Dr. Cleo Booker courageously speaks up about the challenges of caregiving and the impact of substance use in a community where mental illness is often misunderstood and silenced. But, something happens that makes her question her beliefs and leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew. Find out what happens when the truth comes to light in this week’s episode. 

Dr. Cleo Booker has a deep-rooted purpose that propels her forward. Having firsthand experience with the harsh realities of mental illness, her life took a transformative turn. Today, Dr. Booker is highly respected for her work in both private and public roles, and she plays a vital role in Forge Health, one of the fastest-growing private companies. Her journey, from witnessing the stigma surrounding mental illness to becoming an advocate, is truly inspiring.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• The urgent need to understand and support mental health in our communities.
• The challenges of navigating unseen medical conditions with empathy.
• The vital role of honest family dialogues in addressing mental wellbeing.
• The impact of ancestral distress on caregiving and the importance of comprehension. 

About Dr. Booker:

Dr. Cleopatra Lightfoot-Booker (A.K.A “Dr. Cleo Booker”) is a nationally known Licensed Clinical Psychologist from Richmond, Virginia. She has led one of the country's largest behavioral health clinical teams and has held several Executive Leadership positions within state government, federal government, and the private sector. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Business Transformation at Forge Health, one of the fastest-growing private companies, according to Inc. 50000.

Dr. Booker has played a significant role across the country in helping to address the Opioid Public Health Emergency, increasing access to mental health services, raising awareness of mental health needs and stigma, and advancing technology to support the identification of mental health services. Dr. Booker continues working with various state and federal agencies, private companies, and community associations on policy, legislative, and multisystem changes.

Dr. Booker serves the community through her private practice (Focus4U, LLC.), pro bono work, and various volunteer community services.  She currently serves on the Board of Local and Regional Jails in Virginia, where she is the Chair of the Policy and Regulatory Review Committee and focuses on delivering medical and mental healthcare for those incarcerated. Dr. Booker has been featured for two years due to her expertise, candid, authentic nature, and ability to connect with people at the largest African-American festival in the United States, the Essence Festival, in 2021 and 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, nature, dancing, and listening to any kind of music. 

Her favorite saying

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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