Why Do I Feel Broken?
The first time I sat across from a therapist, I almost didn’t speak. Not because I didn’t have anything to say and trust me, I had plenty. But because I didn’t know how to talk without performing. And I’m a therapist.
By the time I finally booked my own session, I had already spent years being the safe space for other people. Listening. Holding. Containing. I had the degrees, the certifications, the language. I could explain trauma responses in my sleep. But none of that prepared me for what it felt like to finally tell the truth out loud.
I was tired. Not physically, though that too. But soul-tired.
Tired of translating my emotions into something palatable.
Tired of working so hard to appear “fine” that I forgot how to actually be.
The Quiet Undoing
I didn’t walk into therapy in crisis. There was no major event. No meltdown. Just a slow unraveling.
It showed up in the smallest ways.
Like snapping at a text message that wasn’t even rude.
Feeling heavy after meetings where I smiled the whole time.
Avoiding calls from people I love—not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t have anything left to give.
It was death by a thousand emotional cuts. And when I finally sat in that therapist’s office II remember thinking:
“I don’t even know what I need. I just know I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
That moment? That’s where therapy begins for so many of us.
Why Therapy Feels Different for Us
Let’s name it: Therapy wasn’t built with us in mind. People of color have always had to navigate systems that weren’t created to hold the fullness of our stories,especially our emotional ones. So when therapy is framed as “just talking about your feelings,” it can feel… off.
Because we’ve been taught to:
- Work twice as hard and say half as much
- Be agreeable, even when we’re angry
- Be nurturing, even when we’re depleted
- Be exceptional, even when we’re exhausted
So we show up to therapy polished. Or we don’t show up at all. And underneath that? A quiet question many of us carry:
If I let go of my role… who am I without it?
This Is Why We Do Therapy Differently at Simplicity
At Simplicity Psychotherapy, we don’t believe in performative healing. We don’t ask you to explain your tone or soften your pain.
We understand that healing for Black men and women requires more than deep breathing and journaling prompts. It requires cultural context. It requires safety. It requires permission to take the mask off without being told to “calm down” or “be grateful.”
It’s not about convincing you to be vulnerable. It’s about giving you a space where vulnerability doesn’t feel like a threat.
We work with:
- Black women who are overfunctioning but emotionally undernourished
- Black men who’ve been everyone’s protector but never had protection of their own
- First-generation professionals navigating family guilt and workplace isolation
- High-achievers who feel both accomplished and disconnected
- Those who want love, connection, and softness—but don’t quite know how to receive it
We use trauma-informed, evidence-based practices like EMDR and narrative therapy, infused with cultural humility, real talk, and zero fluff. Because your healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. And your therapy shouldn’t be either.
You Don’t Need a Breakdown to Begin
If you’re waiting for the “right” time to start therapy, here’s a truth I learned the hard way: There is no perfect time. Only moments that invite you to come back to yourself.
Therapy is one of those moments.
It’s the one hour where you don’t have to translate your pain into something that makes sense to everyone else.
Where you don’t have to minimize your joy or shrink your sadness.
Where you can be soft and strong. Tired and still worthy of care.
You’re not broken. You’re just carrying things you were never meant to hold alone.
If that sounds like you, we’re here. And we see you.
📍 Based in Atlanta | 💻 Virtual sessions available across Georgia
🗓️ Schedule a consultation and let’s talk.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Rayvéne Whatley, a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. I’m passionate about empowering people, especially Black men and women, to remove the mask of other people’s expectations and step into their authentic selves.
Much of my work focuses on addressing the impact of racial trauma on mental health. The intersection of identity, systemic stressors, and societal expectations can create layers of anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional pain. I help clients navigate these experiences by reexamining beliefs that no longer align with their goals and replacing them with ones that support their desires and values.
Through my writing, I aim to share insights and resources to help you better understand the connection between racial trauma and mental well-being, while offering tools to reclaim your peace and balance.
Whether you’re here for guidance, validation, or inspiration, I’m glad you’ve found this space.Healing isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it—and you don’t have to do it alone.
