Darshawn Hooker

Having worked in the mental health field in various roles and positions, one of the aspects of clinical work that I personally felt drawn to was providing guidance and training to clinicians. Because of the love for this element of the work, I decided to begin my journey in higher education as an Adjunct Faculty member here at Pacific Oaks College. After over 15 years of clinical experience, working with a variety of populations, cultures and people with support needs, my clinical work allows me to offer a unique teaching style to students.

In addition to teaching students, I also own and operate a private practice. Nola Light Healing Center is a place where anyone is welcomed and when you decide to allow me to be a part of your mental health journey, you receive a genuine therapeutic connection. I understood early in my career that many of the struggles within my community come from having to wear masks of many colors, sizes and shapes to be acceptable in society. Providing treatment is both an art and a science, so when it came to focusing on my community directly, I knew that BIPOC needed a different representation of therapy and therapists. I knew that to connect and establish trusting relationships folks who looked like me would need to feel heard, seen and safe. The best way I know how to do that is well, by being authentic. Most of my work involves supporting Blacks, indigenous, other persons of color as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ community through their mental health journeys that often involves a variety of trauma, childhood, sexual and race based.

In addition to this one of the awesome things about the work I have been doing lately is merging mental health and play! I believe that the more play we add to our lives the more joy we will experience. So The Elf of Mental Health was born! I love dress up, themed parties and fantasy! The Elf of Mental Health is a half elf half fairy persona that talks about mental health on YouTube, providing answers to questions folks may have about mental health topics or seeking mental health support for themselves. It's rejuvenating to put on my elf ears, play in makeup and fairy wings, prancing around barefoot in a random park thinking about how to help folks meet their mental health goals! I enjoy collaborating with others to help them navigate life in a way that affords them a happier and healthier quality of life. I work diligently to offer the same outcomes for my students as an adjunct faculty member here at Pacific Oaks college.