VOICES OF DAVIDSON

Dr. Chastity Adams

Dr. Chasity Adams is the author of Reclaiming your Best Self: The Four Disciplines of Mindful Acceptance, offering strategies to live the best version of yourself by taking charge of your happiness, wellness, relationships, success, and life. The book offers real-life vignettes and tips to help with daily living and encourages emotional self-care and habits of happiness.

Currently, Reclaiming your Best Self may be found on amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1642371289/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_hEz4EbTRTGHC3.

Background:

A licensed psychologist, Chasity K. Adams, PsyD is an author, speaker and life coach, working with adults coping with depression, anxiety, self-care issues, and interpersonal/intrapersonal difficulties. She has lived in Davidson for 8 years and has two daughters who attend Davidson K-8 (rising 3rd and 5th graders), plus an AKC champion Doberman Pinscher puppy.

“Prior to COVID-19, our family traveled often. Now, due to the pandemic, we are enjoying more time walking, hiking, and biking. My husband currently works for Bank of America and owns a collectible statue company, PCS collectibles,” Adams says.

Tell me about your day job.

As a Licensed Psychologist in private practice, I love the flexiblity my career offers me. Remote learning took most of us by surprise. I surely didn’t see it coming and wasn’t prepared for it. However, given that I make my own schedule, I decided to reduce my caseload by not accepting new clients and only offering late afternoon and evening appointments. This flexible and abbreviated schedule allowed me to home school my children in the daytime and then go into office or work from home in the late afternoon.

How did you uncover this passion?

During my senior year in high school, I took an AP Psychology class, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This class set me on the trajectory for wanting to learn more about human behavior and apply the knowledge. I’ve always enjoyed talking to and interacting with people. My mother says that I’ve “never met a stranger.” Being raised as an only child and desiring companionship from other children, I learned to make connections and friends easily. In addition, I learned the importance of listening with compassion and non-judgment.

What inspires you every day?

The courage, creativity, and curiosity of my daughters inspire me daily. In the aforementioned ways, I want to be more like them. For the most part, they are carefree and living in the moment. Until recent, they did not worry about their future or mortality.  Now, understandably, they are more anxious about bad things happening to them because of the color of their skin. They said that they thought racism “was a thing of the past.” They also said they felt, “like we were going back in time.” These statements spoke to their innocence and positive experiences with the children in their community. Notably,  I am aware that they are looking at my every move, waiting for the moment to emulate and mirror my behavior. As a result, I wake up everyday demonstrating gratitude, poise and pride by walking and talking in a space of peace and purpose.

What are your challenges and speed bumps along the way?

One of my biggest challenges is preserving my daughters’ innocence about what is going on in the world, while simultaneously helping them to embrace the reality to which they live. Recently, we’ve had to have some very difficult conversations about the pandemic, recent killings of African Americans, and the resulting protests.

Secrets to staying motivated and positive?

We are staying motivated and positive by taking action in ways that make sense for our family. My daughters wanted to engage in a behavior that they thought might make a difference, so they asked if they could join a protest. From their study of history, they knew that important people had made lasting changes by protesting. This wasn’t my favorite idea of taking action, but I wanted them to feel empowered. In addition, I informed them of other ways which their father and I were taking action, such as by making financial donations and supporting minority businesses.

How can Davidson residents best support you?

I’ve really appreciated the support from some of the Davidson residents during this unprecedented and uncertain time. Some of our neighbors have reached out to check on us given the emotional weight of what is going on in the world. It’s been nice to know that some people actually “see color” and are aware that the color difference may make our life experiences divergent.  Others have been vocal on social media by denouncing racism and challenging racist comments from others.

I think it is important that Davidson residents continue to educate themselves about the history of Black Americans, the obstacles they overcame to achieve any amount of success in America as well as the obstacles that many of us are continuing to overcome. My family and I are fortunate in many ways and grateful to everyone who has genuinely smiled and welcomed us to this lovely community.

Chasity K. Adams, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist, Health Service Provider
1905 JN Pease Place, Ste 202
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-430-8455
www.drchasityadams.co
Follow me at drchasityadams on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube