May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the ladies of Miss Perceptions sat down with Dr. Jacqueline Candia, a Mental Health and Intellectual Disability professional, to discuss the social and economic stigma of seeking professional mental therapy, along with other topics such as: mental health as a form of self-care, therapists vs. pastors, and postpartum-depression amongst women of color.

Special Guest: Dr. Jacqueline Candia (Instagram: jacquelinecandia; Facebook: Dr. Jacqueline Candia; LinkedIn: Jacqueline Candia, PhD)

Dr. Candia a Mental Health and Intellectual Disability professional for over 35 years 12 of which were in Forensics,she desires to assist women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and economic stature to search within and rise above their broken past; those who struggle with low self-esteem, low self-worth, and low self-images resulting from physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuses.

Dr. Candia was a teenage mother, married at 19 years of age and divorced by 21; she raised her son alone with the help of extended family members and loving friends. Dr. Candia has overcome a lifetime a fear, bullying, homelessness, and multitudes of abuse tracing as far back as five years of age.

Dr. Candia took her first college course at the age of 35 and hasearned her Associates of Arts degree in Psychology, her Bachelors of Science Human Service degree in Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services, her Masters of Arts Human Services degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, and her Doctoral degree in Human Services with a concentration in Multidiscipline Human Services. Her dissertation is on Faith-based Reentry Programs for Female Ex-offenders; in addition to a Human Services, Board Certified Professional, a license in Cosmetology, a Certificate in Basic Bible Knowledge, and a NJ Commissioned Notary Public.  She is scheduled to take her Licenses Professional Counselor Exam in June 2020.

Dr. Candia’s desire is to have a positive impact on women by combining her personal, professional, educational, and spiritual experiences and use them to inspire and encourage women in rising to their God given potentials as she uses mentoring, counseling, instruction, and teaching, as therapeutic tools for guidance while on their journeys towards self-empowerment. As they break the strongholds of destruction and despair and believe in their abilities to achieve personal goals while discovering their purpose.

Join hosts Jess D. (@jess_alesia), Marrium G. (@Marriumg), Joy H. (@joymp6), Amber N. (@chaotickoko), Noelle T. (@lalataughtyou), and Leah W. (@leah_naomi). Instagram: @missperceptionspod  Facebook: @missperceptionspod  Twitter: @mp6pod.  Website: www.missperceptionspod.com.  Email: [email protected].  Miss Perceptions is presented to you by Anchor. Download the Anchor app or go to Anchor.fm to get started.