Meet Dr. T’Airra Belcher | Assistant Professor and Licensed Professional Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. T’Airra Belcher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. T’Airra, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I am a Counselor and Counselor Educator, and the name of my platform is We’re A.I.G.H.T. This is derived from my first year teaching as an Assistant Professor and starting my private practice in New Orleans. I am a researcher and a clinician who has always wanted to remain present within the community. For me, once I began pursuing my education to become a Licensed Professional Counselor, I knew wanted my own company; this is where those habits come into play. I started my Master’s program in 2012. My private practice opened in 2020. That’s 8 years of working on many plans while remaining persistent and determined to reach the goal. Fast forward to 2020, I started my private practice and opened an in-person office Feb 2020; it was closed by March 2020. I was sitting in my home, like the rest of the world, during 2020, and I had the opportunity to register for a podcast-making and entrepreneur class with my Soror and fellow educator, Dr. Blakney. It was through her course that I identified how I wanted to honor Indigenous ways of knowing, learning, storytelling, and community. I wanted my work and efforts to mitigate the countless barriers that prevent historically marginalized people from accessing resources. This was when my idea of joining the virtual mental health community emerged, along with podcasting, new research, and community engagement.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been reflecting on the fact that young me wanted to be a gymnast or in the circus. I loved flips and the freedom that came from tossing my body through the air. Then life happens, and you go a different path. I had no idea I would become a professor, counselor, podcaster, public speaker, or anything else that involved the public or speaking. In all actuality, the fact that I use my voice as my job is shocking given how much I disliked my voice and myself growing up. I am pretty transparent on social media and in my podcast about various events in my life. I use these experiences to tap into storytelling, fostering rapport, and community.

As a counselor, I understand the risk of having people too close to me (self-disclosure) and knowing too much of my personal life. I also have witnessed a person who feels as though they are at the end of their rope and hear that someone else that they know and have spent time with struggled. It does not always have to be the same experience; it brings humanity back into the room. I have watched eyes reemerge as the hoodies loosen from around folks’ faces, knees leaving the chest, the person sliding back into the virtual office, or the ball on the floor stretching out as they realize they are not alone. That’s the beauty of what I have been able to do in session, supervision, classroom, airplane, long line at the grocery store, you name it. The thing that sets me apart is that I am not trying to be a therapist or a teacher. I am myself. I have learned theories, techniques, and skills, but the aspect that was not in a book was the organic part that showed up to listening to those around me back when I was a child. It’s the quality that keeps the majority of clients coming back to therapy.

I value trial and error. It can be beautiful when someone makes the best decision they can with the information they have, and once the dust settles, they take an honest look and determine what to do differently next time. I had to do that countless times on my way to where I am today. I am not a good test taker; I failed important exams, studied, sought specific help, and tried again. I did not grow up believing that I was naturally good at anything, so it was all trial and error for me.

One of the biggest topics I had to address in my life is my anxiety. I, like many of my students, thought, “If they find out I am struggling, does that mean I can’t be a counselor?” the reality is most people are dealing with or avoiding their mental health. I have rather debilitating anxiety, which, when left unaddressed, turns into depression. I left my anxiety untreated for a long time, so I was depressed or experiencing bouts of depression for a long time. This is what it can look like if you are only used to experiencing your health or mental health from its “rock bottom” state, but just like me, you do not have to stay at your rock bottom. I learned through this process how I experience anxiety and where it shows up in my body. I had to learn how to be connected and aware of myself. I had to continue using my trial and error method to determine what was the best combination to support me being well. Allow me to say, if you need medication and you are prescribed medication by a physician, please consult them with all of your questions and concerns. It’s okay to use medication if you need it; we are all building our custom mental health tool kits. I had to determine which moments required medications and other tools. Currently, my plan involves considerable physical activity. I work out with a fantastic trainer, Ciarra Morris of Lifestyle Fitness, follow a cardio plan with my line sister, spend intentional time alone, journal, read books, listen to audiobooks, spend time in nature utilizing grounding techniques, hang out with friends and family, and listen to my body. I would like to add that when we say “listen to your body,” I mean pay attention. I don’t always cry in every situation, but the times I do, I now know what my system is communicating nonverbally. I know that all tears are not the same. Some are pain, others are healing and acceptance, It’s my job to know the difference so I can tend to myself appropriately.

