Psychology Students of Color learned about the ever-changing field of mental health in the group’s first Therapist Talk of the semester with guest Tara DeJohn. 

DeJohn is an outpatient psychotherapist who shared stories and advice from her vast experience in the mental health field with psychology students Nov. 28. 

Kathryn Armstrong, president of Psychology Students of Color and a psychology graduate student said listening to DeJohn was a helpful, affirming experience.

“It was kind of validating to hear her perspective on things and how she sees things because, especially as a person of color, there’s not a lot of representation,” Armstrong said. “It was just nice to see somebody who is in the field and doing the work that I want to do.”

DeJohn explained how, unlike hands-on jobs that use tangible tools, mental health professionals themselves — where they’re from and how they function — are the tools that help others.

“We’re the tool in any kind of mental health profession,” DeJohn said.

DeJohn received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Master’s in social work and a Ph.D. in psychology and social work all from Louisiana State University.

DeJohn said her undergraduate self had planned to go into the medical field. An experience working alongside a psychologist in a Baton Rouge hospital when she was 19 changed her mind and set her on the path to becoming a social worker.

She discussed that in over 30 years of experience, she has made it a goal to challenge the status quo in every agency she has been a part of.

In her years of experience, DeJohn has worked in psychology in several settings from pediatric oncology and outpatient therapy, to teaching psychology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

“You have value and you have something to contribute, but you don’t have to prove that. You can let people see that as time goes on,” DeJohn said of working alongside other professionals in various settings. 

DeJohn hosted the talk conversationally, allowing attendees the opportunity to talk about why they’re interested in psychology.

Two nontraditional students shared where their passion for psychology came from: their own mental health challenges in life. 

“I was late with a diagnosis of autism, and late as in I’m almost 50 and was diagnosed at 47,” one student shared.

DeJohn expanded on these students’ experiences by touching on the growth she’s seen in the mental health field and the areas that still need improvement.

She said that the concept of trauma has been the biggest change she’s seen working in psychology.

“Being more informed about the impact of trauma and being more open across mental health professionals about more creative ways to help people heal from their trauma that include more somatic things, more holistic medicine. I think it’s expanded a lot more,” DeJohn said.

DeJohn admitted that areas like child welfare, however, are seeing regression.

“Some things are kind of going backward and that’s a little scary,” DeJohn said. 

Psychology Students of Color is looking forward to hosting more Therapist Talks to allow students to hear from professionals in the field they are studying to go into.

President Kathryn Armstrong said, “We want to do as many as we can because that was something a lot of people are interested in.”

Psychology Students of Color public relations chair Christoni Key said they have been working on building and bettering the organization. 

“Anybody can be involved. It’s a new club, so anybody is welcome,” Key said.

Likewise, Armstrong said anyone seeking additional information about the organization can email her at [email protected].