For Black women, our relationship with our hairstylist parallels that of a therapist. Historically, the hair salon served as a safe space for those few hours every two weeks where we could escape from the woes of our careers and professional lives. Not to mention, it serves as a much-needed reset from the stresses that come with day-to-day life, and for some, the only therapy we can afford.
Can we also talk about the body confidence that comes from a good “hair therapy” session? Thankfully, psychotherapy understands.
The mental health and hair movement company founded by Dr. Afia Mbilishka has created this certification program in partnership with Mau Moisture to empower hairstylists to recognize mental health issues in their clients and manage culturally informed mental health services and resources. equips you with the skills to do so.
“I am humbled and honored to collaborate with Maui Moisture on my life’s passion, using hair as an entry point into mental health care,” says Dr. Afia Mbilishka. I can more confidently envision a world where hairstylists can support clients through stressful life experiences, instilling confidence in using healing words and hair products.”
Maui Moisture’s mission is to provide curls with the confidence to help improve the self-perception and esteem that many women and girls in the community with textured hair struggle with.
“At Maui Moisture, we embrace all hair types and curls across the spectrum, which is why Pisco Haraphy’s mission resonates with us,” says Sheena Henry, Arndt Media Manager of Maui Moisture. “We know that fetishism, microaggressions and discrimination have a profound and negative impact on how our consumer sees themselves, affecting their self-confidence and overall mental health. We understand the deep connection between hair and mental health And want Black women and girls—especially those in their communities—to have the best resources for their hair and their mental well-being.
The brand’s ultra-hydrating, vegan-friendly formula transforms curls by using 100% aloe vera as the first ingredient in all of its products, delivering 40x more moisturizing properties and 80% stronger hair. Keeping in mind the brand’s objective of transformation, Maui Moisture envisions this partnership with Psychoherapie to ensure that their role in transforming women’s lives goes beyond a good hair day.
Psychotherapy Certification was initially established in 2019. With the current health pandemic, Psychotherapy has been translated into the digital landscape and the demand for the course has increased, with nearly two hundred stylists being trained. With $100,000 in funding from Maui Moisture, Psychotherapy hopes to create a self-paced virtual class to train over 100 psychotherapists, provide virtual group therapy to mental health professionals, create a Psychotherapy workbook, and expand access to certification .
