Candace McWhinnie | Advanced Clinical Intern
In therapy we remember the word “US,” because you are not alone in this. You’ve been brave to make a step to better your mental health, and now you have a partner alongside you. In our time together we will collaborate in full transparency, hold onto hope, and create trust as we go through this process together.
You may experience depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or have trauma from your past. You may wonder why you feel alone in these thoughts, or see that others close to you are dealing with similar issues, but may not know how to tackle them. You may even have never considered, until now, that there is assistance you can get on your journey of self-exploration through mental health! There is no shame in seeking out support.
Being an African American woman in the mental health sector can leave me feeling like I’m a unicorn. I grew up in an evangelical home that did not believe in mental health, and more times than not prayed for freedom from the anxiety I had but received no real help. I know what it feels like to be alone during a mental health crisis. As an adult, I began seeing a therapist. Therapy has changed my life immensely. Through my own hard work with inviting someone into my self process and experience healing I very much believe in healing for others.
If any of this speaks to you, I would encourage you to reach out to me. I would love to meet you where you are in your current journey seeing where we could go in the future! You don’t have to have it all together, just a beginning is enough. If you and I never work together I hope we can be mutually encouraged by this quote:
“You are the one thing in this world, above all other things, that you must never give up on. When I was in middle school, I was struggling with severe anxiety and depression and the help and support I received from my family and a therapist saved my life. Asking for help is the first step. You are more precious to this world than you’ll ever know.”
— Lili Rhinehart
Clinical Residency through: January 2021 – May 2021
Therapeutic Orientation & Technique:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness & Acceptance
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Candace’s Areas of Specialty & Background
PTSD & Trauma
Church Hurt & Spirituality
Dating & Relationship
Children & Adolescents
Anxiety & Depression
Life Transitions
Identity & Self Concept
Couples Work
Academic Background
In Progress, M.A. in Social Work Children & Families, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
B.A. in Sociology, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Testimonials
“I don’t feel any walls between us like I might with others. When I’m around Candace I’m confident I’ve got a non biased person in my corner, and don’t feel any fear to just vent!”
“There are very few people I have shared my trauma with. I had never felt that therapy was helpful until I began talking with Candace and realized she is human and wants the absolute best for me.“
“Candace isn’t just listening, she’s engaged! I can see a change in things that seems so simple, like how I view myself or speak to myself, that I know she’s taught me.”
-AB
Articles by Candace
Coming soon! Enjoy other content from our therapists till then
5 Lessons in Being Kind to Yourself
Written by therapist Bria McCalpinFor a moment, think about how you show compassion or kindness to others. When you reflect on these actions, are you being purposeful or unintentional? Let’s consider how often we demonstrate generosity, consideration, and friendliness...
Renewing Your Sense of Wonder
Written by therapist Ruth NathanielWhen was the last time you felt curious, excited by something you’d recently discovered, or felt the renewed sense of wonder? For many of us, wonder took its last breath sometime ago, and we’ve been dragging our feet ever since....
Mindful Eating
Written by therapist Megan Hanafee-Major During the winter months, and especially the holiday season, we eat a lot. Food is a huge and important part of many traditions, but we may also notice that the cold weather prompts turning toward comfort foods to warm our...