Octavia Brown, LCSW-C

Octavia Brown, a neurodivergent biracial Black beacon of strength and resilience, navigated a tumultuous journey, enduring the overt racism of her White family and grappling with deep-rooted abandonment issues from her early childhood. Born into a family that failed to accept her uniqueness, her experiences with physical abuse and a series of tumultuous relationships shaped her early perspectives on her identity as a neurodivergent woman of color. She bore witness to the trials and tribulations marginalized communities face, leading to an internalized struggle with her own biracial identity. Yet, it was this very adversity that cultivated a deeply embedded passion for advocacy and empowerment, especially within Black and Brown communities.

From a young age, Octavia was profoundly in tune with her emotions, showcasing an extraordinary gift of persuasion. This talent, initially misused in childhood antics, evolved into a formidable tool for advocacy and empowerment in her adult life. As she matured, her innate care for others' well-being and her commitment to family took on deeper dimensions. This profound empathy was accentuated by her early exposure to ancestral practices through her paternal grandmother and grandfather, fostering a spiritual connection that would later inform her work.

Educationally, Octavia's pursuit of knowledge and understanding led her to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). There, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in Social Work and a minor in Africana Studies, striving to grasp the intricate complexities of the Black community's journey. Her dedication was further exemplified at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work, where she was honored with the Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program Outstanding MSW Student of the Year award.

HERstory.

Upon graduation, Octavia's multifaceted involvement in social work practice demonstrated her unwavering commitment. Her roles spanned activism, political social work, and clinical practice, with every endeavor reinforcing her commitment to healing, decolonization, and liberation. In 2020, she launched her mental health practice, an embodiment of 12 years of meticulous preparation, dedication, and vision. As highlighted in a feature article, Octavia's journey with her practice was not an "overnight success," but a testament to her belief that true success demands time, patience, and unwavering dedication.

Today, Octavia stands as a symbol of hope, strength, and transformation. Her story, academic accomplishments, and professional endeavors are a testament to the indomitable spirit of women in business. Through her mental health practice, she continues her mission to heal, empower, and liberate, ensuring that every individual she touches recognizes the value of their unique journey and the endless potential within them.

Her Legacy.

Karen M. Brown

Amidst the rustic cobblestone streets of Annapolis, Maryland, on January 6, 1943, a fierce spirit was born. Octavia's grandmother, a symbol of resilience and strength, grew up during an era when the shadows of racial segregation and discrimination were prevalent. The vibrant town was paradoxically tainted with the sobering hues of prejudice. But within the walls of her childhood home, another storm brewed — an alcoholic father whose harsh words wounded her mother's spirit.

Every time her father's temper flared, Octavia's grandmother's fiery spirit ignited. With the fierce heart of a lioness, she would step between them, willing to bear the brunt of her father's wrath to shield her mother. From these early confrontations emerged a fierce advocate, a protector not just of her family but for anyone who needed a voice.

Blessed with the innate gifts of compassion, empathy, and intuition, Octavia's grandmother transformed her tumultuous experiences into a wellspring of support for those around her. While she didn't possess formal therapeutic credentials, she became the unofficial therapist of her community. Her porch transformed into a sanctuary where hearts were mended, spirits were uplifted, and souls found solace.

Among the many lives she touched, Octavia was particularly fortunate to be under her tutelage. During their countless hours of deep conversations, she would often remind Octavia, "in the work you do, never forget the Black women. No one helps us." These words, etched into Octavia's heart, would lay the foundation for her calling in mental health.

It was through her eyes, filled with both pain and hope, that Octavia realized the transformative power of therapy. Octavia felt a calling, a deep-seated passion stirred by her grandmother's legacy. Even now, as she treads the path her grandmother once did, advocating for the oppressed and forgotten, Octavia often feels her guiding spirit beside her. Every step Octavia takes, every life she touches, is a continuation of her grandmother's mission. And she pledges, with every breath in her body, to walk in the legacy entrusted to her, championing the cause of Black women and the entire Black community.

Her Clinical Practice.

