Rufus Tony Spann, Ph.D., L.C.P.C., L.P.C.

Advisory Board Member

2022

Mental Health / Holistic Health

Forbes Health Advisory Board Member

Dr. Rufus Tony Spann is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, yoga teacher and reiki master. Over the years, he has served as a department chair, adjunct professor, assistant professor, speaker and trainer. Dr. Spann owns private practice You in Mind Psychotherapy and Consultation, which focuses on providing culturally responsive therapy, and he assists many therapists of color in receiving their independent licenses. He also is part of a research team looking to develop a new instrument that measures clients’ perceptions of whether counselors are effective in their ability to discuss the contextual dimensions of race, ethnicity, and culture (REC) with clients. Dr. Spann is a founding team member and the former chief clinical officer of Hurdle, a digital health platform for people of color.

Dr. Rufus Tony Spann is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, yoga teacher and reiki master. Over the years, he has served as a department chair, adjunct professor, assistant professor, speaker and trainer. Dr. Spann owns private practice You in Mind Psychotherapy and Consultation, which focuses on providing culturally responsive therapy ....Read More

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Board Certifications and Training

  • The National Board of Certified Counselors, National Certified Counselor (NCC)
  • The National Board of Certified Counselors, Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
  • NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, Master Addictions Counselor (MAC)
  • Evergreen Certifications, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist
  • National Association of School Psychologists, Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
  • Kaivalya Yoga School, Certified Yoga Teacher
  • Coach Training EDU, Executive Coach

Education

  • University of South Carolina, Columbia (B.S. Psychology)
  • The John Hopkins University (M.S. Clinical Counseling)
  • Howard University (Ph.D. School Psychology)

Achievements

  • Maryland Counseling Association, Past President
  • Argosy University’s Counseling Program, Department Chair

  • Your Guide To Affordable Therapy

    Staying healthy encompasses both body and mind. When we don’t feel well mentally, it may manifest physically. However, while therapy can be a helpful approach to staying in a good headspace, it can come at a high price. Rest assured,...

  • 7 Easy Ways To Relieve Stress, According To Experts

    Two of every three U.S. adults say their stress levels are up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The American Institute of Stress. But one positive side effect is people may now realize the importance of taking care of...

  • How To Support The Mental Health Of LGBTQ+ Kids In Your Life Right Now, According To Experts

    Approximately 8% of high school students in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 0.7% of youth identify as transgender, according to to the UCLA School of Williams...

  • 6 Types Of Nonverbal Communication, What They Mean And How To Spot Them

    What we say without saying anything at all says a lot about us. While language is important for conveying thoughts and emotions, it’s not the only way we communicate. That’s where nonverbal communication comes in, bringing a host of cues...

  • 10 Easy Self-Care Ideas That Can Help Boost Your Health

    To say the COVID-19 pandemic is stressful is an understatement, but one silver lining is that it’s made more people realize the importance of self-care. While you may think of self-care as enjoying rose petal-infused bubble baths, that’s not all...

  • What Is Gray Area Drinking?

    Feeling a little anxious? Need to chill after a long day? No big deal—you just grab a glass of wine, right? And then another one if it was a really tough day. And maybe one more. Totally fine… or is...

  • What Is Emotional Intelligence?

    Do you have friends or loved ones who consistently show a sense of empathy and understanding? Do you have co-workers who seem to cause conflict on a regular basis? The difference in these personalities might boil down to emotional intelligence...

  • 10 Expert-Backed Tips To Quit Smoking Cigarettes

    Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. If you smoke cigarettes you probably know that quitting has tremendous health benefits. But even even if you’re motivated to stop, strong cravings for nicotine, a highly addictive component of tobacco...

  • What Is Gaslighting? Meaning, Examples And Support

    If someone is intentionally distorting reality to make you feel like what you’re seeing or feeling isn’t real, you could be a victim of gaslighting. Gaslighting can come from a romantic partner, a boss, a family member, a doctor or...

  • Marijuana Withdrawal: What To Expect And How To Cope

    As the debate rages on about whether marijuana is an addictive substance, one thing is clear: Some habitual and long-term users experience withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop consuming it. In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health...

  • 10 Science-Backed Benefits Of Meditation

    When feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or stress, it can be hard to ground yourself or focus on a task. Although stress and anxiety are normal—and biologically necessary responses in certain situations—experiencing them on a regular basis can pose a risk...

  • What Is Pink Cloud?

    Perhaps you’re in the early stages of navigating an alcohol use disorder recovery program, or you’ve decided to get sober on your own. Either way, there’s a good chance you might experience a phenomenon called pink cloud syndrome, a “high...

  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: What To Know About This Popular Personality Test

    If you’ve ever seen a combination of four mysterious letters, such as “ISTP” or “ENTJ,” you might be interested to know they’re not just a trendy new acronym. These four-letter codes are possible results of a 93-question (give or take)...

  • Piaget’s Stages Of Cognitive Development

    Twentieth century psychologist Jean Piaget was a trailblazer in the understanding of children’s cognitive development. Unlike his predecessors, he believed children process information differently than adults and that intelligence is not inherent but acquired, adapting and expanding as children investigate...

  • Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: What To Look For And How To Cope

    Whether you have a loved one who struggles with substance abuse or you’ve navigated experiences with addiction yourself, you are far from alone. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental...

  • What Causes Overthinking—And 6 Ways To Stop

    It might feel like you’re the only one lying awake at night, dwelling on a decision you made earlier that day or worrying about tomorrow’s to-do list. But you’re not alone—research suggests 73% of 25- to 35-year-olds chronically overthink, along...

  • What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

    In 2019, roughly 20% of U.S. adults received mental health treatment. Traditional, well-known treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are effective, but a type of therapy called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has also been proven to help ease...

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms And Treatment

    Not everyone welcomes a new time of year. In fact, about 6% of Americans find themselves sinking into depression as the seasons change. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can impact your quality of life, work performance and relationships. Knowing the symptoms...

  • What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?

    Often used as a treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neurofeedback therapy aims to change the way the brain responds to certain stimuli. It’s also been used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, depression and insomnia, among other mental health disorders. Although it’s...

  • High-Functioning Anxiety: What It Is, Symptoms And Treatment

    Like most conditions, anxiety can manifest itself in a multitude of ways, one of which is called high-functioning anxiety. It can be challenging for the person experiencing it—as well as those around them—to spot, but understanding the signs and symptoms...

  • What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?

    In social settings involving other people, such as the first day of school, giving a presentation in front of coworkers or joining a new social group, it’s common for people to feel a little nervous or anxious. Usually, those feelings...

  • 10 Common Depression Symptoms

    Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. In fact, an estimated 7.1% of all U.S. adults experienced a major depressive episode within that past year, according to a 2017 National Institutes of Health...

  • What Is Anxiety? Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

    Anxiety, or the anticipation of a future threat, isn’t always a negative. While occasional feelings of anxiety may be intense, they’re a sign the mind and body are working together to maintain safety. For people with an anxiety disorder, however,...

  • What Is A Panic Attack?

    Panic attacks aren’t uncommon—it’s estimated that up to 14% of adults experience them each year. They occur more often among people in their 30s, and women are more likely to experience panic attacks than men—as are people who have more...

  • Caregiver Burnout: 8 Ways To Avoid It

    The number of people who work as unpaid caregivers rose sharply in recent years. Today, one in five Americans—about 53 million people, up from 43.5 million in 2015—is a caregiver. Unpaid caregivers, also known as family caregivers or informal caregivers,...

  • Chronic Stress: Symptoms And Treatment

    From traffic jams to a health scare to major work deadlines, life brings plenty of stressful moments. Some degree of stress is normal, but if feelings of being overwhelmed persist and affect your mental, emotional or physical health, you may...

  • Stressors: Recognizing What Causes Stress

    We all know what it’s like to feel stressed. At some point, we’ve all felt like we’re wading through quicksand, sinking and nearly succumbing to what’s chasing us. In hot pursuit are our stressors, potentially keeping us up at night. ...

  • Telepsychiatry vs. Teletherapy: What’s The Difference?

    Teletherapy and telepsychiatry are mental telehealth services that use videotelephony (like Zoom), phone calls or other messaging systems to facilitate communication between mental health professionals and their patients. Several studies suggest partnering with a capable, trained mental health professional virtually...

  • What Does A Mental Health Counselor Do?

    On the large menu of mental health services, you’ll find an alphabet soup of licensed professionals—including licensed mental health counselors or L.M.H.C.s. Could one be right for you? Learn everything you need to know about mental health counselors, including how...
Your Guide To Affordable Therapy
7 Easy Ways To Relieve Stress, According To Experts
How To Support The Mental Health Of LGBTQ+ Kids In Your Life Right Now, According To Experts 6 Types Of Nonverbal Communication, What They Mean And How To Spot Them
10 Easy Self-Care Ideas That Can Help Boost Your Health What Is Gray Area Drinking?
What Is Emotional Intelligence? 10 Expert-Backed Tips To Quit Smoking Cigarettes What Is Gaslighting? Meaning, Examples And Support Marijuana Withdrawal: What To Expect And How To Cope
10 Science-Backed Benefits Of Meditation What Is Pink Cloud? Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: What To Know About This Popular Personality Test
Piaget’s Stages Of Cognitive Development Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: What To Look For And How To Cope What Causes Overthinking—And 6 Ways To Stop
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms And Treatment What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
High-Functioning Anxiety: What It Is, Symptoms And Treatment
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? 10 Common Depression Symptoms
What Is Anxiety? Symptoms, Causes And Treatments What Is A Panic Attack?
Caregiver Burnout: 8 Ways To Avoid It
Chronic Stress: Symptoms And Treatment Stressors: Recognizing What Causes Stress Telepsychiatry vs. Teletherapy: What’s The Difference? What Does A Mental Health Counselor Do?

Health Philosophy

“My passion is to shift the culture of mental health and wellness by promoting inclusivity for all people. It is my belief that putting culture first and reducing barriers to access will increase preventative wellness for all. Creating equity and justice within mental health and wellness means all people can live healthy and full lives.”