Therapy and Counseling

Dr. Ayo (Ayo is a Yoruba word that means "Joy"), as she prefers to be called, uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She also utilizes a culturally specific approach to therapy that includes using a calming, outside garden, pond and stream environment. Based on many years of experience, she knows that one approach will not fit all people. It is with special care and consideration that Dr. Ayo examines the specific needs of each service request from the unique ethnic, cultural, and personal perspective of the person requesting services.

Dr. Ayo specializes in working with people of African ancestry and other Melanics (a term coined by Dr. Ayo Maria Gooden to more accurately refer to People of Color including Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, Pacific Islanders, etc.), inter-racial relationships and bi-racial children, teens and adults. She uses African-Centered Psychological or Black Psychological principles to guide individuals of African ancestry to re-establish a balance among the materialistic, spiritual, and interpersonal aspects of life. Strategies used in Black Psychology are also useful in helping Melanics and Caucasians become more effective, spiritually based individuals. Dr. Ayo believes that thoughts shape behaviors, and, therefore, believes that addressing the unique needs of each individual is accomplished by gaining insights into each person's ethnic, cultural, and personal experiences. How you see yourself and your potential is the sum result of your very personal experiences in your family, community and society. Dr. Ayo helps Blacks and other Melanics counter racism and enhance self-esteem while helping Caucasians to create healthy racial scripts.

Ayo Maria Casey Gooden, Ph.D., ABPBC, LLC