Christiana Ibilola Awosan,
PhD., LMFT
lICENSED Marriage & Family Therapist
Founder
(She/her/hers)
Christiana earned her doctorate in Couple & Family Therapy from Drexel University and is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapy Clinical Fellow and an AAMFT Clinical Approved Supervisor. She has contributed to psychological, behavioral, and psychophysiological research at Syracuse University and contributed to over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and presentations on topics related to racial trauma and therapy solutions for Black couples and families. Christiana is currently an Associate Professor in the Marriage & Family Therapy Program at Iona University. She founded Ibisanmi Relational Health in 2018, in response to the needs of Black and Brown communities.
“I envisioned a mental health private practice like Ibisanmi Relational Health – a practice committed to the mental, emotional, and relational healing of Black people/POC - since my undergraduate years at Syracuse University. I’m excited to work with the Ibisanmi Relational Health team to provide a healing space for our communities. This work gives me the opportunity to help and empower individuals, couples, and families to mend and strengthen their relationships with themselves and others. I consider my work as a family therapist a calling. It is a great honor to be a holder of hope and a healer of relationships.”
Christiana’s approach:
“You can expect therapy with me to be collaborative and grounded in Multicultural Relational Perspective – an approach that addresses the hidden wounds of marginalization, oppression, and stigma. I also integrate methods and interventions that emphasize the role of family and intimate relationships in psychological health, disrupt unhealthy communication and behavioral patterns, as well work toward your healing and fulfilling life.”
In today's society, it’s crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA individuals and the importance of providing them with collective and communal care. They often face feelings of isolation and are at a greater risk of violence and suicide, especially among youth.