Dr. La-Toya Gaines

As a licensed psychologist, educator, speaker, and advocate, Dr. La-Toya Gaines is a leader in the mental health field. She has earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and her Master’s and Doctor of Clinical Psychology at the Michigan School of Psychology. In addition to her educational accolades, she has a decade of experience as a therapist serving adults, families, and children and as a professor and faculty member, where she educates and supervises future clinicians, develops curriculum, and helps shape the future of the field. In 2016, Dr. Gaines founded Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, Inc. in Southfield, Michigan, where she specializes in child and family psychology, the self-esteem and self-confidence of young women, and the culturally unique emotional needs of Black women. “My greatest professional goal is to empower Black women to shed the weight of being a Strong Black Woman,” she states. Clinically, she is dedicated to providing culturally competent assessment and treatment. Additionally, as an advocate to empower Black women to center themselves, Dr. Gaines developed and delivers a 6-week intensive workshop, webinar series, and speaking platform to help shed the Strong Black Woman narrative and provide the support and education to find their voice and pursue the lives they desire. Dr. Gaines is an experienced, introspective, and empathetic clinical psychologist who provides quality care, has made her mark in her field, and provides space for those that often go underserved and unheard. Her excellence in client care, social justice, and cultural competence make her a leader and change agent in the field of psychology and life.