How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN?

I’ve been connected to CBHN officially for a little over a year now. What drew me in is their deep commitment to improving the health and wellness of Black Californians in ways that honor our culture, our stories, and our communities. At Living Connected Psychological, we focus on mental wellness from a holistic framework—understanding that true health includes the mind, body, and spirit.

After attending the CBHN Advocacy training in Sacramento, I was amazed by how much access and opportunity already existed—and I realized I hadn’t been fully using those resources to support my community’s wellness. That experience reignited my desire to partner more intentionally with CBHN and to make mental health care more accessible, culturally grounded, and faith-informed.

What is your current profession?

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Living Connected Psychological, Inc. My work focuses on helping high-performing professional Black women manage chronic stress and reconnect with themselves through mind-body-spirit wellness.

I use a model I developed called ROOTED: Reset, Observe, Orient, Talk, Exercise, and Disrupt, which provides practical steps to pause, breathe, and come back to center. Through individual therapy, wellness retreats, and digital programs, I teach women that healing isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity and a sacred practice.

From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians?

Health equity for Black Californians is challenged by systemic racism, economic barriers, and a lack of culturally responsive care. But there’s also an invisible burden, chronic stress that many in our community carry every single day. That constant state of pressure and vigilance doesn’t just impact our emotional well-being; it affects our physical and mental health in very real ways.

This chronic wear and tear takes years off our lives. And if it doesn’t take us prematurely, it often leaves us living with illness, fatigue, and disease. But here’s the truth, we can do something about it now, even as we continue to advocate for systems that take a more whole-person approach to care. That’s exactly what we do at Living Connected.

We continue to challenge our systems to recognize the fullness of who we are. Health care must honor our lived experiences, acknowledge the effects of racial trauma, and integrate the cultural and spiritual values that sustain us. Equity isn’t just about access; it’s about being truly seen, cared for, and valued.

Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians?

Prioritizing Black wellness is at the heart of everything I do. Through Living Connected, I create spaces, both holistic and communal, where Black women can rest, release, and heal. Whether through retreats, therapy, or experience labs (hands-on interactive courses), I invite women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build sustainable wellness practices.

Partnering with CBHN expands that work. It allows me to collaborate with others who share a vision for culturally competent care, advocacy, and education that reflects the full experience of Black Californians. Together, we’re shifting how wellness looks, feels, and is accessed in our communities.

What inspires you to keep doing the work you do?

I’m inspired every time I see a woman take a deep breath and realize she doesn’t have to carry it all alone. That moment when she shifts from surviving to thriving and eventually flourishing, is powerful. My faith fuels me, too. I believe healing is holy work.

Healing doesn’t just happen emotionally; it happens on a cellular level. Our bodies begin to repair, and our brains start to rewire toward calm, connection, and clarity. When one woman heals, it changes her family, her workplace, and her community. That ripple effect reminds me why I do what I do—it’s not just about one person, it’s about collective restoration.

What's the bravest thing you've ever done?

After becoming a mom, the bravest thing I ever did was leaving academia to pursue my heart’s desire—using my research and clinical skills to help Black women heal and thrive. I had spent years teaching, mentoring graduate students and doing research, following a very traditional path. But deep down, I knew I was being called to something different.

Walking away from the safety and structure of academia wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Launching Living Connected Psychological, Inc. was both a leap of faith and an act of alignment. It allowed me to integrate psychology, faith, and culture into a space where Black women could breathe, heal, and flourish. That decision taught me that courage often looks like surrender, and trusting that what God placed in your heart is worth pursuing.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

My dad once told me, “Baby, give yourself what you want for your birthday—everything else is icing on the cake.” That simple statement has stayed with me for years. It reminds me to take ownership of my joy and to live intentionally rather than waiting for permission to celebrate myself.

He first gave me that advice on my 36th birthday, but over time, I’ve taken it to heart in my everyday life, not just once a year. It’s a principle I now share with the women I work with: joy isn’t indulgent, it’s essential. Give yourself what you need and desire, and then receive anything anyone else does as icing on the cake—a sweet bonus to a life you’ve already chosen to savor.

What does health equity mean to you personally?

For me, health equity means that every Black person has the freedom and support to live well in body, mind, and spirit. It’s about more than closing gaps; it’s about creating spaces of belonging and care that affirm our humanity.

When I think about equity, I imagine a world where wellness isn’t an exception for us, it’s the expectation. Where access, understanding, and compassion are built into every level of care. That’s the world I’m committed to helping build.

About Dr. Tina Armstrong

Dr. Tina R. Armstrong, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and speaker, and the founder of Living Connected Psychological, Inc., where she empowers high-performing and high-achieving Black women to heal from chronic stress and reconnect with peace through her signature ROOTED framework. Her approach integrates faith, psychology, and culture to promote holistic wellness in mind, body, and spirit.

A sought-after speaker and teacher, Dr. Armstrong creates transformative spaces that invite reflection, rest, and restoration. She also serves as the Board Chair for the Truth’s Table Foundation and is a passionate advocate for mental health equity, spiritual wholeness, and generational flourishing.

At Living Connected, we empower Black women to take a break before they break. Visit us at drtinaarmstrong.com