Torian Yancey, Masters in Counseling
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up, my parents were a good mix of firm and understanding, I definitely learned my drive and compassion from them. I am a Black American woman with southern roots, my extended family is mostly in West Virginia and North Carolina. I received my undergraduate degree from SUNY Purchase in May 2010 and my graduate degree in School Counseling in May 2016. I'm currently pursuing my Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling, also from Alfred University. I'm just over 200 internship hours away from completion.
I tend to say that counseling found me, not the other way around. In college, I started neglecting my Journalism classes to volunteer at local after-school programs, supporting adolescents. I found myself wanting to help people directly, rather than write about them. I found more opportunities for direct service, and counseling is where I thrived. I have had several different jobs in youth development and education:
AmeriCorps VISTA in Baltimore, MD
Counselor in Training Coordinator- Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
School Assistant- University Prep Charter High School, Bronx, NY
School Counselor- New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities III, Brooklyn, NY
Counseling Supervisor- Goddard Riverside Community Center, New York, NY (Current)
I want to center Black people in my practice because we are consistently left out of the conversation when it comes to mental health. In this current socio-political climate, black people are either being exposed to or forced to relive trauma. There is a lot to process, and in my own experience, it is safer to do so with someone who looks like me. I have experienced my fair share of microaggressions in my life. From the "You're so articulate" to colleagues mistaking passion and assertion for downright aggression. When I was younger, I didn't understand what a microaggression was or its connection to racism, so sadly, I let it go unaddressed out of fear of being seen as the "Angry Black Woman," Now that I'm older and wiser, I wish I would have let that fear go and checked the behavior.
I like to think that my clients feel a great deal of comfort with me. They feel safe enough to trust me with their journey. I want them to bring their most authentic selves to the space and I have to lead by example. I'm awkward and corny but witty and funny, I believe that allows clients to let their guards down gradually.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and playing games. I have a steady growing collection of card and board games, making any get together I host a fun one.