Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2478

Tonight's special guest is Rita Mercer, PsyD., from Los Angeles, California, a recent 2019 graduate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a doctorate degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology. Since graduating "I am an online Seeking Safety Support Group facilitator and design content and program collaborator of The Chat series," Rita explains. "This is an online discussion platform that aims to provide a safe space for participants to discuss various topics such as sexual and physical abuse, misinformation of the female anatomy, the role of women and most recently race, racism and the Christian. I am first generation American and the eldest of four girls born to my father, a Trinidadian and my mother who was Panamanian. I grew up in a home with strong Christian values and morals”. Growing up in a strict religious home Rita often found herself the very object of her father’s raft and controlling, abusive behavior. My father taught school in Trinidad. If I made a mistake or was slow to answer, I received a belt instead of compassion. This type of punishment continued for sixteen years. As a result, I was terrified of math, barely passed high school and avoided any major that involved statistics. I lived in fear of my dad, was very shy, had low self-esteem, lacked self-confidence and struggled with anorexia. I had a severe stuttering problem and speaking in public was an embarrassing experience. Rita brings her wisdom courage to the table now the founder and CEO of Color in Psychology, LLC, an online platform that supports graduate students in psychology with resources, a safe space to voice racial disparity concerns and discuss their experiences in predominantly white institutions. “I live in gratitude and forgiveness knowing God is in control.”