Mrs. Jirzia Blackman, LCSW-S

Jirzia Blackman, the visionary behind Rhapsody Counseling and Wellness Center, assumed the roles of founder and CEO in 2018. Mrs. Blackman’s expertise encompasses individual, couples, and family therapy, and she finds great joy in imparting her knowledge and mentoring the next generation of social workers. As a gatekeeper of her profession, she is committed to giving back.

With a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years, Jirzia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor. She earned her Master of Social Work from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Brooklyn College. Currently, she is actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University. Her commitment lies in serving diverse populations by employing holistic approaches meticulously tailored to her clients’ unique requirements.

Mrs. Blackman’s background encompasses a broad spectrum of practice settings, including non-profits where she worked with at-risk children and families, offering individual, play, and family therapy. She has also rendered support to adults living with HIV/AIDS in a hospital setting, and led a Spanish-speaking support group. Her experience extends to working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing crucial crisis intervention and short-term therapy. She has extensive experience with individuals dealing with chronic mental illness, as well as those grappling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD, assisting them on their paths to mental well-being.

Mrs. Blackman holds several certifications, including being a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), EMDR trained (in the process of certification), and Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level III trained. She is also certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and serves as a certified expert leader of the Gottman Institute’s 7 Principles of Making Marriage Work workshop. Her approach employs a variety of modalities tailored to meet her clients at their unique points of need while she serves as a catalyst for change. Her unswerving dedication to her clients, her profession, and Rhapsody Counseling is deeply rooted in her own transformative journey from adversity to triumph: Her Isaiah 61:3 story of beauty from ashes.