Candace Washington knows the importance of breaking the stigma associated with seeking mental health help, from a personal and professional point of view. She graduated from Bowie State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Howard University with a master’s degree in social work. Washington is committed to providing services in a variety of ways through her own company as the founder and CEO of Restorative Minds Therapeutic and Wellness Services and Totally Whole Counseling Services in Baltimore, Maryland.
“I am a psychotherapist and I’m also a production therapist. As a psychotherapist, I see adolescents and adults, 14 and up. I work with them to process anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, loss and suicidal ideation,” the Anne Arundel County resident said. “I’m a production therapist as well. So, I work as a production therapist providing therapeutic services for cast and crew in the television and film industry.”
While serving in a psychotherapy services capacity, Washington provides talk therapy. As a production therapist, she provides one-on-one wellness services for cast and crew in the television and film industry, during pre production, filming and post production. She helps cast members decompress from filming and aids them in disconnecting from characters they portray.
“For What It’s Worth,” a film of family, redemption and mental health awareness is the second feature under the “BET Her Presents: The Couch” banner. The film premiered on BET+ on March 7, 2024. It is scheduled to premiere on BET and BET Her on May 17, 2024.
“A lot of times in the industry, you have different storylines. Some of them are filled with trauma-based content. So, when you are going on set, no one has taken a psychological intake to say ‘Hey, have you, yourself, ever experienced sexual abuse? Have you, yourself, ever experienced what it is that you’re about to film?’ It may cause some triggers and bring up some things within the cast and crew, so it is not just the persons that are in front of the camera. It’s also about those that are behind the camera that have to hear and see this content.”
According to Washington, more production companies and producers are realizing the importance of having therapists on set, although it is new to Hollywood.
She added, “So, to have therapists on set to help persons decompress and ground themselves and who are available to them, it helps the person really be able to do what it is that they need to do, but then also to know that their emotional and mental needs are being addressed as well.”
Washington further noted that additional benefits for having therapists on set as a part of the production team can be accurate script development to ensure that the correct clinical terminologies and behaviors are included, while presenting mental health content.
She knows what it is like to sit on both sides of the couch.
“I am a therapist with a therapist,” Washington said. “One of the things that is important to me is knowing that storytelling is healing. I am a suicide survivor.”
Washington divulged that she tried to take her life three times, including in 2019.
She explained that it’s okay not to be okay. Women should not suffer in silence.
“We should normalize the feelings, thoughts and emotions that we have as women. We carry so much and knowing that there’s strength and there’s courage in saying ‘I, too, need support. I, too, need help.”
The mental health expert reminded that a therapist should be the right fit for you, culturally competent, ethical, professional and someone who specializes in whatever you are in need of.
“I just celebrated four years of sobriety and made a commitment to God and to myself that I was going to live.”
The United States Air Force veteran reflected on childhood trauma; sexual harassment in the military; and feeling triggered by lack of protection and care.
“Alcohol was my way of relief. I abused it and I took advantage of it. I ended up getting arrested,” Washington said, reflecting on another stop in her journey to heal.
Participating in a judge-recommended drug and alcohol treatment program, instead of heading to jail, helped her to get herself together.
The minister, mother, author of “Breathe: Rest, Reflect, Reset” and “Woman of God: 60-Day Devotional,” symbolizes the ability to achieve personal renewal when grace is coupled with hard work.
“Continue to give tomorrow another chance,” Washington advised.
Visit www.restorativemindswellness.com to learn more about Washington.