I share all of this to illuminate the fact that it was not easy to get to where I am currently and it will take considerable work to achieve the goals I have remaining for myself and cultivating new goals. It’s a pretty vulnerable task to be audacious.

I have learned that the place I am in now does not mean it’s time to take a break. It’s now time for me to dig in more, have more honest conversations, remain persistent and determined, and, most importantly, be disciplined. I can now apply my theory and modality to my life and connect the final aspect of my story. We’re A.I.G.H.T., which is solidified by research, connects right back to my parents. After my mother passed, I heard my father tell me this statement to encourage us to continue pushing forward. I created the podcast before his passing and miss hearing him say”We gonna’ be aight”. So, until we meet again, I know “We’re AIGHT.”

We’re A.I.G.H.T. was derived from qualitative research. We’re A.I.G.H.T. encourages all to take action, have integrity, give yourself and others grace, commit to holistic health, and be transparent. These five areas will look different for each person and change throughout their lifetime.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in Richmond, VA, would mean you are visiting one of the newly ranked top cities in the country! I am pretty chill, but if you find yourself out here, I recommend various activities, including a slight road trip. It’s summer currently, so a few morning recommendations are starting out with walks and hikes by the James River; my favorite access spots are Pony Pasture and Belle Island. My favorite start to any day is with a book, sitting out on one of the large rocks in the river to read, meditate, process, and be still. When it comes down to coffee and breakfast, Urban Hang Suite is hands down your best choice in the city. You will be able to enter into a unique space that provides exceptional aesthetics filled with vibrant colors, sounds, art, and more. If I am taking the time to get an actual cup of coffee, it’s coming from UHS. The Belle Island access point offers kayaking, paddleboards, and other water sports activities for rent along with a foot suspension bridge that provides beautiful views of the James River and Downtown Richmond.

If I stay out of the water, I recommend Axe Throwing, Top Golf, and checking out many of the local bars in town. When it comes to lunch and breakfast, you really can’t miss them here in Richmond. A few on my list include And Dim Sum, Eastcoast Provisions, Lillie Pearl, Main Street Steakhouse, Mama J’s, Croaker Spot, and many more. Richmond also has a few nice rooftop bars and community activities. I recommend Kabana’s for rooftop dance lessons and beautiful views. Aces Sports Lounge to relax and watch the game. Regarding activities, I highly recommend any events hosted by UnlockingRVA that are located throughout the city, the Science Museum, Art Museum, Black History Museum, record stores, free concerts at the park, and countless other art and creative spaces.

If you come and feel you want to check out DC, we are a quick train ride away and can check out all the Nation’s capital has in store!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who deserve a shoutout. First, my deceased parents, Wendy and Terry Belcher, you both poured all you could, and I am grateful that the life lessons continue to water me while we are physically separated. Next, I have to shoutout my brother, Dr. Xavier Belcher, who tirelessly supports me through it all. He is the epitome of what it means to be a great man, brother, and friend. In addition to my brother I must mention my Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and a specific shoutout to the Soror Deanna Reed, mayor of Harrisonburg, VA where the Iota Alpha Chapter of James Madison University is located and my current chapter Chesterfield Alumnae. Jessica Wade, my soror and big sis that has provided prayer and support from freshman year to today. Thank you for recommending me for this opportunity! My friends and family and to the writing of Nikki Giovanni, Patricia Hill Collins, Kimberle Crenshaw, BJ Bryson(JMU), Nina Brown (Emeritus Professor ODU). Narketta Sparkman-Key, and so many more countless scholars.

I do not walk this journey alone, thank you.

Website: https://soe.vcu.edu/directory/full-directory/first–last-name-537853-en.html

Instagram: Dr.TBelcher

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tairrabelcher/

Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-a-i-g-h-t/id1524718489

Image Credits
Headshot – Virginia Commonwealth University
Lecture Slides – Canva
Graduation photos – Brittni Langston of I Rock Photography, LLC