Today we’d like to introduce you to Corissa Barrow.
Hi Corissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In his early years, my father stood face to face with fear as he immigrated from Matamoros, Mexico. Throughout her childhood, my mother stood toe to toe with loss as she constantly endured the instabilities of life with my grandparents. Fear and loss were woven into the fabric of my family history (and would inspire my work for years to come). They came out of the experience wanting renewal, revival, and reliving. While my family grew from the traditional parent configuration to divorce to now stepfamilies, I owe them much of my perspective in life. The power of meaning and the essence of resiliency, I owe this understanding to all my parents.
I grew up with the best of both worlds – a mixture of traditions blended with new possibilities. While the journey has been treacherous, the beauty that lies within the carving of opportunities has been equally as beautiful and unique. Growing up in a minority-based and equally socially economic despondent hometown within Houston, it taught me at an early age the value of doing for yourself. That through the actions of our own efforts and work, will you rise above, not just financially, but psychologically and emotionally. Throughout school, my parents ingrained the idea of attempting to gain every opportunity possible and that the worst anyone could ever tell you is “no”. After having the ability to be able to graduate from Pasadena High school, I gained the opportunity and privilege to be able to continue my education at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
As I entered into a new experience as a first-generation Latina, I had to learn how to fight my own monsters and battles of a world that was not built with me in mind. I struggled with the lack of resources and absence of role models of how to navigate systems within such large institutions. Terrors of doubt within the classrooms, authorities who did not look like me nor could relate to my experiences and an environment that did not fully support the well-being of brown people. What did this look like? Low motivation, substance misuse, absences in a class, late assignments, and cycles of academic probation. I was attempting to strive in a world that casts my unfamiliar and functional anxieties to the side.
Within that next year, I searched for my meaning of what it meant to be successful. Did this mean to become involved in every organization I could? Did this mean to wear the cutest outfits on campus so I could be noticed? Did this mean to throw the coolest parties or to be a part of big-name sororities? The identity I had created in my hometown was miles away and I struggled to create a new one. This realization birthed the idea I would call my career now – to be able to become the person that I needed in the moment. By leaning into what I feared, I was able to discover my passion of understanding others and assisting them in the best way possible. That next year I enrolled myself in my very first psychology class and advocated for myself through various research and volunteer opportunities within the department. Despite the fear in my gut, I knew the worst that anyone could ever tell me is “no”.
Many research projects and student conferences later. I went on to graduate with my bachelor of science in psychology. As it was an honor to make my family generations proud, I became curious to how I could continue to fuel my initial motivation of becoming the person that I once needed years ago. After returning to Houston, I leaned into the depths of my “what ifs”. What if I became the professor that could give visibility to other minorities? What if I could be the woman that inspired other brown girls to know that their aspirations are possible? What if I could be the individual to let other marginalized populations know that “I understand”? I searched for ways I could use my degree and what it meant to continue into graduate school to become a licensed authority to help others. Over the next year, I found myself accepted into the Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. As it was much of a taboo within my community growing up, the vastness of mental health fascinated me and continues to drive my goals. For where I am today, I strive to make a difference– in my neighborhood, for my Latinx community, and for that “normal” person struggling with everyday life. Besides, the worst that anyone could ever tell you is “no,” right? Trust me, I understand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While I owe my success to the sacrifices of the generations before me, I found myself behind in the race when entering the professional world. I was raised by a single mother who had given her all to ensure I lived the life that I could within a city where that family story was the “norm”. When meeting others, struggling to relate was such an obstacle for me going through school. I was never fully aware of the disadvantages I lived in – broken homes, stained financial resources, little education. When I would show up in the room, my jargon, financial abilities, academic resources, and experiences differed so drastically from everyone around me. Learning to create my own narrative of how to be successful and what is successful was the tool that helped me along the way. Being different feels lonely, but being different is what creates change.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently a graduate clinician within the mental services department at the Michael E. DeBakery Veteran Affairs Hospital located at the heart of Houston, and I assist others in leading meaningful, sustainable, and productive lives. I am also a Family Therapy Scholar and AAMFT MFP Fellow, where I specialize in culturally sensitive frameworks, dual-income and interracial couples, and minority stress. I aspire to be able to be fully devoted to developing innovative, evidence-based practices, assist in breaking down misconceptions of mental health, and empowering young adults as they transition into adulthood. Through my clinical trainings, I discovered that the most traditional aspects of culture and the most progressive and radical changes in society take place around the origins of our families and relationships. The focus of my work brings into perspective social narratives, resiliency and strength, the meaning of our experiences and the layers of being a relational being.
What I am most proud of is the integral part that creates me as a modern therapist, that I am not just fulfilling a curative role but also filling the gaps within the supportive context. As my exposure to diverse populations increased, it became essential to assist the development of creating a positive image of mental health, thoroughly explaining the nature of therapy in language that is comprehendible rather than passing off in abstract academic jargon, incorporating traditions in intervention plans that are collaborative, and empowering values that are most comfortable for others as a whole. Being instrumental as a brown therapist on things integral to success, such as social connectedness and emotional support, is at the forefront of my aims.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
In the world of technology, becoming the best version of you has never been easier. Great apps that are my go-to are meditation apps such as Headspace and YouTube videos for guided imagery meditation. I am also a music person, and my go for decompressing are non-verbal melodies. Mushroom Jazz by Mark Farina on Apple Music and Spotify is also my favorite frequencies to practice mindfulness and present abilities while I am driving or relaxing.
Contact Info:
- Email: corissabarrow@gmail.com
- Website: corichats.com
- Instagram: @corissabarrow