Specializations:

ADHD & Neurodiversity
Family/Ancestral Trauma
Racial Trauma & Identity
Body Liberation/Body Love
Domestic Violence
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
Healing work with Healers
Decolonization Work & Practice
Spiritual Awakening & Practice

Summary:

Octavia's therapeutic approach is rooted in a holistic and intersectional framework, emphasizing neurodiversity, ancestral and family trauma, and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and soul. This approach integrates elements of decolonization and deconstruction of limiting beliefs, guiding clients toward self-awareness and alignment across all aspects of consciousness. Octavia believes in relationships as tools for self-mastery and personal evolution, helping clients identify patterns that hinder growth while fostering resilience and emotional independence.

Through psychoeducation, Octavia equips clients with the knowledge to understand abstract concepts such as consciousness, alignment, and the interplay between science, spirituality, and religion. Narrative therapy is employed to explore clients’ life stories and empower them to rewrite narratives that better align with their values and goals. Motivational interviewing supports clients in recognizing readiness for change, while mindfulness practices are introduced to enhance self-awareness and cultivate intentionality.

Octavia creates a space for clients to reflect on their challenges and successes, encouraging them to break cycles of negativity and embrace personal growth. Her approach is compassionate, strengths-based, and adaptive, ensuring clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate their unique journeys of healing and transformation.

Her Spiritual Practice.

Spiritual Practice & Teaching Philosophy

Octavia’s work is rooted in a braided spirituality — a weaving together of ancestral wisdom, mystical Christianity, African Traditional practices, and feminine archetypal healing. This unique integration reflects both her lineage and her lived experiences, allowing her to guide others into wholeness with depth and authenticity.

Core Beliefs

Ancestral Connection: Octavia honors her ancestors daily, recognizing them as guides, protectors, and witnesses to healing. Ancestral veneration grounds her work and reminds others that they are never alone on their journey.

African Spirituality: She embraces the Yoruba concept of Ori — the inner head, personal divinity, and chosen destiny. She also honors the Orisha Oshun, whose energy embodies sweetness, love, and abundance, helping us reclaim joy and self-worth.

Mystical Christianity: Octavia maintains an intimate relationship with Christ, not through dogma, but as a safe and loving masculine presence who anchors, protects, and balances her spiritual practice. For her, Christ embodies Divine Flow — alignment with truth, compassion, and authority without domination.
Feminine Archetypes & Shadow Work: She works with the energies of Lilith and Persephone. Lilith teaches sovereignty, sexual autonomy, and the reclamation of truth after generations of silencing. Persephone represents descent and rebirth, guiding us through grief and shadow into transformation. Together with Oshun, they form a trinity of feminine wisdom: sweetness, sovereignty, and rebirth.
Sacred Body & Spirit Integration: Octavia believes the body is a temple. Our scars, stories, and even pain are sacred. Healing involves not erasing who we are, but reclaiming strength, power, and confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits.

What She Teaches

Octavia guides individuals and communities in:

Decolonizing healing by blending African and Indigenous wisdom with modern therapeutic practices.
Reclaiming sovereignty through shadow work, boundary setting, and ancestral healing.
Embodying divine balance by embracing both softness and power, joy and grief, light and shadow.
Living in Divine Flow, aligning with one’s Ori (destiny) and the rhythm of Spirit rather than striving from fear or shame.
Honoring the body as sacred, transforming shame into empowerment and reclaiming confidence as a spiritual practice.

A Unique Path

Octavia emphasizes that spiritual practice is not about “following the leader.” Every person must discover and honor the practices, deities, and guides that resonate with them most. Spirituality is deeply rooted in one’s own individual journey and unique experience. Her role is not to make others follow her path, but to help them find and strengthen their own.

In short, Octavia’s spirituality is not confined to one tradition — it is a woven path of liberation. She teaches others how to step into that same liberation: to reclaim their voice, heal their lineage, embody their power, and walk in the fullness of their divine truth.

Awards and Recognition.

Fannie Lou Hamer Award; Michelle Obama Certificate of Recognition: 100 Women Making a Difference; Title IV-E MSW “Student of the Year” award; Golden Key International Honor Society; Phi Kappa Honor Society; Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society; Second Generation Scholarship Award; National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Certificate of Achievement.