Member Spotlight: Dr. Cathia Walters
What is your industry or area of expertise?
My primary focus is on wellness from a holistic perspective. My area is behavioral health, mental health, so I focus primarily on folks who are trying to reestablish themselves as they navigate traumatic experiences–grief, assault, break up of a relationship, loss of a job, or anything that makes us feel less centered, less grounded. My goal is to bring them as close back to center as possible.
Why do you believe in the mission of BlackFemaleProject?
BlackFemaleProject highlights who we are as a people and the variations that exist among us. When you watch or read the news and you hear about anything “Black” it’s negative. So to have BlackFemaleProject, which has taken the time to say, “Hey, look at all of the positive work that we are doing. Look at all these voices saying we are designers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, nonprofit organizers, and movers and shakers.” To be able to see that and have it reflected not just to me but also to my kids and my grandkids—it’s just powerful beyond measure.
What brought you to BlackFemaleProject?
I first connected with Precious back in 2018. We connected, and we connected on an emotional level, a business level, and an ideological level. I was doing my Black Women's Wellness Retreat, and Precious joined us that year. And we just launched what I consider a partnership since then. She’s been a very strong support for everything I do with Walters Wellness Group. She’s been one of the biggest sponsors for my wellness retreat for Black women.
How has BlackFemaleProject impacted you personally?
I went through a time when I was very radical, fist up. I was teaching cross-cultural therapy, and then I got tired because I felt like I was alone. It became very overwhelming. And in 2012, I said to myself, “I can’t anymore.” I was tired. Seeing this generation of energy and vigor of what BlackFemaleProject is doing has renewed my energy. What I’m finding is that I’m feeling more energized and empowered. That’s the gift I get from BlackFemaleProject.
What BlackFemaleProject content or offering have you found most resonant?
I’ll get an email about what BlackFemaleProject is doing or what Teacher Truth is doing; those are the things I read. I listen to podcast interviews, and I like the stories. I like to hear how people are impacting the world and creating change. What they are doing is mind blowing.
Bio:
Dr. Walters is a Black woman who migrated to the US at the age of 16. Her bi-cultural experience has provided her with sensitivity to the immigrant experience and a special view on multicultural issues. She has worked in crisis intervention with people of all ages, and currently works with clients to help them manage depression, anxiety, relationships, coping with identity and self-esteem issues and with trauma and abuse.
Dr. Walters’ varied background includes teaching masters and doctoral students how to become effective clinicians; ACT (Adults & Children Together: Against Violence Program) Certification; and professional training for different organizations.
Dr. Watlers received her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. She’s written and collaborated on a number of published articles in APA Journal (PsycCritique) and is a member of the California Psychological Association (CPA), Alameda County Psychological Association (ACPA), Black Mental Health Network of Northern California, Bay Area Psychotherapy Network, and Bay Area Mental Health Network.
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