parental rights back. She got me back when I was 14 but struggled taking care of me, so I was working small typical teenage jobs such as McDonald’s and Downtown Locker Room. In 2009 we became subjects of public housing because she couldn’t afford regular rent anymore. Still, I never allowed that to define me. I went to school determined to get away from my current environment. While in undergrad, my mother suddenly passed away. Her past substance abuse caught up with her. Of course, that was a huge roadblock and heartache for me, but I knew I had to keep going & that’s just what I did.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Psychotherapist currently working for Maryland Counseling Associates. I offer a safe therapeutic space to alleviate emotional pain, restore hope, and promote personal growth with an eclectic approach. I am also an active advocate for Mental Health and have an overall goal to end its stigma. I do speaking engagements & other mental health advocacy work.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yes, I do what I do to pay it forward. I hope that my story impacts someone else and hopefully motivates and encourages them. I want to be impactful, not popular.
Contact Info:
- Email: dshawnharris91@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.marylandcounselingassociates.com/dshawn-harris
- Instagram: @dshawnlharris
Image Credits
IG: @swaggedoutshotsphotography Julis Thompson
