Welcome to our Blog: Hope, Serenity & Wellness

By: Tameca N. Harris-Jackson (Dr. Tea | She | Her), PhD, LCSW, CSE, CIMHP

It all started with a little Black girl from a little Black town

I was a little Black girl from a little Black town in Virginia, where no one talked about sex (educationally anyway) and there seemed to be a church on every corner. As children, my friends and I were curious, but we dare not ask. There was too much shame, and devil, related to sex and bodies. Even as children, any questionable discussions or behaviors quickly garnered forever-labels from peers and adults –“fast”, “Jezebel”, “slut”, "huzzie", “hoe”.

In front of my childhood home in Petersburg, Virginia

So I learned quickly – sneak. I snuck into the library to read books on anatomy and development. I snuck to watch movies and read “adult” magazines. I even snuck to watch this amazing little Jewish lady, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, talk about sex on Phil Donahue (I’m seriously dating myself here).

I stopped sneaking...I started helping.

Fast forward to undergrad. I was a psychology major eager to get into the helping profession. So of course, when my friends asked, I helped. I remember gently educating a friend when she was concerned she was pregnant after a night of anal sex. I remember learning about masturbation and teaching others. I remember holding space for friends who lost virginity, children, and part of themselves while they navigated relationships, academics, and missing home.

I was helping – but I wanted to do more. I wanted to help in the way that I saw Dr. Ruth help people on Phil Donahue. I wanted to help others with issues of sex and sexuality without shame. And I wanted to especially do that for Black women.

My niece celebrating my doctoral graduation with me.

The Journey to Hope, Serenity, & Wellness

I was able to pursue my goal. I completed my Bachelor’s in psychology and went on to obtain my Master’s in social work, where I developed my clinical skills as a therapist. I later obtained a Doctorate in human sexuality. Along the way, I remained curious and learned about the impact of trauma and nutrition on mental and sexual health; the role of shame and guilt on sexual (dis)satisfaction; the importance (and skill) of communication for healthy and effective relationships; and the critical necessity to fight racism, sexism, homophobia, and other aggressions that perpetuate psychological and emotional harm for so many communities.

Posing with a wonderful workshop participant after co-leading a DEI/LGBTQ+ workshop

This work, this journey, these fights, have led to Hope. Person-by-person, relationship-by-relationship, I have been humbled to witness the healing through this work. And I have been honored to have others join me in the commitment to this work.

The team here at Hope & Serenity Health Services is committed to the mission of helping. Working together to remove the power of labels that no longer serve; helping all persons, especially women, find peace and pleasure in their bodies; and fostering a space that is unapologetically inclusive. To-date, we’ve done this via office visits and teletherapy, but now we’re aiming to broaden our reach with this blog. Hope, Serenity & Wellness is our virtual “Donahue”, where we will share fact-based information and resources related to women’s mental and sexual wellness. I invite you to join us - read, ask questions, subscribe, & share.

And to all of the actual and akin-in-spirit little Black girls in little Black towns who are sneaking to know more – I’m here to tell you that your amazing, brilliant, curiosity will take you far. Keep exploring.

-Dr. Tea -

Me.