Clinical & Forensic Psychology of Shreveport

05/01/2026

Hope House Friday!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: the image shows Dr. Russell, her son and his classmate, her mother, and Dr. Russell's mother standing behind a table at Hope House. On the table are drinks, a bowl of fruit, and boxes with meals in them.

Thanks Clinical & Forensic Psychology of Shreveport for the great lunch.

04/22/2026

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our own Josie Savannah! Josie has been with the practice from day one, and keeps everything running smoothly. She does it all, from scheduling, billing, administering psychological testing under Dr. Russell's supervision, to interfacing with courts and attorneys for forensic cases! She is bright, courteous, professional, and dedicated, and the practice couldn't function without her! Thank you, Josie, and we hope you feel celebrated today and every day!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: On the left of the image is a headshot of Josie, smiling and wearing glasses, a black sweater, and red and black top. On the right of the image is text in a red to purple gradient, script font, against a purple background, which reads "Administrative Professionals Day."

04/02/2026

Our office will be closed on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday. We will re-open on Monday, April 6, at 8 AM.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The words, "Office Closed Friday, April 3" in lavender fonts against a light green speckled background. At the top of the image is a border made of greenery, white flowers, and pastel colored eggs.

02/28/2026

Dr. Jennifer Richeson

Jennifer A. Richeson is an American social psychologist who studies racial identity and in*******al interactions. She is currently the Philip R. Allen Professor of Psychology at Yale University where she heads the Social Perception and Communication Lab. Prior to her appointment to the Yale faculty, Richeson was Professor of Psychology and African-American studies at Northwestern University. In 2015, she was elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences. Richeson was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2022. Since 2021, she has been a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology .

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Dr. Richeson is shown in a headshot, wearing a black blazer, white shirt, and gold necklace, against a blue background.

02/27/2026

Ted Talk on the changing views of mental health within the Black community, by Chante Meadows

Why don’t we make our mental health as important as our physical health? Unfortunately, because of mental health stigma. How we view mental health keeps peop...

02/26/2026

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

Dr. Tatum is the former acting president of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where she served as a professor of psychology and education and later as chair of the Department. In 1998, Dr. Tatum was appointed Dean of the College and Vice President for Student Affairs. While in that position, she directed the offices of the Dean of Students, Religious and Spiritual Life, Career Development and Health Services. She also managed the academic advising system and advocated for students’ interests among faculty and senior staff. Prior to serving at Mount Holyoke, Dr. Tatum was a faculty member at Westfield State College from 1983-1989 and a lecturer at the University of California at Santa Barbara from 1980-1983. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Wesleyan University and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan, as well as a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from Hartford Seminary.

A nationally recognized authority on racial issues in America and a licensed clinical psychologist, she has toured extensively, leading workshops and presenting papers and lectures on racial identity development. Dr. Tatum is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race, which was released as a fifth anniversary edition in January 2003. Since its original publication in 1997, the book has been listed on the Independent Bookstore Bestseller list and was selected as the multicultural book of the year in 1998 by the National Association of Multicultural Education. The New York Times recommended the book as required reading for private school teachers and administrators in the greater New York area who were dealing with issues of race and class. Dr. Tatum is also the author of Assimilation Blues: Black Families in a White Community (1987) and has published widely in social science and education journals. In May 2007, Dr. Tatum released Can We Talk About Race?: And Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Dr. Tatum is shown in a headshot, wearing a red blazer and gold earrings, with trees visible in the background.

02/25/2026

Today's black mental health "fact" is another Ted Talk, by Marcus Mason, focused on the importance of representation, and the need for more black, male therapists. Check it out!

02/24/2026

Dr. Na'im Akbar

Dr. Akbar is an internationally known scholar, author, lecturer, researcher, and expert in the area of African American Psychology. He received his BA, MA, and PhD from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He served as chairman of Morehouse College Department of Psychology and faculty at Norfolk State University, prior to joining the Florida State University in 1979. Akbar served on the faculty at Florida State University for 28 years. Since his retirement from FSU, he has devoted full time to his consulting and publishing company.

Throughout his career, Akbar has been a distinguished author and scholar, writing numerous books and speaking publicly to share his expertise at conferences and interviews. His major contributions to the field of psychology have been centered on the topics of developing an African-centered approach in modern psychology — which for Akbar involves the deconstruction of Eurocentric psychological thought and the subsequent reconstruction/construction of an African psychology that includes the specific historical and cultural experiences of African Americans. Acclaimed by Essence Magazine as “one of the world’s preeminent psychologists in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology”, he has had numerous media appearances, and has been featured in numerous national and international publications.

Akbar’s professional service includes several terms on the Board of the National Association of Black Psychologists to which he was elected President in 1987, on the editorial board of the Journal of Black Studies, and associate editor of the Journal of Black Psychology. Along with his dedication to scholarly pursuits, Akbar has dedicated much energy and time to serving the community. He was a charter member of the Florida A&M University Friends of the Black Archives, a charter member of the Riley House Museum, co-founder of the Tallahassee chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists, president of the Board of the Frenchtown Community Development Corporation since its inception, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Akbar received the 2022 Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association, for his significant contribution to the profession of psychology, through his advancement of Health Equity by increasing psychologists of color in the profession with his effective recruitment, mentoring, and support.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Dr. Akbar is shown in a headshot, smiling and wearing glasses, a dark suit jacket, and white collared shirt, against a white background.

02/23/2026

Today we're sharing another Ted Talk about the state of black mental health. Check it out at the link below!

In this one, a hospice therapist talks about the causation of early death, specifically in racially marginalized communities. Through a mixture of real life stories and healthcare facts, Ashley provides a powerful look into this preventable crisis. Based in Washington, Ashley McGirt is an international speaker, author, and a trauma informed therapist. Aside from being the owner of Ashley McGirt Counseling Services LLC and founder of the Worldwide Wellness tour, she also serves as a hospice clinician for a non-profit organization.

McGirt’s profound interest in life and death, as well as the fascinating field of psychology and hospice, began when she first read the book “Tuesdays with Morrie”, which helped she realize how much the dying can teach us about living. Since then she has been dedicated to helping individuals to not only live well but die well. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

02/22/2026

Antoinette Kavanaugh

Antoinette Kavanaugh, Ph.D., ABPP is Board Certified in Forensic Psychology, is the former Clinical Director of the Juvenile Justice Division of the Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic, served as a clinical professor at Northwestern University’s School of Law for ten years, is a Lecturer at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, is an alumnus of the American Psychological Association’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, and is a Fellow for APA’s Division 42, Psychologists in Independent Practice.

Dr. Kavanaugh has authored several peer-reviewed articles and routinely educates lawyers and psychologists on issues related to obtaining and conducting forensic evaluations, adolescent development, and the impact of racism and discrimination on mental health. In private practice since 1999, she evaluates youth and adults for civil and criminal state and federal cases. Dr. Kavanaugh and Dr. Thomas Grisso co-authored Sentencing Juveniles in Adult Court, which details a developmentally sensitive approach to conducting de facto life or Miller sentencing evaluations.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Dr. Kavanaugh is shown in a headshot, wearing a gray, pin-striped blazer and white shirt, and small gold hoop earrings.

02/21/2026

Today's black mental health fact is a Tedx Talk, by Curtis Jasper. It's a quick watch, about 15 minutes. Check it out!