Welcome back to At Your Best with Roselynn Onah! In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka—licensed clinical psychologist, professor, hairstylist, and founder of PsychoHairapy, an innovative approach that merges hair care with mental health advocacy in the Black community.
We explore how to reclaim your self-worth after seasons of feeling overlooked, the deep cultural and emotional meaning of Black hair, and the healing rituals that reconnect us to our true selves.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How Dr. Afiya discovered the importance of self-reflection and therapy
- The journey of merging personal self-worth with professional mission
- Why hair is such a powerful symbol of identity and history for Black women
- How hairstylists and barbers can become entry points for mental health care
- The role of rituals, boundaries, and history in reclaiming confidence
- Morning routines and practices that build self-love and resilience
🌟 Key Takeaways
- Hair holds memory and is deeply tied to culture, self-perception, and community.
- Boundaries are essential to move from overlooked to flourishing seasons.
- Self-worth is rooted in daily rituals, self-care, and affirming your own value rather than waiting for external validation.
- Knowing and honoring your ancestry and history can fuel confidence and resilience in challenging spaces.
📚 Resources & Mentions
- Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
- The 5 AM Club (morning routine inspiration)
- Dr. Afiya’s book: Lead to the Side: Disrupting the Silence of Black Girls’ Hair Stories in School
- Certification & resources: psychohairapy.org
✨ Connect with Dr. Afiya
- Instagram: @dr_afiya
- PsychoHairapy: @psychohairapy
- Private practice: Licensed in the DMV area
- Upcoming wellness trip to Egypt (Dec 12–20)
💬 Join the Conversation
What does reclaiming your self-worth look like in your current season? Reflect and share your thoughts with us on Instagram.
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