Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Richardson.
Hi Kristen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, located in the very deep South, there was a limited exposure to conversations surrounding wellness, mental health, sexual education, etc. I was raised in a close-knit, majority African American community where mental health and life circumstances were something you prayed about, and not something you sought treatment for. Therapy was not offered as a solution, personal development was only meaningful in reference to people’s careers, and families rarely addressed their generational trauma. Of course conversations about sex were whispered in hushed tones and often shrouded in religious shame and abstinence-only teachings. Also, the typical lack of sex education being taught in schools and parents not having honest conversations with their children about sex, which leads to sex miseducation and insecurity.
When I left Baton Rouge for college, I attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, Louisiana. I received my Bachelors in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology. My educational journey allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of mental health in African American communities. I was made aware of the limited access to culturally competent providers due to the lack of representation of African American therapists, unaffordable services resources, and high stigma surrounding mental wellness.
Continuing my education at The Chicago School, located in Washington, D.C., where I obtained my Masters in Forensic Psychology. My studies influenced me to narrow down my focus to providing mental health services for the incarcerated, as well as those who have a criminal record. There is a lack of accessible mental health services and resources, in general, and there are even less opportunities provided in the prison system. My goal began with wanting to provide ethical and reliable treatment and services that will benefit the personal development of the incarcerated population with the intention of reducing risk of recidivism, relapse, and receiving proper care. My goal is also to assist with the policy development and creating safe spaces that will focus on the healing and betterment of victims and survivors of any types of abuse (sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, rape, etc.).
Today, I currently reside in Baltimore, Maryland where I am a multifaceted professional that holds titles including a mental health professional, sex and intimacy coach/educator, podcast hostess, and photographer. Through my work, I strive to provide services that empower others to reclaim their voices, prioritize their mental health, and embrace their full selves.
My diverse background of working within the mental health field has granted me opportunities to practice in a plethora of settings and populations of people. With extensive experience in crisis intervention from working in settings such as hospitals, crisis support teams, domestic violence shelter, etc., I have worked closely with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD, providing compassionate support and evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to their unique needs. Determined to continue to bridge the gap, I pursued certification as a sex and sexuality coach. The big intention was to create a space where people, particularly African American women, could discuss their bodies, pleasure, and emotional well-being without fear.
For about five years, I have also had the privilege of hosting the enlightening podcast “What Are You Growing Thru?”, where I engage in meaningful conversations about personal growth/development, vulnerability, mental health, pleasure, etc. My creativity also extends into my work as a photographer, where I capture the essence of intimacy & emotion through my lens. I love to use my photography as a medium to tell stories & capture beauty in the form of stillness.
A lot of the work that I do and the things that I am passionate about stem from the environment that I was raised in, and its lack thereof. My intention is to carry all of those parts with me everywhere that God takes me. I live by my famous quote, “There is no growth inside the comfort zone, so let’s get uncomfortable.” It provides encouragement and reassurance of being capable of doing the things that are challenging, or even scary, with the intention of evolution and growth. If we are not growing, we are not living.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has not been as smooth. It is quite difficult to educate people when there is constant need for reframing and un-learning/learning. People have to be willing to do the work in order to change and alter their mindsets and beliefs in order to heal and grow. That is something I have found to be a genuine struggle for most, which is fair. People hesitate to discuss their struggles openly, fearing judgment from family, peers, church, society, etc. Most people are not open to things that appear foreign to them.
It has honestly been difficult for me to do the work, while doing the work. Holding space for others while working and healing through your own versions of similar traumas and experiences can be its own struggle.
As you know, we’re big fans of What Are You Growing Thru?, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What Are You Growing Thru?, LLC is known for being a space that welcomes people to come as their whole selves. It is actually encouraged. As a sex and intimacy coach/educator, I specialize in promoting sexual wellness, healthy relationship-building, working through trauma, and comprehensive sex education. I promote open, judgment-free conversations about intimacy, sexual safety, and consent, helping clients cultivate deeper connections and a stronger understanding of their own desires and boundaries. I hold workshops, facilitate programs, write blog/articles, and offer one-on-one coaching, as well as couples coaching, all with the mission of undoing generations of silence and/or miseducation. Devoted to challenging taboos and destigmatizing conversations around sex and mental health, specifically in African American & LGBTQIA+ communities, I commit to fostering safe spaces where people can freely heal & form deeper connections.
Our core offerings include virtual sessions dedicated to mental wellness, personal development, and comprehensive sex and relationship coaching for both individuals and couples. Additionally, we curate singles events/trainings and retail merchandise that promotes positive affirmations. Our services play a crucial role in enabling individuals to deepen their understanding and forge intimate connections with themselves, thereby influencing their relationships and environments positively. Our selection of merchandise is also available for purchase, including t-shirts, wristbands, buttons, and keychains.
Anybody who learns about my services through this article can receive any service at discounted rate using the code: VOYAGE. Let’s grow!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory relates to the times when we would take family trips for holidays, events, vacations, etc. to different parts of the Southern region, including New Orleans, Atlanta, Houston, Biloxi, etc. Most of our vacations were road trips, which was really my favorite part. The furthest drive I remember experiencing was to a beach in Virginia (I do not recall which one). Being able to travel in a car, filled with loved ones, offers a different perspective and experience of other places, especially when you are not the person who has to drive.
Traveling is now one of my favorite forms of self-care and exploration, on a macro level. Even though I have not quite adopted the travel method of many road trips as an adult, it is something that I plan to do more of in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.whatareyougrowingthru.com
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-are-you-growing-thru/id1525089057
