about us

our story

The conscious collective is a non-hierarchical grassroots organization created by two queer Black women with a shared vision for therapists of color. In 2022, Lyssa and Hilary met and connected over a mutual desire to be in intentional community spaces with other therapists of color in DC. After seeing other events and spaces come and go, the two decided to build a consistent space for therapists of color to find support and connection.

Since 2022, the organization has grown to include over 150 therapists of color in the DMV area. Signature events include Network Nights, Peer Supervision, and Socials. In addition, the conscious collective google group serves as a resource space for referrals, resource sharing, advertisement for upcoming events, and promotion of private practices.

We welcome any therapist or student therapist who holds an identity of the global majority and feels in alignment with this space's good faith intention. We also welcome nuanced discussions of race and identity and feedback that allow us to improve our offerings.

Founder & Marketing Manager

Lyssa Barth

she/her

Lyssa is a Black, queer therapist from Illinois who specializes in serving the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities in the DMV area. Lyssa started her practice, Barth Therapy, in 2019. Through her group practice, she provides individual counseling, trainings, and private practice consultation. Outside of work, Lyssa enjoys gardening, painting, and reading sci-fi while cuddling with her cats.

Linkedin Manager

Monica Brand

she/her

Monica, a Chinese American from Virginia, specializes in somatic interventions and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for adults dealing with complex trauma, PTSD, and the impacts of cultural oppression, with a specific focus on dissociation. She is the owner of Mindful Healing, a group private practice that provides culturally responsive and affirming care, mainly catering to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Founder & Event Organizer

Hilary Charles

she/her

Hilary is a first generation Black Caribbean-American. She currently works as a mental health therapist at an outpatient clinic in DC and is committed to creating and sustaining community spaces for therapists of color. Hilary has a Master’s degree in Social Work and has experience working with populations across the lifespan in higher education, hospital and K-12 based settings. In her free time, Hilary enjoys live music events, roller-skating and creative writing.

Peer Supervision Leader

Dyuti Ganesh

she/her

Dyuti is a 1.5-generation Indian-American psychotherapist and owner of Lotus of Splendor Therapy. She is a psychology associate and licensed graduate professional counselor specializing in working psychodynamically with BIPOC adults, working professionals, and children of immigrants facing depression and anxiety due to family-of-origin conflict and trauma. In her free time, Dyuti enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, cooking, and exploring new events and activities around DC and the world.

Event Organizer

Meaghon Omobude

she/they

Meaghon is a Black, queer licensed graduate professional counselor at Barth Therapy and a recent graduate of Marymount University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is passionate about providing equitable and accessible mental health care to individuals who identify as BIPOC, queer, and/or neurodivergent. Meaghon has a background in strategic communications and uses a trauma-informed, holistic, and anti-oppressive lens in her work. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring new brunch spots around D.C.

Event Organizer, Social Media Manager, Peer Supervision Leader

THIS IS YOU!

All Pronouns Are Welcomed

Join us in creating intentional spaces for BIPOC therapists in the DMV area. Whether you're passionate about event planning, communication, peer supervision, community, or advocacy, your skills can make a difference. Contact us to learn more and become part of our organizing at the CC today!

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