Your First Visit

Deciding to walk through the doors of the Big Orange Oasis—whether virtually or in my Catonsville, MD office—is an act of courage. This is not a standard clinical intake; this is the beginning of a partnership in liberation.

As a Professor at Columbia University and a clinician rooted in the Black prophetic tradition, I want you to know exactly what it feels like to sit with me before you even book your first session.

What to Expect: The “Doc” Style

I am a plain-spoken, direct clinician. I do not believe that silence is healing. While I provide a deep, empathetic sanctuary, I will also push you. I will challenge the narratives that systemic harm has taught you to believe about yourself.

The first visit is about fit. We aren’t just checking boxes; we are determining if we have the chemistry to go deep. I am looking for the “Deep-Sea Divers”—those who are ready to face the “head trash” and do the heavy, holy work of reclamation.

The Intake: Why Our Questions Are Different

Yesterday, we finalized a revised set of intake documents that reflect the true depth of this practice. When you receive your digital paperwork, you won’t find just a list of medical symptoms. You will find questions designed to map your geography:

  • Your Lineage & People: Who are the ancestors and communities that sustain you?

  • Your Relationship to Power: How has the State or the system impacted your nervous system?

  • Your Readiness to Reclaim: What are you ready to “vomit up” (as Baldwin would say) to make room for your freedom?

Note: If you are a doctoral student, an activist, or an entrepreneur, these questions are designed to honor your intellect and the unique pressures of your “Big Orange” life.

Logistics for the Journey

Telehealth & In-Person

  • In-Person (Catonsville, MD): If you are coming for Sandplay or Focusing, our first visit will orient you to the sanctuary.

  • Remote (MD, ME, MA): Our virtual room is a secure, HIPAA-compliant space. Please ensure you are in a private area where you feel safe to speak freely. Georgia clients, I look forward to meeting you in Spring 2026.

Neuro-Affirming & Lived-Experience Informed

As a neurodivergent clinician (ADHD/Autism) with lived experience of TBI and IV drug use, I do not require you to “perform” wellness for me. Come as you are. Whether you process linearly or in poetry, there is space for you here.

Directness & Accountability

Our first session is 50-60 minutes. We will review your goals and I will be direct about how I think we can best move toward your autonomy. If you are looking for someone to just nod and listen without feedback, I am likely not the right fit. If you want a coach and a prophetic partner, you are home.

Orange Oasis Healing logo

I look forward to meeting you in the deep end. Prior to our first session, I will send your Prophetic Intake forms via the PracticeBetter Client Portal. Please complete these as an act of testimony before we sit together.

Next Steps

  1. Complete the “Prophetic Intake”: After booking, you will receive a link to your documents. Please take your time with these; they are the “primary text” for our first session.

  2. Verify Coverage: Review the Rates & Insurance section to ensure your financial peace of mind.

  3. Prepare Your Space: If remote, find your “Oasis”—a quiet spot with a strong connection.

 

Safety & The Anti-Carceral Sanctuary

As a scholar-practitioner and a carceral abolitionist, I recognize that standard clinical safety protocols can often perpetuate systemic harm rather than prevent it. In the Big Orange Oasis, we prioritize community-rooted safety over state intervention.

I want you to be fully informed about how I navigate my legal requirements as a mandated reporter while maintaining the integrity of your sanctuary. Before our first session, please review our dedicated Safety, Sanctuary, & Liberation Policy to understand our commitment to your autonomy and our rejection of carceral responses to mental health crises.