Meet Jasmine: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist

Honestly, after speaking with Jasmine, I felt like I just don’t do enough in this world. She is amazing and incredible—advocating, comforting, and finding solutions for those who have no voice. And I am a better person for meeting her.

Name: Jasmine

Occupation: Pediatric social worker in the ER at a children's hospital; part-time therapist

Background

Jasmine has always been passionate about mental health and being a light in some of the darkest moments for families. Initially hesitant about social work, she was encouraged by her father—who has a master's in psychology—to explore the field. After working as a corrections officer and witnessing young people who had been failed by the system, she pursued social work as a way to create meaningful change. She also works part-time as a licensed therapist.

Did You Know? Many Social Workers Are Also Licensed Therapists!

To become a therapist, a social worker must earn an MSW, complete supervised clinical hours, pass a licensing exam, and obtain an LCSW. This path allows them to provide therapy for individuals, families, and groups in various mental health settings.

The Moment She Decided to Pursue Social Work

When Jasmine was in college, she was part of the Social Work Club but had not yet fully committed to the field, as she was still exploring her options. A Black social worker shared a story about an incident in the emergency room where a child was brought in with burns from hot water. The mother explained that she had been dipping her child’s braids in hot water—a common practice to set the style—when the water accidentally spilled. However, the non-Black medical team did not believe her because they were unfamiliar with the practice. If the Black social worker had not been there to explain, the situation could have escalated unnecessarily.

Jasmine pinpointed that moment as the turning point in her decision to become a social worker—her community needed her voice.

How She Learned Her Craft

Jasmine earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work before becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). To achieve this, she completed two years of supervised clinical work and passed both the master’s and clinical licensure exams. She developed her skills through on-the-job experience and a natural ability to connect with people.

What She Loves About Her Job

“I love being a light in some of the darkest moments for families,” Jasmine shared. “Even on their worst days, small things—offering them water, listening to them—can make a difference. Seeing kids smile and hearing, ‘No one ever listens to me—thank you,’ makes everything worth it.”

Biggest Challenge

Jasmine faces the harsh reality of limited mental health resources, especially for children with aggressive behaviors, developmental delays, or autism. Many facilities deny them due to a lack of specialized care, and waitlists for essential services can span years. Additionally, Medicaid programs often have long wait times, and private mental health treatment can cost thousands of dollars per day—creating barriers for families without adequate insurance.

A Typical Day at Work

Jasmine’s day starts at 7 a.m., and from the moment she arrives, she hits the ground running. She receives a debrief on overnight cases, which could include anything from a teen experiencing a psychotic break to a car crash victim. Her immediate priority is ensuring patient safety and supporting families.

She works to calm distressed children, teens, and their parents while serving as a liaison between families and the medical team. Doctors trust her to make critical recommendations on whether a patient in a psychiatric crisis is safe to go home or requires hospitalization. In addition to crisis intervention, she is responsible for finding resources to assist patients.

Accessing mental health care can be extremely challenging—inpatient treatment can cost thousands of dollars per day, and many programs for children with mental health conditions have years-long waitlists.

Advice to Other Black Women Who Want to Become Therapists

Prioritize self-care. Because of the emotional aspect of the job, self-care is very important. Right after work, she heads straight for the gym, where lifting heavy helps her decompress. She also has a strong support system at work, where her team leans on each other through tough situations.

 Consider starting at a community college. You can complete your first two years of your bachelor's degree at a community college and save a lot of money while getting a quality education.

Future Goals

Jasmine envisions doing therapy full-time for young adults. She sees this as a way to intervene early, preventing mental health crises before they escalate to the point of requiring emergency care.

Fun Fact

Jasmine is a dedicated gym girlie who can squat 360 pounds. She’s also a proud boy mom, raising three gentlemen (ages 4, 7, and 12) with her husband.