We recently had the chance to connect with Rosemary Cook and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rosemary, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently came off of my sabbatical of six weeks. I was proud that I put myself first. For part of this sabbatical, I went away and then the other part a scaled back dramatically on activities, interactions with people and things that are draining. I had some personal coaching sessions. I did some reading on self improvement and I let go of things that no longer served me. I said no to people and to things that did not align with my purpose. I’m proud of myself for not continuing to overextend and to people, please which was exhausting and detrimental to my physical, emotional, and mental health. I actually practiced what I preach and teach.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Rosemary Cook, PhD, LCSW-C. I am a licensed clinical social worker, Pastor Counselor, faith leader, and educator. My company is called Totally Whole pastoral counseling services, LLC which is a mental health group practice, providing traditional psychotherapeutic services as well as holistic mental health services that integrate Mind, body and spirit. At Totally Whole we emphasize that in order to heal fully, the spirit must be aligned with the mind and the body. I am also the founder of Totally Whole Training Academy, Inc a nonprofit organization. We train individuals, organizations, faith based communities, clergy, clinicians, and interns on Mental Health related topics and the intersection between Spirituality and Health. My company is unique, in that our clinicians are dually trained to utilize traditional as well as spiritual approaches to augment healing.
My specialty is trauma focused treatment, and EMDR a treatment for trauma. In communities of color there is so much trauma and there are very few EMDR trained therapists. So, I am working on expanding trauma services into the global arena. I recently traveled to South Africa and provided trauma focused training to clergy and women.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that felt comfortable being quiet and shrinking, has served its purpose. I realize now that shrinking was a way to protect me from feeling shame or ridicule. I learned as a child that being smart and being seen could get you in trouble. I was bullied because I was smart, and the teachers noticed me. I carried that sense of shame into my adult life and the early parts of my professional life. But I no longer apologize for my knowledge, my education, and my gifts. I realize that I have something to share with the world. I no longer remain quiet or stay in spaces that I have outgrown or spaces that delight in keeping me small.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me to lean into my faith. Suffering taught me to listen to my inner voice and trust my knowledge. Suffering taught me how strong I really am and it taught me gratitude. Suffering taught me that I could believe in myself and in my God to get me through.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to misinterpret the scripture in Isaiah 30:15 that says in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. I believed that it meant I should be quiet because it showed strength. To a degree quietness has its place. For an African-American, Professional, Christian woman, quietness can be interpreted as weakness. In the professional realm, I have learned that I have to put myself out there in order to attract audiences that are in need of the services that I provide. The adage that says a closed mouth doesn’t get fed I have found to be true. Quietness has led to me trying to live up to the superwoman syndrome and not asking for help when clearly I needed it. Far too often, Black Women bear the burden of taking care of everybody else and ignoring ourselves. As women, we silently destroy ourselves thinking that it’s a badge of honor to be the quiet and strong one, to be the responsible one while neglecting our self-care. I now know that the scripture meant to quiet the inner noise and anxiety and find inner peace through trusting God to work through me to fulfill my dreams and His purposes for my life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I know I am doing what I have been called to do. In order to have this peace I recognize that I have to guard my heart, my mind, and my body. This simply means that I have to be careful of what and whom I allow into my space. I must be careful what I consume. I must be careful of my energy and how much I am expending on things that take me out of alignment. I’m at peace when I’m taking care of my physical health, exercising, eating properly and getting enough rest. I’m at peace when I’m feeding my mind and spirit with things that are positive and uplifting, I’m at peace when I’m able to set clear boundaries to protect myself from overextending and overcommitting which has been a destroyer of my peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: Totallywholepcservices..com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cookrosemary
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemary-cook-phd-lcsw-c-197b4480
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosemarycook21
Image Credits
Rosemary’s personal IPhone
