Hey Hey! My name is Kortnie.
I am a licensed professional counselor and 3rd year Counseling Education and Supervision PhD student. My therapist journey began unexpectedly after closing the chapter on a lifelong dream of becoming a pediatric dentist. What initially felt like an unsettling shift turned into a pathway to making people smile by supporting them in various chapters of their lives, a journey that has brought me immense purpose and joy. Since then I have had the privilege to work in various settings with individuals across the lifespan. My experience includes supporting adolescents and their families with eating disorders, in-home counseling, outpatient substance use, school-based and community mental health, private practice, and university counseling. My passion for counseling and supervision comes from a desire to create safe spaces for BIPOC women to feel connected, heard, seen, and empowered.
I started Beneath the Surface during my master’s program to increase the visibility of Black women in the counseling space and destigmatize mental health in the BIPOC community. Since 2019, my vision has evolved to intentionally serve the mental health and wellness needs of high-achieving Black women, including young professionals and "Good Daughters" navigating the pressures of trauma, anxiety, family expectations, and perfectionism. These women are often seen as strong, ambitious, and seamlessly balancing it all—but beneath the surface, they may feel overwhelmed, unfulfilled, or disconnected from their authentic selves.
My vision for Beneath the Surface is inspired by my own journey as a driven, ambitious Black woman. I understand the toll this can take on mental health, relationships, and personal joy. With the rise of Black women in leadership and high-performance roles, the need for intentional, culturally affirming mental health support has never been greater. Beneath the Surface provides a safe, judgment-free space to embrace vulnerability, uncover hidden wounds, and live a balanced, authentic life rooted in healing and self-discovery.
LET’S UNCOVER, HEAL, AND THRIVE TOGETHER!
Our Logo
In full transparency, lemons are fun, and their bright yellow color captures the eye! While that alone feels like a good enough reason for me, I had to reflect on the deeper meaning of Beneath the Surface. Like black women and other women of color, many fruits have resilient, tough exteriors that protect them from their environment. This makes them adaptable and often unique. But once the skin is removed, something beautiful and unique lies beneath. What is seen as weakness and vulnerability is an opportunity to unlock full potential. So why this and not a dragon fruit or something? Great question, Lemons, being natural cleansers, disinfectants, and purifiers, symbolize the idea of cleansing ourselves of old mental health narratives and embracing new ones to enhance our quality of life and well-being.
