Whitney Dodds

Whitney Dodds, MA, LMHC, LPC, is a therapist, entrepreneur, author, and mental health advocate whose work focuses on improving access to mental healthcare for Black and brown communities. Dodds is a therapist, workshop facilitator, panelist, board member, and author dedicated to shifting the narrative of mental healthcare in underserved communities, fostering access, and encouraging conversations to reduce stigma around mental health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Arts in counseling psychology from American International College. Dodds is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts.

Dodds is the founder and CEO of Wellness for the Culture Mental Health Organization, which includes a mental health practice in Springfield, the One Day You Will Live Scholarship Foundation, and the Cultural Wellness Network Association, a collective of Black and brown counselors in Massachusetts. Wellness for the Culture was established to address disparities in mental health services and provide culturally appropriate care and safe spaces for healing. Dodds is also a doctoral candidate at Bethel University, expanding her expertise as a mental health educator and self-compassion advocate.

As an author, Dodds draws from personal experience in her book "Whit's the Matter with You?", which explores her journey with mental illness and the healing power of storytelling. She also engages the community through her blog, events, and a therapeutic book club, offering multiple avenues for mental health education and support.

Dodds is a speaker, counselor, and podcast guest specializing in topics such as mental health equity, mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, entrepreneurship, women in mental healthcare, and self-care through self-compassion. She has presented at regional conferences and workshop series, with sessions on narrative writing for emotional wellness, cultural humility, intergenerational trauma in the Black community, and decolonizing mental health. Dodds was named one of NewsNation's nominees for the annual "Remarkable Women" honor, reflecting her national profile and community impact in the mental health field.