Find the mental health support that best suits your needs.
Our team
Psychologist, Hairstylist, Founder/CEO
Afiya M. Mbilishaka, PHD
Being in love with hair her whole life, Dr. Afiya grew up as her family’s hairstylist, graduating from lawn chairs at cookouts to eventually holding space in her college dorm room for a mini-salon. Her trait of being a skillful active listener translated smoothly to the field of psychology, earning her degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Howard University. At the age of 26, Dr. Afiya earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and was a full time therapist at Columbia University and then she was a professor at the University of the District of Columbia. Dr. Afiya is a natural hairstylist and partners with N Natural Hair Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland where she loves creating art with locs, twists, and afros.
Mental Health Educator + Training Coordinator
Desi Carson
Desi is a graduate of the University of Virginia and her passion for PsychoHairapy stems from her experience in intersectionality, navigating mental health spaces, and having an arduous hair journey of her own. She has presented at Columbia University on PsychoHairapy and co-authored two manuscripts on the role of hair in therapy. Her favorite hair product is Shea Butter!