Brittany Webster is a dedicated therapist and counsellor who believes that everyone deserves to be seen, heard and understood. With a profound passion for helping individuals to develop greater self-love, Brittany creates a safe space for individuals to be honest and to discover their best ways to heal, evolve in self-knowledge, and strengthen their individuality. In her role as a therapist and healer, she offers empathy, respect, and a trusting relationship in which clients are supported to discover their own unique healing pathways, strengthen the tools they need to live more authentic lives, and become more empowered. A graduate of the University of Guelph-Humber’s Family and Community Social Services Program, Brittany has six years of valuable experience in the social work field working with youth, women, elders, and the child welfare system. The therapeutic modalities that Brittany specializes in using include Faith-Based Counseling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Therapy, and African Hair Therapy.
Brittany specializes in working to enhance the mental health of Black women of African descent. She understands the powerful effects of trauma on thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and self-perception and recognizes racial trauma as a continuing reality for Black individuals that contributes to mental health distress. Since conversations about mental distress and mental illness continue to be taboo and in many ways stigmatized within the greater African Diaspora community, Brittany is dedicated to supporting members of the Black community to prioritize their mental health, to heal, and to become stronger and more resilient. She works tirelessly to uplift Black people in many ways, including by encouraging them to value their mental health and recognize the interconnection between mind, body and spirit in order to live more psychologically healthy lives.
Brittany embraces African Hair Therapy as a treatment modality because it prioritizes the strong relationship between Black women’s mental health and their beautiful hair. It is also referred to as “PsychoHairapy” by Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka (for more information, please visit http://www.psychohairapy.org/about). Brittany recognizes that the hair of Black women of African descent is unique as it is the only type of hair that grows against gravity, was used innovatively as a way to escape slavery, and is inextricably linked to the identity of African women on the continent and in the diaspora. Brittany has noticed that one of the first signs indicating the decline in Black women’s mental health is often their relationship with their hair and the quality of their hair-care routines. She appreciates how attending to the relationship with one’s hair can help improve mental health.
Other areas of specialization which Brittany also helps clients with include the following:
- Coping skills
- Racial identity development
- Academic support
- Self-esteem issues
- Relationship counselling
- Life transitions
- Mindfulness
- Anxiety & Depression
For Brittany, resiliency involves the ability to navigate the complexities in one’s life and evolve from adverse situations into a state of empowerment. She believes that resiliency also involves transforming areas that were once considered weaknesses into sources of strength. Resiliency often involves individuals becoming more aware of their own strengths and unique qualities.
Brittany is a passionate advocate for all things related to self-care and African hair therapy! When she is not helping others with their hair care needs, you can find her baking, journaling, reading and enjoying nature walks. Brittany looks forward to meeting you and supporting you on your healing journey.